
Imperfectly Beautiful
By Imperfectly Beautiful

Imperfectly BeautifulMay 18, 2023

Mental Health Awareness Month: Reflections from My Journey
Toya shares her own mental health journey and offers some solutions on how to start yours.
If you're looking for a FREE self-car resource, check out our 7-day challenge.
https://imperfectlybeautiful.me/seven-day-challenge/

What is Mindfulness?
Check out this week's episode, which is a replay from 2022.
Niashani Washington is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, clinical massage therapist, artist, entrepreneur, and mother. For more than two decades, thousands of people from all walks of life have benefited from her healing touch, spiritual nature, intuition and insight.
Niashani has faced several challenges in her life; chronic pain, care-giving for terminally ill friends and family, divorce, and single parenting. She has overcome each challenge by learning how to balance her mind, body, and soul with various healing modalities. She is a firm believer in yoga, meditation, massage, acupuncture, journaling, self-expression, arts, exercise, nutrition, and laughter. Her gift is to ease others' pain and help them lighten the burdens they carry through self-care, living a healthy lifestyle, and facing challenges with grace and courage.
https://niashanti.com

Mental Health Awareness Month: Black Women, Perfectionism & Mental Health
Toya talks about perfectionism and mental health among black women

Relationships: A Message for the Journey
Tune in to this brief episode for some declarations to wrap up our series on relationships.

Relationships: Navigating An Unhealthy Workplace Environment
Dr. Nicholson Sullivan offers her expertise to discuss workplace stress: how we address it and how we heal from it.
In her decades of nonprofit leadership, Dr. Nicholson Sullivan noticed that it was not the work that she and her coworkers found most challenging, it was their relationships with each other and the organizational policies/practices that shaped their day-to-day experience. She understands that our individual lived experience is shaped by our experiences at home, at work, in the community, and across time and space. Dr. Nicholson Sullivan draws on her training as a professional performing artist, licensed clinical-community psychologist, and transformational coach to create engaging programs and consultation processes.

Relationships: Grieving Friendships
On this episode, we talk about grieving friendships. Why do some friendships end? how can get overcome grief?
Anna Stewart is a Board Certified Confidence Coach for Women who are recovering people-pleasers. She leads The Heart-Centered Woman Confidence Club, a coaching program that teaches women how to build confidence, prioritize themselves, live a life of enjoyment, and stop worrying about what others think. Anna is a recovering people-pleaser herself and was a teen parent. She used to struggle with her identity and confidence and lacked faith that she could stand up for herself. She depended on others to tell her if I was good enough and sought to seek their approval through her actions and self-sacrifice. Through coaching, therapy, education, training, and experience Anna now knows exactly who she is and lives her life exactly how she pleases without the concern of others' opinions or judgment. She found her voice and uses it. All. The. Time! She lives a life of enjoyment and prioritizes her needs. She is no longer waiting to be chosen, she chooses herself daily! Now she coaches women to move from people-pleasing into authenticity so that they can do the same.
websites:hcwcoaching.comhttps://linktr.ee/annaceleste16
social media links:https://www.instagram.com/anna.stewart16/
https://www.facebook.com/annacstewart.16
https://www.youtube.com/@Anna.Stewart
https://www.linkedin.com/in/annastewart16
https://www.tiktok.com/coachannastewart

Relationships: Loving Myself. As I Am
Arndreya Price is a curator of fashion and style for members of fraternities and sororities who enjoy the finer things in life. She is the founder and Chief Style Officer (CSO)at LNO Greek.
As a former healthcare administration executive, Arndreya has been passionate about helping people all her life. However, this new position as CSO allows her to serve in her God-given purpose of helping women feel beautiful and knowing their worth. As someone who battled with weight since childhood and felt self-conscious about it, Arndreya wants women to know they are beautiful and should feel beautiful. Contrary to what society tells us beauty comes in various shades, shapes, and sizes.
Since making the shift from healthcare to fashion, Arndreya has built a brand that empowers women to reflect their unique style and personality and helps themfeel attractive. In less than 5 months of launching, LNO Greek became one of the most sought after black Greek apparel brands serving thousands of customers in such a short period of time.
As Arndreya continues to grow her brand Like No Other, she is expanding to host exotic retreats and events that will take you out of your comfort zone and help you discover your inner and outer beauty.

The Power of Letting Go: A Message for the Journey
We're wrapping up this month's series with some declarations!

The Power of Letting Go: Fear
Toya talks about fear. How it has held her back and what she's doing to overcome it. She also offers tips to help others address fear.

The Power of Letting Go: Negative Self-Talk
Toya talks about the impact of negative self-talk and identifies some solutions to deal with our inner critic.

Life Lessons: A Message for the Journey
Toya wraps up this month's series with some declarations.

Life Lessons: Finding Balance and Learning to Put Yourself First
Toya talks about the importance of learning to put yourself first and how juggling too much has an effect on our well-being

Life Lessons: Here and Now
On this episode, Toya talks about the challenges with being present and how to learn to live more in the moment.

Life Lessons: Letting Go of Control
Discussing control, how it's linked to fear, and what we can do to begin letting of it.

Back to the Basics: A Message for the Journey
On the last Thursday of each month, tune in for A Message for the Journey: Affirmations & Declarations

Back to the Basics: Our Purpose and Mission
If you're looking for a resource to help you jumpstart your journey, download my FREE 7 day affirmation challenge.
https://imperfectlybeautiful.me/seven-day-challenge/

Back to the Basics: Setting Goals vs. Setting Intentions
we're continuing our discussion from last week on self-care and the importance of setting goals vs. setting intentions un your journey.
If you're looking for a resource to help you jumpstart your journey, download my FREE 7 day affirmation challenge.
https://imperfectlybeautiful.me/seven-day-challenge/

Back to the Basics: What is Self-Care?
This episode talks about the importance of holistic self-care and how to begin implementing basic steps to start your journey.
If you're looking for a resource to help you jumpstart your journey, download my FREE 7 day affirmation challenge.
https://imperfectlybeautiful.me/seven-day-challenge/

Exploring Different Forms of Therapy: EMDR Therapy
In this episode, I discuss Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with therapist, Robin Jackson.
Robin is a licensed professional counselor with over 9 years of clinical experience helping people to achieve their goals. As a clinician, she promotes authenticity, honesty, laughter, and care. She provides my clients with a safe space for healing and believes that everyone has the ability to live a meaningful life and not just exist.
Throughout the years, Robin has worked with diverse populations utilizing a person-centered approach. Robin is trained in EMDR and as with her own personal healing utilizing EMDR, she can attest to the efficacy of this therapeutic approach and strongly wish for others to receive its benefits.
https://www.timetohealcounselingservices.com/meet-robin

Exploring Different Forms of Therapy: DMT
In this episode, I discuss Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) with therapist, Bria Campbell.
A Chicago native, Bria Campbell is an alumna of the illustrious North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University receiving her BA in Psychology in 2016. After receiving her MA in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling from Columbia College Chicago, Bria has worked in school-based mental health, private practice, and crisis work with adults in Atlanta, GA where she later became a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Register Dance/Movement Therapist.
In 2019, Bria published an article in the American Dance Therapy Journal (ADJT) entitled “Past, Present, Future: A Program Development Exploring Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS) Using Experiential Education and Dance/Movement Therapy Approaches,” which integrated dance/movement therapy concepts and Dr. Joy DeGruy's Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome theory in her work with adolescents in Chicago's Roseland neighborhood. This article received the 2020 Marian Chace Foundation’s Journalism Prize. Bria has facilitated several workshops and trainings on PTSS, attunement through movement, and the ARC Model, an approach to increase awareness of trauma-informed care in a school-based setting.
In 2020, Bria co-founded and co-leads the African American/black affinity group in the American Dance/Movement Therapy Association’s (ADTA), Black MAGIC. Her leadership was recognized by the ADTA where she was awarded the 2021 Leader of Tomorrow Award. Bria also was recently elected as the first African American Central Member at Large (MAL) on the ADTA Board of Directors. She also served as the 2020-2021 Eastern Nominating Committee and Vice President of the Southern Chapter of the ADTA. Bria continues to provide school-based services in Atlanta Public Schools over the past four years. Currently, Bria is creating a holistic mental health brand entitled S.P.E.A.K: Supporting People Emotionally and Kinesthetically LLC.

Exploring Different Forms of Therapy: CBT
In November, we're exploring different forms of therapy. This episode features therapist, Alex Boyd, discussing Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
As a therapist, Alex is warm and inviting, attentive, and non-judgmental, with a focus on building a genuine connection in order to facilitate change. She believes that her skills, personality, and therapeutic style will promote healing and growth within each person who is ready and willing to embark on their journey of change with her.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.boyd.1654
Instagram: a__chanel

Overcoming Trauma
Toya Knowles shares her story of overcoming an abusive relationship and how healing has transformed her life for the better.,
Toya is known as The Short Hair Guru . Even though she specializes in short hair and is known as one of the top hairstylist in DFW, her success comes from empowering not just the women that sit in her chair but also to enrich the lives and careers of the men and women that come across her path.

Understanding the Role of a Domestic Violence Advocate
Taryn Thomas is a Domestic Violence and Crisis Advocate, based out of Detroit, Michigan. As a student at Michigan State University, she shares her role as a DV advocates and the roles that advocates play in assisting DV survivors.

Relationships: Moving on After Heartbreak
LaToya Lewis, LPC, believes that focusing on self-care is extremely important. Self-care isn’t just getting manicures and having spa days. Self-care is gaining awareness of who you are, speaking your truth and focusing on maintaining wellness. LaToya believes in recognizing unhealthy behaviors, patterns, generational cycles and learning ways to break those unhealthy practices can lead to overall health and wellness.
She takes a special interest in relationships and how they can affect clients in both good and bad ways. Also she takes an interest in stress management, physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
LaToya brings unique experience from a diverse background in the legal field, residential work and crisis intervention. She brings her passion, drive and creativity to learn new ways to assist clients to find their way back to a higher level of functioning.
https://www.downeytherapeuticservices.com/

Cultivating a Healthy Relationship with Self
A relationship with yourself is the most important relationship we can have. On this episode, I talk with Danielle Portis, LPC, NCC to discuss how we can improve our relationship with ourselves.
Danielle is a psychotherapist, mindset transformation coach, mental health consultant, speaker, and writer. Whether in individual sessions, group workshops or as an author, Danielle has a unique ability to be authentic and informative. She passionately takes people on a journey of self-discovery where they are able to acknowledge where they are, identify where they desire to be and work diligently to minimize barriers and bridge the gaps. Having overcome life-altering obstacles of her own, Danielle has dedicated her life to equipping others with the tools to do the same.

What is Mindfulness?
Niashani Washington is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, clinical massage therapist, artist, entrepreneur, and mother. For more than two decades, thousands of people from all walks of life have benefited from her healing touch, spiritual nature, intuition and insight.
Niashani has faced several challenges in her life; chronic pain, care-giving for terminally ill friends and family, divorce, and single parenting. She has overcome each challenge by learning how to balance her mind, body, and soul with various healing modalities. She is a firm believer in yoga, meditation, massage, acupuncture, journaling, self-expression, arts, exercise, nutrition, and laughter. Her gift is to ease others' pain and help them lighten the burdens they carry through self-care, living a healthy lifestyle, and facing challenges with grace and courage.
Niashani is a faculty member at her Alma Mater, The Soma Institute, where she teaches stress management and mindfulness.
https://niashanti.com

Self-Care After Birth: PMADS (Perinatal/Postpartum Mood & Anxiety Disorder)
On this episode, I talk with Takeyanna on mood and anxiety disorders among black mothers and how to work towards healing and caring for self.
Takeyanna Myers-McGee, National Certified Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Certified Case Manager, doula, and founder of the She3 organization. She has provided individual and family therapy. She has hosted group therapy and foster care workshops/education. Takayenna’s goal through therapy is to help clients achieve the change they seek or themselves. Takayenna is a strong believer that how/what we think plays an important role in the feelings, behaviors, and actions that follow those thoughts. She possess the ability to relate to others regardless of age and her passion for life and helping others greatly contributes to her success as a case manager and therapist.

Reducing Disparities in Maternal and Infant Mortality: Why a Doula is Essential to Self-Care
I talk with Ja'na Baylor concerning the importance of Doulas and how they're essential in helping to reduce mortality rates among black women during birth.
Ja'na is a certified full spectrum Doula (DTI) located in Chicago, leading with the strength of her matriarchy, transparency about the state of access to sustainable health care in America, and creative approaches to support. With a background in theatre art therapy, Ja'na is eager to bring her artistic toolkit to a space that recognizes advocacy, understanding, and cultural humility as conditions of the Reproductive Justice movement.
Ja'na is a Certified Full-Spectrum Doula specializing in Childbirth education, Lactation, Labor/Birth Comfort Measures, Labor, and Birth Interventions, Postpartum Doula Care Practices, Infant Feeding Options, Business Practices, and Cultural Humility.

Healing After A Miscarriage
Anjena' Pierce, Licensed Clinical Professional, shares her story on experiencing a miscarriage in 2021, while also providing tools to help support other women that dealt with the loss of a pregnancy.

FInding Myself as a New Mom
Shola Omodele is a corporate professional, wife and mother, who is passionate about self empowerment and entrepreneurship. She shares her story as a first time mom, learning to navigate through some of its challenges and wins, while also sharing tips and encouragement to other mothers.

Our Declaration: I Am Deserving of Self- Love
check out this brief episode if you're in need of a bit more self-love. Toya shares some affirmations that are useful to helping you realize that prioritizing yourself is necessary.

I Am Not My Environment
Sunni Connor joins me to talk about her upbringing in Baltimore. Overcoming violence, sexual assault and more led her to create a better life for herself, leading to entrepreneurship where she want inspire and motivate other through her story.
Sunni T. Connor originally from Baltimore MD and now resides in California as a serial entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker.
Website: www.naturallysunni.com

Feelings...So Deep in my Feelings!
I bring back Dr. Zanovia Tucker to discuss the importance of feeling our feelings and being vulnerable in our relationships.
About Dr. Zanovia Tucker
Dr. Zanovia is an advocate for healing, self-care, self-preservation and trauma education. She is a mother, educator, lifestyle coach, and what we like to call "The Counselor's, Counselor." Her background in mental health counseling and her personal journey of healing inspired her to start her own business to serve her community, primarily women, mothers and counselors.
Dr.Zanovia is currently licensed in the state of Michigan. If you're seeking counseling, please visit https://www.drzanovia.com/.

Setting Boundaries and Choosing You
On this episode, I sit down with Licensed Clinical Professional, Dr,.Zanovia Tucker, native of Chicago, IL to discuss how to properly set boundaries. Boundaries is something that so many of us struggle with setting, which is often tied to our self-esteem and self-worth. Dr.Zanovia explains some of the tactics she uses with her clients and how we can begin to have healthier relationships with our peers, families, etc by setting the proper boundaries.
About Dr. Zanovia Tucker
Dr. Zanovia is an advocate for healing, self-care, self-preservation and trauma education. She is a mother, educator, lifestyle coach, and what we like to call "The Counselor's, Counselor." Her background in mental health counseling and her personal journey of healing inspired her to start her own business to serve her community, primarily women, mothers and counselors.
Dr.Zanovia is currently licensed in the state of Michigan. If you're seeking counseling, please visit https://www.drzanovia.com/.

Black Men Healing Series: Alone but Never Lonely
Entrepreneur and Dallas resident, Keon Moore, shares his story of healing from a engagement that ended due to infidelity. His actions has led him on a path to growth, self-accountability, and change. He talks of the harsh realities he's had to face due to his actions and steps he's now taking to become more in tune with himself.

Black Men Healing Series: The Journey of Loss & Grief
Benjamin Joseph Bussie' is a resident DC and an advocate for mental health. He shares his story of his healing process after losing his mom to addiction and how the experienced shaped his life as a man who is now pursuing a degree to become a licensed clinical professional.
If you're struggling with thoughts of suicide, please do not hesitate to get help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline below.
800-273-8255

Black Men Healing Series: Healing from Traumatic Experiences
On this episode, Joevan shares his journey of healing from sexual abuse as a child. What once has held him back, he is now using to help others heal through his business as a life coach, consultant, and podcaster.
https://www.joevanjpalmer.com/

Black Men Healing Series: The Journey from Abandonment to Healing
Durrelle Willis shares his story regarding the impact abandonment had on his life and and how is journey of healing led him to become a life coach. He now uses the skills that he's learned to coach and consult others.
To contact Durrelle regarding life coaching, feel free to reach out to him via Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/royal_minds22/

Loving Me for Me:Thriving with PCOS
Nellie Robinson, a Florida resident and PCOS advocate, shares her story about living with PCOS. Despite living with a condition that has not only affected her physically, mentally, and emotionally, Nellie shares her triumphs and successes along the way.

Self-Love Has No Size
We're talking self-love for plus sized women with content creator, Adrienne Bennett!! Adrienne Bennett uses social media as a platform to share her “No More Hiding” journey to enjoy her body and embody her joy. What started out as a promise to herself has grown into a movement to liberate larger bodies from the shame and social conditioning that says your size determines your worth. Adrienne aims to create content that encourages larger folk to reclaim autonomy with their bodies and a deeper understanding of their emotional needs and mental wellbeing.
Social media
Instagram @adriennebennett
tiktok @nomorehidingadrienne
website (coming by feb 2022) www.nomorehidingadrienne.com

Self-Love after Domestic Violence
Toya Knowles is a licensed cosmetologist who currently resides in Texas. She shares her story of bravely leaving a domestic violence relationship, taking back her power and learning the key to true self-love.

Experiencing Self-Love and Healing after Sexual Trauma
Dr. Fuller obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in neuroscience and theatre from Wesleyan College. MA from Walden University specializing in children/adolescent counseling and sex education. She holds a medical degree from Washington University of Health and Science. Certified as a Sex Therapist by the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) through Modern Sex therapy Institute. As a doctor and sex therapist, she has expertise and experience working with a wide range of sexual and relationship issues. She specializes in working with individuals with mental illness, sex education, discordant desire and infidelity in couples, sexual dysfunction and anxiety, and sexual compulsivity.
If you’re dealing with sexual trauma or want to work with her for any sex related topics, feel free to reach out to her. She’s a Sex Therapist licensed Across the nation. Contact her for a virtual appointment
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mind.body.sex/
Email: MindBodySexLLC@gmail.com

My Life with Anxiety (Part II)
Toya touches back on the topic of anxiety from a spiritual perspective. Is your anxiety tied to your lack of trust in God? Are you worrying about something you have no control over?

Understanding and Overcoming Low Self-Esteem
To book a session with Toraneka Hampton, visit https://www.flourishingaffinitycounseling.com/toraneka

My Life with Anxiety
On this episode, Toya talks about her struggles with anxiety and methods she's used to manage anxiety. She also offers tips and suggestions to those who are also dealing with anxiety.

Protecting Your Mental Health
This episode will discuss the importance of mental health with therapist Anjena Pierce.
Anjená likes to take a wholistic approach to therapy. She believes in healing the whole person mind, body, and soul. Anjená uses a collaborative approach to therapy. With a background of 12 years experience in the field of Early Childhood Education, Anjena’ specializes in issues surrounding new parents, child development and postpartum anxiety and depression care. A few more of Anjená’s clinical interests include women’s issues, childhood trauma, parent/child or partner relational problems, physical, sexual and emotional abuse, anger and stress management, teen issues, peer pressure, self-esteem, marriages, families and group therapy.
In addition to being a counselor, Anjená is also a licensed minister. She creates a space for her clients to feel comfortable and safe while engaging in the therapeutic process. Anjená believes in building a strong therapeutic alliance with clients in order to promote a sense of security, trust, and support. She views each client as being on a sacred journey and that her role is to offer guidance, insight, and support where needed. Anjena’ looks forward to joining you on your journey toward healing.

What Are You Looking At?
Comparison causes us to feel like we're never enough, and focusing on the wrong thing and people can hinder our growth . This episode will help you understand how comparison robs of us our joy, learning to shift your perspective and create a plan of success along your self-care journey.

Depression & Anxiety (Part II )
Depression and anxiety are topics that aren't often discussed within the black community. On this two part episode, I bring on Lauren Michelle Jackson (LCPC) as a guest to discuss the causes and effects of depression and anxiety.
This week we're talking about recognizing anxiety, as well as learning ways to manage it in our self-care joruney.
About Lauren Michelle Jackson:
Passionate, empathetic and a driven desire to help facilitate positive change in the lives of others is the motivating force behind Lauren Michelle Jackson. Having the ability to relate to others and find common ground has served her well as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Life Coach, Certified Domestic Violence,Professional, Speaker and Women’s Advocate.
Lauren’s passion for serving others began when she started her counseling career as a Domestic Violence Therapist and Community Educator. Under this title, Lauren provided individual and family therapy services to victims and their children, lead women empowerment groups, ran teen and adult dating violence seminars & workshops, taught Domestic Violence educational courses and conducted outreach presentations on the importance of Domestic Violence Awareness.
Within the therapeutic relationship, Lauren believes therapy should be a collaborative process, however just like most things in life, one get’s out of therapy what they are willing to put in it. It is her aim to provide a supportive and objective environment for clients to explore, become educated and to create the change they desire to see.
https://www.cultivateyouressence.

Depression & Anxiety (Part I )
Depression and anxiety are topics that aren't often discussed within the black community. On this two part episode, I bring on Lauren Michelle Jackson (LCPC) as a guest to discuss the causes and effects of depression and anxiety.
About Lauren Michelle Jackson:
Passionate, empathetic and a driven desire to help facilitate positive change in the lives of others is the motivating force behind Lauren Michelle Jackson. Having the ability to relate to others and find common ground has served her well as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Life Coach, Certified Domestic Violence,Professional, Speaker and Women’s Advocate.
Lauren’s passion for serving others began when she started her counseling career as a Domestic Violence Therapist and Community Educator. Under this title, Lauren provided individual and family therapy services to victims and their children, lead women empowerment groups, ran teen and adult dating violence seminars & workshops, taught Domestic Violence educational courses and conducted outreach presentations on the importance of Domestic Violence Awareness.
Within the therapeutic relationship, Lauren believes therapy should be a collaborative process, however just like most things in life, one get’s out of therapy what they are willing to put in it. It is her aim to provide a supportive and objective environment for clients to explore, become educated and to create the change they desire to see.
https://www.cultivateyouressence.

Let's Start this Journey Together
Listen to the first episode of Imperfectly Beautiful to find out if this community is for you! Tune in weekly for self-care content where you're encouraged to learn, heal and grow.
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