Talking With Dr Toy

The past and recent mass shootings in Brooklyn, NY and Laguna Hills, CA once again bring into sharp focus the rise of hate crimes in the US against marginalized groups. The following headline read: "We do not feel safe": Many Black Americans experiencing grief and trauma. One person noted: "Its hard to heal a wound that is continuously reopened...and the scars are deep." Yes, some of us are exhausted, numb, and want to retreat, however this concept of collective caring and grief requires our attention and connection. Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com.

The world in which we live ascribes value to work ethic and stigma to play. We are often bombarded with extreme images of play that seem dangerous and irresponsible with a hit of laziness. Play is relegated for children and work is viewed as the epitome of "adulting." With such a contrast, it's no wonder that individuals often feel an enormous amount of guilt when partaking in play. However, play is not just for children, it is a necessary ingredient to experiencing some form of liberation in an oppressive world. Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com.

Taking a pause for what may arise includes days like today--Mother's Day. Yes, for some it may be filled with wonderful memories and moments worth celebrating, but for others it may be very triggering where it becomes a day wrought with uncertainty, confusion, pain, and woundedness. Someone stated, "If you have a mother, you have a mother wound." How does one find space/safety in exploring and experiencing those emotions that may run contrary to a larger societal narrative? Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com  

Pausing can be life-giving and life-sustaining. An avid listener of the podcast constructed this beautiful acronym of P-A-U-S-E (Ponder your thoughts, Attune to your needs; Unburden yourself; Sooth your soul; and Embrace the beauty of a break. I believe this captures the essence of pausing. Also, Hunt and Divine coined the term, "Pause competency" that includes four components: Pace, Space, Openness, and Connectedness. For more, tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com. 

I was speaking with a 92-year-old woman who by the way was vulnerable enough to ask me to come and sit with her for awhile. My grandmother raised me so no way was I going to decline this request, but I was anxious because the task master in me was saying, but you had plans... During this conversation, she said with an exasperated voice, "the world is moving too fast." I agreed, but my life reflected that same "hustle and bustle" that seemed to discourage her. I took several moments to ponder about the rarity of taking pauses for reflection and rejuvenation. Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com  

Black history month is a time to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions African Americans have made and continue to make in this nation. James Baldwin stated, "People are trapped in history, and history is trapped in them." He also stated, History is not the past. It is the present." The field of psychology has a history that continues to influence the present which is why it is important to acknowledge the contributions of the Association of Black Psychologists. Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com.

Black history month is a time to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions African Americans have made and continue to make in this nation. James Baldwin stated, "People are trapped in history, and history is trapped in them." He also stated, History is not the past. It is the present." The field of psychology has a history that continues to influence the present which is why it is important to acknowledge the contributions of African American men and women who utilized their intelligence and talents to forge a path for the equality and humanity of marginalized people. Drs. Inez Beverly, Robert Williams III, and Joseph White are such individuals.

Black history month is a time to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions African Americans have made and continue to make in this nation. James Baldwin stated, "People are trapped in history, and history is trapped in them." He also stated, History is not the past. It is the present." The field of psychology has a history that continues to influence the present which is why it is  important to acknowledge the contributions of African American men and women who utilized their intelligence and talents to forged a path for the equality and humanity of marginalized people. Drs. Kenneth and Mamie Clark are two such individuals. Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com.

Tina Turner asked a very powerful question: What's Love Got to with it? The answer, everything! Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of the Beloved Community and Radical love as a path of healing from a world wracked with pain. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, love is just above safety as a foundational aspect of our need as humans trying to be and live in this world. So if it is so important, why are we ashamed of admitting that we need and desire love? Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com.

The pandemic has definitely altered our sense of normalcy and has induced a great amount of grief and loss. Some of us are unaware of how these aspects are acting upon us because we may be in survival mode. In taking some time to be still, there may be an acknowledgement that the coping skills previously used pre-pandemic are not working quite well in this space. A podcast, a book, etc., may not be enough to resolve our issues and they are no substitute for individual therapy. It may be time to acknowledge without shame, that we need more assistance. Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com