Optimum Joy's Blog
Our Therapist’s Advice on Mental Wellness Follow On Instagram Subscribe To Newsletter
Dialogue Skills: Part 1
In my last blog, I introduced two concepts that make for successful conversations when the stakes are high, emotions are strong, and opinions differ. Check it out here! The concepts of avoiding the fool's choice and adding to the pool of meaning were introduced in the...
Our Reflections
Sometimes Disney movies are spot on with the emotions, questions or thoughts that you or I have felt. This can be said about the story of Mulan, Simba in the Lion King, and of Elsa from the movie Frozen. Each character is on a journey of transformation, one that has...
Difficult Conversations
We avoid the most important conversations in our lives for fear we’ll make distressing situations worse, yet our silence causes chronic stress from sustained, unresolved conflict. Several years ago I read a business book called Crucial Conversations, which I continue...
Optimizing Your Time Together
It’s a busy season as fall comes around; when kids are going back to school, sports are starting up again, and couples start to get wrapped up not only in their jobs, but their kids schedule as well. Alan Fruzzetti talks about how to optimize your time together in his...
Spiritual Trauma Part 3: Deciding When to Leave
In part 2 of this series, we discussed the importance of setting boundaries in faith communities. Boundaries are important because they allow us to practice our faith well and form meaningful relationships within the community. No community is perfect, which means...
Spiritual Trauma Part 2: Boundaries in Faith
In part 1 of this series, I defined spirituality and some of the challenges that can become traumatic experiences over time. One reason why spiritual trauma occurs is because people who live in close, intentional community with each other become like family to one...
Spiritual Trauma Part 1: Defining Spirituality
In this series, we will examine the many different elements of spirituality, faith, and religion that contribute to our mental health. We will also examine how these things can be distorted in traumatic ways that can negatively impact many aspects of our lives....
Being a Black Professional Woman
I Have Confidence
One of my favorite movies is the Sound of Music. Watching Maria swing her guitar around proclaiming that she has confidence to nanny 7 children as she marches through Austria has always been inspiring to me. However, saying that you have confidence, and growing in...
Reawakening Your Marriage
Couples nowadays are trying to navigate multiple roles in one, such as being each other’s best friend, business partner, and lover. With life happening, relationships automatically change in different ways. Sometimes, certain roles get put in front of others, even...