Candace Washington, LCSW-C | Therapist

BIG NEWS! We’re making an animated short and need your help to bring it to life!   After months of dreaming, planning, and sketching, we’re officially launching a fundraiser on Seed & Spark to support the development of our upcoming animated short film, The Ones We Carry. This story is close to our hearts, based on the life story of Candace Washington, mother, therapist, and someone who has survived suicide attempts. It is full of meaning and a message of hope with an emphasis on mental health that we believe the world needs right now.  We’re calling on our community of creators, storytellers, and visionaries to join us on the journey. Every dollar goes directly toward animators, storyboard development, and all the behind-the-scenes magic that brings animation to life. Let’s make something beautiful together. Please check the link in the bio to support. Please donate, share, and spread the word! Thank you, @seedandspark ! Follow @theoneswecarry for updates on the film. Executive Produced by: @colorfarm @erikaalexanderthegreat @benarnon @lorettaewilson @winkwoodall @candacewrites @nicolebaskinpr Written by @halimalucas Illustrations by @ambrojah For media requests, please contact [email protected] @nicolebaskinpr

Candace Washington talks ‘loneliness epidemic’! The licensed psychotherapist shares what people can do to cope amid nearly a third of U.S. adults reporting that they feel lonely. Credit: @goodmorningamerica @robinrobertsgma

Did you know that Ryan Coogler’s latest film, “Sinners,” had a production therapist on set? The film performed exceptionally well at the box office, and it’s commendable that Coogler prioritized the emotional and mental well-being of the cast and crew. This approach humanizes the people responsible for bringing the story to life. The role of a production therapist is becoming increasingly recognized as essential for fostering a supportive culture in the high-pressure world of entertainment. Behind every great film, such as @sinnersmovie , is a team that should have their mental health prioritized. Let’s discuss why this matters. At TPWH, we are changing the narrative around storytelling to prioritize the mental health of production professionals in the film and TV industry. #TheProductionWellnsssHouse #ProductionTherapist #SinnersMovie #MichaelBJordan #RyanCoogler #Film

Stay after the Walk for our Wellness Stage! Candace Washington will be leading an inspiring Mindful Moment. See you on Saturday, May 16 at the LA State Historic Park for NAMIWalks Greater LA County Mental Health Festival. For free registration and more information go to namiwalks.org/la #NAMIWalks #NAMIWalksLA #MentalHealth #MHAM #NAMIGLAC #CandaceWashington #MentalHealthForAll #EndTheStigma #WellnessStage

Tune in TODAY at 11:30AM on KNBC4's California Live. Candace Washington, NAMI Ambassador and Licensed Psychotherapist, and Traute Winters, NAMI GLAC's CEO, discuss NAMIWalks, NAMI GLAC cost free programs and their mental health journeys. See link in our story! #NAMIWalks #NAMIWalksLA #MentalHealth #MHAM #NAMIGLAC #CandaceWashington #MentalHealthForAll #EndTheStigma #KNBC #CaliforniaLive

Half of what we carry begins before we even understand it. 50% by 14. 75% by 24. The Ones We Carry references a story behind those numbers and the healing that’s still possible. Because it’s never too early or too late to be seen. Source: @namicommunicate Illustration: @ambrojah #TheOnesWeCarry #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #EndTheStigma #YouAreNotAlone

Whether you’re in front of the camera or behind it, you pour your hearts and souls into your work. But amidst the glamour lies a pressing need for mental health professionals who understand the unique challenges faced. An NYT article highlights increasing recognition of psychological and emotional support in the industry. The UK film and TV sector has on-set mental health support using “wellbeing facilitators” since 2017. Similarly, the US is adopting these practices, with producers hiring therapists to support cast and crew during production and to analyze and consult on mental health storylines. We need production therapists who grasp the nuances of creating. They can provide the support necessary for the stories that touch lives to carve out space to manage cognitive reactivity during production, provide confidential support, and ensure duty of care. During Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s remember that it’s okay to seek help. Let’s end the stigma and prioritize mental health in our creative spaces! You can read the full article by clicking the link in our bio. Credit: @nytimes #TheProductionWellnsssHouse #ProductionTherapist #OnSetCare #TV #Film

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we are excited to animate your mind with a series of original wellness animation videos created by @demetrius4life . Stay tuned as we will be sharing his work throughout the month. #mentalhealthmatters #animationwellness #theoneswecarry

@candacewrites , our executive producer, attended the AfroAnimation Summit in Burbank, California, over the weekend, where creators gain direct access to studios, television networks, streaming platforms, and entertainment tech companies. @afroanimationsummit 6.0 (AAS2026) is the largest four-day gathering in the U.S. for non-traditional animators, gamers, and emerging digital creators. Topics like “Ink, Identity & Impact” and “From Idea to Screen” sparked discussions about representation and production. Candace also had a moment to speak with the incredibly talented @chazdraws , discussing vision, passion, and the power of storytelling through animation! #AfroAnimation #TheOnesWeCarry #BurbankConference #Animation #MentalHealthFilm

We are excited to announce Candace Washington 💫 is on the NAMI Ambassador Team and Host Committee for NAMIWalks Greater LA County Mental Health Fest. She has dedicated her career to raising awareness about mental health and providing support. Join Candace in a day filled with community and Mental Health For All on May 16, by registering for free today at namiwalks.org/la #NAMIWalks #NAMIWalksGreaterLACounty #NAMIGLAC #MentalHealthForAll #MentalHealthFest #MentalHealth #Walk #GreaterLosAngelesCounty #NAMIWalksAmbassadorTeam #CandaceWashington

Longevity in the television and film industry starts with prioritizing the humans behind and in front of the camera. When people feel supported, protected, and seen, the work elevates. The set becomes more than a workspace. It becomes a space where creativity can thrive without compromise. It’s time to move from a reactive to a proactive approach regarding psychological safety on set, so everyone can truly thrive. These past few months have already begun to set the tone for what this shift can look like across the industry, and we’re letting you know that this is only the beginning! More to come! Stay tuned! 🎬 #TheProductionWellnsssHouse #ProductionTherapist #OnSetCare #TV #Film

A lot can happen suddenly! Stay ready! While preparing for my Good Morning America appearance last year, I was also studying for the California Law and Ethics Exam in my green room, as I was scheduled to take it three days later. Although I am fully licensed as a mental health professional, my social work license must be specific to each state for me to practice and provide clinical services. That meant I had to be licensed in California to see clients and open a new office. God helped me through it because I was done with exams, so I thought! While I was preparing my boys for a trip to Disneyland, I was also talking to them about future plans and including them in the process of finding a new home together. Can I pause here to say that God has a way of restoring what you feel you’ve lost in one season and rewarding you with more in the next? God’s grace and mercy showed me that He restores with interest and that I can do this! I am also deeply grateful to my village and team! Deeply! You know who you are! Thank you! Someone recently asked me, “How did you know it was time to move to LA?” Purpose. I knew there was a need, and God kept confirming that I needed to be in LA! Another asked, “How are you going to live in two states?” I can do all things! But I believe God was preparing us all along, and I listened. Sometimes, you need to be silent so He can speak louder. I stepped forward with faith, trusting that God is with us. I don’t know all this next season holds, but that’s enough for me, knowing God is with us! I hope it’s enough for you, too. Leap! Don’t allow fear to rob you of your destiny! Dream with your eyes open, and know that all things are possible! #BicoastalLiving ✈️✨🥹