Black Girl, Love Well

It's National Poetry Month! I am so excited to share a series of Black Girl Poems by yours truly! Art is an important medium for human growth and processing! As these poems post each week, I hope you'll see yourself somewhere in them and in that representation, you experience space to process some of the more difficult experiences you have had as a black woman. Today's poem is entitled The Parting Gift. I hope you enjoy this Black Girl Poetry series!If you need a therapist and you are located in Maryland, I can help. Find me at...lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

It's National Poetry Month! I am so excited to share a series of Black Girl Poems by yours truly! Art is an important medium for human growth and processing! As these poems post each week, I hope you'll see yourself somewhere in them and in that representation, you experience space to process some of the more difficult experiences you have had as a black woman. Today's poem is entitled The Parting Gift. I hope you enjoy this Black Girl Poetry series!*Explicit language alert*If you have daddy issues or have lost someone you love, this could be triggeringIf you need a therapist and you are located in Maryland, I can help. Find me at...lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

It's National Poetry Month! I am so excited to share a series of Black Girl Poems by yours truly! Art is an important medium for human growth and processing! As these poems post each week, I hope you'll see yourself somewhere in them and in that representation, you experience space to process some of the more difficult experiences you have had as a black woman. Today's poem is entitled Letters to a Young Me. I hope you enjoy this Black Girl Poetry series!If you need a therapist and you are located in Maryland, I can help. Find me at...lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

Money can be a touchy topic between couples as well as just for us personally. Our money story contributes greatly to how we experience and interact with money as well as how we interact with others concerning money. Join me and Raquel Mack, of Mack Financial Services Group, as we discuss how our money stories impact our lives and relationships and figure out how we can begin to move in new directions where our relationship with money and others are concerned.If you need a therapist and you are located in Maryland, I can help. Find me at...lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

Money can be a touchy topic between couples as well as just for us personally. Our money story contributes greatly to how we experience and interact with money as well as how we interact with others concerning money. Join me and Raquel Mack, of Mack Financial Services Group, as we discuss how our money stories impact our lives and relationships and figure out how we can begin to move in new directions where our relationship with money and others are concerned.If you need a therapist and you are located in Maryland, I can help. Find me at...lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

Sometimes Black girls show up as superwomen, but this can look different for each of us. You might people-please, while I make myself small so others will have space. Or maybe you show up perfectly, unable to tolerate imperfection. Whichever it is, Ms. Perfect, Bendy Girl, or the Invisible Woman, let's explore how our superwoman persona may be impacting us negatively and creating friction in our relationships.Book ResourcesBoundaries: When to Say Yes, When to Say NO, To Take Control of Your LifeDr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John TownsendGood Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You AreLysa Turkeurst and Jim CressThe Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You AreBrene BrownIf you need a therapist and you are located in Maryland, I can help. Find me at...lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

Ever have the experience where part of you feels one way and another part of you feels differently? Well, that's because we are complex and multifaceted beings. The question is, how can we make sense of our lives when we feel pulled in different directions by all these parts? How can we ensure that our parts aren't causing us to live out maladaptive coping mechanisms that no longer serve us? Join me today to explore how to bring balance to your life and all your parts.If you need a therapist and you are located in Maryland, I can help. Find me at...lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

Collective and historical trauma is one thing, but what about personal trauma? How does personal trauma affect my relationships? Could trauma be at play for some of the communication breakdowns, emotional meltdowns, self-sabotage, or avoidant behaviors I am experiencing in my relationships? Join me to explore how personal trauma impacts our ability to love and be loved well.*Episode may be potentially triggering if you have experienced trauma, so go slow.If you need a therapist and you are located in Maryland, I can help. Find me at...lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

Happy Women's History Month!! I wrote the piece contained in this episode to highlight and explore the dualities we often experience as women; the worries and anxious thoughts that threaten to take us off course if left unchecked, the traumas that change the way we see ourselves, the hopes and dreams that keep us alive and moving forward. I wanted to give voice to them in hopes that you'll explore all of these facets of your life and how they impact your ability to love yourself, your God, your enemies, and your family/friends.If you need a therapist and you are located in Maryland, I can help. Find me at...lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

On the heels of exploring attachment styles in episode 45, let's look at how anxiety can derail our ability to love and be loved well. I don't know about you, but sometimes I am anxious about how anxiety will impact my relationships, and I just wanna bury my head in my comforter and sleep it off. Well, we can't avoid anxiety and we can't let it continue to run a muck in our relationships. Whether you or your partner deal with anxiety, join me to learn how to spot it, manage it, and take your relationship back!If you need a therapist and you are located in Maryland, I can help. Find me at...lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

In honor of Black History Month and Love Day, today's episode is a poem entitled Can You Write Something for Me? Often, black girls are portrayed in ways that feel alien to us. This poem encapsulates the idea that we get to decide what is written about us. Write our truth, not yours, when you write about us. Write the whole truth, not the pretty parts or the ones that make you feel comfortable about history. Write something for me. Enjoy!If you need a therapist and you are located in Maryland, I can help. Find me at...lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

Have you ever wondered what goes into how we choose our life partner? Was it just his eyes or his sense of humor? Well, his attachment style and yours certainly played a role. Join me on today's episode to explore what your attachment style may be, what your partner's may be, and what dance y'all are doing as a result.If you need a therapist and you are located in Maryland, I can help. Find me at...lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

So often, we have issues within our families or couple relationships that feel as if they are beyond us. Where are they coming from? The issues may be linked to collective trauma. The ways we show up in Black/Indigenous/People of Color (BIPOC) communities often reflect the ways we have been treated by our oppressors historically. Collective Trauma theories help us understand how things that happened generations ago could be affecting our ability to love and be loved well. So what are you gonna do about it? Nothing... until you become aware of the impact, you can't go about healing and growing. Join me and Linnea Willis, LCPC, as we discuss collective trauma's impact on BIPOC communities.Find Linnea Willis at https://www.lpctservices.com/If you need a therapist and you are located in Maryland, I can help. Find me at...lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

So often, we have issues within our families or couple relationships that feel as if they are beyond us. Where are they coming from? The issues may be linked to collective trauma. The ways we show up in Black/Indigenous/People of Color (BIPOC) communities often reflect the ways we have been treated by our oppressors historically. Collective Trauma theories help us understand how things that happened generations ago could be affecting our ability to love and be loved well. So what are you gonna do about it? Nothing... until you become aware of the impact, you can't go about healing and growing. Join me and Linnea Willis, LCPC, as we discuss collective trauma's impact on BIPOC communities.Find Linnea Willis at https://www.lpctservices.com/If you need a therapist and you are located in Maryland, I can help. Find me at...lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

So often, we have issues within our families or couple relationships that feel as if they are beyond us. Where are they coming from? The issues may be linked to collective trauma. The ways we show up in Black/Indigenous/People of Color (BIPOC) communities often reflect the ways we have been treated by our oppressors historically. Collective Trauma theories help us understand how things that happened generations ago could be affecting our ability to love and be loved well. So what are you gonna do about it? Nothing... until you become aware of the impact, you can't go about healing and growing. Join me and Linnea Willis, LCPC, as we discuss collective trauma's impact on BIPOC communities.Find Linnea Willis at https://www.lpctservices.com/If you need a therapist and you are located in Maryland, I can help. Find me at...lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

Disclaimer: This episode could be triggering for you if you have experienced trauma.Our relationships with God can be impacted by many things. Today on Black Girl, Love Well, we are exploring how trauma and what we believe about God's role in it impact our relationship with him. How much of what you feel comes from other people's notions about God and religion and how much of that actually comes from what you think and know about God through your own spirituality? Whew, chile! Join me as we look at the topic Where Was God?If you need a therapist and you are located in Maryland, I can help. Find me at...lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

Your relationship with God may be one of the most important relationships in your life, but what if you've experienced hurt in a religious context? Or what if you've been "othered" by folks who claimed to have the corner of the market on spirituality? Has your relationship with God been franchised by the establishment? Join me as we talk about what it looks like to defranchise our spirituality and take back what is rightfully and uniquely ours.lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

Each week throughout the holidays I am going to be posting quick tips on how you can not just survive the holidays, but how you can thrive during this season. Just one more way I am trying to ensure that as Black girls we are loving and being loved well!Don't forget to grab EQ++, my new course on increasing your emotional intelligence so that you can love you and those around you a little better. lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

Each week throughout the holidays I am going to be posting quick tips on how you can not just survive the holidays, but how you can thrive during this season. Just one more way I am trying to ensure that as Black girls we are loving and being loved well!Don't forget to grab EQ++, my new course on increasing your emotional intelligence so that you can love you and those around you a little better. lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

Each week throughout the holidays I am going to be posting quick tips on how you can not just survive the holidays, but how you can thrive during this season. Just one more way I am trying to ensure that as Black girls we are loving and being loved well!Don't forget to grab EQ++, my new course on increasing your emotional intelligence so that you can love you and those around you a little better. lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

Each week throughout the holidays I am going to be posting quick tips on how you can not just survive the holidays, but how you can thrive during this season. Just one more way I am trying to ensure that as Black girls we are loving and being loved well!Don't forget to grab EQ++, my new course on increasing your emotional intelligence so that you can love you and those around you a little better. lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

Each week throughout the holidays I am going to be posting quick tips on how you can not just survive the holidays, but how you can thrive during this season. Just one more way I am trying to ensure that as Black girls we are loving and being loved well!Don't forget to grab EQ++, my new course on increasing your emotional intelligence so that you can love you and those around you a little better. lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

Each week throughout the holidays I am going to be posting quick tips on how you can not just survive the holidays, but how you can thrive during this season. Just one more way I am trying to ensure that as Black girls we are loving and being loved well!Don't forget to grab EQ++, my new course on increasing your emotional intelligence so that you can love you and those around you a little better. It's on sale for $16 now through November 28, 2022 with the coupon code THANKSGIVINGlovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

Our family members have been displaying toxic patterns of behavior for years and we thought this was normal. But our feelings have been telling us it wasn't okay the entire time. Join me for an episode about when toxic family behavior makes it difficult to go home for the holidays, the message toxicity sends, how these patterns impact us, and how we can manage it so that we don't lose it! Don't forget that EQ++, my new course launches this Sunday and will be on sale for $16 until cyber Monday. Sign up to be the first to know about this amazing deal herelovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

The holidays are upon us, as I like to say, and with that comes family. In-laws in particular will be rolling into town (or maybe you're going to them) and that could mean friction. Whether you get along with your in-laws or your relationship with them leaves something to be desired, there are tips and tools that can help your holidays go off without a hitch. On today's episode, I'm gonna' be dishin' the dets on how you can prep your mind and heart for family so that you can have an enjoyable, meaningful holiday season with your loved ones. This Thanksgiving, Love Well Family Therapy is launching EQ++, a mini-course on increasing your emotional intelligence so that you can feel healthier emotionally and impact your relationships positively. Get it Thanksgiving week for only $16 and keep it for a lifetime! Sign up herelovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

Join me and Sherika Wynter, of Thomas and Wynter, as we discuss the "F" word. Yup, FAILURE, and how it relates to success. We aren't just talking about professional failure. The conversation takes a very personal turn. If you've ever experienced failure, if you are failure averse, if you're super successful professionally, but not so much personally, you don't want to miss this episode. EQ++, my new mini-course that helps you increase your emotional intelligence goes live on November 28th. Don't miss the Cyber Monday deal of a lifetime. bebt he first to know by signing up for updates here. If you're interested in short-term carry that has Black excellence written all over it, check out TWTote.com and support a black girl owned business today!lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

Success can be elusive and with it our peace, joy, and happiness too. Who gets to decide what success is for black women, for you, for me? How do cultural context, gender, and race play a role in the definition and acquisition of success? How are all these things impacting you? Join me and Giselle Jones as we discuss how black women can slay all day!Looking for a career coach? Wanna take your career to the next level but don't really know where to start? Check out SoarEnterprise.com to work with Giselle Jones, an HR expert who is harnessing all her experience and putting it to work for you!lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

When we think of relationships in our lives, we often overlook our relationship with our career, but how we are feeling and relating to our work often impacts our ability to love and be loved well in our other relationships. You're a whole woman so it's time to start examining your WHOLE life! Join me and Giselle Jones as we talk about what can happen when there isn't balance or synergy between your work and other areas of your life and how we can take charge of our relationship with our work. Giselle is gonna help us work it, girl!Interested in career or personal coaching? Reach out to Giselle at gnjones@soarenterprise.comInterested in a class to help you build your emotional intelligence so you can access and embrace your emotions and harness your emotions in every area of your life? Sign up to get updates about my new class, EQ++.Sign up herelovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

When your girlfriend gets married, takes a new job, has a baby, or is in some other type of transition your relationship with her can get sticky. All of a sudden, y'all are out of sync and she seems to get more distant by the day. It can feel like your sister friend is gone! Join me as I share ways to manage transitions in your sister friendships so that you can hold onto the relationships that matter most.If you're interested in a class on increasing your emotional intelligence so that you can have healthier relationships, click the link below to get information about EQ++, my brand new emotional intelligence class.EQ++lovewellfamilytherapy.comInstagramFacebookCoursesTherapy in Maryland

As sister friends, sometimes we can find that our relationships get messy. After all, wherever there are humans, there's gonna be mess. But how can we limit the messiness in our friendships so they can be the safer places we need? Join me and Landi Jackson-James as we talk about why our relationships can get so messy, how to limit the mess, and be intentional about our friendships.Click the link below to sign up for EQ++, a digital class that will help you increase your emotional intelligence so that all your relationships can experience a boost in health and vitality!EQ++ Class 

There are different types of friendships. They all require different levels of engagement. If you aren't clear about what type of friendship you're in, you could be in for a BIG surprise when things don't go the way you thought they would. Join me as I discuss different types of friendships, how we can take stock of what we have going on in friendships, and make some important decisions about how to proceed.

Ever realize that your friend is going through something that needs more than a hug and a listening ear? If your friend is experiencing depression, suicide ideation, manic episodes, severe financial trouble, or a physical illness that doesn't seem like she is regular degular kind of sick, these are all moments where it is probably above your pay grade... even if you are a  professional in that area. During this episode, Dionne Caldwell, LCSW-C, and I are discussing what we can do when our friend is experiencing something that may require a professional's help. Join us and join the conversation on IG or FB.IG - @lovewellfamilytherapyFB - @lovewellfamilytherap (No y on purpose)

Join me and one of my favorite guests, Giselle Jones, of Soar Enterprise as we discuss sister friendships, their importance, and the challenges and joys we face when seeking these life-giving bonds. We talk about some of the things that get in the way of solid sister friendships. And what does reason, season, and lifetime mean? You gotta listen to find out.

Being friends with women from different walks of life can be such a beautiful experience. It can also be challenging because of the learning curve that comes with diversity. Join me and Marla Simmons as we talk about having a Sista from Another Mista and the unique opportunities black women are presented with when we engage with sister friends from different walks of life!

Coming out of a global pandemic, it must be nice to get together with all your people, but what if you don't have people? The isolation continues for many, so today we are talking about why we need a tribe, what challenges we face in finding a person or group with which we experience belonging, what myths we might believe about building those types of relationships, and some suggestions we can try to start building today. Resources:https://wanderlust.com/journal/how-to-find-your-tribe/https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/400-friends-who-can-i-call/202103/5-myths-and-realities-about-finding-your-tribehttps://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/3-ways-to-build-brain-boosting-social-connections-202109082585Find Your People by Jennie Allen

Have you ever been told that you are too independent or that you are too needy or clingy? Have you experienced hurt in a relationship? When we are hurt in relationships, we tend to lean to either end of a relational spectrum: independence or codependence. I'm the first to ask, is there another option, cuz this ain't working! There is another really great, balanced option in between. We call it interdependence. Join me to find out what black girls can do to mitigate some of the impacts of socialization and relational hurt we've incurred over the years that forces us to these extreme ways in which we relate to others.

I am so excited I get to showcase the father-daughter relationship of another black girl! During this conversation, we learn where some of our black girl magic comes from, how we define love, and how our relationships with our father, or the lack thereof, can be the catalyst for all that! Join me and Keneisha Murrell for the latest installment of What My Daddy Did!

In the wake of the recent Oscar slap heard round the world, I thought it would be good to talk to my girls about what protection can look like within the black community. Landi Jackson-James, Tanya Loveday, and I didn't just talk about black men protecting us. We also talked about what it looks like for us to protect them. Wherever you land on that slap, I hope this episode spurs a conversation in your home concerning what protection should look like for you and your brood. Please note, if you're looking for a podcast that's gon drag Will or Jada, this ain't the one! This is a healthy conversation about protection in our community!

In the wake of the recent Oscar slap heard round the world, I thought it would be good to talk to my girls about what protection can look like within the black community. Landi Jackson-James, Tanya Loveday, and I didn't just talk about black men protecting us. We also talked about what it looks like for us to protect them. Wherever you land on that slap, I hope this episode spurs a conversation in your home concerning what protection should look like for you and your brood. Please note, if you're looking for a podcast that's gon drag Will or Jada, this ain't the one! This is a healthy conversation about protection in our community!

Black Girl, Love Well is going on summer break for the month of July. I'll be back in August with more Beautiful Black Girl content so be sure to stay tuned!Black girls and their mamas! It's a whole thing! They're our champions. They understand how hard it is to be a black/brown woman. They ride for us, but our relationships with our mothers can be complicated. Join me as I make room for one black girl's mom story and along the way, I hope you get to process your "mom stuff." My guest this week is Kia Benjamin.

Black girls and their mamas! It's a whole thing! They're our champions. They understand how hard it is to be a black/brown woman. They ride for us, but our relationships with our mothers can be complicated. Join me as I make room for one black girl's mom story and along the way, I hope you get to process your "mom stuff." My guest this week is Kia Benjamin.

If you've been wounded by your father, you know that the pain seems unbearable some days.  If you hold onto the pain, you hold onto your chains, but how can we heal and move beyond the things that happened in the past when they seem to be holding our future hostage? Join me for Healing My Father Wound where I will take an in-depth look at some of the issues that come from a father wound and offer practical tools for healing and moving forward with healthy, happy relationships.If you're located in Maryland and are in need of a relational therapist reach out at www.lovewellfamilytherapy.comAffordable or Free Therapyhttps://www.probonocounseling.org/Open Path Collective (don't have to reside in Maryland)ResourcesThe Fatherless Daughter Project: Understanding Our Losses and Reclaiming Our Lives by Denna Babul and Karin LouiseFatherless Daughter by Pamela Thomas

I remember listening for the jingle of my father's keys in the door. I would run and fling myself into his arms the moment he opened the door. I was a daddy's girl... for the first five years of my life. Something really shifted by the time I was 8 years old. I didn't know what, but I knew our relationship was different. What memories do you have of your father? How does your relationship with him impact the way you love and accept love today?

Did you know that you have a relationship with money? Well, take a moment to think about money and I bet you'll get all the feels. Yes, because we are taught overtly and covertly how to relate to money by the way we see the grown-ups around us relating to it. Join me and my guest Lindsay Bryan-Podvin as we explore your money story and how it is impacting the way you deal with money and make money decisions ? 

 Have you been experiencing things in your relationship that seem familiar? As you see patterns that keep cropping up over the years you might be asking yourself, "We doin' that again?" Well, it's likely that you're sick and tired of getting what you've been getting, but don't know how to stop doing what you've been doing.  In today's episode, Linnea Willis, LCPC, and I look at how negative couple cycles form, how they keep us looping things we don't want to embody relationally, and how to spot and cut them off.

Have you ever been in a relationship and thought, "I can do bad all by myself?  I don't need nobody's help!" This week on Black Girl, Love Well, I am talking to Joelle Hall-Parham, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, about looking out for warning signs that you may be in a relationship that is taking you down the wrong trajectory.

Growing up in southern, West Indian, Hispanic, Latina, or African homes often meant children were to be seen and not heard. Our parents instilled some amazing values in us and there were some missteps along the way. On today's episode, Lynnett Wesley and I are talking about parenting styles and how we can create emotionally healthy spaces for our children.

We face tons of intersections, but how do they impact our ability to love and be loved well. Join me as we start our new series on relationships with others and how they are impacted by our intersections, trauma, experiences, families, and more.

Sometimes we don't realize that our relationships have been on loop for years. Different partners, but the same outcomes. What patterns have you been seeing in your relationships? How much of that is attributable to how you show up and how much is how you think about yourself and others? If you're tired of living a loop, join me and my guest, Dionne Caldwell, LCSW-C, to discuss patterns and what change can look like.

Ever find yourself standing still, not moving toward your goals, and wonder why? Why you can't just do it, like Nike says? What obstacles are faced with? What or who is in your way? In today's episode, Dr. Nancy Fleurencois and I discuss self-sabotage and tools that can help you get out of your own way!

"I got trust issues." Do you find it hard to trust in relationships? Better yet, do you struggle with the decision of whether or not someone is trustworthy? Sometimes something happens that skews our perception of who we can trust... and sometimes the list of people we think we can't trust includes ourselves! Join me and my guest, Juliette Nelson, as we talk about trust issues and how we are impacted when our boundaries are overstepped.