Wholehearted Psych Newsletter

Holding the Hard with addyson

January 2024

Goodbye RSV & Covid. Hello to being upright.

You may or may not have noticed that I ghosted on that 7-week blog series suddenly. In truth, what is happening around the world is a hell of a lot more important than most things I might have to say. But if you were looking forward to reading about the remaining tips, to be continued soon...

Time-Sensitive Announcements

In addition, some of the resources & external offerings near the bottom are time-sensitive, so be sure to open in your browser to view!

Liberation-Based Values & Actions: Speaking Up and Moving Through Painful Moments

If you’re struggling to hold painful grief about what is happening around the world right now, that makes sense and you are not alone. This insta video (captioned) was a beautiful example of how we might move through those moments when we feel the urge to disconnect.

Mental Health Providers, it is our responsibility to speak up when we see harm happening. For those who value divesting from the harms of colonial-connected oppression and capitalism, this means centering the voices of those who are (currently) most marginalized. I hope you’ll consider reading & signing this open letter to MH Professionals.

Last month, I had the opportunity to attend a beautiful panel discussion about creating solidarity for Palestine as mental health professionals. The panel did a wonderful job addressing the complexities of speaking up & navigating this painful time, with a lot of really helpful information rooted in liberation & radical healing. I found myself wishing all of my affirming colleagues could have been at this webinar with over 700 people. I confirmed with the organization that providers are welcome to request the materials that were shared (by sending an email to [email protected]). Co-sponsored by IDHA, NAASW, & USA-PMHN.

One thing you can do right now: Inclusive Therapists has a BIPOC Therapy Fund, centering the most marginalized who need financial assistance to access therapy services. Centering those currently impacted by the crisis in Palestine. Support the Mental Health Liberation BIPOC Therapy Fund. 

For my Jewish colleagues & those who support Jewish communities: Have you heard of the organization called Tzedek Lab? Tzedek Lab is a national multiracial network of political education trainers, organizers, spiritual leaders, and cultural workers, Jews and allies, established to build collective competency to better politicize, transform, and inspire the Jewish community into collective action against racism, antisemitism, and white supremacy.

BLOG: Finding an Inclusive, Trans-Affirming Therapist

VIRTUAL OFFERINGS WITH ADDYSON

Trans Self-Compassion & Shame Resilience

NOW OPEN for Enrollment!!

TSC 10-part Workshop Series,  Biweekly beginning Jan 29th!

For MH Providers who are Trans/Nonbinary

RESOURCES & RECOMMENDATIONS

Resources center around gender, racial, & body liberation. When known, will indicate targeted population and whether virtual or in-person for those in a particular location. All times are Eastern unless indicated otherwise. 

• Reclaiming Body Trust Book Club (Virtual): January 6 and 20 + February 3 and 17 (Virtual) - Connect in community while reading Reclaiming Body Trust.
• Weight Loss Injectables Webinar (Virtual Panel): Fri, Jan 12 at 12:30PM EST | 9:30AM PST (Virtual, Recording available limited time) - Register at the Center for Body Trust for an unbelievable lineup of speakers!
• Trans Masc 30+ Connection Group: Thursdays 12 -1 pm EST Starting February 2024 (Virtual) - 12 week virtual space to connect with other trans masculine guys.
• Large study shows high BMINOT associated with serious top-surgery complications. Ragen Chastain unpacks a new John's Hopkin's study which has debunked the myth of correlations between BMI and chest surgery complications.

For Providers

• Furthering Your Liberation-Centered Work: The Institute for the Development of Human Arts (IDHA) values Transforming Mental Health for collective healing. a) New! Monthly Sunday series in January: ‘Topographies of Disconnection: Re-membering Self, Community, & Land’ Or…b) for something a bit more self-paced and self-guided for CEs, see their Transformative Mental Health Curriculum.
• PACT Coalition; Storytelling Collection (for Providers): PACT Coalition invites health professionals to share their experience of the impact of recent gender-affirming care bans on practice, professional networks, relationships to community, and the well-being of patients. Providers, share your experiences here.
• Mending With Gold: January 19-21, 2024 - Join the incredible Kintsugi Therapist Collective (Virtual Retreat) for a Weekend intensive of concentrated and personalized curriculum designed to support therapists and aligned care workers. More info here. 
• Trans and Nonbinary Clinician Consultation Group: Wednesdays from 12-1 pm EST - January 10-April 10, 2024 (Virtual) - With Damon Constantinides, PhD. More info here.

Massachusetts Local

• Looking Glass Counseling Virtual Support Groups: Groups include: a) DBT Skills modules 1,2, & 3 and b) Courage to Mourn: Journeying Through Grief. (Virtual for MA) more info
• LGBTQIA+ Teens Therapeutic Dungeons & Dragons Group!
  Jan, 2024 (Thurs 7-8:30pm) - Role playing group for LGBTQIA+ teens ages 13-17 with Kc Schuck, LMHC, ATR. (In-person, MA) 
• Queer Ketamine Assisted Therapy Sessions: January 30- March 1 (Boston with 2 Virtual Sessions) - [email protected] for more information. *Not open to cis men at this time.

Thank you for holding the hard with me.