Giving your demons a makeover: A beginner’s guide to self-care

Posted byDr. Bree E. CookPosted inMental Health and Wellness

Good advice!

the ellipses project's avatarThe Ellipses Project

By Kathleen S. M.

What is self-care?

If you’re reading this, then, like myself and many others, you’ve probably experienced your share of anxiety, self-doubt, depression, and general mental/emotional unwellness. We’ve all heard the “don’t be afraid to love yourself the way you are!!!” mantra, chanted at us from top-40 tunes and feel-good, coming-of-age dramas. Unfortunately, this can feel like someone trying to give you a high-five while you’re dangling from a cliff: well meaning, but it doesn’t actually supply us with the tools we need to combat the hard stuff. Some of us have developed into our own worst enemies; many of us live in environments that oppress us daily for being who we are. The voices shouting encouragement can seem impossibly far away, often coming from those who are removed from the reality of our struggles. Self-care becomes something turned to out of necessity when no one will…

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Published by Dr. Bree E. Cook

Dr. Bree (Davis) Cook began her appointment as Vice President in May 2018. In this role Dr. Cook serves as the College’s Chief Academic Officer and as the Accreditation Liaison Officer. In her most recent position she served as associate dean of POC's School of Cultural & Family Psychology (SCFP). Dr. Cook has also held positions as the academic coordinator, assistant professor and clinical training coordinator in the SCFP. Prior to coming into higher education, Dr. Cook spent over 15 years in leadership and management positions in non-profits, serving as Family Based Services Director, Eden Dual Diagnosis Program Manager & IRB Chair and as a Staff Psychologist at the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Dr. Cook holds a Psy.D. and master degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Multicultural & Community from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, and baccalaureate degree from University of California San Diego. She is also a Certified Family Life educator (CFLE). Dr. Cook has presented over 25 papers, seminars and workshops at a number of professional conferences such as, WASC Academic Resource Conference, Race, Ethnicity and Place Conference, National Association of African American Studies & Affiliates International Conference. She is a member of the Society for Community Research and Action (Division 27 of the American Psychological Association), National Association of African American Studies and the National Council of Family Relations.

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