Author: Dr. Cherie Edwards, LPC-S
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You Don’t Have to Be in Crisis to Go to Therapy
When most people think about therapy, they picture someone whose life has completely fallen apart. Maybe they’re having panic attacks.Maybe their marriage is ending.Maybe they’ve experienced a devastating loss.Maybe they can’t get out of bed. Those are absolutely reasons to seek therapy. They’re just not the only reasons. Maybe you’ve found yourself thinking:“I don’t think…
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What Really Happens During Your First Therapy Session
Let’s be honest.If you’ve never been to therapy before, you’re probably wondering what actually happens once you walk through the door. Do I just start talking?What if I cry?What if I don’t cry?What if I don’t know what to say?Are they going to stare at me while taking notes the whole time?And… Do therapists really…
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May We Breathe: Prioritizing Our Mental Health in a World of Fire
May is Mental Health Awareness Month—and this year, it lands during what feels like a collective holding of breath.The headlines are heavy. Conversations are tense. The economy is uncertain, political tensions are rising, and social media floods us with a nonstop cycle of stress and struggle. For Black women especially, the weight is compounded—because while…
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Rest is Revolutionary: The Mental Health Journey of Black Women
Since it’s Women’s History Month, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to truly care for ourselves as Black women. We talk about strength. We celebrate resilience. But let’s talk about something we don’t hear enough–rest is not a reward. It’s a right. And for Black folks especially? Rest is resistance.We come from generations that were taught to hustle,…
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Wellness In Progress
As August rolls in, we find ourselves in the heart of National Wellness Month—a time dedicated to embracing wellness in all its forms. This month serves as a powerful reminder that our well-being is not just about physical health, but also about nurturing our mental, emotional, and spiritual selves.Wellness is a concept we often talk…
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Love Is What Love Does
Recently, I was asked “How do I support my child’s “Lifestyle” Choice?” As we celebrate Pride Month, it is an important time to reflect on acceptance, love, and support, especially when it comes to our children and their “lifestyle” choices. Navigating the journey of understanding and supporting your child’s LGBTQ+ identity can be challenging, but…
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Breaking the Silence: Challenging Workplace Stigma on Mental Health
You know, she’s on antidepressants. I heard he takes meds for anxiety. My coworker is so bipolar. My boss is a narcissist. THEY say, she went to the psych ward… These are just a few comments I’ve been told that people have overheard whispered about others AT WORK. Have you heard comments like these in the workplace? It never…
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April is Counseling Awareness Month
As we step into the blossoming month of April, I couldn’t be more thrilled to share with you something near and dear to my heart – Counseling Awareness Month. Yes, it’s time to shine a light on the incredible journey towards mental health and wellness. You see, April isn’t just about blooming flowers and warmer…
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Navigating Spring Forward
The Impact of “Spring Forward” on Mental Well-being:Navigating the Clock Change As the vibrant hues of spring start to paint the world with optimism and renewal, there is one thing that often catches us off guard: the infamous “Spring Forward.” Yep, that’s right, we’re talking about adjusting our clocks ahead by one hour. While it…
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What is Self-Esteem?
Esteem comes from the Latin word aestimāre that means to “fix the value of.”In English, esteem is thinking something or someone is important or valuing that person or thing. For example, if you really respect your friend’s mom because she volunteers at a local homeless shelter, it means you hold her in high esteem. When…
Work in Progress Counseling 