Devi welcomes back Dr. Rheeda Walker, a clinical psychologist and professor focused on Black mental health, to discuss shifts in mental-health awareness since the pandemic and the need for credible, culturally informed care amid misinformation and a shortage of providers. Walker explains how avoidance and media narratives shape fears about mental illness, why training and credentials matter, and introduces “psychological fortitude” as the ability to stay grounded despite life stressors, using a simple 0–10 self-rating to assess needs and choose effective responses over knee-jerk coping. They also discuss Walker’s book No Racial Elephants in the Therapy Room, describing how therapists’ discomfort with race can harm clients and why clinicians must address “elephants” directly. Her “soul work” is to pause, breathe, and rate your psychological fortitude when frustrated. What is your capacity to be able to stay grounded and to take care of the things that I am able to do?"

Previous Episode: Supporting Your Mental Health with Dr. Rheeda Walker

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Website: https://www.rheedawalkerphd.com/

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