Want the 411 on something? Ask your hairstylist. They’re the keeper of secrets. The salon is a sacred space rooted in the age-old practice of connection, like a real connection. We entrust them with our most intimate thoughts, share our most dramatic life events, and even get their opinion on our biggest dilemmas; naturally, the relationship between a stylist and a client is much more than a hair service. For many, the salon has long been a trusted sanctuary, but what if these casual chats could be transformed into intentional discussions about mental well-being?
That’s precisely what psychologist, research scientist, and hair historian Afiya Mbilishaka, PhD, envisions with PsychoHairapy. This groundbreaking initiative trains beauty professionals to use hair as a gateway to mental health support, taking the hairstylist and client relationship to a new level.
Experts Featured in This Article
Afiya Mbilishaka, PhD, is a psychologist, research scientist, and hair historian. She’s also the creator of PsychoHairapy.
Nicole Jenkins, PhD, is a Harvard University Fellow and certified PsychoHairapy practitioner.
What Is PsychoHairapy?
During her college years, Dr. Mbilishaka first recognized the connection between hair and mental health. “I grew up as my family’s hairstylist, practicing on my cousins at gatherings,” she says. While majoring in psychology, she often found herself torn between becoming a psychologist or a hairstylist — until a conversation with her aunt changed everything. “She asked, ‘Why can’t you do both?'” That question planted the seed for what would later become PsychoHairapy, a first-of-its-kind approach that integrates mental wellness with beauty practices.
For Dr. Mbilishaka, hair is more than just an aesthetic choice — it’s a form of communication. “Hair has its own language system, like Morse code, but with curls and waves,” she says. Subtle changes in someone’s grooming habits can indicate emotional shifts. For instance, neglecting hair care might signal depression, while a drastic new look could reflect deeper personal changes. But it also goes deeper than that — for many ancient civilizations and African American communities, hair was a signifier of one’s individual status. In the book “Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America,” authors Ayana Byrd and Lori L. Tharps explain that braids, headdresses, and other cultural hairstyles were worn as a symbol of social status, marital status, and even parental status. Additionally, it was a source of spiritual power. Since it is the most elevated part of the body, some communities honored its connection to a divine source.
How Do You Practice PsychoHairapy?
The PsychoHairapy certification equips stylists, barbers, and influencers with essential skills to navigate mental health discussions. “The training blends history, hair, and health with a dash of humor to keep things engaging,” says Dr. Mbilishaka. Participants learn active listening techniques, how to identify signs of distress, and ethical guidelines for steering clients toward professional resources when necessary. “It’s about knowing when to put the scissors down and refer out,” she says. Maintaining ethical boundaries is a key component of the training. Beauty professionals are not expected to become therapists but rather compassionate listeners who can bridge the gap between clients and mental health resources. “We provide clear guidelines to ensure that stylists know their role — offering support without overstepping,” says Dr. Mbilishaka.
Nicole Jenkins, PhD, a Harvard University Fellow and certified PsychoHairapy practitioner, was drawn to the initiative after launching her Global Crowns research project at Howard University. Her work explores Black women’s experiences with natural hair and the emotions tied to those journeys. “When I learned about PsychoHairapy, I immediately knew it was something I could benefit from,” she says. “As a researcher, I’ve spent years listening to Black women’s hair stories, and this certification has given me the tools to navigate those conversations with even more care and awareness.”
Dr. Jenkins’ academic background intersects with PsychoHairapy in profound ways. During graduate school, she conducted a two-year ethnographic study in a natural hair salon, uncovering the deep vulnerabilities tied to Black women’s hair experiences. “Hair has always mattered for Black people,” she says. “Understanding its historical significance adds another layer to the emotional weight it carries today.”
The Future of Beauty and Wellness
For Black communities, hair care spaces have long been hubs for healing, empowerment, and activism. From the days of enslavement, when barbers bought their freedom through their craft, to the civil rights era when salons served as organizing spaces, the Black hair industry has always been deeply intertwined with community well-being. PsychoHairapy builds on this legacy by positioning salons as sites for mental illness prevention and intervention. “Black hair-care spaces have historically been places of resistance and resilience,” says Dr. Mbilishaka. “PsychoHairapy strengthens this tradition by equipping professionals with evidence-based skills to support their clients’ mental health.”
One of the most powerful aspects of PsychoHairapy is its ability to normalize mental health discussions, especially in communities where therapy is often stigmatized. “By integrating these conversations into everyday beauty routines, we make seeking help feel natural,” says Dr. Mbilishaka. “It’s like adding veggies into a smoothie — you might not notice it, but it’s there, making a difference.” With mental health awareness on the rise, initiatives like PsychoHairapy could redefine the role of beauty professionals, transforming salons into safe havens for emotional support. Dr. Mbilishaka says, “Maybe one day, the ‘therapy chair’ will be just as common as the styling chair.”
Beauty and wellness have always been two sides of the same coin — deeply rooted in our relationship with the self. Dr. Mbilishaka envisions a future where discussing mental health in salons is as routine as discussing split ends. “PsychoHairapy has the potential to become a staple in beauty education,” she says. The initiative is already making waves, with plans to expand into other beauty careers, including estheticians and nail technicians. “Wherever there’s pampering, there should also be space for mental well-being,” says Dr. Mbilishaka. And wherever mental well-being is undertaken, there is beauty.
Jasmine Desiree is a Los Angeles-based writer and editor who covers everything from beauty and wellness to interior design. She loves reporting on people, places, and trends that are innovative and influential to the culture.
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