Dr. Eliza Belle, also referred to as “The Village Psychologist”, is a respected leader, speaker, and community advocate with over 17 years of experience in the field of mental health. As a Licensed Psychologist and Certified Forensic Examiner, she currently serves as the Director of Psychological and Behavioral Services for Alabama’s Department of Mental Health. Dr. Belle is also a Governor Appointed member of Alabama’s Board of Examiners in Psychology, the state’s licensing authority.
Her previous work experience includes the Department of Veterans Affairs, private and state psychiatric facilities, community mental health agencies, as well as college and university counseling centers. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Xavier University of Louisiana, a Master’s degree in Counseling from Loyola University of New Orleans, and a doctorate in Counseling Psychology from The University of Georgia.
Dr. Belle is the Owner of The Life Collective, a clinical wellness practice that works to normalize mental health for all populations through community partnerships, public advocacy, and delivery of therapy services. Her clinical work and personal passion moved her to create The Strong Friend Check-In, a wellness initiative aimed at improving the emotional health of communities through ongoing mental health engagement.
Dr. Belle has published research specific to ethnic minority representation, contributed a definition to the Encyclopedia of Counseling, as well as conducted research on the topic of stress and burnout as it relates to professionals of color, and reducing the negative stigma attached to mental illness. She has been featured as an expert contributor in publications including Essence magazine, Ebony, Teen Vogue, Huffington Post, Best Colleges, and Glamour magazine, among others as well as provided mental health awareness information for local television news programs.
Dr. Belle is the co-founder of Goals & Girlfriends, an empowerment network aimed at helping women to further their dreams and life plans through the support, knowledge, and experiences of other women. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, the Junior League of Birmingham, the Alabama Psychological Association, among other local and national service organizations. She is the recipient of the 2016 “40 under 40 Distinguished Alumni” Award from Xavier University and 2018 Nominee of the “40 under 40 Top Alumni” Award from the University of Georgia.
Dr. Belle resides in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband Kalon and two young daughters, and is bonus mom to a young adult daughter.
