The Self-Care Chronicle

Therapy is a great way for me, as a mental health professional, to decompress and hit the reset button. This week, I talk about how therapy helps me to take time for my own mental health and fits into my overall self-care routine. 

Work is getting even busier (!!!). Something that helps me to decompress is using a different part of my brain. This week, I talk about taking up a new instrument.  

Deciding if, when, and how to leave your current position can be difficult. Realizing I've been spinning my wheels for years really helped my decision. 

Disconnecting from work can be rewarding and restorative. Returning after a much-needed break can take a lot of mental preparation, and it's been a challenge to get back into the swing of things. 

Planning and counting the days until a fun activity often helps me to hit the reset button. I spend a lot of time daydreaming about travel. Next up: Italy!

Sometimes, when my brain feels fried from a day of evaluations, therapy, court, etc., I need Netflix. Usually, my go-to is the Golden Girls, but this week, I checked out Archive 81. Did anyone else notice what I did about the show? https://drmarshabrown.com/Music by: AudionautiX 

Welcome to SCC: The Break! In these episodes, I talk about my own self-care journey and what I'm doing to reset myself mentally, emotionally, and physically. I also talk about the highs, lows, and challenges of maintaining my own mental wellness as I'm trying to be present to help others. Note: The Self-Care Chronicle Interviews will return at a later date.  Music by: AudionautiX

This week, I'm connecting with Dr. Tara Doaty of Sage Wellness Group. Dr. Tara discusses her challenges with keeping self-care constant while holding space for those she serves. Dr. Tara Doaty is the CEO and Lead Consultant of the Sage Wellness Group in Maryland. She is a national speaker and trainer where she is frequently asked to speak on issues such as equity, racism, trauma, and emotional and mental well-being. She has been the Keynote speaker for Pediatric Grand Rounds, School Districts, and non-profit organizations and has given specialized trauma trainings for judges, magistrates, and attorneys in Baltimore City and Washington, D.C. judicial system. For more information, visit https://drmarshabrown.com/.

This week, I’m connecting with Dr. Rosa Wu. Dr. Wu discusses the impacts of her own racial trauma on self-care and connecting with clients. Dr. Rosa Wu (she/her/hers) is a Registered Psychologist, academic, avid hiker, cook, and cinephile in Vancouver, Canada-the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Squamish First Nations. Learn more about Dr. Wu at https://drmarshabrown.com/. 

In this episode of The Self-Care Chronicle, I connect with Kerri-Anne Brown, LMHC. Kerri-Anne discusses the ever-changing nature of her self-care toolbox.  Kerri-Anne Brown is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in helping individuals and couples living with fertility challenges, perinatal loss, birth trauma, and difficulties with postpartum adjustments. Read more about her work and practice at https://drmarshabrown.com/.

The Self-Care Chronicle is back for Season 2! This week, I connect with Dr. Leighna Harrison. She discusses supporting and uplifting others as a crucial aspect of her self-care. Dr. Harrison is a womanist, Black feminist, critically conscious, clinical liberation psychologist. She offers consultation and training to groups, organizations, and corporations, in the areas of anti-racism, anti-oppression, and liberation. Dr. Harrison also maintains a private practice for women of color in tech in Silicon Valley. For more information on Dr. Harrison, visit https://drmarshabrown.com/.

In this episode, I connect with Nigeria McHellon, LCSW. Nigeria is the Founder of New Perspectives Therapeutic Services. In this episode, she discusses supporting and connecting with clients while identifying with their painful experiences as BIPOC-identifying individuals.  Nigeria McHellon, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Therapist who has spent over a decade providing services to those in need. She is the Founder of New Perspectives Therapeutic Services in Jacksonville, Florida. Read more about Nigeria’s amazing work and philosophy at https://drmarshabrown.com/. 

In this episode, I connect with Dr. Raquel Martin. Dr. Martin talks about taking time away from mommy duties in order to be the best mother she can be. She also talks about the stressors of being a Black mental health professional in America. Dr. Raquel Martin is a licensed clinical psychologist. She holds her Ph.D. in Medical and Clinical Psychology.  Dr. Martin is currently the Clinical Director at a residential treatment center for children and adolescents that have experienced traumatic events. For more info, visit https://drmarshabrown.com/

This episode of The Self-Care Chronicle is Part 2 of my interview with Dr. Emily Hu. Dr. Hu talks about navigating the stressors and harms of marginalization and the "Model Minority" myth as an Asian American mental health professional.Dr. Emily Hu is a licensed clinical psychologist in Los Angeles who specializes in treating trauma and addictions. She is especially passionate about working with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ folx. Tune in to hear her talk about managing her anger surrounding Anti-Asian violence and sentiment. She also discusses the internalization of an externally imposed caste system among marginalized groups in America. For more info, visit https://drmarshabrown.com/

In this episode of The Self-Care Chronicle, I connect with Dr. Emily Hu. Dr. Hu talks about navigating through sadness, fear, and discombobulating anti-Asian hate as an Asian American mental health professional.Dr. Emily Hu is a licensed clinical psychologist in Los Angeles who specializes in treating trauma and addictions. She is especially passionate about working with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ folx. Tune in to hear her talk about using self-compassion as a cornerstone of self-care. For more, visit: https://drmarshabrown.com/

In this episode, I connect with Nicola Pierre-Smith, the founder of Melanated Women’s Health in Pennsylvania. Nicole discusses the challenges of finding her own space to process traumatic events while helping clients do the same.Nicola Pierre-Smith, LPC is a Licensed Therapist in Philadelphia. Her work focuses primarily on anti-oppressive therapy for trauma healing, anxiety, and depression. She has been featured in publications including Bustle, Yahoo Life, VICE, and Forge Mag. For more info, visit https://drmarshabrown.com/ and check out the full interview video at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8s-gKfT54D2X24lTpLgDWw 

In this episode, I connect with the Founder of Building Families According to Pattern, Georgia Bryce, LMFT. Ms. Bryce talks about her struggles to follow the same self-care advice she routinely gives her clients.Georgia Bryce is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Professional Life Coach. She is the owner of the Building According To Pattern franchise, through which she provides personal, professional, and leadership development services. Ms. Bryce is also the author of the book, “On Your Way To Meeting You: The Journey That Changes Everything,” which promotes the fundamentals of the self-discovery process. Visit https://drmarshabrown.com/ for more. 

In this episode of The Self-Care Chronicle, I connect with Dr. Christina Hong Huber. Dr. Hong Huber talks about the impact of escalating anti-Asian violence on her own mental health and helping clients navigate their way through the trauma of recent events while holding her own pain.Dr. Hong Huber is a first-generation, Asian-American, licensed clinical psychologist in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Dr. Hong Huber works from a social justice-oriented and trauma-informed lens and provides culturally affirming and responsive therapy. Tune in to hear Dr. Hong Huber discuss how giving herself grace helps her mitigate the psychological impact of invisibility and witnessing the unspeakable violence perpetrated on the Asian American community. Don't miss the unedited video interview (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=EI59EPWpVWE&ab_channel=Dr.MarshaBrown). Visit https://drmarshabrown.com/ for more.

In this REWIND episode of The Self-Care Chronicle, I connect with Sonny Etienne, LMHC. Mr. Sonny talks about the role of self-care while serving the mental health needs of the minority community during the murders of unarmed Black citizens and adapting to COVID-19. With nearly two decades of experience as a mental health professional, Sonny Etienne, LMHC, CAP, NBCC is the owner of Introspective Counseling Services, LLC. Affectionately known as “Mr. Sonny” to his patients, he has extensive experience serving youth and their families to resolve issues including risk of delinquency, runaway, addiction, and family dysfunction. Tune in for his honest, relatable, and crucial discussion about the challenges of maintaining mental wellness as a Black male mental health professional during unprecedented times. Visit https://drmarshabrown.com/ for more.

In this REWIND episode of The Self Care Chronicle, I connect with Licensed Psychologist, Dr. Elizabeth Rodriguez. Dr. Rodriguez gives an inside glimpse into making self-care a priority while juggling two jobs as a forensic expert.   Dr. Rodriguez is a Licensed Psychologist in the Northeast where she currently serves as a Director of Assessment in a correctional facility. Dr. Rodriguez also owns and operates a private practice that provides expert evaluations of clients who are in immigration proceedings or facing criminal charges. Between working in a correctional facility and running a thriving private practice, Dr. Rodriguez’s work scores high on the stressful scale. Tune in to hear her thoughts on and go-to methods for self-care...Read More at www.drmarshabrown.com/deconstructingstressAll content © 2021 The Self-Care Chronicle