In this episode of The Self Aware & F**ked Up Podcast,host Tree the LPC gets real about her personal experience with depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)—a form of depression that comes and goes with the seasons. Tree shares how she first recognized the signs in her own life,what it feels like to live through seasonal depression, and why so many people quietly struggle with it without even realizing it has a name.
With her signature mix of humor and honesty, Tree breaksdown the causes of SAD, from shorter days and lack of sunlight to shifts in brain chemistry. She also highlights the common signs and symptoms to watch for, including low energy, oversleeping, mood changes, and carb cravings thatgo way beyond “winter blues.” Most importantly, Tree shares practical treatment options and coping skills—from light therapy and routine-building to grounding practices, social connection, and her own real-life hacks for surviving thedark months.
If you’ve ever noticed your mood drop when the seasons change, or wondered why you feel “off” every winter, this episode will help you put the pieces together and remind you that you’re not alone in the struggle.
Connect with Tree
Website: www.uniquedestiny.org
Website: www.mindingmyownmentalhealth.com
FB: www.facebook.com/treethelpc
IG: www.instagram.com/treethelpc
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@treethelpc
To purchase the Minding my Own Mental HealthJournal and other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shop
This podcast is not a substitute for therapy.
#SeasonalAffectiveDisorder #SADAwareness #SeasonalDepression #WinterDepression #SeasonalMoodDisorder
In this episode of The Self Aware & F**ked Up Podcast, host Sandtrice Russell (Tree the LPC) gets raw and unfiltered about her personal journey with EMDR therapy and the emotional challenges that come with healing. She shares what it’s really like to sit in the therapy chair, the breakthroughs and breakdowns along the way, and how self-awareness doesn’t mean you’ve got it all figured out.
Tree explores one of the most personal chapters of herhealing journey—navigating grief after losing her father and how EMDR therapy has been helping her process the weight of it all. She breaks down what EMDR actually feels like, from the awkward eye movements to the unexpected waves of emotion that come up when your brain finally lets old memories resurface.
With her signature mix of humor and honesty, she shares the messy reality of working through trauma and grief while still trying to live, love, and not completely lose your shit.
This episode is part raw reflection, part inside look attrauma therapy, and part love letter to anyone who’s lost someone and wondered how the hell you’re supposed to heal. Tree reminds listeners that self-awareness doesn’t erase pain—it just gives you new ways to face it.
In this episode, Tree shares:• What EMDR therapy is and how it works in real life• Her journey of processing the grief of losing her father• The breakthroughs, resistance, and “WTF moments” that come with trauma work• How being both a therapist and a grieving daughter shaped her healing processes• The reminder that healing is never linear, and it’s okay to still feel f**ked up sometimes
If you’ve been curious about EMDR, coping with grief, or simply navigating the messy space between healing and hurting, this episode offers raw truth, relatability, and hope.Connect with Tree
Website: www.uniquedestiny.org
Website: www.mindingmyownmentalhealth.com
FB: www.facebook.com/treethelpc
IG: www.instagram.com/treethelpc
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@treethelpc
To purchase the Minding my Own Mental HealthJournal and other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shop
This podcast is not a substitute for therapy.
#EMDRTherapy #TraumaTherapy #InnerHealing #TraumaRecovery #TherapyJourney#GriefJourney #HealingAfterLoss #GriefAndHealing #LifeAfterLoss #GriefSupport
In this raw and revealing episode of The Self-Aware &F**ked Up Podcast, host Sandtrice Russell (Tree the LPC) sits down with K. Noel Jordan—author, speaker, and host of the Relentless Conversations Podcast—for a conversation that cuts through the polished version of self-help and gets into the messy middle of growth.
K. Noel opens up about the struggle of motivating otherswhile wrestling with his own internal battles. He shares how isolation became a tool for clarity, allowing him to place people in the right categories in his life, and how developing emotional intelligence helped him respond with less ego.
Most powerfully, K. Noel discusses his journey oftransforming his inner saboteur “Krazy K” into King K. Noel—a shift rooted in self-awareness, humility, and faith. He reflects on disconnecting from God through life’s challenges and the lessons he learned while finding his wayback.
Tree the LPC also gets personal about her own struggles with motivation, including moments where she considered stepping away from the podcast due to lack of engagement, proving that even leaders, healers, and motivators have their f**ked up days too.
This episode is for anyone caught between who they’ve beenand who they’re becoming—reminding us all that growth is relentless, but so is grace.
Connect with K. Noel:
Website: https://www.relentlessmotivationalgroup.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/knoelmotivates
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@knoelmotivates
IG: https://www.instagram.com/knoelmotivates
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@knoelmotivates
For more information on Tree the LPC visit https://linktr.ee/TreetheLPC or the UniqueDestiny.org website. Also, be sure to follow @treethelpc on all social media platforms.
To purchase the Minding my Own Mental HealthJournal and other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shop
This podcast is not a substitute for therapy.
#SelfAwareAndFuckedUp #KNoelJordan #RelentlessMotivator#MotivationStruggles #PersonalGrowthJourney #EgoWork #EmotionalIntelligence#FaithAndHealing #SpiritualJourney #InnerSaboteur #TreeTheLPC
In this powerful episode of The Self-Aware & F**kedUp Podcast, host Sandtrice Russell (Tree the LPC) sits down with Marquis “Red” Jackson—author, poet, mentor, and speaker—for a raw conversation aboutsurvival, healing, and rewriting your story.
Marquis opens up about his childhood growing up with amother battling drug addiction, the pain of being hospitalized for suicidal ideations, and receiving diagnoses of depression and bipolar disorder. He shares how he transformed his struggles into art by turning poetry about hischallenges into a moving series of short stories designed to help others expand their lens on life.
Now a devoted husband, father, and leader, Marquis talksabout breaking generational curses, leading without ego, and finding strength in vulnerability. Tree also reflects on her own experiences, reminding us that being a product of your environment doesn’t have to define you—it can refineyou.
This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt broken by theirpast but still believes in the possibility of healing, legacy, and love.
Connect with Red:
Subscribe to Red’s Newsletter: https://subscribepage.io/0laJ9F
Purchase his Book: https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Boyz-Men-Transparency-Triumph/dp/1737748347
TikTok: tiktok.com/@redinspires
For more information on Tree the LPC visit https://linktr.ee/TreetheLPC or the UniqueDestiny.org website. Also be sure to follow @treethelpc on all social media platforms.
To purchase the Minding my Own Mental HealthJournal and other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shop
This podcast is not a substitute for therapy.
#BreakingGenerationalCurses #SelfAwareAndFuckedUp #MarquisRedJackson#ChildhoodTrauma #MentalHealthAwareness #PoetryHeals #DepressionRecovery#BipolarDisorderAwareness #HealingJourney #FatherhoodLegacy #TreeTheLPC
In this powerful and deeply vulnerable episode of TheSelf Aware & F**ked Up Podcast, host Sandtrice Russell (Tree the LPC) sits down with Jamie Hughes—social psychologist, trauma recovery coach, and author—to unpack the lasting impact of childhood trauma on the brain.
Jamie shares his personal story of losing his mother at justeight years old and being forced to live with a father he had never met until her death. In the midst of grieving, he endured emotional abuse for expressing his pain, leading to years of internalized shame and being labeled a “bad child.” His journey of survival and self-discovery ultimately led him into the field of mental health, where social psychology not only gave him the tools to understand his trauma—it saved his life.
Tree also opens up about her own struggles with grief andtrauma after losing her father, and how beginning EMDR therapy became a turning point in her healing. Together, she and Jamie explore how unprocessed trauma can shape behavior, why children are often misunderstood in their pain,and what it takes to finally break free from the labels of the past.
This episode is both an honest reflection and a roadmap foranyone navigating the lifelong effects of trauma while searching for understanding, compassion, and healing.
Connect with Jamie:
Website: beacons.ai/managing_mental_health
IG: instagram.com/managing.mental.health
TikTok: tiktok.com/@managingmentalhealth
For more information on Tree the LPC visit https://linktr.ee/TreetheLPC or the UniqueDestiny.org website. Also be sure to follow @treethelpc on all social media platforms.
To purchase the Minding my Own Mental HealthJournal and other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shop
This podcast is not a substitute for therapy.
In this deeply honest episode of The Self Aware & F**ked Up Podcast, host Sandtrice Russell (Tree the LPC) sits down with Marcia R. Blane, LPC—licensed professional counselor, certified hypnotherapist, owner of Peculiar One Counseling, and host of the Authentically Peculiar with Marciapodcast—for a powerful conversation about Black women, anger, and the myth of the Superwoman.
Tree opens up about reaching her own breaking point—snapping under pressure, walking away from work, and realizing her anger was more than just a reaction—it was asignal. Marcia offers expert insight into how the pressure to always "hold it down" leads to chronic burnout, emotional suppression, and mental fatigue. Together, they dismantle the cultural conditioning that tells Black women they must be everything to everyone—at the cost of their own wellness.
Marcia shares the signs that you’re headed for burnout (or already there), the hidden ways people-pleasing shows up, and how to begin the journey back to yourauthentic, rested, and emotionally honest self.
This episode is a must-listen for every Black woman who’s been told she’s too strong to break and too angry to be heard.
Connect with Marcia
Website: www.marciablane.com
Website: www.peculiar1.com
IG: www.instagram.com/authenticallypeculiarmarciab
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@peculiar1mrb
For more information on Tree the LPC visit https://linktr.ee/TreetheLPC or the UniqueDestiny.org website. Also be sure to follow @treethelpc on all social media platforms.
To purchase the Minding my Own Mental HealthJournal and other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shop
This podcast is not a substitute for therapy.
In this inspiring and unfiltered episode of The Self-Aware & F**ked Up Podcast, host Sandtrice Russell (Tree theLPC) sits down with media correspondent, red carpet host, and event curator Princess Banks for a raw conversation about the highs, lows, and healing that come with chasing your purpose.
Princess opens up about her leap of faith to Atlanta, howshe built a thriving career with BET+, TVOne, and DishNation, and the personal sacrifices that came with success, including the heartbreak of losing a lifelong friendship and navigating fake connections in a city that often feels more performative than personal.
From being used for celebrity access to staying grounded inher spiritual calling, Princess keeps it real about the emotional toll of being the “go-to girl” while secretly needing a safe space of her own. If you’ve ever felt lonely in a crowd, been burned by people you trusted, or are balancingvisibility with vulnerability, this episode is for you.
Connect with Princess:
https://www.instagram.com/stylishqueenp
https://princessbanks.my.canva.site
For more information on Tree the LPC visit https://linktr.ee/TreetheLPC or the UniqueDestiny.org website. Also be sure to follow @treethelpc on all social media platforms.
To purchase the Minding my Own Mental HealthJournal and other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shop
This podcast is not a substitute for therapy.
#SelfAwarePodcast #PrincessBanks #FaithAndFame #FakeFriends #BlackGirlHealing#WomenInMedia #BETHost #AtlantaCreatives #TreeTheLPC #RedCarpetRealness #HealingInPublic
In this eye-opening and hilariously honest episode of TheSelf-Aware & F**ked Up Podcast, host Sandtrice Russell (Tree the LPC) sits down with licensed professional counselor and Clinical-Ish founder, Donnisha Lavigne, to explore the raw reality of navigating mental health as a mental health professional.
Donnisha shares her powerful story of being diagnosed with bipolar disorder after grad school, surviving hospitalization, job instability, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with being both the client and the clinician. With refreshing vulnerability and a dash of dark humor, she opens up about her healing journey and how she’s now helping other therapists, counselors, and professionals hold space for themselves while holding space for others.
If you've ever felt like the “healer who needs healing,” this episode will speak to your soul and make you laugh through the chaos.
Connect with Donnisha:
https://www.instagram.com/clinical_ish
https://www.youtube.com/@clinical_ish
https://www.tiktok.com/@clinical_ish
For more information on Tree the LPC visit https://linktr.ee/TreetheLPC or the UniqueDestiny.org website. Also be sure to follow @treethelpc on all social media platforms.
To purchase the Minding my Own Mental HealthJournal and other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shop
This podcast is not a substitute for therapy.
#SelfAwarePodcast #BipolarDisorder #MentalHealthProfessionals #BlackTherapists#ClinicalIsh #TherapistBurnout #HealingProfessionals #MentalHealthAwareness#TreeTheLPC #TherapistsNeedTherapyToo
In this deeply reflective and culturally rich episode of The Self-Aware & F**ked Up Podcast, host Sandtrice D. Russell (Tree the LPC) sits down with Elizabeth “Liz” Edouard, licensed professional counselor and co-host of the Haitian American Diaries podcast, for a raw and honest conversation about identity, assimilation, and the struggle to find your authentic voice when the world pressures you to fit in.
Liz opens up about being raised to assimilate into Black American culture as a child in order to avoid bullying, at the cost of suppressing her Haitian roots. She shares how this shaped her self-expression, forced her into performance mode in public spaces, and limited her ability to feel fully herself outside of close family and childhood friends.
Together, Liz and Tree unpack what it means to straddle two cultural worlds, the emotional cost of hiding parts of your identity, and how Liz is now reclaiming her voice and honoring her heritage without shame.
This episode is for anyone who has ever felt "too much" or "not enough," anyone navigating the tension between survival and authenticity, and those on a journey to reconnect with their cultural truth while still defining themselves on their own terms.
Connect with Liz:
https://www.instagram.com/HaitianAmericanDiaries
https://linktr.ee/HaitianAmericanDiaries
For more information on Tree the LPC visit https://linktr.ee/TreetheLPC or the UniqueDestiny.org website. Also be sure to follow @treethelpc on all social media platforms.
To purchase the Minding my Own Mental HealthJournal and other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shop
This Podcast is not a substitute for therapy.
#HaitianAmerican #CodeSwitching #IdentityHealing#MentalHealthMatters #CulturalRoots #SelfAwarePodcast #BlackTherapists#ImmigrantVoices
In this heartfelt and hilariously honest episode of The Self-Aware & F**ked Up Podcast, host Sandtrice D. Russell (Tree the LPC) sits down with her big cousin and lifelong inspiration, Balencia Reed—a health information manager, mother, wife, “bebe” and woman of unmatched courage and grace.
Together, they take a walk down memory lane, sharing laughter and hard truths as Balencia opens up about her journey: becoming a teen mom at 17, raising three small children as a single mother, and navigating life without a stable father figure.
She speaks candidly about surviving two painful marriages—one ending in betrayal—and finally finding lasting love and peace. But the heart of her story is rooted in faith. Balencia reveals how her relationship with Christ has anchored her through every trial, how she's grown in her spiritual walk, and why she now uses her story to encourage other women facing their own storms.
This episode is raw, real, and redemptive—full of wisdom, childhood flashbacks, spiritual gems, and cousin-to-cousin love that will leave you laughing, crying, and inspired to keep going.
Whether you're navigating relationship pain, single motherhood, spiritual uncertainty, or simply seeking a story of hope and healing-- this episode will remind you that restoration is always possible. Tune in for real talk on resilience, motherhood, love, heartbreak, and the courage it takes to rebuild.
Connect with Balencia
https://www.facebook.com/BalenciaJReedQueen
https://www.instagram.com/mrsreed_bj
For more information on Tree the LPC visit https://linktr.ee/TreetheLPC or the UniqueDestiny.org website. Also be sure to follow @treethelpc on all social media platforms.
To purchase the Minding my Own Mental HealthJournal and other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shop
This Podcast is not a substitute for therapy.
In this courageous and soul-deep episode of The SelfAware & F**ked Up Podcast, host Sandtrice Russell (Tree the LPC) is joined by energy healer, intuitive teacher, and co-owner of Soul Vibes Insights, Matty Hollingsworth, for a raw and transformative conversation on healing from childhood sexual trauma and stepping into soul alignment.
Matty shares his journey of surviving years of sexual abuseby his grandfather from ages 3 to 10—a truth that was buried deep in his subconscious until repressed memories surfaced at age 30.
Now, 15 years into his healing journey, Matty opens up about what it took to move from a victimhood mindset to a place of deep empowerment, self-trust, and spiritual connection.
Through his work with Akashic Records, Matty and his wife now guide others through their own healing journeys by helping them connect to their soul’s wisdom and break ancestral cycles. This episode explores trauma, spiritual awakening, emotional resilience, and the sacred responsibility of turning pain into purpose.
Connect with Matty:
https://soulvibeinsights.com/podcasthttps://facebook.com/soulvibeinsightshttps://instagram.com/soulvibeinsights
For more information on Tree the LPC visit https://linktr.ee/TreetheLPC or the UniqueDestiny.org website. Also be sure to follow @treethelpc on all social media platforms.
To purchase the Minding my Own Mental Health Journal and other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shop
This Podcast is not a substitute for therapy.
#SelfAwareAndFuckedUp #TreeTheLPC #MattyHollingsworth#SoulVibesInsights #ChildhoodTraumaHealing #RepressedMemories #BreakingTheCycle#AkashicRecordsHealing #VictimToVictor #SoulHealing #EnergyHealingJourney#SpiritualTraumaRecovery #TraumaAwareness #HealingTheInnerChild
In this unfiltered and hilariously real episode of The Self Aware & F**ked Up Podcast, host Sandtrice Russell (Tree the LPC) welcomes real estate agent, entrepreneur, and podcast host Meiqua Ware for a deeply honest convo about healing, heartbreak, and hilarious moments in the middle of the mess.
Meiqua shares what it’s like dating in your 40s while feeling emotionally detached, why she chose a celibacy journey, and how going to therapy for the first time cracked open a past she didn’t realize was still running the show. From unpacking her complicated relationship with her dad to realizing how trauma shaped her love life, Meiqua gets raw about doing the work—and laughing through it.
This episode is a love letter to Black women healing, finding joy through pain, and breaking generational cycles with humor, heart, and a whole lot of self-awareness.
Connect with Meiqua:
https://www.instagram.com/meeknomillofficial
https://www.instagram.com/idreamofkeys
https://linktr.ee/idreamofkeys
https://www.facebook.com/MeiquaWare1
For more information on Tree the LPC visit https://linktr.ee/TreetheLPC or the UniqueDestiny.org website. Also be sure to follow @treethelpc on all social media platforms.
To purchase the Minding my Own Mental HealthJournal and other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shop
#SelfAwareAndFuckedUp #TreeTheLPC #MeiquaWare #DatingInYour40s #CelibacyJourney #BlackWomenHealing #TherapyTalk #BreakingGenerationalCycles #EmotionalDetachment #DaddyIssues #RealTalkHealing #MidlifeAwakening #HealingOutLoud #DoingTheWork #TherapyIsPower
In this bold, hilarious, and hella honest episode of TheSelf Aware & F**ked Up Podcast, host Sandtrice Russell (Tree the LPC) sits down with her grad school girlie, Tamela R. McDonald, LPC, a licensed sex therapist, certified professional counselor supervisor, certified clinical mental health clinician and sexuality educator—for a no-holds-barred convo on sex, polyamory, kink, andeverything in between.
Tamela opens up about navigating ethical non-monogamy, her personal journey into BDSM and becoming a DOM, and what it means to live out loud as a queer, poly, Black woman in the therapy world. The two laugh, reflect, and unpack the challenges of talking about sex in our culture, both personally and professionally.
This episode is part real talk, part sex ed, and 100% juicy.Grab your earbuds—you’re gonna want to hear this.
Connect with Tamela
Website: https://www.matlockresourcecenter.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/matlockresource
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@matlockresourcecenter
For more information on Tree the LPC visit https://linktr.ee/TreetheLPC or the UniqueDestiny.org website. Also be sure to follow @treethelpc on all social media platforms.
To purchase the Minding my Own Mental HealthJournal and other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shop
This Podcast is not a substitute for therapy.
#SelfAwareAndFuckedUp #TreeTheLPC #TamelaRMcDonald#SexTherapist #Polyamory #EthicalNonMonogamy #KinkCulture #BDSMCommunity#BlackSexEducators #TherapistsWhoTalkSex #QueerAndPoly #DOMLife#SexualEmpowerment #UnfilteredConversations #HealingThroughHumor
In this soul-stirring episode of The Self Aware & F**ked Up Podcast, host Sandtrice Russell (aka Tree the LPC) sits down with musician, creative, and empowerment coach Jenny Elinora for a powerful conversation on healing, creativity, and joy. Jenny shares how trauma-informed practices help women reconnect with their inner voice and rediscover play, creativity, and purpose.
Together, they explore the importance of inner child work, the transformative power of creative expression, and how grief—especially the loss of Jenny’s mother—has shaped her mission and message.
This episode is a raw, uplifting deep-dive into what it means to heal loudly, live fully, and create joy from the mess.
Connect with Jenny:
Website: https://resource.growyourwholevoice.com
Summer of Play: https://play.growyourwholevoice.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jelinora
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/projectjelinora
For more information on Tree the LPC visit https://linktr.ee/TreetheLPC or the UniqueDestiny.org website. Also be sure to follow @treethelpc on all social media platforms.
To purchase the Minding my Own Mental Health Journal and other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shop
This Podcast is not a substitute for therapy.
#SelfAwareAndFuckedUp #TreeTheLPC #JennyElinora #HealingThroughCreativity #InnerChildHealing #TraumaInformed #CreativeHealing #GriefJourney #WomenEmpoweringWomen #ReclaimYourVoice #PlayIsMedicine #HealingPodcast #MentalHealthMatters #CreativityAndHealing #EmpowermentCoach #PodcastForHealing #GriefAndGrowth
In this powerful episode of The Self-Aware & F**ked Up Podcast, host Sandtrice Russell (Tree the LPC) sit down with philanthropist, advocate, and corporate exec Tomorrow Jenkins—the heart behind A Touch of Grace and Get in Line Dancing Co.
Tomorrow opens up about her journey from corporate burnout and people-pleasing to learning to give herself grace and taking care of her mental health, and how a moment of breakdown became a breakthrough.
Together, they dive into:• The cost of always showing up for others• Mental health stigma in the Black community• Why rest is resistance• The hard truths about leadership, vulnerability, and recovery
This raw, honest convo reminds us that being strong doesn’t mean being silent—and that sometimes, the most radical thing we can do is rest.
🖤 This one’s for every Black woman holding too much, for too many, for too long.Connect with Tomorrow:Website: https://www.atouchofgrace.onlineIG: https://www.instagram.com/atouchofgrace2013FB- https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554924766125FB- Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1227321816061390FB Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560486995576For more information on Tree the LPC visit https://linktr.ee/TreetheLPC or the UniqueDestiny.org website. Also be sure to follow @treethelpc on all social media platforms.To purchase the Minding my Own Mental Health Journal and other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shopThis Podcast is not a substitute for therapy.#RestIsResilience #SelfAwareAndFuckedUp #BurnoutRecovery #HustleCultureDropout #RadicalRest #TomorrowJenkins #MentalHealthMatters #MillennialTherapy #GenZHealing #ResistGrindCulture #StillnessIsPower
In this deeply honest and transformative episode of Self-Aware & F**ked Up, host Sandtrice D. Russell (Tree the LPC) is joined by the dynamic, Dr. Ecclesia Savage—a counseling psychologist, certified sex therapist, and CEO of Anchored Counseling— for a raw and necessary conversation that peelsback the layers of what it means to be a Black woman navigating mental health, faith, and sexuality.
Together, Tree and Dr. Savage unpack the emotional toll ofthe "strong Black woman" stereotype and how it reinforces silence, self-neglect, and generational trauma. They dive into the unspoken pressures placed on Black women to be everything for everyone—strong, selfless, and silent—while confronting stigma within the Black community around therapy, sexual expression, and church-based shame.
Dr. Savage offers wisdom on reclaiming softness, healing insafe spaces, and redefining strength through authenticity and emotional honesty. Whether you're deconstructing religious trauma, wrestling with vulnerability, or just tired of holding it all together, this episode is for you.
Come for the truth, stay for the healing. Because beingself-aware is beautiful—but being f**ked up is human.
🎧 Tune in and share thisepisode with every Black woman who needs to know: you don’t have to carry itall.
Connect with Dr. Savage
https://www.instagram.com/stay.anchored
https://www.instagram.com/areallady_13
https://www.facebook.com/TheAnchoredOne
For more information on Tree the LPC visit https://linktr.ee/TreetheLPC or the UniqueDestiny.org website. Also be sure to follow @treethelpc on all social media platforms.
To purchase the Minding my Own Mental HealthJournal and other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shop
This Podcast is not a substitute for therapy.
#SelfAwarePodcast #StrongBlackWomanSyndrome #BlackMentalHealthMatters#SexTherapy #ChurchAndTrauma #BlackWomenHealing #TherapyIsDope#UnmaskingStrength #DrEcclesiaSavage #TreeTheLPC #BlackAndHealing#BreakTheStigma #BlackFeminineFreedom #AnchoredInHealing
In this transformative episode of the Self-Aware & F**ked Up Podcast, host Sandtrice Russell (Tree the LPC) welcomes Lakeisha Varner (LV) — a licensed professional counselor, fitness guru, and burn trauma survivor — for a raw and deeply inspiring conversation.
Burned at just three years old, LV spent decades hiding her physical scars and burying her emotional wounds. It wasn't until she discovered EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy that she finally unlocked the deep-seated trauma she'd carried all her life.
Together, Tree and LV explore what it means to confront hidden pain, break the cycle of silence, and embrace authentic healing. LV shares how trauma shaped her identity, how fitness became a powerful outlet, and why doing the inner work is just as important as the physical.
If you’ve ever struggled with invisible wounds, body image, or unresolved trauma, this episode will speak straight to your soul.
Press play for a powerful reminder: Healing is messy, but it’s worth it.
Connect with LV:
https://www.instagram.com/Lv_xtremehiphop_atl
https://www.dynamicduofitness1.com
https://www.instagram.com/Therealdynamicduofitness_1
For more information on Tree the LPC visit https://linktr.ee/TreetheLPC or the UniqueDestiny.org website. Also be sure to follow @treethelpc on all social media platforms.
To purchase the Minding my Own Mental Health Journaland other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shop
This Podcast is not a substitute for therapy.
#BurnSurvivor #TraumaHealing #EMDRTherapy#MentalHealthAwareness #SelfAwareAndFuckedUp #PodcastEpisode
In this powerful episode of the Self-Aware & F**ked Up Podcast, host Sandtrice Russell (Tree the LPC) sits down with Barbara Davis — a passionate mental health advocate and intensive case manager who transformed her pain into purpose. Barbara shares her inspiring journey of overcoming addiction and navigating the unimaginable grief of losing her 35-year-old son.
Together, Tree and Barbara dive deep into the realities of healing, the importance of mental health support, and how personal struggles can fuel powerful advocacy work.
Whether you're facing your own recovery, grieving a loved one, or working in the mental health field, Barbara’s raw honesty and hard-won wisdom will leave you feeling seen, heard, and a little less alone.
Listen now and join the conversation about growth,grief, and becoming your most authentic (and imperfect) self.
Connect with Barbara:
Email: barbarapinson@bellsouth.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barbara.a.pinson
For more information on Tree the LPC visit https://linktr.ee/TreetheLPC or the UniqueDestiny.org website. Also be sure to follow @treethelpc on all social media platforms.
To purchase the Minding my Own Mental Health Journaland other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shop
This Podcast is not a substitute for therapy.
#MentalHealth #AddictionRecovery#GriefSupport #SelfAwareAndFuckedUp #PodcastEpisode #HealingJourney
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Self-Aware& F**ked Up, host Sandtrice D. Russell (aka Tree the LPC) sits down with queer clinical psychologist, author, and anti-racism leader Dr. Nathalie Edmond to unpack the complexities of race, identity, and healing in asystemically racist society.
Together, they dive into Dr. Edmond’s groundbreaking book Mindful Race Talk, discussing how mindfulness can be a transformative tool in navigating race-based trauma, holding space for difficult conversations, and reclaiming joy and self-worth in marginalized communities.
Tree gets vulnerable about growing up Black in ruralGeorgia, while Dr. Edmond shares her experience as a first-generation Haitian American navigating both cultural pride and the trauma of assimilation. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to decolonize their mind, confrontinternalized oppression, and show up more intentionally in their own liberation journey.
Connect with Dr. Edmond:
https://www.instagram.com/drnatedmond
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-edmond-psy-d/
For more information on Tree the LPC visit https://linktr.ee/TreetheLPC or the UniqueDestiny.org website. Also be sure to follow @treethelpc on all social media platforms.
To purchase the Minding my Own Mental Health Journaland other Unique Destiny Merch visit UniqueDestiny.org/shop
This Podcast is not a substitute for therapy.
#AntiRacism #DecolonizeTherapy #LiberationPsych#MentalHealthMatters #BIPOCHealing #TherapyForJustice #DrNathalieEdmond #CulturallyResponsive #HealingJustice
Yoooooooooooo what's up you guys?—Season 4 of The Self-Aware & F**ked Up Podcast is officially live! Your favorite therapist, Sandtrice D. Russell (aka Tree the LPC), is back and diving even deeper into the raw, real, and healing conversations that help us get our sh*t together—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
This season, we’re talking everything from trauma-informed boundaries and navigating burnout to high-functioning anxiety, generational healing, and what it really means to be "self-aware" in a world that’s constantly gaslighting us. Expect unfiltered advice, special guest experts, and the no-BS guidance Tree is known for.
✨ Season 4 Highlights:
– “Boundaries Ain’t Mean: They're Necessary”
– “Burnout Isn’t a Badge of Honor”
– “Healing in Real Time (While Still F**ked Up)”
– “The High-Functioning Hot Mess: Let’s Talk About It”
– “Self-Aware, But Still Toxic? Same.”
Whether you're in therapy, need therapy, or are the friend everyone comes to for therapy, this season is for you. Tune in every week for the insight, laughter, and truth bombs you didn’t know you needed.
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your pods.
#SelfAwarePodcast #MentalHealth #TherapyTalks #TreeTheLPC