Coming Out Forums

What happens in our bodies as a result of trauma and how do we learn to regulate our bodies when there are a vast range of emotions peculating within us?

Why is giving ourselves "permission" to tap into our emotions important?

Why must I consider "Radical honesty" with myself?

What are some techniques that I can utilized to regulate my body when I am triggered to bring balance and peace?

Well, my special guest, Nikiya Pruitt, LSCW and a PHD student in Somatic Therapy, provides us with some insights from a clinical and personal view.

You do not want to miss this episode! You are going to be shocked with how far back our wiring goes to creating the person we show up as today and how it impacts are body's recovery when triggered!

Disclaimer: The Coming Out Forums Podcast and content posted by Dr. Lisa Cook is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

In the US, the CDC reports in 2024, 20,17% of youth ages 12-17 reported suffering from at least one major depressive episode and that suicide is the third leading cause of death for individuals 15-29 years of age. In 2021, suicide was the third leading cause of death among US High School students!

Further the CDC, in 2021, reported that 22.8% of US adults experienced a mental illness with 5.5% experienced a serious mental health disorder.

Alarming statistics but the real truth about mental and emotional health crisis in the United States.

What happens when you're on the front lines of life's trauma, and the psychological wounds within you become the norm?

What happens when the multifaceted sides of the life of a woman creates no capacity to care for yourself?

What changes in your life that you move from living in survival to living to SAVE yourself?

In our conversation, with Special Guest, Alana Johnson, she champions mental health awareness and acknowledging the stigma that we carry as women and people in general regarding helping ourselves from a mental health and physical health perspective. She talks candidly about her losses in this life and how these experiences shaped her and how she is taking care of her mental health each day.

Alana provided us with some practical options to support your mental health journey.

We encourage you to find a safe space to share your feelings and thoughts that allow co-regulation of your nervous system in your life.

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Disclaimer: The Coming Out Forums Podcast and content posted by Dr. Lisa Cook is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

Do we change or do we evolve as people in our lives?

One of my favorite quotes is by James Baldwin: "Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." In her book "Becoming," Michelle Obama stated, "It's all a process, steps along a path... Becoming requires equal parts patience and rigor. Becoming is never giving up on the idea that there's more growing to be done."

Have you stop growing? Are you ready for change...for evolution?

Dr. Lisa Cook, along with her special guest, Sheena Phillips, outlines valuable steps to learn from as she narrates her journey and offers practical methods that can be applied to one's life.

Disclaimer: The Coming Out Forums Podcast and content posted by Dr. Lisa Cook is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

Recent studies indicate that one in eight individuals has experienced some form of religious trauma. If you have encountered adverse experiences due to your faith or the actions of a faith community, this episode is highly relevant. Dr. Lisa Cook and her esteemed guest, Bisi Gbadamosi, LMHC, will be discussing the serious issue of "religious trauma."

If you have felt shame, ostracism, or anger related to these experiences, there is hope for addressing and healing from the psychological impact.

By the conclusion of this episode, you will be able to identify whether you are experiencing religious trauma or vicarious trauma stemming from another's religious trauma.  Licensed Mental Health Clinician, Bisi Gbadamosi, offers clinical approaches to learn how to address the unresolved emotions, negative cognitions, spiritual and physical distress from religious trauma.  

Moreover, if you know someone who may have been affected by religious trauma, this episode aims to provide insights into the grief and loss associated with such experiences, potentially altering your understanding and perspective. Our primary focus is on healing and establishing a pathway toward personal recovery and growth.

If you like this episode, the next one you should listen to is, "The Comeback to Life Through Healing!"

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The Coming Out Forums Podcast and content posted by Dr. Lisa Cook is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

Our final episode of The Coming Out Forums, "Getting Healthy Podcast Series" focuses on our personal accountability and intentionality for our own health journey.

Dr. Lisa Cook and her special guest, Olyvia Phillips, delve into the topic of "Getting Healthy" on a personal level, discussing how they are both being intentional and accountable for their health.

The key to improving your spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental health is YOU! Join us in creating space for an intentional shift, where you hold the power to achieve your best health!

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The Coming Out Forums is releasing the 2nd episode of our Getting Healthy Podcast series. We are focusing on the importance of personal health literacy and self-advocacy as your superpower in relation to managing your health!

Tune in today!

Getting Healthy ~ What does this really mean?

The Coming Out Forums is launching a three-part series on this topic, especially for women, and women of color!

We are excited to have our special guest, Olyvia Phillips, share from her professional and personal experience on "Getting Healthy" from the public health perspective historically to the current state of healthcare.

We rally behind her definition of "Getting Healthy", which she describes Getting Health is having the best opportunity to feel and be, with being able to create a life where you can thrive, feel supported and are prioritizing your well-being.

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Nikki Giovanni stated, "How can you know someone else, if you do not know yourself?"

In your self-discovery journey, it is an opportunity for you to be the person you truly are without operating as a person conditioned by others' expectations-based on societal standards.

What a wonderful miracle it can be to show up to life as your authentic self, "Unthawed!". Our special guest, Monique Phillips, says when she smiles and genuinely means it, and when she stands without seeking to shrink her most powerful self, she will be living in integrity and in her power!

Please tune in to this episode to hear her journey!

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What does it mean for women to operate in the "Essence of Femininity?"

According to our special guest, Cindy Jaimes, it means that for each woman to live in her integrity and understand as she cultivates who she is, she can harness the essence of her power.

You do not want to miss this episode!

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As you entered 2025, I wonder if you fully embraced your "Comeback." We all have something we are striving to achieve or return to, but the essential question is, "When you reach this point, have you begun to heal?"

Please listen to our special guest, Nina, Vice President of Experiential Operations and Planning at ESSENCE, as she shares her perspective as a trauma-sensitive meditation teacher and her journey of healing from domestic violence. Nina's goal is to use her certification to heal generational trauma within families, couple dynamics, and diverse communities.

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