Although I identify as a Black person of African and Caribbean heritage, and American socialization, I am still struggling with the word “Black people.” As I selected those two words as the first for the title of this blog, I imagine that some people may feel certain ways when they read it. They may wonder,... Continue Reading →
Leaves On a Stream
We all tend to overthink situations from time to time. We can feel our anxiety start to rise in our bodies. Our heart rate goes up, our palms get sweaty, our neck starts to feel tense. Thoughts race through our mind faster than we can keep up with as our mind jumps from one idea... Continue Reading →
Anxiety is not Trustworthy!
Anxiety is something we all feel at one time or another. In fact, anxiety has a purpose. The purpose of anxiety is to keep us safe from harm. But anxiety can also get out of control when there is nothing around to harm us. When we feel anxiety at those times, we need to take... Continue Reading →
What do you think about Harm Reduction approaches to Substance use?
I know many people who believe that they are addicts, and are well aware of the damage that their alcohol and/or drug use is causing to themselves and those around them. However, for one reason or the other, they are either uninterested or unmotivated to completely abstain from drinking or using. For such people, approaches... Continue Reading →
A Full Basement
How we process our feelings and emotions is often learned early in childhood. Some families are good at getting everything out, speaking their minds and telling others about how they feel. Others find it more appealing to stay quiet about feelings, stuffing them down and never speaking of them again. We can often be lured... Continue Reading →
Press Pause on Negative Self-Talk
I looked in the mirror on Monday morning and said to myself, “Wow! You look awful!” I could see the puffy bags under my eyes, the fine lines around my eyes had turned into angry crow’s feet. My hair was frizzy and in need of a color treatment. I then went to my closet trying... Continue Reading →
Family Game Night
Everyone in the family is home for the night and yet no one is talking to each other. Your kids are alone in their rooms on their tablets, dad is watching TV in the family room and mom is scrolling through Instagram on her phone. These days there is no shortage of things to keep... Continue Reading →
Racial Healing Begins By Looking At Yourself First
"I'm a white woman, what can I possibly say about race?" I recently asked a black colleague. His reply, "I don't know, what can you say? What has been your experience?" I think as a white person I've been taught to deny race, to pretend like it doesn't exist. The idea of being "color blind"... Continue Reading →
5 Steps to Navigate Fear
Life is full of first times, and first times are frightening! Can you remember the fear you felt the first time you got behind the wheel of a car? The first time you asked someone out on a date? Or the first time you started a new job? Often when we are faced with doing... Continue Reading →