Welcome back to Episode 14 of Open Door Conversations. Today’s topic is titled “I Ain’t Angry Because I Express Myself: I Am Not My Emotions.”  In today’s episode we cover emotions, particularly the topic of how black women or other women of color are viewed in a negative light whenever there is an emotional expression to unpleasant experiences.  Have you ever felt the weight of fighting against others' perception of you when you have shared how you felt about their behavior, the negative situation, or your unpleasant experience?  What happens when you disagree with or simply have a difference of opinion?  When you express normal discomfort or a healthy sense of disagreement are you often viewed as the “angry black woman?” Well in today’s episode we converse about some of our own experiences and hopefully provide validation of these experiences and make note that it is healthy to share your feelings and emotions.  That this is not a sign that ‘you are the problem’ simply because you are not always “agreeable.” We talk about the challenge this biased view from others can have on your mental and emotional health and some healthy considerations in navigating these experiences in the workplace and in relationships.  Thanks for listening, reach out with questions or comments.  We hope this episode serves you well!

Highlights from the episode 

• How does this bias impact one's mental and emotional health?
• What are some healthy considerations for you to make?
• Why is it important for you to consider your health and well-being? 
• Ways you can care for yourself?

For more on this topic, hit us on email or follow up on social media

*Disclaimer: While we may be recognized as mental health professionals, our topics are in no way a substitute for any listener obtaining the professional support of a mental health clinician in your local area.  Please use this podcast and its content as a resource only.  

Contact Info:

Connect with Fatima Williams and Renata Akinkuowo, LCSW

Email: OpenDoorConvo@gmail.com

Instagram: @opendoorconvo

Facebook: Open Door Convo

Welcome back to Episode 13 of Open Door Conversations. Today’s topic is titled “Mama’s Boy: How Have You Shaped Him?”  In today’s episode we are covering a conversation on the emotional relationship between a mother and her son and how her parenting style and attachment style impact his emotional health and possibly future relationships.  This is an eye-opening episode, certainly cause for some self-reflection but the door to this conversation is all about love and helping our community heal and lean into more helpful, hopeful, and loving relationships with our children so they have healthy relationships in their future.  We  hope that it is rather informative for you.  

Listen in and of course hit us up with your questions or comments.  Thanks for listening! 

Highlights from the episode

• Relationship between mother and son
• Do parenting styles create attachment bonds or wounds?
• Things mom’s do that can be unhealthy for his future relationships
• Can his upbringing stifle his emotional growth
• How to heal or support

For more on this topic, hit us on email or follow up on social media

*Disclaimer: While we may be recognized as mental health professionals, our topics are in no way a substitute for any listener obtaining the professional support of a mental health clinician in your local area.  Please use this podcast and its content as a resource only.  

Contact Info:

Connect with Fatima Williams and Renata Akinkuowo, LCSW

Email: OpenDoorConvo@gmail.com

Instagram: @opendoorconvo

Facebook: Open Door Convo

Welcome back to Episode 12 of Open Door Conversations. Today’s topic is titled “Men Need Love To & It Is Your Biz Sis.”  Today we decided to do a pop up topic based on an IG reel.  Although this was a Podcast clip from another content creator we decided to address the emotional challenges to connection and intimacy in the marital relationship when intimacy is challenged.  Of course we are not condoning unhealthy behavior or habits and yet we are discussing, what are some issues, concerns, or challenges and behaviors that impede intimacy in the context of marriage.  Listen in and of course hit us up with your questions or comments.  Thanks for listening! 

Highlights from the episode

• What we have learned and why we struggle
• How important is it to feel emotionally safe 
• What is needed for emotional connection and what gets in the way causing disconnection
• How does emotional connection tie into identity
• The power of touch 

For more on this topic, hit us on email or follow up on social media

Resources:

Books: 

“The 5 Love Languages” by Gary Chapman

“Created For Connection: The “Hold Me Tight” Guide for Christian Couples” by Sue Johnson and Kenny Sanderfer

“7 Principles for Making Marriage Work” by John M. Gottman, Ph.D. and Nan Silver

Workshops:  Contact us for information on couples workshop series

*Disclaimer: While we may be recognized as mental health professionals, our topics are in no way a substitute for any listener obtaining the professional support of a mental health clinician in your local area.  Please use this podcast and its content as a resource only.  

Contact Info:

Connect with Fatima Williams and Renata Akinkuowo, LCSW

Email: OpenDoorConvo@gmail.com

Instagram: @opendoorconvo

Facebook: Open Door Convo

In Episode 11 of Open Door Conversations. titled “Self-Care: Fill Your Cup”

We are talking about self-care.  We often hear about the need to engage in self-care and yet so many of us continue to place everything and everyone else above taking care of ourselves.  We’re told we are selfish if we take time nurturing our own cup.  In today’s episode we open the door on this conversation of self-care and why it is so important for you to take time for yourself.  Listen in, get some ideas and hopefully walk away knowing and trusting that there is nothing selfish about taking care of your own cup.  Hope this conversation blesses you in some way.  Thanks for listening!  

Highlights from the episode

• What is self-care and why is it important?
• Examples of self-care 
• Being unapologetic about caring for yourself 

For more on this topic, hit us on email or follow up on social media

Resources:

‘Find a Therapist’ Websites: Psychology Today, Therapist.com, Goodtherapy.org

Social Media: Ask for therapist referrals from groups or your friend list/followers 

Google Search: Therapists in my area (by zip code), counseling agencies in my area

Local: Contact Catholic/Jewish Charities, Church-based counseling centers

*Disclaimer: While we may be recognized as mental health professionals, our topics are in no way a substitute for any listener obtaining the professional support of a mental health clinician in your local area.  Please use this podcast and its content as a resource only.  

Contact Info:

Connect with Fatima Williams and Renata Akinkuowo, LCSW

Email: OpenDoorConvo@gmail.com

Instagram: @opendoorconvo

Facebook: Open Door Convo

Welcome back to Episode 10 of Open Door Conversations. Today’s topic is titled “Deal With Yo Stuff, What Are You Needing to Heal From?”

It’s not easy to consider how we may be contributing to the challenges in our life and relationships. For some, passing the buck or blaming others may seem easier and yet one of the most rewarding experiences for your life and relationships is ‘dealing with your own issues.’  In this episode we opened the door to discuss just how powerful and courageous you are when you decide to address the behaviors that may be negatively impacting your  life and relationships.   Hope this conversation blesses you in some way.  Thanks for listening!  

Highlights from the episode

• Learning to recognize your own toxic traits, look in the mirror
• Healing from your past, addressing maladaptive or toxic behaviors
• How your community can help hold you accountable 
• The power, influence, and impact you have when you address your own issues

For more on this topic, hit us on email or follow up on social media

Resources:

Websites: Psychology Today, Therapist.com, Goodtherapy.org

Social Media: Ask for therapist referrals from groups or your friend list/followers 

Google Search: Therapists in my area (by zip code), counseling agencies in my area

Local: Contact Catholic/Jewish Charities, Church-based counseling centers

*Disclaimer: While we may be recognized as mental health professionals, our topics are in no way a substitute for any listener obtaining the professional support of a mental health clinician in your local area.  Please use this podcast and its content as a resource only.  

Contact Info:

Connect with Fatima Williams and Renata Akinkuowo, LCSW

Email: OpenDoorConvo@gmail.com

Instagram: @opendoorconvo

Facebook: Open Door Convo

Episode 9:  The Therapy Experience

Welcome back to Episode 9 of Open Door Conversations. Today’s topic is titled “The Therapy Experience.”  What is therapy like, what should I expect and how in the world do I find a therapist that seems to get me?  These are just a few questions that we sometimes get or hear regarding the therapy experience and so we wanted to offer some tips.  Take a listen to today’s episode to hopefully gain some insight into how to find the right therapist for you, questions that may be helpful and options for affordable treatment.  Thanks for listening!  

Highlights from the episode

• What to expect, what is this experience supposed to be like
• Planning for the consultation and initial session
• What are sessions like?
• How to find the right therapist (right fit, affordability)

For more on this topic, hit us on email or follow up on social media

Resources:

Websites: Psychology Today, Therapist.com, Goodtherapy.org

Social Media: Ask for referrals from groups or your friend list/followers 

Google Search: Therapists in my area (by zip code), counseling agencies in my area

Local: Contact Catholic/Jewish Charities, Church-based counseling centers, 

Questions to Ask Regarding Payment: Do you offer reduced rates?  Do you offer a sliding scale? Do you take my insurance?  Can you provide a super bill (a document that allows for insurance reimbursement)? Do you take FSA/HSA?

*Disclaimer: While we may be recognized as mental health professionals, our topics are in no way a substitute for any listener obtaining the professional support of a mental health clinician in your local area.  Please use this podcast and its content as a resource.  

Contact Info:

Connect with Fatima Williams and Renata Akinkuowo

Email: OpenDoorConvo@gmail.com

Instagram: @opendoorconvo

Facebook: Open Door Convo

Welcome back to Episode 8 of Open Door Conversations. Today’s topic is titled “The Way We Parent: Parenting Is More Than Discipline.”  This can sometimes be a controversial topic and yet it is one that shapes the very fabric of our community.  How we parent does have an impact on who our children become, how they see themselves, and how they engage in the world and in relationships.  There are some mental health and relational challenges that can stem from how you were parented and we hope that this discussion and some of the suggestions and or resources shared can be of benefit in helping our community open the door and converse about parenting, maybe even consider working to shift their own style toward a more “loving” one. 

Highlights from the episode

• Did you adopt your parenting style from your upbringing?  If not, did you change it and why?
• What are some of the things that impacted you due to how you were parented?
• What are some of the beliefs in our community around parenting? (Ex: Do you believe that a child speaking up is the same as “talking back” or “freedom of expression?”)
• Love and logic, parenting is more than discipline and correction

For more on this topic, hit us on email or follow up on social media

Resources:

Books: Parenting With Love & Logic by Dr. Foster Cline & Jim Fay

Positive Discipline for Today’s Busy & Overwhelmed Parent by Jane Nelsen, Kristina Bill 

             & Joy Marchese

Direct Service: Visit you county’s website for additional parenting resources

Google Search: Search for counseling agencies in your area that provide parenting 

    seminars/classes

*Disclaimer: While we may be recognized as mental health professionals, our topics are in no way a substitute for any listener obtaining the professional support of a mental health clinician in your local area.  Please use this podcast and its content as a resource.  

Contact Info:

Connect with Fatima Williams and Renata Akinkuowo

Email: OpenDoorConvo@gmail.com

Instagram: @opendoorconvo

Facebook: Open Door Convo

Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries.  Now here’s a word that is literally present at every turn when you speak about relationships these days.  We wanted to open the door to this conversation on boundaries.  It’s probably one of our favorite topics in relation to people being and feeling mentally healthy and it is an absolute NEED for healthy relationships.  So what are boundaries, why are they crucial for you to feel healthy and for you to experience healthy, thriving, supportive, relationships?  Well, welcome to Open Door Conversations, let’s talk about it.   

Highlights from the episode

• Defining boundaries
• What are various types of boundaries
• How do you know when you need them
• How do you implement boundaries, trust us, there are several ways

For more on this topic, hit us on email or follow up on social media

Resources:

Books: Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend

Codependent No More by Melody Beattie

Set Boundaries Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab

*Disclaimer: While we may be recognized as mental health professionals, our topics are in no way a substitute for any listener obtaining the professional support of a mental health clinician in your local area.  Please use this podcast and its content as a resource.  

Contact Info:

Connect with Fatima Williams and Renata Akinkuowo

Email: OpenDoorConvo@gmail.com

Instagram: @opendoorconvo

Facebook: Open Door Convo