EP. 44. In the Barber Shop

Talking Off The Couch

Talking Off The Couch podcast focuses on mental health and mental wellness within the community of color. Tatiana Smith who is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Dallas, Texas decided that it is time to shed light and break stigmas about mental health/wellness in the communities of color. This podcast is a voice for the mental health community as well as the average person. Talking Off The Couch will make you feel Ok about not being Ok. This week's episode I speak my guest Charles Catchings. Charles and I talk about men and mental health, how important self-care is to men, cultural and social identity, we talk about vulnerability, and how a bunch of guys with problems is helping a bunch of guys with problems. The Barber Shop Group is an umbrella organization that advocates for all men's wellness while creating space for targeted groups to have serious discussions without fear of reprisal and shame. In today's climate, many people shake their sticks at such an approach but my professional and personal experience has shown me the most effective way for our organization to advocate for men's mental health. Currently, we have three media ventures: our podcast, a live weekly radio show allowing listeners to interact with a trained therapist, and an upcoming WebTV talk show. We host men's retreats around the country allowing men to engage in group discussions of wellbeing and gain access to one-on-one counseling and mentoring, all while doing "guy" stuff. Charles Catchings has been involved in mental health-care in a variety of capacities since 2003. I first started working in a boys' group-home setting providing direct care and mentoring. I quickly found myself swept up into a world where men were sorely needed but absent. This was even truer of African-American men as many of the residents were either African-American or came from inner-cities nearby. Early in that experience, I learned a bit about my ability to connect and relate to the clients, in part due to my own background and my desire to be an open vessel for people in need. Though I maintained several jobs during that time, I realized I was to work in the capacity of mental health and healing. Later, I transitioned to working with juvenile sex offenders. This was one of the more challenging positions, requiring me to work through some of my own sexual trauma while trying to understand and guide young men who were often the victims of sexual violence or sexual avoidance unbeknownst to the public. I was commended for my work with this group and was asked to join a team of clinicians working with deaf and hard-of-hearing clients with co-occurring disorders. I was challenged to provide the same level of care while learning an entirely new language -American Sign Language- to convey messages of healing and hope. Lastly, I was given the opportunity to work with male and female AOD clients and this is my current focus. Takeaways from this episode: It’s ok to be vulnerable. It’s ok to focus on mental health. Self caress just as important for men. Where you can find The Barber Shop Group: Email: [e-mail] Web: www.thebarbershopgroup.com Facebook: @thebarbershopgrp Instagram: @thebarbershopgrp Twitter: @thebarbershopgrp Podcast hashtag #talkingoffthecouch and #TOTCpodcast Email: [e-mail] Facebook-Talking off the Couch Podcast Facebook Group-Talking Off The Couch Village Instagram-talkingoffthecouch Twitter- podcasttotc If you are interested in working with Tatiana as a therapist you can find out more about her services at www.tsmithcounseling.com If you have questions or would like to discuss sponsorship opportunities, email us at: [e-mail] Make sure to also visit our website at www.talkingoffthecouch.com ?