We are living at times when immigration is on many of our minds. The topic of immigration has interested me greatly not only as a person and as a therapist, but also because I am a zero generation German immigrant to the U.S. In addition, my family immigrated to other countries and my mother was a child refugee in Germany. Overall my family’s history taught me how to a start anew with the motto, “Home is where you are.” Immigrants frequently face difficulties in several ways

We have heard the term Racism swirling quite frequently in the media, political, corporate and the sports arena. But what is Racism? Racism is the routine, institutionalized mistreatment of a person based on his/her membership in a racial group that is on the downside of power. Some examples of racism are: (a) Being followed in stores, (b) profiling by law enforcement, (c)racial slurs, (d)confederate monuments, (e) microaggressions. You may wonder what are microaggression? -

Desperation often leads people to make poor decisions as it relates to dating and relationships

'WHEN PEOPLE WHO BEEN TOGETHER A LONG TIME SAY THAT THE ROMANCE IS GONE, WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING IS THEY'VE EXHAUSTED THE POSSIBILITY.' – DARIUS LOVEHALL, Love Jones Not very long ago, Janet Jackson fans were elated to read gushy interview articles of she and her husband confessing their overwhelming desire for one another. They even did the unexpected and conceived a baby (with much admiration and criticism)! It makes sense. A couple that is aged in their 40s and 50s feel

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.” ~Alice Walker “I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there I was promoted to the washtub. From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations....I have built my own factory on my own ground.” ~Madam C. J. Walker The cape weighs heavy for today’s successful woman. Women seem to

“You cannot belong to anyone else, until you belong to yourself.” ~Pearl Bailey In Part I, I discussed some mistakes and challenges experienced when dating in the Bay area. Now, I want to highlight the significance in learning to be alone. Alone is when you are apart from others. Oftentimes, we want a relationship because we feel lonely, which is when a person feels sad from being apart from others. But is it necessary to feel sad? Being single is the best time to get good at

For women, dating in the Bay Area presents its own sets of challenges. Many obstacles are similar to the ones that women in any major city would face, but there are some circumstances that are unique to this area. What is dating other than skilled adult play? Sometimes women can be too calculating when searching to find her love, keeping everything on a schedule with timelines of what should happen, and when. Submitting to family pressures, societal expectations, and biologic

Mellie Grant, the scheming, conniving and willful First Lady at first glance, has a much richer history. A history that connects to many more of the American people than one would think and shapes her personality to make her one of the most #Scandalous and yet, dynamic characters in Scandal. It is the story of rape as a young woman. A story whose statistics transcend politics, race, socioeconomic status and gender. It is a story that is seldom told because the humiliation,sha

While I was watching #Scandal throughout the first few seasons, it was in my opinion that Mellie Grant was arguably the most disliked character on the show. She is cold, a schemer, morally corrupt, and appeared to be unapologetically evil. A woman who was willing to do whatever it takes to keep her husband (President Fitzgerald Grant) at the top, no matter who was hurt in the path. What came with my “hatred” for her (who can “really “ hate a fictional character), was also res

On Friday the 13th, the world was rocked by another terrorist attack—this time in Paris where assailants simultaneously attacked numerous locations throughout the city leaving scores dead. People who commit these types of crimes often feel marginalized by society and, as a result, unhappy with their lives. Their unhappiness can lead to cruelty as they vie for personal gratification, greater awareness of their grievances, and justice. Terrorism is one way to elevate a conflict