So much has been said in 2020 about destigmatizing or decolonizing mental health services, but what do we really mean? It’s an opportunity to step back and consider how as providers we send subtle and not so subtle messages regarding normalcy.
Racial trauma allows us to look at racism from the valuable perspective of the impact on an individual’s physical and mental well-being.
Retreating is a form of wisdom and an act of self-care to feed the soul, body and mind.
Spiritual bypassing is a coping mechanism, intentional or otherwise, that “protects” the ego from anxiety as an elaborate form of denial and avoidance.
Ambivalence is not always equivalent to denial or resistance. It can be perceived as thoughtful and considered reflection.
Slowing down increases out ability to be empathetic and reserves our energy for what matters in life.
Racial gaslighting is just the tip of a number of microaggressions afflicted on Black Americans, people of color and other marginalized groups.
Shaming is a way to deflect attention away from personal discomfort and emotional pain.
Self-compassion is an import from Buddhist psychology that works well with mindfulness to calm our inner critic.
We’re wired for all the things that promote survival and anxiety is one of them. Where does fear mongering go overboard?