17: Damon A. Silas, Psy.D. – Clinical Psychologist, Author, and EFT Tapping Expert who Loves Connecting, Learning, Growing…and Dancing

Masters in Psychology Podcast

Dr. Damon A. Silas grew up in a military family so even though he was born in Massachusetts, he was only there for a short while before his dad received orders to move to California. Dr. Silas recalls that he grew up a lot in Oklahoma and moved back and forth between Oklahoma and Massachusetts as well as California. In this podcast interview, Dr. Silas shares what sparked his interest in psychology, his academic journey, and why he wrote “From Mourning to Knight: Overcoming Loss.” He also discusses Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) or Tapping as well as the role of hypnosis in therapy. Throughout the interview, Dr. Silas provides helpful advice to those interested in starting a career in psychology and specific advice to those wanting to open their own practice. Based on my research and interview with Dr. Damon Silas, another appropriate title of this podcast interview could be “Clinical Psychologist on the Move.” Dr. Silas has been on the move in some way, shape, and form ever since he was a little kid. One of the ways he has been on the move is physically. Dr. Silas has physically moved many times due to the fact that his father, Ernest “T” Silas, was a member of the United States Air Force (USAF) and would receive orders to move to another base or installation. He has also physically moved multiple times as a grown up and is currently in Germany serving as a Military and Family Life Counselor. Dr. Silas is constantly moving his academic and educational experiences forward by exploring new ways and techniques to offer help to his clients and patients. He is licensed in NC, DC, and MD and has his own practice in NC “Damon Silas Psychology – Energy Psychology and Mindfulness Therapy.” He is an Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Member and a National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH) Member since 2016. At one point during our discussion, Dr. Silas said that his dad was “always a student” and “was always studying” so it came as no surprise to me that “Dr. D.”, as his clients know him, is also constantly learning and challenging himself. His most recent book “What’s Your Action Plan? 6 Powerful Ways to Get Unstuck in Your Life Now!” is designed to help people get back on track and get out of a “rut” in life. Dr. Silas experienced significant events that were emotionally moving so much so that he started writing “From Mourning to Knight: Overcoming Loss” as a journal entry after his dad passed away from Alzheimer’s related complications. He learned many things from his dad including the need to document your significant emotional events, those times that really stood out to you as important parts and pieces of your evolution and your growth. He also recognized the importance of therapy for himself while he had to deal with grief and loss in his own life. Dr. D loves connecting with his patients, especially the kids. He said “they crack me up daily” and “I wear a mask so a lot of times they can’t see me crack up.” When working with his clients, he believes “we should all be learning and growing together” as he is not necessarily the expert, rather, he is a guide. Dr. Silas discusses the freedom afforded to him with his degree in psychology as it allows him the ability to move his schedule, move his focus, and the freedom to create and be a part of real powerful movements. He is the co-founder of Black Tappers United which is “a collective of Black EFT Tapping practitioners whose goal it is to bring tapping to the black community in a safe, affordable and effective way.” Dr. D is also on the move as a professional dancer and uses his skills as a co-developer and co-facilitator of Movement Genius where he also hosts “Daily Resets with Dr. Damon” and “Open Movement Workshops” which help people improve mental, emotional, and physical well-being. You can also watch him move and get his groove on by viewing his Mid Day Dance Break on TikTok. Connect with Dr. Damon A. Silas: Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube | Instagra...