build.better.be

build.better.be I offer professional therapy, consultation, and mentoring services.

You didn't make yourself smaller.It's impossible to make yourself shrink. You are not clay.Instead, they gave themselves...
04/08/2025

You didn't make yourself smaller.

It's impossible to make yourself shrink. You are not clay.

Instead, they gave themselves weapons, stilts, and modified limbs to make themselves bigger. They wanted to intimidate you, make you fear them, hurt you, and limit your potential.
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In a world where structures of oppression limit our options and trauma limits our agency, we often focus on survival and...
09/15/2024

In a world where structures of oppression limit our options and trauma limits our agency, we often focus on survival and "productivity." We are prevented from prioritizing rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation, and a concept like play feels hard to hold.

Imagine what your life would be like if space for play were ever present. Can we try to tap into that vision and play, even if it's for a few moments per day? What gets in the way? What promotes it?

Aim to create space for play.

How do you and your loved ones ensure that play is part of your lives?
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I am enthusiastic to join fellow men of color social workers for this inaugural event at the NYU Silver School of Social...
08/22/2024

I am enthusiastic to join fellow men of color social workers for this inaugural event at the NYU Silver School of Social Work! Say hi to me throughout the day, or catch me as a panelist at 2pm for the "Navigating Identity in Social Work Education & Practice" panel.

The 2024 Men of Color in Social Work Summit is a gathering to celebrate, empower, and explore the identity-based needs of men of color in their educational and career stages within the social work profession. This summit is a dedicated space to come together, share experiences, and learn from one another. It's about recognizing the power of men of color social workers and leaving them equipped to make an even greater impact in the social work profession.

This one-day event happening on Saturday, August 24th from 10 AM-4 PM at 1 Washington Square North centers the theme "Our Power," focusing on the unique perspectives and contributions men of color bring to social work.

Register today to explore how we can leverage our unique strengths to empower ourselves, one another, and our communities. Meals and refreshments will be provided throughout the day, and attendees will also receive exclusive branded items.

RSVP at bit.ly/mocswsummit.

2024 is here! What words describe your intentions for the new year?---------
01/01/2024

2024 is here! What words describe your intentions for the new year?
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As I grieve the lives of those lost to genocide and connect with the power of social movements and collective healing, t...
10/28/2023

As I grieve the lives of those lost to genocide and connect with the power of social movements and collective healing, this decolonizing AAPI mental health symposium couldn't happen at a more apt time.

Co-sponsored by the New York Coalition for Asian American Mental Health alongside other local organizations, "this event will boldly tackle pressing questions about how to reimagine wellness outside of Western biomedicine and confront the systemic constraints that persist in our current mental healthcare system. By celebrating cultural, familial, and community practices as sources of strength while challenging dominant paradigms, this symposium aims to offer a space to collectively grieve our losses, rejuvenate our spirits, and explore innovative paths to wellness."

I am excited to interrogate how colonization has impacted our collective wellness and envision new paths forward in the "Decolonizing mental health with AAPI-identifying clinicians" panel with Gabriela Fullon, Keali'i Kauahi,
Robin Mele, Han Nguyen, and Tristan Madeja Vizconde.

Find out more, and register at: https://www.collected.nyc/decolonize-aapi-mental-health-symposium.

You are worthy. Period.---------
09/20/2023

You are worthy. Period.
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I've been feeling so fulfilled these past few months organizing this event, "Expanding the Narrative: Healing During Asi...
05/18/2023

I've been feeling so fulfilled these past few months organizing this event, "Expanding the Narrative: Healing During Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month and Beyond", which will happen next week at 11:30am EST, on Wednesday, 5/24. Watch this video for highlights about the wonderful presenters: https://youtu.be/Tn4wB49QYn0. Please share, register, and sign up to join live or to get the recording afterward: https://calendar.ctacny.org/event/?id=1917.

Description: The Asian diaspora living in the United States is multicultural, multigenerational, and multidimensional, but whitewashing often ignores these multiplicities. Providing care and support often benefits from an increased understanding of trauma and racism within social and historical contexts. This innovative “performance and panel” presentation will highlight important concepts to consider when connecting with such a diverse population. Six panelists will engage attendees in both a learning opportunity and an experience that looks at their healing journeys through acts of creative self-expression.

By the end of the webinar, learners will be able to:

- Recognize manifestations of racism that have impacted the mental health and wellbeing of the diverse Asian/Pacific Islander American population.
- Describe examples of intergenerational and historical trauma that affect various Asian diaspora communities.
- Demonstrate an enhanced understanding of the role of the mental health system in healing and ways to do this both within and outside of it.

**This event is free. CE credits are available for a small fee.**
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It's May, which means it is Mental Health Awareness Month and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!Take some time this ...
05/07/2023

It's May, which means it is Mental Health Awareness Month and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!

Take some time this month to celebrate the people, places, and practices that promote your mental health, wellbeing, and existence overall. Find joy in the unique ways your own mixture of cultures have offered you many wonderful gifts and strengths.

Excited to represent NYCAAMH (asianmentalhealth.org) this Thursday at 2pm EST!Come join this free virtual event which al...
03/01/2023

Excited to represent NYCAAMH (asianmentalhealth.org) this Thursday at 2pm EST!

Come join this free virtual event which also offers 1.5 CEUs/CMEs/CEs for Peer Specialists, Physicians, Psychologists, and Social Workers in New York State.

"This 90-minute virtual roundtable discussion will focus on the work of community-based organizations and advocacy groups to identify and implement strategies to promote social inclusion, reduce mental health stigma, and/or mitigate its negative impact in the lives of people with mental illness. This roundtable, facilitated by a psychologist, will educate attendees about effective strategies to reduce the harmful effects of stigma on multiple levels, including, but not limited to, personal and structural stigma."

Register at https://behavioralhealthnews.org/stigma-roundtables/ %204.
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You want me to leave behind fear? You want me to stop being afraid of taking risks? I don't know if I can control my emo...
12/31/2021

You want me to leave behind fear? You want me to stop being afraid of taking risks? I don't know if I can control my emotions. They just...come.

You're going to discontinue sacrificing yourself and work only on yourself? What's the fine line between selfishness and selflessness among other important parts of maintaining your whole self within a thriving community?

I don't know.

Boxing ourselves into inhuman, perfectionist expectations MAY limit our ability to forgive and live with our full human selves.

As we step into 2022 and feel the urge to reflect upon the losses and the trauma while also appreciating the blessings and our own ability to persist, I wish for us to additionally have a collective moment to, with the new year here, simply BE.
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Community & Connection: This Wednesday, 12/1/21, at 8pm EST, I'm facilitating the final New York Coalition for Asian Ame...
11/30/2021

Community & Connection: This Wednesday, 12/1/21, at 8pm EST, I'm facilitating the final New York Coalition for Asian American Mental Health/Virtue Mental Education & Wellness Workshop of the year for those who are 18 and older and identify as part of the Asian American Pacific Islander community.

Throughout the pandemic, it has become increasingly difficult to connect. During this workshop, in addition to the usual education piece about mental health, trauma, and racism, attendees will practice connecting with the group and with themselves. They will acknowledge their internal experiences, mindfully move their bodies, and engage in a collective art piece. Attendees are highly encouraged to participate using a laptop or desktop to experience the full benefits of the workshop.

I hope to see you there! Please invite friends, family members, and colleagues as well.

Sign-up at https://forms.gle/YWdMZCnuYjMVxabw5.
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Read more about the workshop series at VirtueMental.org/NYCAAMH.
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You don't have to be grateful today.I know it's Thanksgiving and all, but you can do whatever you want. Gratitude, while...
11/25/2021

You don't have to be grateful today.

I know it's Thanksgiving and all, but you can do whatever you want. Gratitude, while a really great practice to mindfully fit into our lives, can be challenging to do even on a day like today. There has been so much loss since last year, and some may not find it easy to be thankful for many things.

If you have the privilege of being off today, I hope you can use this day to rest up in the best way you can with the capacity you have right now.

For what it's worth, I'm grateful that YOU are here. 🙏
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