In the beginning pandemic, I marveled over the unique position I had been presented with to
enter people’s lives through sessions provided virtually. It was a gift to see a glimpse of my
client’s environment in a way that in person sessions could not provide. It’s like what it is see a
movie cast in a certain setting. Each setting presented me with an opportunity to get to know
my clients in real time. A byproduct of entering their lives in this intimate way was an
invitation to a time- honored tradition as a black girl—hair preparation.

I loved how hair presented itself in therapy because my own experience of hair preparation is
private or connected to a stylist. Hair care is often a behind the scenes experience shared with
your trusted stylist, a parent or by myself in front of the tv at home. When you do your hair in
front of someone, there is a certain level of trust involved. You are revealing a part of yourself
that usually is not finished and incomplete. So, when a session began with a client
comfortably twisting her hair, putting product in or revealing what is normally hidden with
me present, it felt special. It was like I was a part of a private moment that I would not see
otherwise. I interpreted this not only as a building of trust but as a willingness to accept self
in the present even if unfinished.

Themes in session began to emerge around hair care when you can’t go to the salon. What to
do??? Tutorials on YouTube for hair braiding were shared. There was humor upon reflecting on
the responses of co-workers keeping up with the switch from straight to natural, braiding to
simple plaits or changes in length all via zoom. Clients bemoaned or celebrated the lack of
access to the salons and the need to re-introduce themselves to their hair in different states.

I noticed as hair intermittently revealed itself in sessions, clients were sharing what it meant
to not hide a process that is an integral part of who we are. When they unapologetically did
their hair in sessions, I felt it was a celebration of self as is. My perception of this practice over
time continues to evolve revealing multilayered stories. Clients continue to enter sessions as
they are or want to be. A client came to session, camera on, jokingly stating, let me put on
my scarf, laying it next to her head. Another presented with camera off at first while finding
her wig. Another reflected on what look should they adopt to for various situations, dating,
work, or networking wondering what the goal should be. Do I want to look older or younger?
Yet another, reveled on a milestone in dating, revealing their natural hair to their partner for
the first time during an overnight. My thoughts? Just loving the experience and where it is
taking us.