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Okichie Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Independent Practitioner designated in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) through the EPIC EBP Program Designation initiative. Their work focuses on providing trauma-informed, research-supported care to Medicaid populations in Philadelphia, with a strong commitment to increasing access to high quality behavioral health services for underserved communities.
Throughout their career, Okichie has prioritized building a diverse clinical “toolbox” of evidence-based practices that can be tailored to the unique needs of each client. Their approach emphasizes flexibility, individualized care, and ensuring that clients do not feel limited to a "one-size-fits-all" treatment model. In addition to direct clinical services, Okichie also operates a teaching practice and is passionate about mentoring future clinicians entering the behavioral health field.
EPIC: What inspired you to pursue multiple evidence-based practices?
Okichie: Working in community behavioral health showed me early on that many clinicians serving high acuity populations are expected to provide care without always having access to intensive specialty training. I wanted to build a clinical toolbox with approaches that were both research-supported and flexible enough to meet the varying needs of clients. Pursuing CBT, PE, and EMDR allowed me to offer different evidence-based options while continuing to serve Medicaid populations with high quality care.
EPIC: What has helped you sustain this work and avoid burnout as an Independent Practitioner?
Okichie: Flexibility has been one of the biggest protective factors for me. Having multiple evidence-based modalities in my toolbox allows me to stay engaged and dynamic in my work rather than feeling confined to one approach. It also gives clients additional pathways forward when one strategy may not fully meet their needs. The EPIC Designation has further supported sustainability by recognizing the value of specialized training and allowing me to maintain a manageable caseload that prioritizes quality care over volume.
EPIC: What are some of the rewards and challenges of implementing EBPs within an Independent Practice?
Okichie: One of the biggest rewards is being able to tailor treatment to each client without immediately referring them elsewhere if one approach is not effective. Clients often feel relieved knowing there are multiple evidence-based tools available within the same therapeutic relationship. At the same time, Independent Practitioners face significant challenges, especially around the financial and logistical realities of pursuing advanced training while operating a small practice. Many clinicians want to pursue these opportunities but cannot afford the lost time and income that often comes with specialty training.
EPIC: From your perspective, what are some of the biggest behavioral health needs in Philadelphia right now?
Okichie: I see a tremendous amount of chronic and complex trauma tied to poverty, housing instability, community violence, and financial stress. Therapy is important, but Philadelphia also needs a broader trauma informed public health approach that addresses the upstream factors contributing to mental health challenges. Behavioral health providers are often working to support people after they have already experienced significant harm, and there is a real need for prevention, community investment, and systems level support.
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