Black Folks do Therapy

Episode 25: Interview with Dr. Adisa Ajamu - On Being a Developmental Psychologist and the impact on the African American community

February 4th, 2021  |  Season 1  |  50 mins 53 secs

black psychologists, black psychology, developmental psychology

I met with Dr. Ajamu to discuss his path to becoming a psychologist and his interactions with the psychologists who influenced his path. We processed the importance of developmental psychologists creating a new paradigm for understanding the African American community and creating new paradigms for healing. Finally, we discussed a framework for discussing and understanding the psychological impact of the work of author Ayi Kwei Armah.

Episode 24: Interview with Ms. Dearta Smith M.A., Speech Pathologist

January 5th, 2021  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 4 mins

In this episode we talk with Ms. Dearta Smith about her work as a Speech Language Pathologist, and how this relates to mental health. During the podcast she describes her role within the public school system, provides some of the reasons why speech and language services are provided to children, discusses some of her experiences working with children diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum and explains how Assistive Technology can facilitate communication. She also briefly examined the role of parenting in observing and identifying warning signs of communication concerns.
Lastly we discussed her inspiration for authoring several children's books and discussed how parents can facilitate a lifelong love for literacy with their children.

Episode 23: Interview with Dr. Kevin Cokely, University of Texas

December 20th, 2020  |  Season 1  |  56 mins 34 secs

In this interview, we discussed the impact of policy and the effectiveness of policy making on the mental health of underserved communities. We discussed the legal and political hurdles that must be navigated to allow for access to programs that will bring about equity and healing. We discussed the impact of the current racial climate and how this affects the Black community in addition to interventions for healing.

Episode 22: Interview with Dr. Kevin Washington, Grambling State University

November 6th, 2020  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 3 mins

Talked with Dr. Washington about his career path into psychology and how it has manifested. We discussed issues related to Black Psychology and managing our spirit during this time in our country. Discussed issues related to Black men and mental health.

Episode 21: Interview with Dr. Kristee Haggins, Sacramento CA Emotional Emancipation Circles

August 7th, 2020  |  Season 1  |  57 mins 38 secs

We talked with Dr. Kristee Haggins about her work with Emotional Emancipation Circles, Ubuntu Circles and Black Safe Spaces. We processed the need for the healing these circles provide and looked at the format that they take. Discussed the origins of these healing modalities as a result of unfounded murders by police within the Black community as a means to cope with the trauma these experiences create. Offered methods for people to get engaged with these circles moving forward.

Episode 20: Interview with Dr. Monique Swift, Mental Health and Justice in the time of George Floyd

June 12th, 2020  |  Season 1  |  57 mins 54 secs

Talked with Dr. Swift about the nature of change in the time of protest regarding injustice. Discussed racial disparities and interventions for healthy living. Also discussed specific strategies for remaining healthy.

Episode 19: Interview with Dr. Pearl Barner Minneapolis MN - Managing emotions related to the Murder of George Floyd

May 29th, 2020  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 17 mins

african american, emmitt till, george floyd, mental health, minneapolis, psychological trauma

We discussed the recent murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the catastrophic mental health impact this is having on the African American community. Dr. Barner relates personal history related to his proximity to the murder of Emmit Till in Mississippi and the current murder in Minneapolis. We discussed the psychological trauma and conditioning that takes place in the African American community and the long term effect on individuals. We also considered the necessity of studying the evil nature that allows someone to commit such an atrocious act.

Episode 18: Interview with Dr. Tania Lodge, Clinical Director at Minority Health Group, Akron Ohio

May 8th, 2020  |  Season 1  |  56 mins 47 secs

covid, trauma assessment black psychology

Dr. Lodge and I discussed issues dealing with her foray into psychology and her evolution on this path. We conversed about assessment and evaluation in the African American community and the need for culturally competent practitioners. We discussed the mental health management of Covid-19 in the Black community. We also processed the impact of ongoing trauma on the Black community. We also discussed the use of Belief Systems Analysis in working with clients.

Episode 17: Interview with Dr. Wade Nobles - The importance and evolution of Black Psychology and the Association of Black Psychology

April 24th, 2020  |  Season 1  |  56 mins 19 secs

black psychology abpsi wade nobles

In this episode we discuss the origins of the Association of Black Pscyhologists and the importance of the organization to the African American community. Dr. Nobles discusses issues related to moving the theory of Black Psychology into practice and explains why it is important to have a therapist who appreciates and understands the culture. We also discussed the need to integrate Spirit into the practice of psychology and the inability to separate the two.

Episode 16: Interview With Dr. Jamila Codrington, Brooklyn New York

April 9th, 2020  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 4 mins

We met with Dr. Codrington to discuss issues related to her practice and the manner in which she works with clients. Issues related to the management of Covid-19 and the stressors associated with this.

Episode 15: Dr. Valerie Jackson of Monarch Family Services, Child psychology

March 22nd, 2020  |  Season 1  |  48 mins 47 secs

In this episode we discuss issues related to maintaining the family unit through a variety of psychological services. She discusses community outreach, managing families in crisis, adoption and dealing with trauma as areas of expertise among many others.

Episode 14: Interview with Dr. Shawanda Anderson, Neuropsychologist Houston Texas

March 6th, 2020  |  Season 1  |  56 mins 21 secs

We met with Dr. Shawanda Anderson and discussed the work she does in neuropsychology. We touched on topics related to autism and its diagnosis, memory and dementia issues and traumatic brain injuries.

Episode 13: Ms. Debra Machando Harare Zimbabwe - Psychological practices in Harare

March 4th, 2020  |  Season 1  |  33 mins 24 secs

In this episode, we discuss with Ms. Machando her story of becoming a psychologist and what it means to work with people in Harare Zimbabwe. We discuss her approaches to therapy and the work to create acceptance in Harare with the challenges that are prevalent.

Episode 12: Dr. Ifetayo Ojelade A Healing Paradigm (Atlanta, Georgia)

February 21st, 2020  |  Season 1  |  50 mins 43 secs

We met with Dr. Ojelade to discuss a variety of topics including managing trauma and abuse. We discussed the concept of identifying psychotic behavior and distinguishing it from problems that are more spiritual in nature. Dr. Ojelade discussed the range of services her healing practice offers and the manner in which they connect with the community.

Episode 11: Dr. Pamela Jenkins PLM Metta Healing Center Atlanta, GA

February 15th, 2020  |  Season 1  |  53 mins 38 secs

This week we interviewed Dr. Pamela Jenkins of Metta Healing Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Jenkins touched on topics ranging from self love to trauma healing to self empowerment of the clients she works with.

Episode 10: Managing Emotions Related to Grief

January 31st, 2020  |  Season 1  |  21 mins 27 secs

This week we discuss the process of grief and how to best manage it in light of the tragic helicopter crash that took the lives of Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven other passengers. Because of his position as a superstar athlete and the notoriety he has as a public figure, many were impacted and reports feelings of grief. This conversation addresses some of those feelings and how to manage them.