Inclusive Therapy

08/20/2024

Q: Are cats allowed in session?
A: Absolutely! 😅 *glances at my cat laying at my side*

Hey, hey, everyone that may come across this post here on the inter-webs… I’m still here, still hanging in there. Sorry it’s been so long! 😫 How are you?

It’s been a wild ride of a calendar year. For me, it’s been lots of traveling to be with family & friends. Mostly joyful, some somber & sad, but overall gratitude for the many opportunities I’ve had over the past 7 months to spend time with loved ones near & far.

[TW: collective trauma] Yes, there is still an US-funded genocide happening in Palestine. 🇵🇸 Yes, it’s been a rocky road of political shifts, changes & unknowns here in the US, especially as we move through another election year. 🗳️🇺🇸 And yes, there have continued to be so many tragically awful things happening around the world in Sudan 🇸🇩 + the DRC 🇨🇩 + Haiti 🇭🇹 + Grenada 🇬🇩 and continued police violence in Black folks’ homes… RIP 🕯️ Sonya Massey, you should still be here.

For those that are tuned into the world and/or most directly impacted, it’s a lot for individual & collective bodies to hold! There’s so much information to take in. So many people, places, and things to mourn. So much pain to process, and so much injustice to push back on. And as you know, try as we might, we cannot do it alone! 🫱🏿‍🫲🏼💞🪵

So sending love to all of those out there just trying to survive & taking things one day at a time. Even just simply navigating all the many responsibilities and needs of day-to-day life can be a lot!

May your ☀️ ⛅️ days / nights 🌕💫 be filled with opportunities to breathe 😮‍💨 and/or sleep 😴

And may you find ways to remember that *cues nibling’s HSM music* 🎶 we’re all in this together! 🎶

❤️ - Maria

P.S. I have some individual mental health therapy openings - email me for info!

01/02/2024

12/10/2023

Ladybugs have highly sensitive antennae that serve as their primary tools for sensing the world around them, much like a set of sophisticated radar. From detecting chemical signals, vibrations, and textures to locating food, navigating, and communicating with other ladybugs, these small antennae make a big difference in how they move through the world.

Thinking about how antennae are small yet crucial for navigating through the world, it mirrors how words, even when short and subtle, can have a lasting impact in the spaces we move through each day.

You have probably noticed before. For instance, a dismissive response such as "Whatever" or "So what?" may seem small to some, but it can profoundly impact the receiver.
Words can shape the landscapes of our interactions. They can identify and draw out the nuances in our sentiments, much like antennae sensing fine details.

So here are a few phrases to consider…examples of how a few words might just detect signals of connection and understanding.
And as you read through, consider…what phrases might you share with others? What phrases might you desire someone to share with you? What things might you even say to yourself?

I hear you.
I'm grateful for you.
I see your progress.
I’m glad you’re here.
I feel safe sharing with you.
I value the moments we’ve had together.
I’ve been thinking about what you said.
Your words stayed with me.
I'm here if you need to talk.
Thank you for being here.
I’m so grateful for our memories.
All that you’ve done has not gone unnoticed.
You have a thoughtful way of looking at things.
You've made a difference in my life.
I’m proud of how far you’ve come.
I’m proud for how far we’ve come.

In the same way that a ladybug's antennae subtly yet significantly interact with its environment to shape its world, we too can use our words to create an environment that cultivates understanding and connection with others. One word at a time, there is room to go deeper, even in subtle ways.
-
This is an excerpt from my Storyteller app this week!
Available on Apple and Android: http://onelink.to/stapp

12/03/2023

11/30/2023

11/30/2023

REPARATIONS OPPORTUNITY FOR WHITE 🇺🇸 U.S. SETTLERS ⬇️

Native American Heritage Month 2023

Action > Lip Service

LinkTr.ee/Kikeokan ⬅️ DONATE HERE

Kikeokàn is an Indigenous (Piscataway Conoy), two-spirit, nonbinary trans, multiple disabled artist, scholar, and healer. They currently have no income and cannot work due to their disabilities. They are at risk of losing access to gender-affirming hormone therapy due to inability to pay. For a person with gender dysphoria, this is a nightmare - hormone therapy is truly lifesaving care.

Your contributions will help make sure they don't lose this care, and will help them cover their living expenses for the next few months.

If you are a white person living on stolen Indigenous land (if you're anywhere in North America/Turtle Island, that's you), whether on Piscataway Conoy Territory or elsewhere, this is a great opportunity to go beyond performative statements about Native American Heritage Month and take meaningful action.

There are practically no statistics available that properly account for the specific experience of being Indigenous, trans, and autistic. But available info for even one of these experiences individually can suggest something about the oppressive violence surrounding those at this intersection:

• The Indigenous su***de rate in the so-called US is 2-3x the national average

• The trans su***de rate is 3-7x the general population average

• The autistic su***de rate is about 9x the general population average

• Indigenous families' wealth is about 8 cents for every dollar the average "US" family has -- despite the fact that this is their land

• The trans unemployment rate is about 3x the national average

• The autistic unemployment rate is at least 9x the national average

After 500 years of genocide, it's long past time to give the most marginalized Indigenous folx a moment to breathe and heal, and until capitalism and settler colonial domination on this land are destroyed, the only way to do that is money. Please contribute as you are able. Thank you for taking the time to read, support, and share.

11/21/2023

11/19/2023

(Virtual) Process Group for Collective Liberation

Initial Meeting: Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 12pm *on-going as needed*

A virtual, collective trauma-informed space to process the violent destruction of land and life in Palestine and Israel, in the (so-called) United States, and throughout the world.

The purpose of this group is to fortify and strengthen participants’ capacity to show up for collective liberation efforts happening in real time.

This is an emerging group focused on critical consciousness raising, embodied action, emotional processing, and resource sharing. It is anti-zionist, anti-racist, and LGBTQ+ affirming.

Depending on interest and availability, identity-based affinity spaces may be formed. Please reach out for questions, concerns or interest!

Sending love to you all! ❤️

11/13/2023

The “Reconceptualization of Mental Health In The Context of Palestine” lecture yesterday held by the International Students of Islamic Psychology () featuring Dr. Samah Jabr () was SO POWERFUL! And so pertinent.

Many of the themes discussed felt connected to the “Liberation-Focused Healing Framework” of Dr. Shawna Murray-Browne (). While the lecture focused on issues and concerns specific to Palestine, it applied to so many countries and communities throughout our world suffering from settler colonialism. 🌍 🌎 🌏

Gratitude to Stefanie Lyn Kaufman-Myhimkhulu () for posting about Dr. Samah Jabr’s work back on October 29.

I highly encourage all my fellow psychotherapists to learn more about Dr. Samah Jabr and read and heed her powerful words! I’ll share a few links to her work in my stories.

Slide 1: my notes from Dr. Samah Jabr’s lecture. Words (colored in with markers) include: “mental health” • “oblivious to Palestinian flight” • “ignores violations & war crimes” • “crushing power dynamics” • “dehumanization” • (our work is) “the work of little ants” • “Sumud is action for endurance” • (90%+ of Gazans say) “family is supportive” • (necessary) “hyper-vigilance for survival” • “resist + challenge oppression” • “the lie that everyone in Gaza is responsible” • “Human Rights” • “4 died in detention” • “solidarity + marches are psychologically helpful, not yet politically.”

Slide 2: The flyer for the lecture, which says:

“SPEAKER: Dr. Samah Jabr (Palestine), is the Head of the Mental Health Unit within the Palestinian Ministry of Health. She is a psychiatrist practicing within Palestine in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. She is also a lecturer, trainer, and consultant for program development, policy planning, and psychological support. Dr. Jabr is also a founding member of the Palestine Global Mental Health Network.

Topic: Reconceptualization of Mental Health in the Context of Palestine

🗓 Date: Sunday, November 12th, 2023

⏰ Time: 2:00 PM GMT”