The Crucian Counselors

Healing is not a destination. It is a process shaped by where we come from, what we have survived, and who we choose to become. In this episode, we talk about how our understanding of healing has changed over time, from something we chase after pain to something we practice every day. We explore how culture, community, and identity shape what healing looks like, and who gets included or left out of the conversation. This one is for anyone learning to honor their scars without letting them define their story.

Has the past year been a blur for anyone else? It surely has been one for us! In our first episode of Season 2, Tarik & I reflect on 2022 & looking forward to 2023.

For some, experiencing/surviving a hurricane is worn as a badge of honor, for others, it's a devastating reminder of the havoc hurricanes can wreak on a small island. From Hugo to Fiona, hurricanes have affected Caribbean people's mental health in one way or the other. In this episode, we explore the impact that hurricanes have had on us and the different ways we've learned to cope with hurricane season. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains sensitive content, a brief mention is made of natural disasters and loss of life. If listening to content surrounding these topics is activating for you, feel free to skip the episode and take care of yourself - you come first.

In today's working world, it's not rare to find yourself overworked, underpaid, stressed out, and over it. In this episode we discuss work stress & burnout. We dive into the concept of hustle culture, navigating our different roles in life, our personal experiences, some of the things we've learned along the way, and we touch on a little bit of finding our way out of burnout. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains sensitive content, a brief mention is made of suicide and can be found at the 10:55 - 11:10 minute mark. If listening to content surrounding these topics is activating for you, feel free to skip the episode or fast forward through the segment and take care of yourself - you come first.

They may go by different names, "Strong Black Woman" or "Caribbean Superwoman", titles that elicit images of women who possess the capacity to withstand hardship. But the women that hold these titles face cultural expectations to display unshakeable resilience in the face of adversity, mastering a balancing act that has been historically held in high regard. But, at what cost? In this episode, we explore the Caribbean Superwoman schema, the influence of culture, we peel back some of the layers and, take a look behind the mask.

Healing isn't easy, it's a whole lot of hard work. From our recent COVID experience to past relationships and poor choices, in this episode, we explore the highs & lows of the healing journey. But as difficult as healing can be, it's a beautiful journey that is totally worth it.

Parenting is stressful, to say the least. In this episode, we explore our thoughts and personal experiences in the realm of parenthood - from our childhood to present-day roles as parents. We explore the experience of growing up with Caribbean parents, and process what being a Caribbean parent has been like for us. 

Have you ever heard of the term "collective trauma"? Collective trauma refers to "psychological reactions to a traumatic event that affect[s] an entire society." In this episode, we explore recent events that have rocked the US Virgin Islands, the ways we're deeply affected by those events as well as by day-to-day life. And as always, we find a way to celebrate the beauty of Caribbean culture, even in challenging times. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains sensitive content, mention is made of the loss of life, violence and natural disasters. If listening to content surrounding these topics is activating for you, feel free to skip this episode and take care of yourself - you come first.

In this episode, we engage in a little Q&A session. We talk about everything from what we would do if we won the lottery to the things we love about Caribbean culture. Join the conversation on social media by tagging @thecruciancounselors or use the hashtag #cruciancounselors, tell us a little about you and let's get to know each other!

Welcome to The Crucian Counselor, a podcast exploring the real-life, day-to-day experiences that affect our mental health through a Caribbean lens