· Welcome to the “Sweet Mother” Podcast- a podcast that exists to tell the stories of powerful women as told by the daughters they left behind. I’m your host, Sohkor Solanke. · It's the holiday season: 'tis the season to be jolly, right? What is a season of merriment, joy, hope, and anticipation for many can actually be the most difficult time of year for those who’ve lost a loved one, but there is help and support out there. And I think this is a great time of year to have a discussion about therapy and grief, so I interviewed Dr. Sh’nai Simmons, a licensed mental health counselor and the owner and executive director of The Collective Wellness Institute in Tampa, FL. 

 In part one of our interview, we focus on therapy, and discuss some of the barriers to seeking out therapy for those in the Black, immigrant, and Christian communities. · In the second part of our interview, we will address the process of grieving a loved one, especially around the holidays, and the benefits of grief counseling. · My hope is that these episodes will be beneficial, not just to those who have lost a mother, but also to those who are grieving the loss of anyone or anything near and dear to them. 

Guest: Sh'nai Simmons, Ph.D., LMHC The Collective Wellness Institute: https://thecollectivewellnessinstitute.com/ 

Crisis Center of Tampa Bay community resource guide: https://www.tampa.gov/document/crisis-center-tampa-bay-community-resource-guide-25366

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