"I'll Stand By You" by The Pretenders is more than just a song to me—it's a reflection of who I am as a therapist. Its lyrics speak to empathy, support, and togetherness, values that guide my work. Loyalty, to me, is about showing up for people in their darkest moments, standing beside them when they feel most alone. But lately, I’ve been asking: Who has whose back?

There is power in choosing not to participate in a game designed for our destruction. There is strength in recognizing that the real battle is not with the person in front of us but with the systems that make us believe we must destroy each other to survive.

The truth is simple: Humans are humans. We are not bound to repeat the mistakes of our ancestors. The only way forward is to expose the lie for what it is, reject the fear that fuels it, and choose to heal.

Healing doesn’t come from destroying others, silencing their voices, or taking away their rights. It doesn’t come from surrounding yourself with bullies or perpetuating harm. True healing requires courage—the courage to face your pain, to take responsibility for your actions, and to rebuild yourself from the inside out.

The road ahead will not be easy, but we are not powerless. By becoming living antidotes, we embody resilience, care, and defiance against those who seek to diminish us. We don’t engage in their cruelty and we refuse to be defeated by it.

To the trans and nonbinary community: your light matters. Your authenticity matters. Your courage matters. You are here, and you are a reminder that fear does not win unless we let it.

The wildfires, fueled by climate change and human negligence, show us how deeply intertwined our fates are with the environment.

In a world increasingly shaped by uncertainty and division, this letter offers a powerful call to action: reclaim your personal power, foster resilience, and make conscious choices that empower yourself and your community. Through thoughtful reflection and grounded hope, it invites you to move beyond survival and into a life where thriving is possible, even in the face of adversity.

For the past week, I've held space for those processing post-election feelings—your anger, frustration, sadness, and fear. Through Universal Laws and collective healing, we can find strength in community and hope in change. Together, we rise. Together, we adapt. Together, we create change.

Rashida discusses the nature of addiction, the toll it takes on families, and most importantly, what you can do to cope and support the recovery of your loved one.

Self-care strategies and suggestions for navigating grief and loss.

What are enmeshed, rigid, and healthy boundaries?

A message from Rashida about her addiction journey and introduction to Inner Strength Recovery Network.

Rashida discussed the ethical considerations of smudging in her psychospiritual routine and the potential for cultural appropriation. She highlighted the need for decolonizing work and avoiding whitewashing or erasing other cultures. Rashida shared her research process and expressed concern about the commercialization of these practices and the potential harm caused by non-native people performing these ceremonies without recognition or acknowledgment of the culture from which they are borrowed.

Who makes the decisions inside and outside of the therapy room?