Race & Identity

Hello Black women, my name’s Laura, and I’ve been certified Black since the ’80s. The title of this article reflects my intention for the distressed reader to shift their perspective to a more helpful focus to support mental wellness. This is intended to occur through analogies and tips. Let’s begin!…

Race and mental illness can be highly stigmatized topics. For many of us, both subjects can often feel too complex or touchy to talk about. But the truth is that mental health and race are intertwined, whether we like to think about them that way or not. This July, Minority…

Juneteenth is the annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. While it has been celebrated in various parts of the country since 1865, it became an official federal holiday in 2021.  For many individuals outside of the Black community, the knowledge might stop there. Questions remain,…

Diversity can be celebrated all year round, not just on dedicated months, but it’s naive to celebrate diversity without also talking explicitly about racism and prejudice. Otherwise the evidence shows that our country’s deep social inequalities will just be perpetuated. A famous 2016 study revealed that majority-white high schools tended…

Think back to a time when you were “online shopping” for a new health care provider — be it a counselor, a primary care doctor, or a specialist. What did you look for? Who did you gravitate toward? Who did you trust? You likely perused their education, years of experience,…

It’s impossible to delegate an entire people’s history to one month—but it is possible to use February as a way to focus on the contributions and achievements of Black individuals and those of African descent. Black people in the US have left an undeniable impact on our country’s heritage, with…

Hello, my name is Shontel Cargill and I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Thriveworks located at the Cumming office in Georgia. The question that was asked was, “What is racial trauma?” Racial trauma also known as race-based traumatic stress is defined as the cumulative negative effects of racism…

Hello. My name is Yvette Lopez and I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Thriveworks. The question has been asked, “How do you support a friend who has been discriminated against?” The number one thing that your friend will probably be looking for is for you to listen, provide that…

Hello. I am Hélène Diop with Thriveworks, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. So today I will attempt to answer the following question: “What should I do if a loved one is prejudiced?” So first, I will say, reevaluate “What does it mean to be prejudiced?” Also, making sure that you don’t…

You can meet with one of our caring mental health professionals, including this presenter, by visiting us at https://thriveworks-develop.go-vip.net/online-counseling/ Hi, my name is Tori Mills and I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor for Thriveworks. I’d like to discuss the effects that discrimination has on one’s mental health. So, during…

Hello, I’m Alise Lindsey, Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional for Thriveworks Newport News location. Today, I am very happy to bring to you some ways that you can become an ally to the Black Community in our fight for social justice. In the wake of the death…

Valerie Proctor Greene, Licensed Psychotherapist and Life Coach at Thriveworks Chesapeake, leads an online workshop titled “Identifying Cultural Issues Including Bias in the Counseling Room.” Below, you’ll find information about Greene, followed by highlights from her presentation: About Valerie Proctor Greene, Licensed Psychotherapist and Life Coach: Greene is passionate about…