Services

In the Field

Mental Wellness in the Community

We are dedicated to the practice and the people we are able to reach and help, in addition, to facilitating and educating high school students & future counselors in the field of psychotherapy. Constructively expressing one's "voice" is a belief that extends beyond these office walls and into the community that surrounds us. Therefore, this practice is constantly involved & recognized in community events, as indicated below:

Advocacy and Volunteer Work

From 2014 to 2017, Dr. Benabdallah created and facilitated a space for Oklahoma State Board-approved supervisors to meet for consultations centered on ethics and good practices for Clinical Social Workers. The Oklahoma State Board approved this Licensed Social Workers consultation group, the state's premier ethical standards advocacy group..

In 2008, our community outreach focus was helping marginalized populations in Oklahoma City feel mentally and socially empowered. We achieved this by strategically holding Voter Registration Drives at homeless shelters (e.g., Jesus House, City Rescue Mission, as covered on Fox 25, September 27, 2008). We also helped register newly sworn-in citizens as voters every Friday at the Federal Courthouse.

From 2002 to 2004, VEMB monitored students' mental health in the Evangelistic Church of Christ's Afterschool Tutoring program.

No one can endure psychotherapy on an empty stomach, so we periodically donate our time to box food at the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank. This ensures that our Oklahoma families are physically fed so they may have the energy to address psychological, emotional, and/or behavioral issues. We also donate to several shelters for our unhoused neighbors.

Presentations and Workshops

We have provided several presentations and workshops throughout VEMB’s 24 years of existence (too many to mention here; it would dominate the website). But discussed here are a few we are particularly proud of:

  • 05/10/20 Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Community. Community Festival sponsored by the Community Wellbeing Project. Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 05/03/14: Motherhood. A Celebration for Mothers. Bethel Foundation. Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 09/02/13: Interactive Reflection: 50th Anniversary of the "I HAVE A DREAM" 1963 March on Washington. Classen School of Advanced Studies' Theory of Knowledge class (Marian Hulsey, Teacher); Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 06/03/13: "Therapeutic Gardening" Ralph Ellison Library. Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 04/23/13: "How Demographics Affect Clinical Perceptions: Exploration of Race, Religion and Gender in Mental Health" Harding Charter Prep's Psychology Class (Tom Kindinger, Teacher); Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 12/10/12: Overview of DSM V, Schizophrenia & Other Mental Disorders. Harding Charter Prep's Psychology Class (Tom Kindinger, Teacher); Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 04/28/12: Mental Health Information Table. at Zumba and Wellness Day. Sponsored by Jack and Jill of America, Inc.- Oklahoma City Chapter; Ralph Ellison Library; Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 11/28/11: Case Studies. Harding Charter Prep's Psychology Class (Tom Kindinger, Teacher); Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 04/19/11: Introduction to Psychotherapy. Harding Charter Prep's Psychology Class (Tom Kindinger, Teacher); Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 10/24/09: Live Life Like It's Golden. Women of Color Health Fair & Forum (Sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.); Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 07/18/09: Self-Esteem & Its Importance. Dove Real Beauty Workshop (Sponsored by Community Youth Outreach), Langston University, Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 05/06/09: Mentally Healthy Living. Juvenile Detention Center; Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 11/07/08: Stress Awareness. Sprint Health Fair; Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 08/04/08: Stress Reduction. Sprint Active for Life Health Fair; Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 05/11/06: Female Transitions: Life Stories. Rites of Passage Female Group; Marcus Garvey Leadership Charter School; Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 03/16/06: Unhealthy and Abusive Relationships. Rites of Passage Female Group; Marcus Garvey Leadership Charter School; Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 03/10/06: Stress and Single Parenthood. Seminar: Voice of Praise Church, Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 01/25/06: Stress, Stressors, and Stress Reducers. Youth Conference; Wildewood Baptist Church; Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 04/24/05: Moral vs. Psychosocial Issues. Panel Discussion: Allen Chapel AME Church, Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 11/13/04: Healing Ourselves and Our Relationships Through Quilting (with quilter, LaRhonda Williams); Ralph Ellison Library; Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 10/12/04: Surviving Chaos: Partners in the Healthcare Jungle. Ethics Panel; Health Care Coordinators of Oklahoma; Metro Tech, Springlake Campus; Oklahoma City, OK.

Recognition, Honors and Awards

Here are a select few of our honors and awards. We have more for our clients and collaborators to view when they visit us at the office.

  • 2017 Recognized by the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers for developing and implementing an ethical and clinical consultation group for Clinical Supervisors.

  • 2016 Recognized by the National Association of Social Workers for participating as a panelist in revising NASW’s Poverty and Social Justice policy statement.

  • 2016 Recognized by the National Association of Social Workers for participating as a panelist in revising NASW’s Poverty and Economic Justice policy statement.

  • 2014 Nominated for NASW-OK’s Social Worker of the Year by James Marks, LCSW, Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers CEO.

  • 2011: Certificate of Appreciation (acknowledged for 2 years of relentless volunteer contributions) presented by President Zakiyyah Abdul-Raheem of Community Hope Improvement Project, Inc., Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 2010: Commendation for Outstanding Community Work presented by State Representative Mike Shelton on behalf of the Oklahoma State Legislature, State Capitol, Oklahoma City, OK

    2007: Breakfast for MiLady Honoree (honored for compassionate, competent, & caring work in her practice, community, & family) presented by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Centre, Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 2006: Certificate of Appreciation (recognized for outstanding performance & lasting contribution to Girl Scouts) presented by Girl Scouts Redland Council, MetroTech, Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 2006: Leadership Development Pin awarded by Girl Scouts U.S.A., Oklahoma City, OK.

  • 2004-2005: Volunteer of the Year Award presented by Girl Scouts U.S.A., Redland Council, Oklahoma City, OK.