Dr. Shareefah Hamilton Davis is a proud Jamaican-American visionary and a dedicated veteran in the realm of mental health. With over 15 years of experience, she finds immense joy in guiding her clients toward remission and helping them reach their maximum potential. Having navigated the challenges of uncontrolled ADHD for much of her life, Shareefah is passionately committed to eradicating the stigma associated with mental health treatment. She empowers her clients with the belief that “ADHD is a superpower!” and inspires them to embrace their unique strengths.
Dr. Shareefah Hamilton Davis, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Visionary
Tell us a little about your background.
Hi, and thank you so much for having me. You should know that this is by far the biggest thing that has ever happened to me. This opportunity came about quite unexpectedly, so much so that I thought it was a scam. No lie. It turns out it's not a scam, which is fantastic. I’m unsure who orchestrated this, whether the universe, a higher power, or an anonymous, well-connected friend who saw my struggles and wanted to help. Whatever it may be, I am beyond grateful to have the opportunity not only to be recognized for the work that I’m doing but also to have the platform to help others. Brainz Magazine reaching out to me is a “pinch me” moment. Thank you, whoever you are.
Now, back to your question. I am a first-generation Jamaican-American cisgender woman born to the most loving and supportive parents. I was born in the Bronx at Albert Einstein Hospital, which makes me a lot smarter than my older brother Damien, who was born at Jacobi. Kidding. He’s far more intelligent than me. At age seven, my parents decided to move us to the great state of Florida, but thankfully, the rest of my family chose to stay in NY, so every summer and most winters, my brother and I would go back and see our family. Those summers were the best.
Whether bike-riding at Kensico Dam, playing slip and slide at my grandparent's house in Greenburgh, Rye Playland, the library, or shopping at Joyce Leslie with my cousins, those summers shaped me more than I realized then. My cousins are like siblings. Family is everything to us.
What led you to work in mental health?
I’ve always enjoyed helping people to feel their best selves. In grade school, I was the student who would invite the new kid to sit at the lunch table. I have a huge heart, and I got it from my parents. I remember my first time volunteering on a mental health unit at a nursing home during high school. I remember feeling so much compassion for the older adults I helped assist. While others would often shy away from that unit, I always wanted more. I was intrigued by these souls, many of whom were deemed outcasts in their communities. I saw differently. This journey continued after graduating from the University of Miami in 2002 when I moved back to NY and began working as a direct care counselor at group homes for developmentally disabled adults in New York and New Jersey.
By the time I began my accelerated nursing program at SUNY Binghamton University in 2008, I had already decided that psychiatry would be my specialization. I worked as a mental health assistant at Binghamton General Hospital during my RN program, which solidified my decision to pursue psychiatry. After graduation, I spent the next decade working as a psychiatric nurse at various hospitals in NY and FL, including Four Winds Hospital, Aventura Hospital, Harlem Hospital, Metropolitan Hospital, Florida Medical Center, Broward Health Imperial Point, and more. I have stories for days! I love psych. Psych loves me. It’s a natural fit.
Why did you choose to specialize in the treatment of ADHD?
The path to concentrating on ADHD or Neurodivergence treatment came about quite organically.
During the pandemic, I began treating more and more clients with either a history of ADHD or suspicions of ADHD. This propelled me to do a deep dive into this very misunderstood diagnosis. A few months later, I had a lightbulb moment, and in that moment came so much relief and validation for the symptoms that had gone untreated for decades of my life.
I finally got an official diagnosis in 2020, and treatment has been a game-changer, but as I tell my clients, pills don’t teach skills. I am fascinated with the topic as it is such a harshly criticized, misunderstood disorder going way beyond poor focus and hyperactivity.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is no longer a fitting name for this diagnosis, which can often be misleading to anyone being diagnosed for the first time. People with ADHD don’t have an attention deficit; they have dysregulated attention. Their attention is going in too many different places, which can sometimes be beneficial but also problematic if those behavioral skills, routines, and structures aren’t in place. It is hugely underdiagnosed, especially in females who present with inattentive symptoms and go under the radar for years. This was me. Don’t get me wrong, I was a diligent student. I took notes, used flashcards, and re-listened to lectures on recorders. I did all the things, and still, I struggled. I was constantly zoning out in class and struggling to get through a book. I would have to re-read the page multiple times. I struggled to be present and confident in social situations, often leading to severe anxiety and avoidance at times, especially among domineering crowds. It’s like my brain would just freeze when put on the spot. I felt guilty. I felt ashamed. I wondered if I had a slower processor than most. I felt like something was wrong with me.
People with ADHD are creative geniuses. Even Albert Einstein is considered to have had ADHD. It’s much more prevalent than we know. I genuinely commend people such as Adam Levine, Ty Pennington, Lisa Ling, Simone Biles, Solange Knowles, and others who have helped normalize the diagnosis by boldly sharing their stories. Sadly, we don’t talk about it enough, especially in BIPOC communities. I’ve had clients who have had to hide the fact that they were getting treatment out of fear of being labeled as mentally ill. The stigma is still very much prevalent. What I’d love for all parents and providers to realize is that by continuing to perpetuate this type of rhetoric, we are doing an injustice to our youth.
Uncontrolled/Untreated ADHD can have hugely detrimental outcomes, such as a greater likelihood of substance misuse or abuse. Treatment can be a protective factor for substance misuse in teens. Now, that’s food for thought.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love to make genuine connections, offer a safe, judgment-free space where people can feel heard and valued, see change and growth in my clients, teach them about manifestation and the power of the subconscious mind, and inspire clients to dream big. Our life is what our thoughts make it, said Marcus Aurelius. Offering thorough evaluations and making careful treatment plan choices tailored to the specific needs of each client is something I strive for in every session.
I want to continue helping people challenge their negative beliefs about themselves, break free of societal constraints, and live the life they want for themselves. As these young people say, that’s what gives me life. Witnessing firsthand my clients' progress, growth leaps, and strides energizes me. They learn from me, and I also learn from them.
What’s next for you and Woosah
The quest for learning never ends. I am currently working on my ADHD-CCSP certification. In the future, I’d love to train with the extraordinary Marisa Peer to get my certification in Rapid Transformational Therapy. We’re also beginning to create an electronic health record system that works efficiently and seamlessly for its intended audience, providers, and clients. Plus, I have an extra 50k burning a hole in my pocket, so why not try and create an EHR? Haha, Oh, how I wish. No, the truth is that the other behavioral health EHRs on the market are not cutting it for the revolutionary approach that I envision for providers, their clients, and people from all across the globe.
In his speech, “What’s your life’s blueprint?” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. expressed that one should have a deep belief in one's dignity and worth and the determination to achieve excellence. One should set out to do a good job—do that job so good that the living, the dead, and the unborn couldn’t do it any better. That’s the mission here.
I’m currently manifesting a business partner who is incredible at management and business because I am not. Just ask my 14,000 former assistants. I’m also manifesting funding for the EHR, anyone who wants to help in any way, a new comfy desk chair, and a week-long Caribbean beach vacation, although I’ll settle for a yacht in the Mediterranean. Oh, and a call or email from Google regarding the EHR. Ask, and you shall receive, right?
I want to dedicate this interview to my sweet, silly, surprise baby Niko Jacque. You’re truly the sweetest thing I’ve ever known. Everything I do, I do it for you.
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