I have to tell you about a song I heard this week. It's been playing inside my head on repeat, free of charge. I first saw the video linked on one of my favorite Instagram influencers. As I watched the video and listened to the lyrics, I had a strong physical reaction and felt tears... Continue Reading →
There is hope if you or a loved one is experiencing a suicidal crisis, emotional distress, or a substance abuse crisis. You can now call 988 and be instantly connected to a network of local crisis centers that provide free and confidential emotional support. On July 16, The National Suicide Hotline went live and is... Continue Reading →
As an African-Caribbean-American man who has felt as if I must be aware of my backgrounds at every turn, my experience as a counseling intern has been no exception. It has therefore, left me to wonder the extent to which, and how, the race and ethnicity of the therapist matter to clients. A few months... Continue Reading →
In a previous blog I asked if someone could be addicted to being at a bar. I presented the example where Bert, a teenager was at a bar named Water Bar in my birth Caribbean village of Trafalgar, Dominica. Bert accused one of the adult men who was waiting outside the bar with him before... Continue Reading →
Many therapists use a framework called acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which suggests that “control is the problem; not the solution.” Attempting to control our environments, emotions, internal experiences, or other people can temporarily alleviate discomfort or anxiety, but it does not provide sustainable relief. Rather, it creates a cycle of trying to do something... Continue Reading →
You are in the middle of a conversation with a friend at a local coffee shop. You haven’t seen each other in weeks, and you can’t wait to dish on the latest things happening. Or, you are in the middle of an argument with your significant other, and you just need to shut them up.... Continue Reading →
Can someone be addicted to going to a bar? Seriously, I am talking about a person who does not drink alcohol, do any drugs, or engage in any gambling or other elicit activity. Is it possible that someone’s socialization, in and of itself, can be an addiction? Or, does an addiction require some sort of... Continue Reading →
I'm in the final weeks of the summer semester in the middle of my 2.5-year grad program. The last weeks of the semester are filled with research papers, final presentations, and end-of-semester reports. Even if you are the most diligent student and have kept up with all the assigned reading and assignments, the last few... Continue Reading →
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 →
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