Rodney Black

Rodney Black is a licensed therapist with 31 years of professional experience, practicing in both Iowa and Nebraska. He holds independent social work licensure in Iowa and independent mental health licensure in Nebraska, and much of his career has focused on community-based settings where he felt he could give back to those who supported him and his family of origin.

He grew up in the Midwest and has also lived in California and South Carolina. Rodney served in the U.S. military and completed one deployment to Afghanistan, where he served as the highest-ranking enlisted member of the Human Intelligence component of a Brigade Combat Team.

Personal experience has shaped his perspective on care. Rodney’s mother experienced bipolar disorder and a significant borderline personality disorder, with her first major hospitalization occurring after his birth. He is a parent to a grown gay son and credits friendships in the queer community with helping him work through aspects of his own healing process. His life also includes divorce and personal struggles with addiction, co-dependency, and various mental health diagnoses at different times.

Rodney does not present himself as a complete expert on life; he echoes Brene Brown’s phrase: “I might just be a little further down the road in recovery is all.” He regards therapy as an art form in which skills and techniques support a collaborative process - it is the interaction and engagement between people that often allow a person’s truth to emerge. Rodney aims to bring his life experience and professional background into his work and considers it a privilege to be part of someone else’s understanding and journey.