On The Couch With Dr Tracie Rogers

In this episode, Akilah Riley-Richardson and I break down the key ways in which couples therapy can help you and your partner heal and grow through emotionally difficult periods. Your partner is neither your parent nor your therapist. Working with a professional to help you move through challenging times is one of the most helpful steps towards healing. Building a loving, cherished and interdependent relationship can be a prime outcome of couples therapy.   At Wholeness and Wellness, we work with couples to help them build healthy relationships. Learn more at www.wholenessandwellnesscounselling.com or calling us at 347-1042. 

Let's have a candid discussion about self worth and how it's impacted by our relationships, childhood and gender. ‪#offtheauctionblock ‪#knowyourpower 

For some of us, the holiday period is a time of joy and excitement; but for many of us, the holiday period is a time of anxiety, grief or sadness. Anxiety at this time can be triggered by a range of stimuli - expectations of others, shopping anxiety, intrusive people, family gatherings that are stressful or perhaps you are reminded of people you lost at this time. Trishsanna Poyah-Rasul I are discussing ways to manage anxiety that can arise over the season.   Don't let anyone tell you how you "should" feel over the holidays. Be aware of your feelings and give yourself the gift of self-care! 

Don't be overwhelmed by the idea of meditation.  Start your meditation practice now. In this episode, I take you through a short meditation experience to tap into unexpressed and unexplored emotional pain.  Start your healing journey.  (Acknowledgement: This meditation is inspired by the work of Thích Nhất Hạnh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist.) 

Drama Therapist Marissa Anya Messiah is discussing Ready for the World, an adolescent group therapy intervention that aims to build emotional intelligence among young people. Learn how creative arts can be used intentionally to build essential coping skills in a safe and experiential group setting. If you are interested in the next cycle of this group give us a call at 347-1042 to secure one of our 8 spots. 

Keshan Latchman, MSc. Clinical Psychologist and I are discussing mindfulness as a practice for developing emotional intelligence. Keshan describes mindfulness as an art and a skill that everyone can develop. Learn how a mindfulness practice can strengthen your relationship with your self and others in this video.   Keshan will also be leading a Mindfulness Group at Wholeness and Wellness Counselling. The cost is $150 per session. Contact us at 347-1042 if you are interested. 

This episode I am speaking with Michelle McIntyre about the impact of child abuse on adults. In this discussion, she references The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE Study) which found that adults with childhood experiences of abuse and other types of trauma were at higher risk of developing non-communicable diseases as diabetes, high blood pressure and cancers. Many adults try to ignore or forget abusive experiences from their childhood; however, these experiences have far-reaching implications on adult health and well-being.  Learn more about how abuse can impact your ability to be a functional, healthy adult.  

Karline Brathwaite and I are discussing self-harm and depression among adolescent girls. This is a phenomenon that mental health professionals are seeing at alarming rates in Trinidad and Tobago. Recovering from depression and self-harm can be can be a long process. It's important to be gentle and patient with ourselves if we are having these struggles. If you know someone managing self-harm and depression, giving unconditional, nonjudgmental support is the best way you can help.   We are currently accepting applications for our next 8-week therapeutic group for girls ages 15-18 who are coping with self-harm and depression. 

Your emotional health and wellness will determine how you survive and thrive through 2019. Here are 5 mental health resolutions you can make in 2019!

Many parents/guardians shy away from the topic of sex and sexuality with their children, but you should be their first teacher. If you are not the expert someone else will be!! (Better you than another misinformed child or someone hanging out on the corner!!) Are you concerned about your teens’ emotional health? We are currently screening for 6 and 8-week group therapy sessions that focus on a range of issues. These include managing self-harm, coping with depression and building confidence and self-esteem. We are offering a number of groups for teens between the ages of 13 and 18. If you are interested give us a call at 347-1042 for more information. Learn more at www.wholenessandwellnesscounselling.com. 

Sexologist Onika Henry and I are on the couch this episode and we are discussing a topic that often challenges parents - How do you talk about sex and sexuality with your children? The fact of the matter is that if you are not the expert on sex in your child's life, someone else will be. In this discussion, we highlight why it is important to have honest, age-appropriate conversations about sex with your child. We also give you tips on how to have these conversations.   Onika works with couples, parents and young people. Learn more about her work at O'Henry Consultancy Services or call 18683813049 

As you begin getting young people ready for academic success, do not forget that their emotional well-being is essential not just for their success as scholars but for their success as human beings. Karline Brathwaite is On the Couch discussing group therapy for young people. Group therapy is a powerful mechanism to push your young people to be healthy, well-adjusted adults, in this segment learn why it works so well.   At Wholeness and Wellness Counselling Services, we offer group services for addressing emotional/mental health concerns among young people. If you are interested in these services, feel free to contact us at 347-1042. 

Dr Krystal-Jane Verasammy and I are discussing self-harm and young people in this episode. Self-harm or self-injury is the intentional, direct injuring of body tissue, done without the intention of suicide. Based on my experience and many conversations with other mental health professions, I believe self-harm to be a silent epidemic among our young people in Trinidad and Tobago. In this podcast, Krystal-Jane and I discuss why people self-harm and how to start the recovery process. Self-harm should never be trivialized or viewed as attention seeking. 

Dr Krystal-Jane Verasammy is my guest this week and we are discussing depression as it affects women and girls in particular. Dr Verasammy draws on her research and experience as a therapist to describe how biological (related to the body) and psycho-social (related to the social environments we live in) elements can trigger depression.  

We all have an “inner child” – a younger version of our self – that can easily get triggered when there is hurt or conflict in our relationship. If you are not managing your inner child, you may be sabotaging your relationship. In this 2-part episode, Akilah and I discuss how to identify when your inner child is 'acting out' and strategies you can use to get your functional adult back online. Understanding these 4 strategies can make a remarkable difference in your relationship and break destructive cycles of conflict between you and your partner.  

Onika Henry and Dr Crystal Benjamin joined me On the Couch for a 2-part discussion on preparing for marriage or a committed long-term relationship. Each of us works with couples and we share key ideas on what makes for a meaningful and emotionally healthy relationship.  In the second segment Crystal, Onika and I each offer our #1 tip for growing healthy relationships. Tune in to learn about 3 power moves that can make your relationship a happier place to live.   Ms Onika Henry is a sexologist and Dr Crystal Benjamin is a Marriage and Family Therapist, both of whom have practices in Tobago and Trinidad. For appointments, Onika can be reached at 18683813049 and Crystal at 18687579963. 

Are you having the same arguments with your significant other over and over again? Do you find yourself stuck in unhealthy, hurtful communication and behaviour loops? Akilah Riley Richardson is On the Couch this week and we are discussing 5 Losing Strategies that are often used in intimate partner relationships. You may think that you are doing the "right" thing when you use these tactics but if you want to grow in your relationships, it's important that you stop these NOW.  Professional help can make a significant difference when dealing with betrayal in relationships.  You can make an appointment to see Akilah for couples counselling by calling 1868-347-1042. You can also send us a WhatsApp or Facebook message as well as contact us via email at help@wholenessandwellnesscounselling.com. 

Clinical psychologist Keshan Latchman is On the Couch and we discuss the many ways in which depression can manifest for men. Men are just as vulnerable to depression and other mental health struggles as women. However, as Keshan points out, we teach our boys and men that sadness is a "soft" emotion, and as a result, it is easy for men to suffer in silence. In this two-part episode, learn more about how depression can show up in the lives of men.  In the second segment, Keshan continues our discussion by describing some of the symptoms of depression. We discuss some behaviours or practices men may engage in as they attempt to "numb" the pain and discomfort caused by depression. We also discuss getting help and what that process may look like.  If you are experiencing long periods of sadness (more than 2 weeks at a time), you may be struggling with depression. You matter - reach out for help today! 

Sharisse Abraham Hosein of Psyched Up About Business: Executive Coaching & Management Consulting is my guest on this week's episode of On the Couch. We are discussing a challenging area for many of us in the current economic climate. Are you managing stress or anxiety in your workplace? Tune in to this informative discussion and learn coping strategies. 

Karline Brathwaite is On the Couch and the topic is Adolescent Health: A Call to Action. In this 2-part episode, we discuss common causes of adolescent mental health challenges and why it is crucial for us to attend to them. Our teens are facing some of the highest incidences of poor emotional and mental health outcomes with self-harm, depression and suicide rates registered at all-time highs. In the second segment, we learn 4 ways to improve positive outcomes for adolescents. Karline reminds us that these challenges ARE preventable and treatable and in our second segment outlines some key ways we can help our teens today!