Category: Mental Health

May is National Mental Health Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health. Mental health is an essential aspect of our overall well-being, and it’s crucial to prioritize and take care of it. This month provides us with an opportunity to have open conversations about mental health and offer support and resources to those in need. Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives, the realities of living with mental health conditions, and strategies for attaining mental health and wellness. It also aims to draw attention to suicide, which can be precipitated by some mental illnesses. Mental Health Awareness Month also strives to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental illnesses. Mental health is essential for a person’s overall health. Prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can recover from mental disorders and live full and productive lives.

The Journey of Healing Our Inner Child

We all have an inner child, a part of us that was shaped by our early experiences and continues to influence our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as adults. Many of us carry wounds from childhood that we may not even be aware of, but that affect our relationships, self-esteem, and overall well-being. Healing the inner child is a powerful process that can help us connect with our authentic selves, rediscover joy and creativity, and live more fulfilling lives. As a therapist who has worked with many clients on this journey, I would like to share some insights and tips that I hope will inspire and support you in your own exploration.

The Importance of Community Spaces: Creating a Sense of Belonging and Wellness

Have you ever felt the longing to be a part of something bigger than yourself? Have you searched for groups that share the same values and visions as you? In your journey to healing and growth, have you ever felt alone? There is so much untapped power in community spaces in promoting mental health and overall wellness. These spaces can take many forms, from parks and public squares to community centers and online forums, but they all share a common purpose: to provide a safe and welcoming environment where people can come together, connect with one another, and feel a sense of belonging. As women of color- we need spaces like these to unapologetically be our authentic selves, receive energy and support from and uplift other community members, and affirm our right to healing and wellness.

We will explore the importance of community spaces for mental health and wellbeing, examples of community spaces, and examine some of the key benefits they offer. We will also discuss some ways in which we can create and maintain these spaces, with the upcoming expansion of WOC Therapy.

Overcoming Perfectionism and the Fear of Failure

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed with the pressure of success, especially if you’re a woman of color in a male-dominated field. Women of color often experience higher levels of perfectionism and fear of failure than other demographics due to systemic racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination. When you’re a woman of color, and your success is predicated on your acceptance from the majority, perfection can feel like the only real option. We have to be more likeable, articulate, logical, and work harder just to enter the spaces that others already exist so comfortably in.

We don’t get taken as seriously. If we fail, we risk jeopardizing the prospects of other WOC who will inevitably be compared to us. We’re forced to compete with our own sisters for limited spots. Our work is valued oftentimes only if we expose our vulnerabilities, trauma, and struggles of being a WOC. Our stories of success are tokenized or used as a comparison for other WOC- “If she could do it, then why can’t you?”

So how can we learn to move past our perfectionist tendencies and fear of failure so that we can each reach success and fulfillment in our own ways?

Celebrating the Contributions of Women of Color in the Field of Therapy

As we celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, it is important to recognize the groundbreaking work of women in the field of therapy, particularly those who have been pioneers for women of color. The field of psychology has long been dominated by white men- but in the wake of the Civil Rights and Women’s movements in the 1960s and 70s, women have been making strides in many professions. From Inez Beverly Prosser, to Martha Bernal and Mamie Phipps Clark, to Reiko True and Jennifer Eberhardt—these women have blazed trails in the world of psychology and continue to inspire generations of therapists.

‘Permission To Not Be In Survival Mode’: How Rest Liberates Black People

What Is Internalized Homophobia and How to Overcome It?

Social attitudes towards the LGBTIQA+ community have been getting better in the past decades. However, we are still living in a homophobic culture that creates negative narratives around homosexuality and same-sex attraction. This is also a reason why most non-heterosexual individuals don’t know what is internalized homophobia definition, and they accelerate this oppression, having a hard time accepting their sexuality.

Mixed Anxiety and Depressive Disorder Explained

Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health disorders nowadays, and they are commonly discussed. However, have you ever heard of the two of them existing together? Mixed anxiety and depressive disorder (MADD) is not a rare thing, but it’s not so well-known. What does it mean to have this mixed condition – how does it present in an individual, and how can you recognize it if it happens to you?

Why Is Mental Health Important?

One of the most underrated issues in our society is the impact of psychological disorders. People overlook their importance and dismiss those who struggle. We need to do better in reaching out to help others, but to do that, we must answer one question first – why is mental health important? Why do we need to talk about this topic more?

5 Self Confidence Positive Affirmations You Should Repeat Daily

Self-confidence positive affirmations are more accepted nowadays since everyone’s just trying to love themselves more. It’s about believing the words of the people who love us instead of denying our power and all the nice things they say. Here are some phrases you can use to improve your confidence without shame or guilt.