Building a supportive and inclusive community for LGBTQIA youth requires a collective effort from families,schools, churches and community organizations. Family therapy can play a critical role in this process by empowering families to communicate and navigate the challenges they face and remind young people they don’t have to face the world on their own.
True mental health awareness doesn’t live in a hashtag. It lives in the moment a parent notices their teenager has gone quiet. It lives in the uncomfortable silence after someone says I’m not okay. It lives in the family that loves each other deeply but has never learned how to talk about what’s really happening beneath the surface. It’s where emotional awareness, connection, and community care begins.
Children learn emotional regulation by watching the adults around them. When a parent can pause, take a breath, and respond thoughtfully instead of reactively, especially during conflict or stress, children internalize that pattern.
Creating emotionally healthy environments for children requires adults to first develop their own emotional capacity. Here's what that foundation includes:
Valentine’s Day often floods our feeds with images of over-the-top bouquets, candlelit dinners, and #couplesgoals hashtags. We’re taught to chase the appearance of a perfect bond, yet behind closed doors, many of us are struggling with a persistent, quiet disconnect. When couples walk into therapy, the most common grievances usually fall into two categories: "We don’t communicate" or "We’ve lost our intimacy."
As we move more deeper into this new year, emotional awareness remains the foundation that supports all other growth. It’s what allows you to build stronger relationships, navigate cultural differences with grace, and show up as the partner, parent, or family member you want to be
Building a supportive and inclusive community for LGBTQIA youth requires a collective effort from families,schools, churches and community organizations. Family therapy can play a critical role in this process by empowering families to communicate and navigate the challenges they face and remind young people they don’t have to face the world on their own.
Couples often save for years for their ideal wedding. For some people it’s the day they have dreamed about since childhood so they want to make it one of the best days of their lives. Not only do couples spend on average 6-18 months planning their “big day,” but they also spend a lot of money. In 2023 the average wedding in the US cost about $35,000.
As I sit in front of my computer to write Ibisanmi Relational Health’s first blog in the month that we celebrate Black History and Black Love, I can’t help but think about the trials and tribulations our ancestors and elders endured in a world that saw them less than human and unworthy of love and strong familial relationships.
Building a supportive and inclusive community for LGBTQIA youth requires a collective effort from families,schools, churches and community organizations. Family therapy can play a critical role in this process by empowering families to communicate and navigate the challenges they face and remind young people they don’t have to face the world on their own.
True mental health awareness doesn’t live in a hashtag. It lives in the moment a parent notices their teenager has gone quiet. It lives in the uncomfortable silence after someone says I’m not okay. It lives in the family that loves each other deeply but has never learned how to talk about what’s really happening beneath the surface. It’s where emotional awareness, connection, and community care begins.
Children learn emotional regulation by watching the adults around them. When a parent can pause, take a breath, and respond thoughtfully instead of reactively, especially during conflict or stress, children internalize that pattern.
Creating emotionally healthy environments for children requires adults to first develop their own emotional capacity. Here's what that foundation includes:
Valentine’s Day often floods our feeds with images of over-the-top bouquets, candlelit dinners, and #couplesgoals hashtags. We’re taught to chase the appearance of a perfect bond, yet behind closed doors, many of us are struggling with a persistent, quiet disconnect. When couples walk into therapy, the most common grievances usually fall into two categories: "We don’t communicate" or "We’ve lost our intimacy."
As we move more deeper into this new year, emotional awareness remains the foundation that supports all other growth. It’s what allows you to build stronger relationships, navigate cultural differences with grace, and show up as the partner, parent, or family member you want to be
If you’re feeling the December pressure to become a completely different person by January 1st, you’re not alone. Many people searching for therapy at this time of the year feel overwhelmed by the idea of ‘starting over.’ And maybe the new year isn’t about joining the gym, starting over, or giving into the pressure to change. Maybe it’s about going deeper to see what parts of you are worth leaning into more.
