Trust & Thrive

Dr. Lisa Nikolidakis holds a PhD in Creative Writing from Florida State University and is an Associate Professor of Creative Writing and faculty advisor of P.R.I.D.E.. She writes nonfiction and fiction, returning often to themes of trauma, mental health, chronic illness, music, and nature. She also writes humor, mostly for survival. Nikolidakis’s memoir, No One Crosses the Wolf, about the traumas of a perilous childhood, a shattering murder-suicide, and a healing journey from escape to survival to recovery is being published by Little A on September 1, 2022.Her essay “Family Tradition” was selected by Jonathan Franzen for inclusion in The Best American Essays 2016. Other writing of hers has won various prizes and mentions.Her aim is to help demystify the shame of trauma by continuing to write and speak publicly about it.TW: sexual abuse, murder, and suicideIn this episode, Lisa shares the abuse and trauma she endured in her childhood and adulthood, losing her father to a a murder-suicide, her journey with healing and forgiveness, mourning an abuser, finding support in community and more. FOLLOW LISA:INSTAGRAM: @lisanikMEMOIR: No One Crosses the Wolf STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Dallas Barnes is the Founder and CEO of Reya Health. She is a Reproductive Rights and Sexual Health Activist and Speaker. She is a sought after speaker globally on these topics and hosts workshops, events and leads policy change in these areas. Dallas has a bachelor of Commerce from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia. She coaches marginalized entrepreneurs on business plan strategy, currently mentoring through StartUp Canada Women.Dallas also sits on the board of Femtech Canada, a government supported organization that supports women’s health innovation in Canada.In this episode, Dallas shares what inspired her to start Reya Health, how birth control can affect one's mental health, finding community and not comparing experiences, learning to listen to one's body, and more.*Neither Dallas or I are medical professionals. To work with a medical professional, please visit reyahealth.ca*FOLLOW REYA HEALTH:INSTAGRAM: @reyahealthWEBSITE: www.reyahealth.caSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Dr. Lawrence Jackson, Ph.D. LMFT or "The Black Male Therapist,"  is a licensed psychotherapist and sports performance coach in the NBA and NFL. He is also a speaker, author, and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the states of Nevada & Florida. His mission related to mental health wellness is to share a piece of the PIE (Promoting mental health awareness, Inspiring youth, and Empowering others). Additionally, Dr. Jackson utilizes his social media platforms to normalize mental health through the use of psychoeducation and apparel.In this episode, Dr. Jackson shares his experience of working as a psychotherapist in the NBA and NFL, decolonizing BIPOC mental health, setting boundaries and starting conversations on therapy, and more.FOLLOW DR. JACKSON:INSTAGRAM: @theblackmaletherapistWEBSITE: www.theblackmaletherapist.comSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Happy #ThriveThursday! In this solo episode, I share my thoughts on comparing struggles and working on guilt that can come with feeling normal human emotions. I discuss the dangers of invalidation and hope to remind listeners that your feelings and experiences are valid, even if "others have it worse."STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Dr. Amelia Kelley PhD, MS, LCMHC, ATR, RYT, is a trauma-informed therapist with a Doctorate of Philosophy in Psychology from Capella University, along with a Masters in Art Therapy and Counseling from Nazareth College of Rochester. She is a trained Hypno-therapist, Art therapist, HSP therapist, EMDR-informed therapist and meditation and yoga teacher.She is a presenter and writer in the “science-help” field focusing on relationships, Highly Sensitive Persons, trauma, motivation, healthy living, and adult ADHD. She is a guest podcast presenter focusing on women’s issues and coping with the trauma of unhealthy relationships, as well as a coach and trainer for SAS's Work/Life Program in Cary, NC and a resident trainer for the NC Art Therapy Institute. Her practice is also currently part of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium at the Kinsey Institute.In this episode, we deep dive into the topics of emotional abuse, red flags, accountability, boundaries, types of apologies, and more.FOLLOW DR. KELLEY:INSTAGRAM: @drameliakelleyWEBSITE: www.ameliakelley.com/about/BOOK: What I Wish I Knew: Surviving and Thriving After an Abusive RelationshipSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

I'm happy to be back with a solo episode! In this episode, I share some personal updates from these lsat few months. I also share my thoughts on quitting and deep dive into toxic messages  related to hustle culture.Stay tuned for a new episode next #ThriveThursday! STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Saadia Z. Yunus is a licensed marriage and family therapist, trauma specialist, motivational speaker, and community leader. She has over 10 years of experience working with individuals, couples, families, and groups.Her passion is to engage with people on a personal level to encourage self-attunement and challenge codependency. She is trained in EMDR therapy, an evidence-based treatment approach targeting trauma in the brain that empowers people to move beyond the hold trauma has over their lives. In addition to therapy, she enjoys engaging others through motivational and trauma-informed presentations and workshops throughout the country. Saadia Yunus owns a private practice on Long Island, NY and also offers virtual therapy to those in NY and FL. She also serves as a coach, consultant, and mentor and offers these services to anyone around the world. She is Vice Chair of the advisory board of Dolan Family Health Center, Social Media Director of the NY Marriage and Family Therapy Network, and serves on the board of the national men’s mental health organization, The Barbershop Group. She is also Cofounder and Chair of the Muslim Women of Long Island (MWLI). Saadia Yunus was raised in Bonifay, Florida and currently resides on Long Island, NY with her husband, four children, cat, and fish.  In this episode, we explore misconceptions of trauma, what it looks like to strengthen one's inner voice, recognizing codependency, EMDR therapy, and more.  FOLLOW SAADIA:INSTAGRAM: @saadiazyunusWEBSITE: www.saadiazyunus.comSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Dr. Menije Turner is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Los Angeles, CA, specializing in the treatment of a variety of mental health issues, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders, addiction, and codependency.She is a leading expert on overcoming perfectionism and building an authentic life. As the founder of Perfectionism University, an online platform for self-help courses on breaking up with perfectionism, her goal is to create a community where we can all unlearn Perfectionism and start our journey of embracing imperfections and owning our enoughness.She knows one can be a prisoner of their perfectionism. Her hope for others is that they turn the judgment to compassion and ultimately live a life where they embrace imperfection rather than striving for perfection. In this episode, we discuss the connection between perfectionism and anxiety, being a people pleaser, how perfectionism affects relationships, ways to cope and work on one's perfectionist tendencies, and more.FOLLOW DR. MENIJE:INSTAGRAM: @dr.menijeWEBSITE: www.perfectionismuniversity.comSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Aliza Shapiro, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist and founder of Therapy in the City, PLLC. In her clinical work, Aliza helps adolescents, young adults, and adults overcome a wide array of mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, OCD, and related disorders.  Aliza attended the Silberman School of Social work where she studied the intersection of Health & Mental Health, and alongside her work in the mental health field previously served as a VP of People and Culture.  Aliza is also a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and utilizes social media to break stigmas, foster meaningful discussion, and build a sense of community for those looking to find meaning, joy, and personal growth in all contexts of life.  In this episode, we explore some signs of obsessive compulsive disorder, understanding relationship OCD, coping with intrusive thoughts, supporting a loved one with OCD, and more. FOLLOW ALIZA:INSTAGRAM: @therapist_in_nycSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Happy Pride Month!! In this throwback episode, you'll hear clips from four different conversations I had on the show, related to gender, sexuality, and finding one's identity.  We discuss intersecting identities, pronouns, gender reveal parties, trans health care and more. You can listen to the full episodes below:81: A Conversation on Black LGBTQ+ Mental Health - with Josh Odam, Founder of Healing While Black (@healingwhileblack)127: Gender Identity & Non-Binary Representation - with Chris Grant, Psychotherapist & Founder of The Queer Therapist  (@theqtherapist)128: Trans Health & Body Liberation - with Dr. Sand Chang, Licensed Psychologist & Gender Specialist (@heydrsand)155: Beyond the Binary - with Traci Medeiros-Bagan, Licensed Therapist & Co-Founder of Gather & Grow OC (@compassionaterevolt)STAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK:@trustandthriveTWITTER: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontWEBSITE: www.tara-mont.comEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com