Category: Personal Development 101

As a therapist I have learned a few things that I would like to share in an effort to help others improve the quality of their life. Under this section you will find helpful tips for your well being, do activities surrounding knowing yourself and build positive self-esteem and/or self- image and much much more.
This includes therapeutic activities that will be worked on as a community. Feedback and comments are greatly appreciated.

Awareness, Mental HealthLeave a comment

Bipolar in the Black Community

Sharea Farmer, LCSW

Bipolar in the Black Community As a professional in human services it is the most difficult thing in the world to watch people suffer when there is help out there.  This feeling is even worse when you have a personal relationship with this person.  For the last few years that is exactly what I have been dealing with in my own life.  I’ve watched this person have extreme mood swings, going from manic to depressive in what feels like the blink of an eye.  Over time, this person’s extreme ups and downs have pushed people away and literally damaged some … Continue reading Bipolar in the Black Community

Awareness, Mental Health6 Comments

Depression in the Black Community (World Mental Health Day)

Sharea Farmer, LCSW

Depression in the Black Community “You’re just a little sad.” “Things will get better, don’t worry.” “All you need to do is pray; God will work it out.” “You come from a strong line of people, we’ve survived slavery, Jim Crow and years of racism; you can get through this problem.” To someone suffering with depression, these statements can be hurtful, angering and very isolating.  Depression is far from slavery, genocide, or the institution of racism, but to some it can be very frightening with very real pain. Depression is a mood disorder that deals in the simplest terms with … Continue reading Depression in the Black Community (World Mental Health Day)

Awareness, Mental HealthLeave a comment

Mental Health in the Black Community…

Sharea Farmer, LCSW

  Mental Health in the Black Community… For many years I have heard people in the Black community pass judgment on others by using terms like, “crazy” or “touched”, to identify those that may suffer from mental illness.  This history of ignorance has created a huge stigma in our community.  The fact is, many Blacks do not believe or acknowledge mental illness as true medical condition. When it comes to problems? Just pray.  Well that is one way to look at how God works, but another way to look at it is through the Spanish proverb, “Pray to God, but … Continue reading Mental Health in the Black Community…

Awareness, Mental HealthLeave a comment

Overview of Mental Illness

Sharea Farmer, LCSW

What is a mental illness?  A mental illness has been defined as “a medical condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning (NAMI).”  Just like heart disease or diabetes, a mental illness is a medical condition.  I repeat a “medical condition.”  Usually with mental illness the person suffering can see a change, if not, total interference in their ability to handle their everyday life.  Mental illness does not discriminate by age, race, religion or income.  Therefore, it is important to remember that having a mental illness does not make you weak or … Continue reading Overview of Mental Illness

Awareness, Mental HealthLeave a comment

Mental Illness Awareness Week Oct 7-13, 2012

Sharea Farmer, LCSW

  When I first got out of graduate school I felt like I knew exactly what I wanted to do;  I was going to give everyone all the knowledge I had acquired in the hope that this would help heal their pain.  Sounds good right, but try to translate that into an actual job.  Well I did, I became a therapist and worked as a mental health family support specialist.  I got the opportunity to work with the families of people suffering from a mental illness and provide an educational 12-week series on mental illness.  Now years later, I still … Continue reading Mental Illness Awareness Week Oct 7-13, 2012

Self-Improvement Made EasyLeave a comment

Pieces of Me: 11-20 are some of the thing that feed my joy

Sharea Farmer, LCSW

11-20 are some of the thing that feed my joy At some point in our lives we have to learn how to define what makes us happy.  This section gives us a chance to look at what feeds our joy; is it, a character trait or a simple action.  Make your list and then ask yourself how often you feed your joy. 11-20 are some of the thing that feed my joy 11.  I am full of love 12.  I am painfully honest 13.  I am a supporter of what is good/ right 14.  I love feeling, happy so I … Continue reading Pieces of Me: 11-20 are some of the thing that feed my joy

Self-Improvement Made EasyLeave a comment

Pieces of Me: 1-10 are some of the important hats I wear….

Sharea Farmer, LCSW

1-10 are some of the important hats I wear….   Many of us wear a number of hats.  As a therapist, one of the first things I do is a get to know each other activity.  It usually will describe how we have many roles and how those roles play out in our actions.  This section is designed to define the roles that make up the pieces of you. 1-10 are some of the important hats I wear…. I am a child of God a wife a daughter granddaughter niece sister cousin aunt I am a Sister friend I am … Continue reading Pieces of Me: 1-10 are some of the important hats I wear….

Self-Improvement Made EasyLeave a comment

Introduction to Pieces of Me (Activity)

Sharea Farmer, LCSW

As I sit here listening to Ledisi’s song “Pieces of Me”; a thought crossed my mind, what are the pieces that make up a person?  The truth is that God only knows the whole of a person.   As a therapist, I have asked people to tell me who they are, who they want to be, or even what makes them up.  This question can be very challenging and upsetting for some who struggle with defining themselves in a world that is mostly defined by their past. So after some serious thought on how I can help others find the strength … Continue reading Introduction to Pieces of Me (Activity)

Self-Improvement Made Easy1 Comment

Work in Progress…

Sharea Farmer, LCSW

Every morning I go into my bathroom and look at the light over my mirror and tell myself; “I really need to put in a replacement.”  Then every day I walk out of there with no intention or plan to complete the project.  The truth is, there are many areas in our lives we look at and even acknowledge have issues and do absolutely nothing.  So similar to my morning routine of looking at the light, the issue remains, without any idea what it could be the consequences.  For example, the lack of light could be affecting my vision or … Continue reading Work in Progress…

AwarenessLeave a comment

Proud to be a Social Worker!!!!

Sharea Farmer, LCSW

Professionally I have had a million different titles; supportive this, counselor or  therapist of that, supervisor of so and so, facilitator or instructor of this or that group and the list goes on.  However, no professional title has been more important to me then the title Social Worker.  That’s right, no matter what people title me, I Am a Social Worker!  And that is enough to be proud of, if done with love. Every now and then something or someone reminds me of why I am so proud to be a Social Worker.  Today I had plenty of reasons, but … Continue reading Proud to be a Social Worker!!!!