Hey yall! On this episode, I talk about my personal tools of mental hygiene and the strategies I use to re-regulate when I need to. I dive into the ways I use journaling, meditation, yoga, and audio voice notes to manage intense feelings on a day to day basis. I also briefly talk about hitting a milestone on this podcast journey at the beginning of this episode.  I hope you enjoy! Please follow/subscribe, share and recommend! If you would like to share any thoughts with me, feel free! Send them to btbwpodcast@gmail.com Follow me on social: Twitter: @uzoamakachinelo Instagram: @bibliothera ..read more

The Bibliotherapy for Black Women Podcast is a new podcast created and hosted by myself, Amaka Gratia - an early 30s, Black woman Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, who recently graduated from Yale, with a passion for books and mental health. This trailer is an introduction to myself as the host and details a preview of what to expect from this podcast series. Episode 1 of this podcast will premier on Wednesday, September 1st. I hope you will join me ..read more

Hey everyone! I've got my Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner hat on this episode and am putting my Yale degree to use by breaking down the clinical symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (5:47). It delights me that we are taking mental health more seriously as a generation, and it's important to be equipped with the right language and information so listeners like you all are able to properly identify when you may need to seek help.  Also a warning that there is a brief discussion of suicidal ideation in this episode (22:25) as it can be a symptom of MDD. A list of episode timest ..read more

Hey yall! On this episode of the podcast, we're rounding out our two-part mini-series on The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz (starts at 2:52). I discuss the remaining three agreements in the book: Chapter 3:Don't Take Anything Personally Chapter 4: Don't Make Assumptions Chapter 5: Always Do Your Best I hope you enjoy! Please follow/subscribe, share and recommend! If you would like to share any thoughts with me, feel free! Send them to btbwpodcast@gmail.com   Follow me on social: Twitter: @uzoamakachinelo Instagram: @bibliotherapy_pod ..read more

As we venture full steam ahead into 2022, I'm discussing in this first episode of a two part series, the experience of reading this book ten years later (starting at 12:38) and focusing specifically on the following chapters: Chapter 1: Domestication and the Dream of the Planet Chapter 2: Be Impeccable with your Word I talk about internal agreements I have divorced, and also share a realization I had sometime ago that was literally life changing when it comes to my inner voice. This part of podcast gets a little emotional, just a heads up! Another note that this episode was recorded before "Di ..read more

Happy New Year! On episode 9 of the podcast I'm reflecting on my reads of 2021. Hope you enjoy! A Promised Land - Barack Obama (13:10) Professional Troublemaker - Luvvie Ajayi Jones (23:50) What Happened to You - Dr. Bruce D. Perry & Oprah Winfrey (27:05) You Are Your Best Thing: An Anthology - Edited by Tarana Burke and Brené Brown (34:00) Set Boundaries, Find Peace - Nedra Glover Tawwab (39:47) The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz (44:00) If you have any book suggestions for the new year, please share! Send them to btbwpodcast@gmail.com or reach out to me via my social media below. Foll ..read more

No book this episode! I felt moved to just turn on the mic, hit record, and talk to you guys. The end of the year is approaching, so in true "me" fashion, I am reflecting on the season, the year, and life in general. We're discussing realizations about work, adult friendships and living alone. Please share, follow/subscribe, and enjoy the episode! If you would like to share any thoughts with me, feel free! Send them to btbwpodcast@gmail.com Follow me on social: Twitter: @uzoamakachinelo Instagram: @amaka_ag ..read more

In the final installment of this 3 part series discussing the book Set Boundaries, Find Peace by psychotherapist Nedra Glover Tawwab, I share a recent experience around instituting boundaries at work, and talk about the importance of honoring boundaries with yourself. Discussion of the book begins around the 18:25 minute mark . Please share, recommend, and enjoy the episode! If you would like to share any thoughts with me, feel free! Send them to btbwpodcast@gmail.com Follow me on social: Twitter: @uzoamakachinelo Instagram: @amaka_ag ..read more

In part 2 of this 3 part series discussing the book Set Boundaries, Find Peace by psychotherapist Nedra Glover Tawwab, I share my thoughts about the importance of honoring children's boundaries and its impact as adults, along with the difficulty that can come from deciding to end a close relationship. Please share, recommend, and enjoy the episode! If you would like to share any thoughts with me, feel free! Send them to btbwpodcast@gmail.com Follow me on social: Twitter: @uzoamakachinelo Instagram: @amaka_ag ..read more

In episode 5 of the podcast, I embark on a 3 part series discussing the book Set Boundaries, Find Peace by psychotherapist Nedra Glover Tawwab. I share my reflections around my perception of boundaries from childhood to adulthood, the gems I have taken from the book so far, and what I find resonates with me the most. Please share, recommend, and enjoy the episode! If you would like to share any thoughts with me, feel free! Send them to btbwpodcast@gmail.com Follow me on social: Twitter: @uzoamakachinelo Instagram: @amaka_ag ..read more