Welcome home cojourners. I'm glad you're here for another episode of the Homecoming

podcast. I'm Dr. Tama, licensed psychologist, ordained minister and sacred artists, here to help

facilitate your journey back home to yourself. And I am so excited for us to be with a dear friend and colleague,

Ashley McGirt Adair. And Ashley is a psychotherapist, a TEDx international speaker, an author,

and the founder and CEO of the Therapy Fund Foundation, an incredible resource that some of my clients have

used, so I'm grateful for that. A nonprofit focused on eliminating barriers to mental health care

in black and historically excluded communities. She specializes in trauma, racial trauma,

leadership, health equity, mental health, and self-care.

Ashley holds a master of social work from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology,

operating a private practice where she addresses racial trauma, depression, and anxiety. Featured in Forbes, MSNBC, and Huff Posts,

Ashley also serves as the NAAACP State Area Conference Health Chair. Through her speeches, workshops, and

consultations, she empowers individuals and organizations to unpack emotional burdens,

prioritize self-care, and foster healing in equity. Her newly released book, which you all have to get,

it's amazing, the cost of healing in silence, navigating racial trauma, and the call for culturally responsive care.

It's published by Wiley, and you all know how we do. You can just go ahead and press pause and go

and get your copy of the book, The Cost of Healing and Silence. Then come back and listen to the

conversation. This book blends research, personal narrative,

and I appreciate you sharing your story and journey and clinical insights to challenge systemic

inequities and inspire collective healing. It serves as an effective roadmap for culturally responsive

mental health care that acknowledges,

understands, and begins to heal the ways racial bias and stereotypes infiltrate counseling.

You can connect with her at ashleymigert.com as well as on Instagram.

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