BeREAL

Welcome back to BeREAL! This week, Ednesha is hosting without Diana. However, she is joined by BeREAL’s very own Jessica! Jessica is here to talk about her first time in therapy and all the emotions involved with the process.   Jessica begins by telling how she found her first therapist. She talks about the database she used (Zocdoc), and discusses the variety of databases there are and the benefits of each. Before she even met with a therapist she was nervous. The task seemed daunting and there were so many labels and credentials for the different clinicians. However, she was able to find one that she developed a good professional relationship with.    Jessica first went to therapy because she was recently engaged and the process was straining her relationship with her parents. Right from the start she had the mindset that she was going to get her money’s worth each session. So, she was very open with her therapist from the start. However, Ednesha adds that some people need to build trust with their therapist before they open up. She also notes that her first therapist specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which is a short term form of therapy, so she didn’t veer off topic much during sessions.    After ten sessions with her first therapist, Jessica was told she was cured. Although she enjoyed the woman, Jessica felt that the relationship wasn’t very personal. Because her first experience didn’t meet her expectations, it took her a while to see another clinician. Yet, after starting work at BeWELL she began virtual therapy over the phone. She explains why she likes the dynamic of virtual therapy because she can take the calls whenever and feel more comfortable. The new therapist also has a different relationship with Jessica, as they aren’t working towards something specific and therefore there is less work outside of sessions.    To close out the episode, Jessica talks about how her first time in therapy has impacted life outside the counseling office. First, she likes that there is a designated space where she can be the priority. And second, she has come to realize most of her friends were in therapy but kept quiet about it.    Thank you for tuning into BeREAL this week. Be on the lookout for our next episode. In the meantime, make sure to check out last week’s episode about change!   For more information on Indigo108, BeREAL (our mental wellness podcast), and BeWELL (our therapy practice in New York City and Hoboken, NJ) visit the links below:   To schedule a therapy appointment text BeWELL to 484848 today    www.beher-now.com    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Be.WELL.Psychotherapy/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewell.psychotherapy/

Welcome back to BeREAL! This week, in a more casual episode, Diana and Ednesha tell listeners about who they are outside of the BeREAL Podcast and also about upcoming change.   The conversation starts with the two discussing their favorite things about fall. For Ednesha it is apple picking and Halloween time. They talk about haunted houses and how Diana does not like scary things but Ednesha loves them. Then they move on to discuss the not so fun parts of Fall. The darker days sometimes weigh on Diana, and she doesn’t understand the reach of the pumpkin spice craze.    Next, the duo moves on to talk about what other initiatives they have going on outside of BeREAL. At Black Woman Be Whole, Ednesha has an upcoming brunch for either late Fall or early Winter. She also has a wilderness retreat planned for herself this coming weekend, where she hopes to learn how to survive in the wild. Over at BeWELL, Diana talks about the upcoming parenting workshop. This monthly wellness talk this month will be hosted by BeWELL’s very own Susan Miller.    After a short break, Diana and Ednesha return to discuss upcoming changes to the BeREAL podcast. After much deliberation, the team has decided to switch to a seasonal format. Each season will consist of 20 episodes and there will be two seasons in a year. This change comes as an effort to practice what they preach. Diana and Ednesha have noticed that the weekly format is too stressful on both of them. They talk about their fears surrounding this change, but also explain how relieved they felt when it was decided. Ednesha noticed that she has a hard time saying “no” to things, and that led her to pile too much on her plate. Having this change forced upon her actually came as a blessing.   To finish off the episode, the women talk about other ways change can be beneficial. They highlight scenarios in which you might want to change therapists or change directions in a relationship. They highlight that change keeps things exciting, even though it is often looked upon with dread.   Thank you for tuning into BeREAL this week. Look for our upcoming episodes on the holiday season and personal experiences with therapy coming soon. In the meantime, make sure you check out last week’s episode on Seasonal Affective Disorder.   For more information on Indigo108, BeREAL (our mental wellness podcast), and BeWELL (our therapy practice in New York City and Hoboken, NJ) visit the links below:   To schedule a therapy appointment text BeWELL to 484848 today    www.beher-now.com    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Be.WELL.Psychotherapy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewell.psychotherapy/

Welcome back to BeREAL! Ednesha is back this week and is joining Diana to talk about Seasonal Affective Disorder. They discuss the definition, the symptoms, and treatment forms for the specific form of depression.   The duo begins the episode with a new segment. They don’t normally discuss what they have going on outside of the podcast, but now they’re ready to share! Ednesha talks about what is happening over at Black Woman Be Whole.   Next, the therapists move on to discuss Seasonal Affective Disorder. After defining what the disorder is, Ednesha begins to talk about what it is like to live with someone with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Ednesha notes that she used to think her partner was being rude to her when winter came along. However, she soon realized he was battling severe bouts of depression when it got cold and dark. Which leads the women to talk about whether it is the cold or the dark that brings on these depressive episodes. Figuring out what your specific trigger is is an important step of figuring out how to lessen the impact.    After a short break, Ednesha brings in her partner, Aldrin, to hear a first hand experience with Seasonal Affective Disorder. He talks about what he does to help ease the mental health impact of SAD. He likes to travel in the winter months, and when that is not available, he likes to look at pictures of sunnier places. He also discusses how COVID affected his mental health. He found it actually helped lessen the impact of his Seasonal Affective Disorder. However, it was still important that he was getting outside and he did that by taking their new dog on walks.    After Aldrin leaves, Diana and Ednesha are left to talk about possible treatment plans for Seasonal Affective Disorder. BeWELL’s newest wellness initiative, Indigo108, helps examine how people’s sleep and diet change throughout the seasons. This knowledge can help those suffering with SAD to see where they might need to reshape their routine. There are certain foods and meditative exercises that serve as mood booster and help combat depressive episodes.    Thank you for tuning into BeREAL this week. Be on the lookout for an all new episode next Tuesday. In the meantime, make sure you check out last week’s episode on Indigo108.   For more information on Indigo108, BeREAL (our mental wellness podcast), and BeWELL (our therapy practice in New York City and Hoboken, NJ) visit the links below:   To schedule a therapy appointment text BeWELL to 484848 today    www.beher-now.com    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Be.WELL.Psychotherapy/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewell.psychotherapy/

Welcome back to BeREAL! This week we are rebroadcasting BeREAL’s second live show all about mental and emotional wellbeing. Diana and Ednesha were joined by wellness experts Liz Buehler Walker, Amina AlTai, Krishna Dholakia, and Jennifer Kurdyla to answer the question: What does it mean to be well?   After introductions, Ednesha jumps in to ask each of the women what it means to be well in regards to their specific disciplines. Diana says that wellbeing starts with putting thoughts and feelings into words so you can communicate your needs and wants. Amina defines wellbeing as a conduit to clarity. Jennifer adds on that the term “wellness” has been commercialized and prefers to use the term “holistic health.” She prefers this term also because it shows that wellbeing is so much more than the absence of illness.   Next, Ednesha asks about how their work supports the mental and emotional wellbeing of clients. Amina says that changing mindsets is a big part of connecting business and wellness into one practice, as often they are viewed as opposites. When asked about the mental and emotional wellbeing of clients specific during the pandemic, Amina talks about her “minimal viable wellness plan”. There are many activities that are unavailable to us at the moment due to the pandemic, so setting big expectations of wellness for ourselves can actually add more stress into our lives. That is why Amina is looking to simplify wellness so it is easy to integrate into a daily routine without feeling overwhelmed. Some of these plans she has said are as short as 90 seconds.    Diana continues the conversation about the pandemic by talking about returning to “normal life.” She has noticed that many people who lead big lives before the pandemic are hesitant to go back to that lifestyle now that restrictions are easing up. A lot of people found comfort with being at home, and that is a form of wellness they can bring into the future with them. It is important to be mindful that people have changed over this past year and should not be pressured to act or perform as they had prior to COVID.    To finish off the episode, Ednesha asks about how the women practice wellness in their own daily routine. The guests tell their stories with yoga, with outdoor walks, and with various forms of rest and relaxation. Lastly, they all share their upcoming initiatives.    Thank you for tuning in today! We are very happy to add Liz Buehler Walker to our team as the new director of Health and Wellness. Be on the lookout for an all new episode next Tuesday.   For more information on our guests, please visit the links below:   Amina AlTai: www.aminaaltai.com   Jennifer Kurdyla:  https://www.instagram.com/jenniferkurdyla/   Krishna Dholakia: https://omandspice.com For more information on Indigo108, BeREAL (our mental wellness podcast), and BeWELL (our psychotherapy practice in New York City and Hoboken, NJ) visit the links below:   To schedule a therapy appointment text BeWELL to 484848 today    www.beher-now.com    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Be.WELL.Psychotherapy/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewell.psychotherapy/  

Welcome back to BeREAL! Diana is hosting on her own again this week, but she is once again joined by a special guest. Michelle Kuei is here to talk about all things confidence coaching as well as to share her amazing story.   Michelle Kuei is a motivational speaker, author, and visibility coach who helps women coaches and entrepreneurs to courageously & confidently tell stories to get seen, heard, and hired. She is the Founder of Elevate Life Coaching and the author of the memoir “Perfectly Normal-an immigrant’s story of making it in America.” Michelle was born in Taiwan and grew up in New York, but today she lives in Los Angeles with her ginger short-hair tabby cat-Toby, who is working his way to take over the social media publicity.   Michelle begins the episode by getting right into her story. Before immigrating to the United States, Michelle lived in Taiwan, where one day she was crossing the street and got hit by a taxi. She can barely recall the event, but she has been told by witnesses what happened. After the accident, Michelle was seriously injured, she now needs to walk with crutches and alter her clothes.    Michelle struggled to remain confident when others would ask her “What’s wrong with you?” She began to take this in and believe that something truly was wrong with her. It wasn’t until she was fourty that she realized that she had enough of feeling uninspired and wishing that she wasn’t where she was in life. That is when she learned that asking for help was okay. So, she set goals for herself and asked for help to achieve them. One of those goals was to climb Machu Picchu.   Michelle then proceeds to tell the story of her going to Peru and climbing Machu Picchu. She recounts getting sick the night before the hike, the initial ascent, and when she was told to abandon her goal and go back down. The leader of the group she was in decided that the climb was too dangerous for Michelle and advised her to descend the slope before she had reached the top. However, Michelle made a hard personal decision. She decided she wanted to finish the climb or die climbing.    After a short break, Michelle returns to tell about reaching the top of the mountain. She describes the feeling of seeing the sign designating she had reached the peak. She tells about the many people who congratulated her at the top. However, the climb was not over, she still had to make it back down.    After finishing her story about Machu Picchu, Michelle tells listeners about the confidence coaching services she provides at Elevate Life Coaching. The mission of the program is to have people realize their confidence so they can tell their stories just as Michelle has learned to do.    Thank you for tuning into BeREAL this week. Be on the lookout for an all new episode next Tuesday. In the meantime, check out last week’s episode with LaTanya Tolan on how to Do Single Well.   For more information on Michelle or Elevate Life Coaching, check out the links below:   Website: http://elevatelifecoaching.org   Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elevatelifecoach   LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/michelle-kuei   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lifecoachingbyelevate   Twitter: http://twitter.com/coachbyelevate For more information on BeREAL (our mental wellness podcast) and BeWELL (our therapy practice in New York City and Hoboken, NJ) visit the links below:   To schedule a therapy appointment text BeWELL to 484848 today    www.beher-now.com    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Be.WELL.Psychotherapy/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewell.psychotherapy/  

Welcome back to BeREAL! While Ednesha is not here this week, Diana is joined by returning guest LaTanya Tolan. LaTanya is here to discuss her new book “Doing Single Well: 31 Days to Transforming Your Thoughts About God’s Plan for Your Season in Singleness.”   LaTanya Tolan, LCSW, MA Ed. is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Life Coach and is the Founder and CEO of Soul Care for Black Clinicians. Since 2011, she has maintained a private mental health practice devoted to healing Black people. LaTanya has always been and will always be committed to inspiring and empowering Black people towards healing, growth, change and goal attainment, so they can ultimately reach their optimum potential.   Diana starts off the episode with BeREAL’s Jessica to discuss what everyone has been watching the past week. Jessica talks about binging reality TV as she waits for her husband to return from a trip. This is the perfect segway into this week’s guest, LaTanya Tolan. LaTanya is here because she wants to discuss how to “do single well” so that you can have a healthy, sustainable relationship in the future.    LaTanya begins by telling Diana how the book came to be. Not even Diana knew about the book before, because LaTanya said she wanted to keep the process between her and God. When the concept of the book first came up in 2018, LaTanya did not want anything to do with it. That is because she thought that “doing single well” would mean that she wouldn’t be single anymore, and instead be in a happy marriage. However, she soon discovered that “doing single well” meant using the time when you’re single to become your best self, which in turn will lead to healthier relationships in the future.    So how do you become your best self? LaTanya’s book includes a 31 day process, and each day consists of reflection questions and journaling spaces. She notes that the book is targeted towards Black women, however, there is information in it that can be used by everyone. The advice in it ranges from learning how to recognize challenges that keep arising and understanding why they keep coming back to how to manage mental health when you make big revelations.    Diana and LaTanya each share anecdotes about their past revelations they’ve had while single and how they changed their self view. One important mindset shift LaTanya talks about is learning to know that you are a catch; you are not a problem. Just because a relationship doesn’t work out does not mean there is something wrong with you. Also, it is one thing to say affirmations like that one, it is another to believe them. Diana finishes off the episode by emphasizing how you must believe you are deserving of a good relationship.   Thank you for tuning into BeREAL! Make sure to check out last week’s episode about depression. Also, stay tuned for an all new episode next Tuesday.   For more information on LaTanya and her new book, visit the links below:   Website: www.soulcareforblackclinicians.com   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulcareforblackclinicians/   For more information on BeREAL (our mental wellness podcast) and BeWELL (our therapy practice in New York City and Hoboken, NJ) visit the links below:   To schedule a therapy appointment text BeWELL to 484848 today    www.beher-now.com    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Be.WELL.Psychotherapy/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewell.psychotherapy/  

Welcome back to BeREAL! Today, Diana and Ednesha are alone to tackle the very pressing issue of COVID depression and what the Delta variant means for the future of mental health.    The therapists begin the episode by discussing the mental health trends they’ve seen over the past year, but also over the past few months. They talk about why many people have fallen into a mental space where they would prefer to stay with their pain rather than push through it. This is because in times like these, it is hard to imagine what the freedom on the other side will look like. To many, the unknown is scarier than the pain they are currently facing.    Next, they discuss the importance of finding someone to talk to when you are experiencing COVID depression. If you don’t talk to others, you can become set in your emotions and become unwilling to change your perspective. Hearing another person’s viewpoint can shift your perspective while also not trying to ignore the past. Here, the two take a slight detour to talk about why moms get harsh treatment when they are discussed in therapy sessions. Moms are put on such a high pedestal in society that it is almost impossible for them to achieve all that is expected of them.    Getting back on track, Diana and Ednesha give stories about what they have said to patients in the past who had become too stuck in their perspectives. Many people would excuse their negativity by claiming that that is “just who they are.” However, Ednesha points out that you can always choose to be someone different, to act differently. Having this mindset will prevent you from growing from your experiences.    To finish off the episode, the duo tell listeners about where therapy comes into the picture in situations like these. It can be extremely difficult to actually hear someone when they are challenging your viewpoint. That is why it is important that there is a trust built between a therapist and a patient. This trust doesn’t come in one session, but through a long, sustained relationship. Only then will patients actually listen to their clinicians and together they can shift the patient’s perspectives. Therapists are also there to help quell your inner critic. Many people are harder on themselves than they are on others, and that is especially true for people who are experiencing COVID depression. Therapists help you be reasonable and forgiving of your own actions.    Thank you so much for tuning into BeREAL! Be on the lookout for an all new episode next Tuesday. In the meantime, make sure to check out last week’s episode on podcast creation.   For more information on BeREAL (our mental wellness podcast) or BeWELL (our therapy practice in New York City and Hoboken, NJ) visit the links below:   To schedule a therapy appointment text BeWELL to 484848 today    www.beher-now.com    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Be.WELL.Psychotherapy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewell.psychotherapy/

Welcome back to BeREAL! This week, Diana and Ednesha are at a loss about what to talk about, and so they talk about the podcast themselves and the emotions involved in podcast creation. The two answer questions from BeREAL’s very own producer, Don.   The two begin the episode by discussing how today’s show came to be. They retell how there wasn’t a planned topic, and when put to the task of thinking of one last minute, everyone drew a blank. The two women approached this unknown in very different manners. Ednesha tells about her routine of taking down notes and research before an episode and therefore being completely thrown off by the last-minute show. Diana on the other hand talks about winging the conversation each week and not being too anxious about today’s show.   This brings the two therapists to discuss their experiences with clinical exams. Ednesha spent days as well as the morning before studying for the exam. Diana didn’t study, and when she just barely passed she got a burst of motivation to study. Diana relates this back to the podcast because she never knows what the guest is going to say, and therefore can’t fully prepare for it. The same is true for therapy, as you never know what your patient might say, but you have to trust that you are a good therapist and will make it through. However, sometimes the two are still thrown off.   After a short break, the women return to discuss their journeys into mental health care. Diana tells about the anxiety she faced about not looking the part of the therapist. Ednesha echoes this idea, adding that as a Black woman she fears she has to come off as more professional to her white counterparts. When starting the podcast the same fear was present, except this time they were asking: “what does a therapist sound like?”   To finish off the episode, the two discuss their struggles with the podcast. They elaborate on why they are hesitant to share a lot about themselves in case patients are listening. They also cover the shift they noticed when they went from being active listeners in therapy sessions to being active speakers on the podcast. They conclude by talking about what they have learned through podcast creation.   Thank you for tuning into BeREAL. Be on the lookout for an all new episode next Tuesday. In the meantime, make sure to check out last week’s episode with Liz Buehler on Inidgo 108.   For more information on BeREAL (our mental wellness podcast) or BeWELL (our therapy practice in New York City and Hoboken, NJ) visit the links below:   To schedule a therapy appointment text BeWELL to 484848 today    www.beher-now.com    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Be.WELL.Psychotherapy/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewell.psychotherapy/  

Welcome back to BeREAL! This week Diana is joined by Liz Buehler Walker to discuss BeWELL’s newest initiative, Indigo 108. This holistic Ayurvedic healing program is designed to finally answer the question: what does it mean to be well? Liz Buehler Walker is a mom, yoga teacher (specializing in Pre- and Post-Natal) and most recently a labor organizer with Unionize Yoga. With 20 years of experience teaching yoga in NYC, Liz has been around the block more than a few times -- as a teacher in small community and corporate studios, co-founder and co-director of Yoga High with Mel Russo, teacher trainer, mentor, and one of the organizers of the first ever yoga union.   The duo begin the episode by discussing the benefits of the holistic healing approach. They view it as a way to positively release emotions. Diana recounts a story where, after a break up, she found herself seeking both therapy and yoga practices to heal. She found that the yoga studio was a place where she felt safe to express her heart break and the complex emotions surrounding it. Liz began yoga for entirely different reasons. She was a dancer and through that found her way into a yoga studio.    Next, Diana and Liz discuss what it was like to start working again and how Indigo 108 came to be. The two noticed that yoga students have been not showing up to the practices as their full selves in recent years. They note that it is hard for a yoga studio to be a transformational practice if people are not being open with themselves. Indigo 108 looks to make people feel comfortable in their own bodies, so that they can bring more of themselves to all their work.    After a short break, the two return to discuss how Indigo 108 will help answer the question: what does it mean to be well? They note that the answer is different for everybody and Indigo 108 reflects that. It is a one on one practice that compassionately looks at the obstacles in your life. The work will continue until it becomes intuitive in daily life, and is not meant to simply be a checklist to complete every day.    Thank you for tuning into BeREAL this week. Be on the lookout for an all new episode next week. In the meantime, make sure to check out last week’s episode about COVID and the Delta Variant.   Liz Buehler Walker can be found on:   Her website: www.brooklynyogalife.com   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizbyogalife/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lizbyogalife/   For more information on BeREAL (our mental wellness podcast), BeWELL (our therapy practice in New York City and Hoboken, NJ), or any of these amazing clinicians visit the links below:   To schedule a therapy appointment text BeWELL to 484848 today    www.beher-now.com    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Be.WELL.Psychotherapy/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewell.psychotherapy/ Indigo 108 begins on Sep 21, 2021. Attending the first look live-webinar on August 17th.

Welcome back to BeREAL! This week Diana and Ednesha talk about the reemergence of COVID, the Delta variant, and the anxiety faced by even vaccinated people. Ednesha begins the episode by telling listeners about her experience of close friends and family contracting COVID even though they are vaccinated. Diana adds on her own personal experience of having COVID come into her household. The two therapists reflect on their previous decision to return to full time in-person therapy in September. Now, the two are giving pause to their previous plans. They are unsure if they are comfortable with the decision, and they are unsure if their patients are comfortable.    Next, the two talk about what it would mean to go back to in-person work. Not only would they be seeing multiple people face-to-face for the first time since March 2020, they would also be having to commute. Being on the New York Subway at the moment is scary. As the Delta variant becomes more widespread, the women want to limit their exposure to other people, and the Subway is packed with people. They also discuss that some of their new clients have never met with them in person. As Ednesha says, some patients find it weird that their therapists know so much about them even though they haven’t met face to face before. There would have to be yet another acclamation period for these patients. One benefit they mention, is that COVID has demonstrated to insurance companies that virtual therapy works and should be covered.   After a short break, the women return to talking about the logistics of taking time off of work. They discuss how American culture has cultivated shame and guilt around the idea of taking time off of work. Businesses push productivity and not mental health preservation. When returning to work, it is important to advocate to your employer your anxieties about in-person work. To close out the episode, the duo talk about respecting people's boundaries when returning to work. Ask peers before touching or hugging them, etc.   Thank you so much for tuning into BeREAL this week. Be on the lookout for an all new episode next Tuesday. In the meantime, make sure to catch last week’s episode about In Treatment on HBO.   For more information on BeREAL (our mental wellness podcast), BeWELL (our therapy practice in New York City and Hoboken, NJ), or any of these amazing clinicians visit the links below:   To schedule a therapy appointment text BeWELL to 484848 today    www.beher-now.com    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Be.WELL.Psychotherapy/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewell.psychotherapy/