Indiana Association of Black Psychologists
IABPsi Welcomes You!
IABPsi Welcomes You!
Have You Heard?
That girls and women too often assume that they’re supposed to merely follow along with what their sexual partners want? This can mean that they’re not doing what THEY want, but according to the experts, sex ought to be safe, consensual, and pleasurable.
The messages that tell us that sex ISN’T safe, consensual, or pleasurable include:
C’mon, get comfortable with it! Everybody’s doing it (or doing it THIS way).
We don’t need condoms; we love each other.
What are you, a nun? You’re a freak!
The truth of the matter is boys also get messages they may not accept, but the expectations may be different for them than for girls. Either way, having sex, or just considering it, is a topic that we don’t always talk so openly about. Especially when it comes to what we want and when.
Want To Hear More?
LISTEN to Psychologist Denise Hayes talk about SEXUAL WELLNESS on 1310TheLight (recorded link here). She and her invited guest psychologist James Wadley of Lincoln University, spoke to host Tina Cosby about this topic. Check out this interview.
The following month, Dr. Hayes invited psychologist and nurse Cemone Rose to her monthly radio show with Tina Cosby, where they continued the conversation. The conversation was just as lively, just as pertinent.
Let’s Speak About the Unspeakable
Did you know that the suicide rate for Black Americans increased by over 36% between 2011 and 2021? We found this statistic from our favorite resource, Black People Die By Suicide Too, founded by T-Kea Blackman and Jordan Scott. These two amazing women offer their own podcasts and share links to other podcasts and resources on their website (see below).
Check out this wonderful website. It also include referrals for Black therapists.
What Therapists Do
We honor exceptional therapists. If and when you decide you want to see a professional to help you through either a crisis or a journey toward improving your emotional and interpersonal life, we want to serve you by helping you select an exceptional one. To us at IABPsi, this means that the professional you choose should show an ability to embrace, explore, and validate your experiences as a Black person.
And it doesn't stop there: exceptional therapists strive to understand you fully and holistically to offer you the best help they can provide. They understand that race and culture necessarily blend with other aspects of identity, like gender, where you were raised, your family circumstances, and your spirituality. On our Getting Better page, we offer guidelines on selecting the right therapist for you.
My Big, Beautiful Adventure in Boycotting
Feeling vulnerable or helpless? Believe it or not, these feelings are essential to our growth. Instead of covering them up with denial, overwork, substance use, or other addictive-prone behaviors, take the time to learn from them. In the meantime, read IABPsi past president Chalmer Thompson’s blog about her trials and successes as an evolving boycotter. Boycotting can spark plenty of unpleasant feelings, some of which are not readily apparent, such as giving up your favorite products or services or facing rejection from others. In her monthly blog, Thompson chronicles her boycott journey and adds insights about its highs and lows. Check out her blog posts below, and feel free to email her at chalmerthompson@gmail.com with a comment she can share and address in later posts. Read More
