Meet Cheryl Hurst, LCSWR
Psychotherapist | Group Leader | Violence Interrupter Professor | NYS & NJ Clinical Social Worker | Author & Professional Speaker
A native New Yorker, NYS Clinical Social Worker & Men’s Life Coach.
Cheryl hurst, LCSW-R (she/her/hers), is a Black Cis therapist, Author, Social Justice Warrior, university lecturer, dynamic speaker, and child Development Specialist. Get To know her.
Check out a snippet of our new podcast, Off the Couch, out now on Spotify!
Cheryl’s Experience
Cheryl has more than 20 years of experience as a licensed clinician. She also holds a Post Master’s certificate in clinical supervision, and Sports Social Work, is SIFI certified, and is competent in the following areas:
Honoring the unique emotional experiences of Black people & people of color
Social justice, inclusion, anti-oppression & liberation
The unique needs of athletes
Child development, play therapy (supervision) & sand play
Adolescent and adult population
Mind, body, and emotion integration
Mindfulness techniques
Psychoanalytic listening
Masculinity and men’s psychology
Power, control, coercion & intimate partner violence dynamics
Non-Violent Communication
Healthy relationships
Transition issues
Trauma-informed
Socialization
Career counseling
What on earth do toys and Men’s mental health have to do with each other?
Well, that’s the thing—we need them all in our lives! To be healthy, we need the freedom to see ourselves as playful. Often, young boys who aren’t given the freedom to play grow into men fearful of seeking help to be their best selves. Cheryl encourages men to find that playful side of themselves again so they can set and reach their goals.
Cheryl’s incredible 22-year career working with men in mental health settings, coaching sessions, and as fathers gives her unique insights on the importance of sustaining great mental health through play, heartfelt connections, and self-care. Cheryl urges men to break through stigmas that prevent them from fully participating in their lives. She encourages men to stay present and, yes, to be playful too! Cheryl recognizes that men are more than just muscles. Men lose their way sometimes, but with the courage to take a risk, re-calibrating is always within reach.
Cheryl provides consultation to new and seasoned mental health professionals and life coaching to men (and fathers, too) to create the lives they hope for. She is committed to contributing to the mental health field through teaching, training & mentoring professionals & graduate students. She has launched the first Quarterly Play Therapy Subscription Box that gives busy mental health professionals a break from hunting for play therapy toys to focus on staying connected to therapeutic relationships.
Because of her career as a psychotherapist and play therapist, Cheryl holds a profound knowledge of the power of how toys and games can help children suffering from trauma, anxiety, sadness, loss, developmental delays, and chronic illness if given a nurturing environment. Cheryl brings a wealth of information to the toy development room. She is eager to work with your company’s toy development process to promote wellness & well-being for children and youth. Hire Cheryl to consult on your toy company board today, you won’t regret it!
