What's going on? Is a powerful question that takes some serious reflection and introspection. We may see with our eyes, but what are we experiencing in our minds, bodies, and our Spirit? Sometimes, sitting in such a moment can be terrifying and so we just vow to keep it moving without thinking about the impact in our lives or those around us. I invited some special guests to assist me in addressing the holistic impact (Spiritually, Physiologically, Psychologically) of what's happening in this nation: Psychologist, Dr. Keisha Bean, Pastor, Dr. John R. Faison, Sr, and OBGYN, Dr. Kendra Hayslett. Tune into podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com  You don't want to miss this dynamic conversation! 

Journal of A Grieving, Angry, and Bewildered Black Female Therapist: To Hope or Not to Hope:  Some of what I am witnessing in this moment has sparked some degree of hope. When I see people of diverse origins and ethnicity joining the movement and some experiencing a degree of enlightenment like never before, I begin to think, maybe this time is different.  However, when I allow myself to go there, I struggle because what happens if I am disappointed? Some of us may experience this similar struggle. Do we cease to hope for fear of being disappointed? Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com. I look forward to connecting with you. Dr. Toy.

Talking With Dr. Toy: A Journal of a Grieving, Angry, and Bewildered Black Female Therapist. God is not divorced from the social and racial injustices taking place in our society. So why does it seem some within the religious community are silent or disconnected as if God does not have anything to do or say about these issues? What message might this be sending to the nation and to world? Let me assure you--God cares and as His ambassadors, are we open to being His voice, His feet, and His hands during this time? Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com. I look forward to connecting with you. Dr. Toy.

As I stated this June 2020 series is going to be raw. This past week has been a rough one where I experienced three conversations addressing aspects of racial and social inequalities. Two conversations were with white men and another conversation was with a friend. I process my thoughts, my concerns, and my emotions about these conversations. One thing that emerged from these interactions was clarity regarding what I personally needed during this time and that is a safe place to authentically process and for someone to actively and emphatically listen. The hope is for everyone to have such a place to process because it is seriously need for to one navigate this current context in a healthy and holistic way. Tune into via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com. I look forward to connecting with you. Dr. Toy. 

We are facing a moment in this nation where it cannot be business as usual. I have personally explored several responses individuals are experiencing during this time: Denial, Resistance, Consumed, Overwhelmed, Exhaustion, and Confusion. What's behind these responses? I explore and provide some rationale as to what I believe may be fueling such responses and ways to navigate them in a healthy and an helpful way. Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com I look forward to connecting with you. Dr. Toy. 

The title of June's series for the Talking With Dr. Toy Show: A Journal of a Grieving, Angry, and Bewildered Black Female Therapist. I am voicing my personal thoughts of what I'm witnessing and experiencing with my head and my heart during this time. Be prepared, it's going to be raw, reflective, and hopefully restorative. Stay tuned and listen to the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com. I look forward to connective with you! Dr. Toy. 

Racial trauma is very Real! Much of what we are experiencing is tied to a larger context of intergenerational trauma which is a trauma that has been passed on through generations stemming from slavery, Jim Crow Laws, etc. This trauma is in our bodies and our psyches. It's painful, but to look away is to deny it's existence and it's very pervasive and burdensome! We must continue to pray, fight, and rise in this moment. In the words of the late Maya Angelou: "Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I Rise, I Rise, I Rise!" Please check on your people, even if you do not understand what's happening. A compassionate heart and having a ear to hear instead of judge can be very encouraging. Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com to hear ways to navigate this tumultuous time in our nation. 

There has been some losses during this season of dealing with Covid-19 and it is beneficial to acknowledge how you are experiencing those losses, identify and make allowances for what you need. Grief has been described as a natural process, however, have you ever considered it a healing process? Grief can be laden with such pain that one may be apprehensive in considering it as a process that brings about healing, but it does just that. How can experiencing something so painful be healing? Grief is healing because it allows for an openness and acknowledgment of one's authentic emotions and it provides an opening to receive comfort. Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com. 

Talking With Dr. Toy Show: Mental Health Check-In and Check-up Part 2! Tools for your Mental Health Tool Box. Please Make sure to be kind to yourself by allowing time and space for a Mental Health Check-In. I would encourage you to start your check in with the following questions:  How Am I Doing? What Am I Experiencing? How Am I Experiencing? What Do I Need? Please take care of your mental health! Tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com I look forward to connecting with you. Dr. Toy.

Are you taking care of your mental, spiritual, and emotional health? May is mental health awareness month and I want to encourage you to consistently enact a mental health check-in and check-up. What's in your mental health took-kit? Let's talk about it, tune into the podcast via www.talkingwithdrtoy.com. I look forward to connecting with you! Dr. Toy.