About the Author

In a lifetime you will learn about yourself and others. The most important thing you can do is to learn more about yourself each day through self-awareness. Self-awareness may include acknowledging what you like or dislike; identifying task or practices whether spiritual or emotional experiences that are rewarding; and evaluating yourself to build your strengths and eliminate your weaknesses. Counseling is my way of learning more about myself. I love people. I’ve always had a soft spot or empathy for people that needed that extra support to get through life challenges. I wanted to engage in meaningful work that would make a significant impact in helping others to resolve their issues. My interest in Psychology, Community Mental Health and Special Education led me to become a Professional Counselor. The negative shaming and discriminatory attitudes that we have about mental illness is still disturbing. It’s acceptable when your body is sick you get help. When your mind is sick, we opt to stay sick. Mental illness is not good for our communities as it is contagious as any other disease and too often cause mass destruction upon the human race, basically mental warfare. Growing up on the Southside of Chicago I watched the damage drugs did in my community. It affected not only my friends but family too. I witnessed first-hand a relative who fortunately, found the courage to seek counseling which helped him to manage his heroin addiction and saved his life. I wanted to provide this same kind of help and support to others going through similar situations that robs them of their quality of life. Life can bring many challenges that are eye-opening. My personal experience with body image was mine. At an early age I was ridiculed and called names because of my weight and size. I hated my body and myself all into my teen years. I struggled for many years with a mental health condition called Dysmorphia. A person suffering with Dysmorphia becomes excessively preoccupied with perceived flaws in their appearance, which may not be noticeable to others. In order to control this condition, I was desperate and turned to diet pills. I was only thirteen years old. The weight came off, but I was still obsessed with how I looked. I couldn’t walk past a mirror or window without looking at my body to see if any imperfections might be looking back at me. I was able to heal from this and finally became comfortable and learned to love the skin I was in. So many young girls and women today, still deal with this same issue, along with anxiety, depression, domestic violence and other social issues. The women and young girls counseled thru the years and those that shared their stories in my advice column led me to write this book. These courageous women and a young man wanted to share his story as well. They wanted to send their messages so that no matter what you are going through, you don’t have to suffer in silence. Healing is there for the asking. In addition to writing this book and being an Advice Columnist, I extended my reach by initiating youth programs. I stand in empowerment as a member of the American Psychological Association and with gratitude I serve with the support of my sorority sisters of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. It is important that our young girls have opportunities to participate in programs that will raise positive self-awareness, foster self-respect and develop social- emotional skills to navigate successfully in our global society. It is our responsibility to share knowledge and habits that will prepare them culturally, spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally for the successful passage into womanhood to parent children who will be the next generation of leaders.