The Girlfriend Therapist

Licensed in Florida, Georgia, Texas, & Wisconsin, Cortina Peters, aka The Girlfriend TherapistTM, is an EMDR trained licensed mental health counselor. She is also an International Life Coach, Best Selling Author, Motivational Strategist, and Mentor who motivates people to win in every area of their life. She completed both her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling and her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Nova Southeastern University. She obtained a Ph.D. in Clinical Sexology. She also holds a certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship which she received from Cornell University. Cortina started her career in sexual health education and overall wellness over 20 years ago. She has been providing professional counseling services since 2009 and was voted as the first black president of the Mental Health Counselors of Central Florida, a position she currently holds.

Empowering individuals to become and be better individuals is a deeply held passion of hers. This passion was the springboard that caused her to launch Boundless Living Coaching, Counseling, & Consulting, a counseling and consulting firm aimed at helping individuals, organizations, and companies thrive and function at optimum potential. Since 2010, she has focused her attention and efforts on the field of inspiring change. As The Girlfriend TherapistTM, she helps to dispel the myths of what it means to see a therapist. In 2020, she began to focus on social injustice and racially related issues that impact mental health and wellness. Because of this, she developed The NOIR Center for Intuitive Health & Counseling.

She has received numerous awards and has been recognized by professional peers, colleagues, and community organizations for her positive work with her patients, clients, and community. Her experience ranges from providing individual counseling sessions to speaking on conference stages in front of large audiences. Be it big or small; she motivates all. Her therapeutic specialties include sex therapy, race-based trauma/stress, relationships, transitional challenges, and mood disturbances.

As the creative developer and visionary of The W.O.W. Effect®, she bridges the gap between people just living life. She helps them become individuals who can experience life on a deeper level. She is a two-time cancer (Lymphoma) survivor and Lupus warrior; she has dedicated her life to helping individuals heal, motivating others, and encouraging clients to live as authentically as possible. She is an advocate for change and an activist in her own right. Having to fight for her life in ways many people would not understand, she serves as a light to those who might be in dark, dull, or dim places. Her bubbly, outgoing personality makes it easy for anyone to connect with her and feel her genuineness and commitment to seeing and showing people how to win. Her motto is iWin|iWon|iWOW, which is something she encourages others to do as well.

Where it all began

I was born to Kathy and Derek Crist in West Palm Beach, FL. Shortly after my arrival, we moved to Jacksonville, North Carolina, because my father was in the Marines. When I was three years old, my parents divorced. From then to now, Florida has been home. My life is full of twists, turns, and loop de loops, but I always seem to come out on top.

I am an only child, but I have always yearned for a sibling. I have a very close nit family, so my cousins and I were raised like siblings.

Early years

As I look back over my life, I can’t help but have gratitude for the things I’ve been able to survive. Some people look at me and think life was a piece of cake. Well the truth is- it was far from it. Growing up, I’d always felt like the black sheep. I never really felt as if I fit in anywhere. I was different, I felt misunderstood, and I felt very alone. I carried so much pain and hurt due to traumas and unfortunate incidents I’d experienced. Despite having everything given to me in my childhood, I still felt empty. I grew up wanting to please everyone around me, and I never took the time to do things that made me happy. I never wanted to be a disappointment and strived to be perfect.

I was introduced to therapy early; however, I never felt I could connect with any of the therapists I interacted with. It may have been due to not feeling entirely comfortable and the therapist providing services to me was not what I needed. This fact always stood out to me and I remembered how I felt as a recipient of therapeutic services.

Tough times

Despite overcoming so many obstacles in my childhood, adulthood was a whole new story. In 2005 I was diagnosed with Lymphoma. I was also told that I would likely be unable to have children. When I was informed of that, I didn’t care too much. You see, I never wanted children. It wasn’t until the first Chemo treatment that a shift occurred inside me. For the first time, while sitting and looking at the bags of chemo medications slowly entering my body, did I have the desire to want to become a mother. I thought, “What had I done by not freezing my eggs.”

To my surprise, in May of 2006, I found out that I was pregnant. I was over the moon and knew immediately that I wanted a baby girl. Due to my health history, it was a high-risk pregnancy that could have ended my life. On December 12th, 2006 I had to have an emergency c-section due to the doctors not being able to find a heartbeat on her. Thankfully, she was born healthy. However, 5 weeks after giving birth, I ended up in the hospital with a blood clot in my jugular. As a result, I was put on Lovenox injections for the next nine months. During this time, things in my marriage were not the best and as the years went on, so did the violence in my marriage. I never considered myself a victim, so I kept the abuse occurring in my marriage a secret. It wasn’t until I had had enough that I decided to do something about it. I had worn a mask for most of my life and I wanted to be free. I wanted to live for me. I had experienced bouts of anxiety and depression and as a result of the abuse, had a very sensitive startle response that still affects me to this day. I know what it is like to keep it all inside and not feel as though there is a place where you would be understood.

Introduction to the field

At the age of 15, I was introduced to the field of sexual health. At that moment, I knew I wanted to further my knowledge and pursue a career in sexual health education. I decided to get a BS in psychology. Psychology, sexual health, and all things abnormal were areas of interest. My first job out of college was a family consultant position at a community health agency. I enjoyed it and realized then that I would have to continue my studies to go further in psychology. While working on my master’s degree, I obtained a job at Planned Parenthood as a Sexuality Educator. I absolutely loved what I did. Once I graduated with my master’s degree, I was lucky enough to land a position as a director of clinical services. Everything I learned, I had to learn on my own. This was, in my opinion, a blessing. Due to this, my understanding of the administration side of mental health blossomed. For ninety percent of my career in mental health, I held administrative or executive-level positions. I guess you can say I got lucky. I was passionate, hands-on, and ensured patient care was always the focal point of services.

At some point in my career, I realized I had a knack for substance abuse care. I loved working in that area of mental health. In 2014 created my company, Boundless Living Coaching Counseling & Consulting. Due to my vast knowledge of CARF, The Joint Commission, and DCF standards, I was contacted as a consultant to assist with accreditation and certification site visits. I had found my groove. In 2015, I was relocated to Orlando by ARS and hired as the clinical director for Orlando Recovery Center. Due to that position, I had to slow down on my counseling and consulting firm. Still true to my passion, I put programming and patient care first. Once leaving Orlando Recovery Center, I took a position at Harmony Hills, which would be my last position before I went into full-time Private Practice. During my time in recovery health, I noticed a stark imbalance in the rates of Black patients who sought care.

Making the shift, an uncomfortable stretch

It wasn’t my choice to go into private practice full-time. I was comfortable in my position however, and God had other plans for my life. Once I could release control and allow God to guide me, my life flourished more than I could ever imagine. When I stepped out on my own, I released a book, went into full-time private practice, and even expanded my practice to a group practice. It was uncomfortable; however, this stretching process was necessary to get to my destiny.

Going back to my personal and professional experience, the lack of representation of the Black community in the mental health field was very problematic for me. Because of this, I set out to create something different, something unique, and something needed in the Black community.

In 2020, on top of COVID, there was a surge of Black pain. The racial tensions mounting could be felt in the air. The lives of Black and Brown individuals were being rocked, and there was a need for more clinicians of color who were able to hold space for the souls of Black folx.

Paired with my passion for sex therapy, I decided to shift my clinical focus to that of racial trauma by providing much-needed services to Black patients. I wanted to create a safe space for patients who looked like me. I understood the need for Black mental health services. I wanted to help fill the gap, bring awareness to mental health challenges in the Black community, Paired with my passion for sex therapy, I decided to shift my clinical focus to that of racial trauma by providing much-needed services to Black patients. I wanted to create a safe space for patients who looked like me. I understood the need for Black mental health services. I wanted to help fill the gap, bring awareness to mental health challenges in the Black community, and educate communities of color on the services available. understanding of the administration side of mental health blossomed. For ninety percent of my career in mental health, I held administrative or executive-level positions. I guess you can say I got lucky. I was passionate, hands-on, and ensured patient care was always the focal point of services.

At some point in my career, I realized I had a knack for substance abuse care. I loved working in that area of mental health. In 2014 created my company, Boundless Living Coaching Counseling & Consulting. Due to my vast knowledge of CARF, The Joint Commission, and DCF standards, I was contacted as a consultant to assist with accreditation and certification site visits. I had found my groove. In 2015, I was relocated to Orlando by ARS and hired as the clinical director for Orlando Recovery Center. Due to that position, I had to slow down on my counseling and consulting firm. Still true to my passion, I put programming and patient care first. Once leaving Orlando Recovery Center, I took a position at Harmony Hills, which would be my last position before I went into full-time Private Practice. During my time in recovery health, I noticed a stark imbalance in the rates of Black patients who sought care.

Making the shift, an uncomfortable stretch

It wasn’t my choice to go into private practice full-time. I was comfortable in my position however, and God had other plans for my life. Once I could release control and allow God to guide me, my life flourished more than I could ever imagine. When I stepped out on my own, I released a book, went into full-time private practice, and even expanded my practice to a group practice. It was uncomfortable; however, this stretching process was necessary to get to my destiny.

Going back to my personal and professional experience, the lack of representation of the Black community in the mental health field was very problematic for me. Because of this, I set out to create something different, something unique, and something needed in the Black community.

In 2020, on top of COVID, there was a surge of Black pain. The racial tensions mounting could be felt in the air. The lives of Black and Brown individuals were being rocked, and there was a need for more clinicians of color who were able to hold space for the souls of Black folx.

Paired with my passion for sex therapy, I decided to shift my clinical focus to that of racial trauma by providing much-needed services to Black patients. I wanted to create a safe space for patients who looked like me. I understood the need for Black mental health services. I wanted to help fill the gap, bring awareness to mental health challenges in the Black community, and educate communities of color on the services available. Because of this, I created The NOIR Center for Intuitive Healing & Counseling: A place where Afrocentric roots meet the luxury of mental and emotional wellness. The NOIR Center offers safe therapeutic spaces for individuals of color by providing highquality, reality-based therapies in a nontraditional way. Thereare so many services that I created as part of the culture of The NOIR Center. I wanted the individuals who visited the center to feel at home and comfortable enough to share their stories with professionals with whom they could identify.

The stretch was a huge transition; however, I would not change a thing. I am living my dream and getting to do what I love daily on my terms. I get to provide services that help fill a void in mental health care. I absolutely love what I do.

How I see life

People often look at me and who I am today and have no clue what scars I bare. I don’t consider myself to be a victim but a victor. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned on this journey is the power of looking within. Taking time to reflect on my thoughts, feelings, and realities has been the greatest gift I could give myself. Learning that everything I encounter is a part of the journey and not my final destination

helped me to look past situations in my life that appeared negative, unfair, or unfavorable. I am intentional about enjoying life and all it has to offer. I know what it is like to face death. I know what it is like to feel alone, and I know what it’s like to feel trapped and without options. Because of this, I value every day I am blessed to open my eyes and experience another day. I share my story with you as a reminder that no matter where we are in life, we all have a story. Everything we go through molds and shapes us into the individuals we become. I can’t just focus on the mountain highs without acknowledging my valley lows. I embrace all of me. Even the most difficult parts of me are still part of me. I hope to inspire individuals to learn to love and embrace themselves as much as they can. This is an integral part of the process of self-love and acceptance. I am finally at a place in my life where I’ve discovered the beauty of radical self-love and acceptance.

Where to next? It is my goal to open a center in every state I am licensed in.

Personal life

As I reflect on my life and all that I’ve been through, I am grateful for all the lessons learned along the way. I live my life with more intention, more love, and more peace. I now live with my soon-tobe husband, 15-year-old daughter, and two bonus children. Nomatter what I’ve gone through, I have always felt compelled to give back and pay it forward. I am living my best life and on October 15th, 2022 I marry my love and best friend. Life gave me lemons, and I am reaping the harvest of freshly squeezed lemonade. I did the work and was committed to my growth; I hope to inspire someone somewhere, and if I do, my life will not have been in vain.

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” - Harriet Tubman