Aya Rasheed, MA, LMFT

11/09/2022

So powerful.

11/02/2022

08/22/2022

I not about what you give, but how you give

04/21/2021

I've already seen this out there, so please edit and be mindful of what you are saying in light of the guilty on all counts conviction of s murderer. Black people are still exhausted, they are still mourning, they still have every right to be angry/anxious/upset right now. This is merely one victory and many more to come.

Instead of the "don't say" comments be empathetic, educate yourself, and take action to use this moment in history to propel real change.

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Explanations for those willing to learn:

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"Justice has been served"

> True Justice will never be served in light of a stolen life.
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"Aren't you happy with the guilty conviction?"

> Happiness in light of murder is a difficult and invalidating emotion to put on someone grieving. Relieved? Maybe. Grateful?possibly. But despite what someone is happening it is not upon us to put that emotion on them.
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"I'm glad this is over with"/"now we can move on"

> "this", the marginalization of black people, is NOT over. This is just the beginning of accountability and there are leaps and bounds of work that needs to be done in order stop systemic racism.

Also, your words are kind and all, but quite frankly we're so past just words, actions are required, pushing for reform, signing petitions, taking notes from black women on who to vote for, being proactive in your anti racism in your community, workplace and households. Etc...

01/28/2021

I grew up in an environment that valued humility and would shame anyone that showed an ounce of arrogance. And based on the survey responses, others had the same experience.

I would occasionally accept the compliment, but not before denying, justifying or critiquing myself to either show humility or give myself permission to accept it. 

And oh boy did it hurt my heart when I witnessed my daughter showing the same behavior that I so yearned for her not to have. The surprise of how difficult it was for me to accept the compliment shined a big spotlight on growth I needed to partake in and working through that has kept me from:

Sabotaging situations
Feeling imposter syndrome and
Feeling uncomfortable in my skin.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? Which compliments would you love to hear?

Tip of the day:
Pay yourself a compliment (affirmation) and randomly pay one forward to someone near and dear via text/call.

12/09/2020

I am not the outdoorsy type, but boy do I love the beauty of nature and the affects it has on my mind, body and soul.

Yet, it takes so much to muster the will power to go out, does anyone else have this same struggle?

Sometimes it helps to remember exposure to sunlight triggers the production of serotonin which is associated with boosting your

 Mood
 Immune system
 And brain function 

Do you find yourself in a better mood when you connect with nature?

Added perk: the kids are so much easier on and myself when we take them out in nature. Clearly that serotonin regulation works on children as well 😉

11/07/2020

This is just the beginning.

It's time to celebrate today, but I will not get complacent tomorrow.

11/04/2020

One cannot facilitate the healing of those who have experienced trauma while at the same time supporting the systems that oppressed them.. 

As a potential client, would your therapist's election choice(s) matter?

Note: Neither party has an ideal candidate and there is still a lot of work to break down the oppressive SYSTEMS in place.

It is important and necessary to act affirmatively for justice. Join the movement for freedom so you don't regret how future generations describe your inaction. You may be called to account.

 

07/19/2020

My child will experience a better life than the one that I had inA. Not because I did not have a good life, but because some of my learned behaviors are not conducive for my kids. My parents broke patterns that were not conducive to raising me and I have the responsibility to do the same.

The same way trauma can be passed down from one generation to the next, so can generational healing.

Some of the generational traumas that need to be broken include:

Toxic masculinity

Inability to create healthy boundaries

Inability to validate people's experiences/emotions.

What else would you add to the list?

07/07/2020

Infidelity: The Best Worst Thing that Could Happen to Your Marriage.

At first, this was going to be a deep post about intimate relationships, but then I saw my "reading" my book in the living room. And it reminded me of one of the many reasons I became a & therapist. I wanted to be in a career that was going to benefit me with more than just a paycheck, something I could carry into my own self and growth of my family. I am and to have been provided this .

▪︎ I love in a constant state of growth for myself, my and of course for my clients.
▪︎ I love the flexibility that comes with running my own practice.
▪︎ And I love seeing my clients growth and the domino effect that has on the next generations.

I pray that as a therapist I continue to embody living what I preach.

What are some of the benefits you've received from your career?

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Disclaimer(s):
-This book is an excellent read for all couples therapists.
-The title of this book does not justify any acts of betrayal or infidelity.

07/01/2020

I'm a jealous woman. I'm insecure. I'm angry.
How many times have you heard these types of comments? Where you or others place a label on you, further imprisoning you to these emotions.
Instead, if you are feeling__________ (insert emotion here). For the sake of this example, let's say insecurity, take a step back, swipe over and check in with your emotions with the prompts.
▪︎what is this insecurity telling me?
▪︎where did this insecurity come from?
▪︎what can I do to resolve this insecurity?
The insecurity/anger/jealousy is showing up for a reason, now let's actually process, then address it, to keep it from bleeding into all the avenues of your life. Recognize these are emotions you are feeling NOT who you are.
Have you done this type of processing before? What emotional labels have you struggled with?
Feel free to Save & Share.

@ San Diego, California

06/22/2020

I see the things you do for our family when nobody is looking. You are incredible.

My favorite attribute of yours, by far, is your humility.

Humility, is a beautiful and underrated characteristics. As, I witness it in you I consistently see you raising others around you, working hard even when nobody is looking and being grateful for all of the blessings God has given you.

10 years ago I knew you were the one I wanted to commit the rest of my life to when I asked myself "would I be proud to call this man the father of my children?" and, I, without hesitation said yes.

Today, after witnessing you as a father these past 5 years I am beyond grateful that I could still ask myself "am I proud to call this man the father of my children?" and answer with an even stronger YES.

06/10/2020

and were murdered because of systemic racism! That racism that our society was built upon, where the privileged could turn a blind eye, pause their feeds for a week and feel at peace with themselves thinking they supported

is not a trend! Being/becoming is not just sharing posts.
Its about doing the internal work and not allowing yourself to until the system, the people who support the system, and the people who infiltrate the system are all anti-racist.

05/30/2020

For those questioning all the 'noise' right now, I urge you to step back and reflect on why are you bothered. If you are bothered, it should be first and foremost about the MURDER of our black men. Property can be replaced, lives lost cannot.

Right now is a time for validation, empathy, real change, ACTION. The system and regime we live under is hypocritical and harmful. We must change it with our hands, our words, and if we cannot do that, we must hate it in our hearts. So do something. Make calls to MN officials demanding arrests of George Floyd's killers 612-324-4499. Donate to the . Boycott racist businesses. Vote to defund police and support community restorative justice initiatives. Stop calling the police on black and brown people - there are other ways of handling civil disputes. Talk to your family and friends about helping black people achieve liberation. At a bare minimum, educate yourself on what has been happening since the 17th century in this country.

There is no sideline. No neutral in situations of oppression. The absence of tension is not better than a positive peace. It is important and necessary to act affirmatively for justice. Join the movement for freedom now or regret how future generations describe your inaction. You may be called to account.





@ San Diego, California

05/28/2020

The fact that those protesting the MURDER of are being gassed but MAGA protestors in front of state capitols with AR-15s, defying state orders, are being left alone tells you there is still work to be done.

Stop making excuses for anti-blackness. You want to make a change start with yourself, with your family with your friends. You want to make a change begin with your circle and don't stop there!

05/26/2020

Eid Mubarak! Y'all we did it, we experienced a Ramadan while sheltering in place with religious and community centers shut down. Many of us experienced a month of spiritual highs and lows, either way we can agree it will be unforgettable. This Ramadan and Eid will be one we will be talking about years from now. While the emotions are still fresh I highly encourage you to journal your experience.


@ Sacramento, California

05/26/2020

Eid Mubarak! Y'all we did it, we experienced a Ramadan while sheltering in place with religious and community centers shut down. Many of us experienced a month of spiritual highs and lows, either way we can agree it will be unforgettable. This Ramadan and Eid will be one we will be talking about years from now. While the emotions are still fresh I highly encourage you to journal your experience.
Swipe to see questions that will trigger your journaling thoughts.

@ Sacramento, California

05/17/2020

Different thoughts = Different results.
Goodness, sometimes I just need a break, but I need to make sure I have a pep talk with myself to make sure I make the most of the moment.
TRAIN THY MIND!