Featured Guest - Dr. Rita Mercer, PsyD
A Strong Women “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Our guest today is a faithful, respectful, strong, intellectually gifted Woman of God. She intentionally puts the Lord’s Will first in her life at all times. Why, because she realizes that It is God’s Will that is paramount and not hers.
Biography
Dr. Rita Mercer received her doctorate in Clinical Forensic Psychology in 2019 from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Anaheim, CA campus (previously Irvine, CA campus). Dr. Mercer holds a master’s degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor’s degree from National University. Shortly after graduation, the world experienced a pandemic that effected every facet of life, including the reduction of postdoctoral sites. Dr. Mercer solicited the prayers of her village and God opened a postdoctoral position as a mental health clinician in a state psychiatric hospital in Maryland. This required that she move from California to Maryland during the pandemic. Dr. Mercer is a member of the Mt Rubidoux SDA Church in Riverside, CA and one of the team members of the Family Life Ministries Department.
In addition, she is the host of the online Rubi Read Book Club, co-facilitator of the online Seeking Safety support group and collaborates on a weekly online program, “The Chat,” that focuses on women and social justice issues.
Dr. Mercer is a board member of the Association of Adventist Women, an organization that promotes and supports the ordination of women. Dr. Mercer’s professional achievements include the 2019-2020 California Psychological Association Graduate Student Diversity and Social Justice Director. During her tenure, she organized and hosted the first virtual 2020 Cross-Cultural Conference.
She is currently the 2020-2022 Membership Chair for the California Psychological Association Division VII Diversity and Social Justice. During the first year of Division VII, she participated in “Women in Psychology” event that was held on zoom. This event highlighted the diverse female members of Division VII. Dr. Mercer co-authored an article “Black Men and Mental Health” published in the California Psychologist 2021 Fall issue and contributed to the Special issue of the California Psychologist Racial Justice Fall 2020. She was invited to be a guest speaker on the online radio program National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (NAASCA), The Pain of Change and was part of the November Mental Health Wednesdays at Mt Rubidoux, providing 30 minute online mental health information segments. Dr. Mercer gives all honor and glory to God for her accomplishments and the opportunity to share her story through public speaking. She is an advocate for women of color to step into their God-given purpose and be agents of change in their community.
Dr. Mercer is excited to see what God has in store for her. Dr. Rita Mercer
Contact Information Linkedin Profile linkedin.com/in/rita-mercer-psyd-06950318
Subscribe to Lotus Flower Podcast: Emerging HOPE Ministries YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPwh...
Connect with Emerging HOPE Ministries (EHM) online! Visit EHM's Website: https://www.emerginghopefsp.org/
The Emerging HOPE Ministry Products by Dr. Pamela Robinson
Emerging HOPE Ministry Website https://www.emerginghopefsp.org/shop
Amazon Author's Central: https://www.amazon.com/author/emergin...
