FTUIY Episode #137: Dr. KaRon Spriggs-Bethea
- Dr. Jaime Gabriel Raygoza
- Mar 21
- 2 min read

In the realm of social work and mental health, Dr. KaRon Spriggs-Bethea stands out as a true unicorn. As a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, Dr. KaRon's journey exemplifies the power of authenticity, cultural competence, and finding one's unique professional niche.
Unicorn Characteristics
Adaptability: Pivoted from aspiring psychologist to passionate social worker, following his true calling.
Cultural Competence: Specializes in providing affirming care for LGBTQIA+ individuals, recognizing the unique needs of this community.
Authenticity: Leverages his lived experience to create deeper connections with clients and inform his practice.
Continuous Growth: Emphasizes the importance of self-reflection for social workers and therapists.
Resilience: Developed strategies for managing burnout and maintaining a sustainable career in mental health.
Key Unicorn Transformations
From Psychology to Social Work: Discovered his true passion in social work, aligning his career with his values and strengths.
Personal to Professional: Transformed personal experiences and insights into a specialized professional niche.
Advocate to Leader: Became a champion for culturally competent and affirming care in the mental health field.
Unicorn Lessons
Embrace Your Authentic Self: Use your unique experiences and perspective to inform your professional practice.
Find Your Niche: Identify the specific population or issues you're most passionate about serving.
Prioritize Cultural Competence: Recognize the importance of understanding and respecting diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Practice Self-Reflection: Regularly examine your own biases, experiences, and growth areas to become a better practitioner.
Balance Passion with Self-Care: Develop strategies to prevent burnout and maintain long-term career sustainability.
Dr. KaRon Spriggs-Bethea's journey reminds us that our most powerful professional tools often come from our personal experiences and passions. His work in providing affirming care for the LGBTQIA+ community showcases how finding one's niche can lead to more impactful and fulfilling work.
Through his practice and advocacy, Dr. KaRon demonstrates the unicorn qualities of innovation, empathy, and authenticity in social work. He inspires others in helping professions to embrace their unique perspectives, prioritize cultural competence, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of their clients.
Dr. KaRon's story encourages all professionals to find the intersection of their personal experiences, passions, and skills – truly embodying what it means to "find the unicorn in you" in service of others.
Tune in to the full episode and unlock your own potential for healing and transformation!
Connect with Dr. KaRon:
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