Brooks Psychological Services, LLC

Presenting in New Orleans at #ACCA2025. It was a wonderful experience. Ever Forward, Backward Never, you just had to be there.

🤔 Where do you find your identity? So many of us find our validation in the work that we do, the things we produce. At work, maybe you are the expert in that thing and you just know that your team would flop without you. Maybe you’re the fixer- the one who gets the report just right in the 11th hour. Maybe you’re the yes person who always accepts a new project even if your plate is already full. You take pride in knowing that your manager can always count on you to come through. But, what would it be like to claim and hold on to an identity that is more than just your job? If you were to ask your friends, family, loved ones who you are & what makes you amazing, what would they say?   Do you remember the India Arie song, "I am not my hair?" It was the Black girl anthem of identity beyond physical appearance, beyond kinky vs straight. For some, it was a thought piece on where we find validation. For others, it was simply a bop. For our purposes, let’s change the words: 🎶 I am not my job! I am not this role! I am not your expectations Nooo I am not my job, I am not this role, I am the soul that lives within! 🎶 Who are you beyond your 9-5? What do you enjoy? What fulfills you? What rejuvenates you? Reflect on your intrinsic value and realize that there is so much more to you than how you perform 40 hours a week at your place of employment. Share with someone who needs this message!

Let's normalize the feelings around a sucky work environment. Sometimes as Black professionals we feel overwhelmed, burnt out, and underappreciated and the conclusion we make is: ▪️there must be something wrong with me ▪️I’m not good enough ▪️I shouldn’t feel this way Instead of looking at the environment for what it is: 🚩Soul-sucking work tasks 🚩Microaggressions everywhere 🚩Unreasonable demands beyond the job description In an environment like that, 👉🏾of course your joy would be dampened 👉🏾of course you would struggle to get out of bed in the morning 👉🏾of course you would wonder why your efforts aren’t making a bigger impact. 🌷Flowers need the right soil to bloom. Maybe the issue is your soil. This perspective shift is one of the most meaningful pieces of work that I do with my clients. When you can begin to understand that you're not crazy because of the feelings you have, it creates room for hope. And hope is where change happens. Hope is where we can begin to strategize about ways to improve your mood, decrease anxiety, and rebuild confidence. Like & share if this resonates with you.

“We have to work twice as hard to get half as far.” I’m already hearing the collective, “mmhmmm.” (I’m mmhmmming with you) A couple days ago, I had a zoom chat with Amarachi Onyima, a therapist for Black professionals struggling with workplace stress, just like me. She’s licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia so hit her up if you need some support in the DMV! I love connecting with other therapists who are doing similar work. We get to share best practices, encourage one another, and socialize a bit because let's face it, entrepreneurship and private practice ownership can be lonely. Anyway, we were reflecting on our own experiences with this phrase and how hard it can be to just rest.  I invite my fellow Black professionals to reflect as well: When do you first remember hearing this phrase?  Who did you hear it from?  How has it impacted your ability to REST? Stress is a constant- there will always be some sort of stressor in life. Sometimes it’s good things- a new relationship, an anticipated move, a new job. Sometimes it’s working to empty your inbox before the start of the next work day, trying to fit in work around back to back meetings, or trying to keep up with the incessant slacks & messages. Other times it’s scheduling the kids’ extracurriculars, while trying to find time to meet up with friends, and carve out romantic time. How often do we just keep plugging through, hoping to get ahead of the mountain of work?  How often do you work past business hours, canceling plans with friends or partners because there is “no time?” We have to start prioritizing rest, breaks, and breathers. Are you taking your PTO? Amarachi shared a great point about knowing what other benefits your company offers, like free EAP therapy sessions, mindfulness apps, or reimbursement for the gym. Instead of putting ourselves on the back burner, we have to do what my mom says: “take care of what’s left.” Going hard at work all these years may have left you feeling drained and you may be struggling to find a semblance of your former self. The good news is, it’s possible to feel like yourself again and it starts with taking care of you. Get good sleep, take a walk, schedule breaks throughout your day, plan a vacation.  Trust and believe, your job can fill your position quickly, but there’s only one you. How will you prioritize rest this week? Tag a friend who needs to rest 👀

You have a presentation tomorrow and you’re freaking out. You’ve been working on it for a long time and your content is all set. You know it inside and out. But, you’re already starting to sweat thinking of standing in front of everyone or sitting at the conference table giving the presentation. The stress! You’ve probably heard about using deep breathing to help manage anxiety, but have you heard of grounding? Grounding strategies help you to focus your attention and keep you in the present moment. Here are some examples: - Wear your favorite bracelet and run your fingers over it while you speak.  - Fold your hands under the table or at the podium. Channel that nervous energy into clenching and unclenching your hands.  - Pick a focal point to look at instead of all the faces, for example, a clock in the back of the room. What are some other strategies that have helped you manage workplace anxiety? Share in the comments!

I'm so excited to announce our newest offering: Speaking & Consultation! Randolph Brooks, Ph.D and I have over 30 combined years of experience as therapists and group facilitators, but now there's a page on our business website about it :) Our signature topics are: Navigating Work Stress & Preventing Burnout Overcoming Self-doubt & Imposter Syndrome Creating Work-Life Balance Overcoming Obstacles to Advance Progress Navigating Microaggressions Check out our Workplace Wellness Hub and schedule an informational meeting at https://lnkd.in/eUT98dVh

Thank you to Tenesha Patrick Brooks for joining me on the podcast today. Tenesha is a Private Practice Owner and Experienced Clinical Social Worker with a demonstrated history of working in the mental health care industry. She provides psychotherapy to overwhelmed people in transition seeking to regain their confidence, with a specialty in women of color struggling with feelings of inadequacy. In this episode, she provides insights on issues related to cultural competence for Black professionals. https://lnkd.in/giC_Q9_C