| For nearly 20 years Dr. Raushannah Johnson-Verwayne has devoted her life to the mental well-being of others. Affectionately known as Dr. RJ, Johnson-Verwayne is a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Standard of Care Psychological Services, LLC, in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Running a business is tough. I’m a psychologist. I like to practice. That’s what I do,” she said. “I don’t necessarily love running a business, but in order to do what I need and want to do and do it effectively, I knew this was the route to take. I couldn’t stand the politics and bureaucracy of other places and seeing people not getting better, so I just said I’m going to do it myself.”
While Johnson-Verwayne’s practice offers a wide range of mental health services, therapy options, evaluations and utilizes the latest techniques and psychological standards and protocols, she is particularly focused on victims of trauma and child sex trafficking. Her interest and expertise in the area is vast and extensive. She has provided training for a grant awarded by the Fulton DeKalb Hospital Authority in an effort to educate the community about sex trafficking. In the past, she partnered with two local senators to eradicate the inhumane and widespread practice and currently serves on a task force to end the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. Johnson-Verwayne sees it as the convergence of her passion and preparation.
“My practice focuses on everything from adjusting to a new school, divorce, and military family issues to a mother with bipolar disorder whose daughter was sexually assaulted by the mother’s boyfriend. We run the gamut. But I focus a great deal on sexual trauma,” she said. “I feel like some psychologists want to stay in the safe zone and help people who just need a little bit of help and that’s ok, but there are so many things going on in society and I feel like without a psychologist present they won’t get better; such as sex trafficking victims.”
Not only is Johnson-Verwayne intent on being in on the conversation regarding the plight of these victims, but throughout her community interaction she has noticed she is often the only voice, advocate, authority and mental health professional prepared to fight and speak on their behalf.
“I go out into the community and make sure I’m an advocate for mental health and I make sure that anytime a policy is being written or something is happening that will impact the community that mental health has a voice,” she said.
Johnson-Verwayne’s community isn’t relegated to her neighborhood. What started out as a few small engagements to speak has opened the door for her to expand in ways she never thought possible or intended. The “Ask Dr. RJ” radio show on WIGO AM 1570 came about while someone saw her passionately talking on Periscope, contacted her and said “you should do a radio show.” Her book, “I Want It All Back” was born out of her desire to help busy, overworked, stressed and perhaps depressed women obtain physical and emotional peace and healing. She believes everything has come about out of necessity.
Her business has skyrocketed from one small office to the “Dr. RJ brand,” which includes three office locations, an advice column, the radio show, book and a professional speaker series. For Johnson-Verwayne, it’s not about gaining fame, a name for herself or even the money. She says it is about making an undeniable difference.
“I’m walking in my God-given gift. It was given to me to help other people and I think that’s why it is so seamless. It’s nothing that I’m doing personally,” she said. “It’s just a gift for me to serve others.”
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