Risk Takers

Ten Things I Wish I Knew as a Graduate Student Intern

Ten Things I Wish I Knew as a Graduate Student Intern

“Life has evolved in many beautiful and terrifying ways. Honestly, I think it’s impossible to predict how things will unfold. As I process the ending of this chapter, I hold so much compassion for the lost part of me that started this adventure.” Rae Buchanan, located in Baltimore, Maryland reflects on her own self journey and what she learned as graduate student intern.

Embracing Intersectionality: A Therapeutic Exploration of Audre Lorde's "The Black Unicorn"

Embracing Intersectionality: A Therapeutic Exploration of Audre Lorde's "The Black Unicorn"

Have you ever labeled yourself as the “black sheep” of your family, workplace, or somewhere where you’re “supposed” to naturally belong? The Black Unicorn highlights how intersectionality is an ongoing process that requires individuals to navigate and balance the multiple dimensions of their identity. Society often places marginalized individuals where they have to prove their worthiness, which can be a burdensome and exhausting experience. This expectation disregards the fullness of their experiences and reduces their identities to a single narrative, overshadowing their resilience, joy, and other aspects of their lives. This blog post, written by Susan Stork, located in Baltimore, Maryland, explores the four main qualities of a black unicorn and how we can harness our individuality into our superpower.

Revisiting the 7 A's of Healing

Revisiting the 7 A's of Healing

This post explores the 7 A’s of healing detailed by Dr. Gabor Maté in his book, book, When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress.

Are you getting enough rest?

Are you getting enough rest?

Are you getting enough rest? In this latest blog post by graduate student intern, Sehar Palla, we explore the seven different types of rest. Hint: It’s not just sleep!

What a Load to Bear : Stress Within Marginalized Populations

What a Load to Bear : Stress Within Marginalized Populations

Most people are aware of the negative impacts of stress and its ability to effect one’s mental health, physical health and ultimately affecting life expectancy. However, the inflicted impact of stress on marginalized communities continues to be overlooked. In this blog, Brittany Spencer, LCPC, explores how allostatic load impacts marginalized communities and individuals, and provides tangible ways to manage stress, cultivate awareness, and move towards positive change.

Balancing Your Chakras (Part 2)

Balancing Your Chakras (Part 2)

This post is the second part of the two-part blog series titled, “Balancing Your Chakras” by graduate student intern, Sarah Miles. This post describes how to balance the heart, throat, third eye, and crown chakras. Read along to learn how the Chakras can be utilized as wonderful tool to become more self-aware, to conceptualize our needs on many levels, and to understand all of the different drives and motivations within us.

Meditation Mindfulness to Improve Mental Health

Meditation Mindfulness to Improve Mental Health

This blog post, written by graduate student intern, Dushyanthi Niyangoda, explores the definitions, origins, and benefits that meditation mindfulness yields and how these benefits may impact mental health.

BIPOC Clinician Support

BIPOC Clinician Support

This post, written by Brittany Spencer, LGPC, is for mental health professionals holding space for BIPOC individuals. The blog calls readers to question, how are you caring for yourself in the midst of the current chaos?

Internalized Homophobia: The What, The Why, the What Now? 

Internalized Homophobia: The What, The Why, the What Now? 

Oftentimes we talk about coming out as the main barrier or event for LGBTQ+ individuals to live as they truly are. However, for many folks there is another barrier that can greatly impact the way in which they feel about themselves, their ability to feel proud, and their ability to accept themselves for who they truly are: Internalized Homophobia.  This post written by Abigail Smith, LGPC, assists readers in exploring the origins and remedies for internalized homophobia.