Trauma

3 easy grounding techniques to manage your stress

We all experience stress on a regular basis. Some of us more than others and depending on the season, certain periods can be more stressful than others. Apart from stress, many of us struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, and anger issues. We can sometimes get triggered and we can find ourselves having spiraling negative thoughts that are difficult to control. Additionally, dwelling on our fears, over-thinking…

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March 19, 2022

Coping strategies / Emotional health / Mental health / Trauma

How to use writing to get through your trauma

Journaling has gotten me through a lot. I have books upon books and several word documents filled with my thoughts and tear stains. I have gained deeper understanding, clarity, resolve, and transformation through writing. Some of my best times in prayer have been through journaling. It is a great and accessible tool for most of us. But, many people wonder how to start journaling or they…

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October 17, 2020

Coping strategies / Mental health / Mental help / Trauma

12 interesting alternative ways to heal trauma

You know how, many African cultures have rituals involving dancing and chanting? They are done on many occasions including after births and deaths. It turns out that the Western world is catching up to these along with other art forms as beneficial ways to heal from trauma. Well of course, everything originated in Africa 😉Anyway, last week I wrote about Black American trauma: 3 important concepts…

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October 10, 2020

Coronavirus / Mental health / Racism & Discrimination / Trauma

Black American trauma: 3 important concepts worth knowing

Trauma is the response to a disturbing or painful experience. We’ve all been through some type of trauma in our lives. Many times when we hear trauma, we think of situations like car accidents, attacked at gun point, rape, mass shootings, natural disasters, and domestic violence. However, traumas can also occur from break ups with significant others, losing a loved one, undergoing surgery, living in an…

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October 3, 2020

Handling difficult relationships during the holidays

Before you read this post, I would recommend reading the first one on how to handle difficult conversations.Broken relationships can be a real challenge and sometimes for good reason. Working with clients in psychotherapy, some people have presented some truly difficult circumstances. For example, I’ve spoken to different young women from collectivistic cultures who have experienced sexual abuse from a relative who has shown no remorse…

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December 7, 2019

Anxiety / Coping strategies / Depression / Holidays / Relationships / Trauma

Stress management tips in your African homes during the holidays

The holidays are fast approaching. When I was a child in Cameroon, I looked forward to December. It was one of my favorite periods because people came together to celebrate. There was always a lot of food and merriment. As an adult, although I enjoy spending the holidays with my family, I realize that there is more to this one-sided story of cheerful holidays. This season…

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November 23, 2019

Stories of mental distress and how to identify yours

You know when you go to your doctor and they ask for your family’s health history? Many Africans don’t have much to write, not because there are no health issues in the family, but because they are not aware of them. Maybe some health issues weren’t diagnosed. The responses to mental health history are even more scarce. The questions go something like this… Do you have…

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October 11, 2019