Katie Blaha, PhD

06/30/2025

Whenever you notice you are in pain, remember you have three steps you can take:

1️⃣ Mindfulness: Hold your thoughts and emotions in mindful awareness. Observe them without judgment. 🧘‍♀️

2️⃣ Shared Humanity: Remind yourself that encountering pain is part of the shared human experience. We are all in this together. 🌍

3️⃣ Kindness: Offer yourself the kindness and care you deserve.💖

Why not walk through the doorway today? Let’s practice self-compassion together. 💫

06/30/2025

Despite the current administration's cuts to specialized su***de supports for the LGBTQ+ community, organizations like The Trevor Project are still at the ready to support LGBTQ+ people in need of urgent emotional support.

"Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, a nonprofit focused on su***de prevention for LGBTQ+ young people, described the planned change as "devastating."

"This means that, in 30 short days, this program that has provided life-saving services to more than 1.3 million LGBTQ+ young people will no longer be available for those who need it," Black said in a statement Wednesday. "Su***de prevention is about people, not politics. The administration's decision to remove a bipartisan, evidence-based service that has effectively supported a high-risk group of young people through their darkest moments is incomprehensible."

The news comes in the middle of Pride Month, which Black called "callous." He also criticized "the administration's choice to remove the 'T' from the acronym 'LGBTQ+' in their announcement," saying, "Transgender people can never, and will never, be erased.""

A part of the 988 Su***de and Crisis Lifeline dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth — known as 988 option 3 — will close in July, the agency said.

03/18/2025

Connectedness is life sustaining and life enhancing, even when things aren't at their worst. Take this as a cue to check in with the people you care about.

Take a few minutes today to check in on your friends and loved ones. Those who are struggling don't always show it, and sometimes, a simple "How are you?" can mean more than you know. 💚

03/18/2025

You could also frame these as warning signs that you're struggling to clarify, implement, and maintain your own boundaries. Either way, these are great guidelines for identifying potentially problematic issues and behaviors in relationships.

Read more about enabling and why it's a problem in this article: https://www.livewellwithsharonmartin.com/stop-enabling/

03/14/2025

03/14/2025

03/13/2025

The American Psychological Association (APA) has released its response to recent presidential executive orders targeting the trans community.

Check out the link below to learn more about the science underscoring the reality of gender identity and gender diversity.

"What the Science Says:

APA’s organizational assessment and position are grounded in the best available science. S*x is a biological characteristic determined by chromosome and reproductive anatomy (American Medical Association, 2021), and the assertion that only two s*xes exist is not scientifically accurate. Approximately 1.7% of the world population is born with ge***al variations, known as differences in s*x development (DSD) or variations in s*x characteristics (VSC) (Esteban et al., 2023).

Everyone has a gender identity, defined as a person's deeply felt, inherent sense of being a girl, woman, or female; a boy, man, or male; a blend of male or female; or an alternative gender (Institute of Medicine, 2011). Gender as a non-binary construct has been described and studied for decades across cultures and has been present throughout history (Gill-Peterson, 2018). Physiologically, neuroimaging research has suggested that cortical brain volume in transgender individuals appear to be more like their preferred gender (see Mueller et al., 2021; Nguyen et al., 2019).

Those whose gender identity differs from their biological s*x at birth may face discrimination, stigma, prejudice, and violence that negatively affect their health and well-being (Bradford et al., 2013). Research demonstrates that gender-related discrimination appears to be the most documented risk factor for poor mental health among transgender individuals. Conversely, self-esteem, pride, transitioning, respecting and supporting transgender people in authentically articulating their gender identity can promote resilience, improve their health, well-being, and quality of life (Mezza et al, 2024; Witten, 2003)."

Analysis of recent executive orders affecting equity, diversity, and inclusion in psychology. Learn policy impacts and actions you can take to support inclusive practices.

03/08/2025

For anyone in Maryland who has been impacted by federal layoffs, check out this upcoming career exposition held by the Mayor's Office of Employment Development.

This event is designed to connect recently displaced federal workers—as well as individuals affected by federal layoffs from nonprofits, educational institutions, and other organizations—with employers actively hiring in administration, logistics, security, IT, healthcare, and customer service.

Thursday, March 20, 2025
New Psalmist Baptist Church, 6020 Mariam Dr, Baltimore, MD 21215
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

11/20/2024

To all of our siblings, elders, those here, and yet to come,

Forgotten and remembered.
Known. Unknown.
We honor you. We carry you.
We love you.

Here.
Now.
Always.

Transgender Day of Remembrance.

11/14/2024

Today is the start of Trans Awareness Week and we want to make a few things clear: trans people belong everywhere, have always existed, and always will. Period.
Your right to be happy, healthy, and safe is non-debatable!
We see you, we support you, and we will keep fighting by your side. 🌈🏳️‍⚧️

11/08/2024

Simple, actionable guidance for anyone feeling overwhelmed and powerless following the election. We’ll get through this together.