Normalize Therapy – Episode 4 of Professional Troublemaker

This week on Professional Troublemaker, I’m revisiting a topic I covered on the blog a couple of weeks ago – therapy. Today we’re talking about why it’s so critical and why I think we need to normalize therapy.

If you’ve followed me for any length of time at all, you know that I talk about therapy a lot. A LOT. Therapy has gotten me together any number of times, and I’m a loud and fierce advocate for the fact that everyone needs therapy. We’re all walking around with some sort of baggage, and we need to work that out with someone who can reflect back to us what that’s all about and how we can do better. It carries such a stigma, but I’ve made it my duty to do everything I can to normalize having a therapist and going to therapy.

We talk on the podcast all the time about self-care. I always ask guests what they do for self-care, and one of the most given answers isn’t a massage or a walk or getting their nails done. It’s therapy. It’s critical. Just like you do cardio for your body, you need therapy to work out your mind and get that in shape.

This episode was inspired by and is dedicated to my therapist, Dr. Yvonne Patterson. I found out earlier this month – the day before my appointment – that she passed away suddenly. I didn’t know how to process that news. Who helps you process the death of someone that helps you process life? In this episode, I talk through what that felt like – because I think it’s something we don’t talk about – and how I chose to process that news initially. I’m also sharing some of the wisdom I gained from our sessions.

Dr. P helped me become the woman I am today. She guided and shepherded me through the writing of my new book Professional Troublemaker. And I’m still sad I didn’t get a chance to show her she’s quoted throughout and show her that I thank her in the acknowledgments. But I hope this episode – including the resources I share – gets you to a place where you’re ready to start going to therapy. It’s life-changing, vital work.

Links and Resources:

Links from the Episode:

• PsychologyToday.com
• Therapy for Black Girls
• Therapy for Black Girls Podcast
• Open Path Therapy Collective
• The Loveland Foundation Therapy Fund
• TalkSpace
• BetterHelp
• Pre-order PROFESSIONAL TROUBLEMAKER: The Fear-Fighter Manual
• Join LuvvNation

You can listen to episodes of Professional Troublemaker on:

• Apple Podcasts
• SoundCloud
• Spotify

Make sure you’re subscribed and that you rate and review! Share on social media using the hashtag #ProfessionalTroublemaker. Also, follow the podcast on Instagram! Email podcast@aweluv.com with feedback or questions!