Welcome back to Episode 12 of Open Door Conversations. Today’s topic is titled “Men Need Love To & It Is Your Biz Sis.” Today we decided to do a pop up topic based on an IG reel. Although this was a Podcast clip from another content creator we decided to address the emotional challenges to connection and intimacy in the marital relationship when intimacy is challenged. Of course we are not condoning unhealthy behavior or habits and yet we are discussing, what are some issues, concerns, or challenges and behaviors that impede intimacy in the context of marriage. Listen in and of course hit us up with your questions or comments. Thanks for listening!

We are talking about self-care.  We often hear about the need to engage in self-care and yet so many of us continue to place everything and everyone else above taking care of ourselves.  We’re told we are selfish if we take time nurturing our own cup.  In today’s episode we open the door on this conversation of self-care and why it is so important for you to take time for yourself.

It’s not easy to consider how we may be contributing to the challenges in our life and relationships. For some, passing the buck or blaming others may seem easier and yet one of the most rewarding experiences for your life and relationships is ‘dealing with your own issues.’

Episode 9:  The Therapy Experience   Welcome back to Episode 9 of Open Door Conversations. Today’s topic is titled “The Therapy Experience.”  What is therapy like, what should I expect and how in the world do I find a therapist that seems to get me?  These are just a few questions that we sometimes get or hear regarding the therapy experience and so we wanted to offer some tips.  Take a listen to today’s episode to hopefully gain some insight into how to find the right therapist for you, questions that may be helpful and options for affordable treatment.  Thanks for listening!   Highlights from the episode   What to expect, what is this experience supposed to be like Planning for the consultation and initial session What are sessions like? How to find the right therapist (right fit, affordability)   For more on this topic, hit us on email or follow up on social media   Resources: Websites: Psychology Today, Therapist.com, Goodtherapy.org Social Media: Ask for referrals from groups or your friend list/followers  Google Search: Therapists in my area (by zip code), counseling agencies in my area Local: Contact Catholic/Jewish Charities, Church-based counseling centers,  Questions to Ask Regarding Payment: Do you offer reduced rates?  Do you offer a sliding scale? Do you take my insurance?  Can you provide a super bill (a document that allows for insurance reimbursement)? Do you take FSA/HSA?     *Disclaimer: While we may be recognized as mental health professionals, our topics are in no way a substitute for any listener obtaining the professional support of a mental health clinician in your local area.  Please use this podcast and its content as a resource.     Contact Info: Connect with Fatima Williams and Renata Akinkuowo Email: [email protected] Instagram: @opendoorconvo Facebook: Open Door Convo

Welcome back to Episode 8 of Open Door Conversations. Today’s topic is titled “The Way We Parent: Parenting Is More Than Discipline.” This can sometimes be a controversial topic and yet it is one that shapes the very fabric of our community. How we parent does have an impact on who our children become, how they see themselves, and how they engage in the world and in relationships. There are some mental health and relational challenges that can stem from how you were parented and we hope that this discussion and some of the suggestions and or resources shared can be of benefit in helping our community open the door and converse about parenting, maybe even consider working to shift their own style toward a more “loving” one. Highlights from the episode • Did you adopt your parenting style from your upbringing? If not, did you change it and why? • What are some of the things that impacted you due to how you were parented? • What are some of the beliefs in our community around parenting? (Ex: Do you believe that a child speaking up is the same as “talking back” or “freedom of expression?”) • Love and logic, parenting is more than discipline and correction For more on this topic, hit us on email or follow up on social media Resources: Books: Parenting With Love & Logic by Dr. Foster Cline & Jim Fay Positive Discipline for Today’s Busy & Overwhelmed Parent by Jane Nelsen, Kristina Bill & Joy Marchese Direct Service: Visit you county’s website for additional parenting resources Google Search: Search for counseling agencies in your area that provide parenting seminars/classes *Disclaimer: While we may be recognized as mental health professionals, our topics are in no way a substitute for any listener obtaining the professional support of a mental health clinician in your local area. Please use this podcast and its content as a resource. Contact Info: Connect with Fatima Williams and Renata Akinkuowo Email: [email protected] Instagram: @opendoorconvo Facebook: Open Door Convo

Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries.  Now here’s a word that is literally present at every turn when you speak about relationships these days.  We wanted to open the door to this conversation on boundaries.  It’s probably one of our favorite topics in relation to people being and feeling mentally healthy and it is an absolute NEED for healthy relationships.  So what are boundaries, why are they crucial for you to feel healthy and for you to experience healthy, thriving, supportive, relationships?  Well, welcome to Open Door Conversations, let’s talk about it.    Highlights from the episode   Defining boundaries What are various types of boundaries How do you know when you need them How do you implement boundaries, trust us, there are several ways   For more on this topic, hit us on email or follow up on social media Resources: Books: Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend Codependent No More by Melody Beattie Set Boundaries Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab *Disclaimer: While we may be recognized as mental health professionals, our topics are in no way a substitute for any listener obtaining the professional support of a mental health clinician in your local area.  Please use this podcast and its content as a resource.     Contact Info: Connect with Fatima Williams and Renata Akinkuowo Email: [email protected] Instagram: @opendoorconvo Facebook: Open Door Convo

Welcome back to Open Door Conversations!  In episode 6, I’ve been triggered, we are talking about how past experiences create thoughts and behaviors in our personal and relational lives.

Are there any scientists in the listening audience?  When we thought about the amazing process of photosynthesis and how plants and trees convert light energy for use as fuel, we thought about this process’s impact on the roots of those living organisms.  So what is fueling your roots?  In this episode we discuss what it means to be rooted and how our roots can possibly impact or have bearing on our current functioning and state of being.

In this episode we discuss the impact of our family systems and how dysfunctional patterns can carry into our adult lives and relationships.  How has what you learned from your family system or upbringing helped or challenged aspects of your adult life and/or relationships? Let’s talk about the behaviors, thinking patterns, core beliefs, and how or what you developed from your family or upbringing.

In Part 2 of Daddy Did You Know? A Journal to Fathers; Pastor Martin offers some words of wisdom to both daughters and fathers as well as the father’s support network.  He shares his thoughts as well as one of his most famous loving nuggets of wisdom “sometimes you have to love people even when it is difficult.”  He covers some practical advice and considerations for fathers and their support network.  Sit back and get ready to laugh, cry, be encouraged and challenged if you allow; to grow beyond your current place of understanding in this episode of Open Door Conversations.