Reflecting on Trans Day of Visibility. 2023 April Newsletter
Hello to the Collective!
We are happy to announce that we are launching a new group, weekly Mindfulness Drop-In Sessions, on Wednesdays starting April 26 at 6:00pm. We’re also dropping the ninth episode of My Therapist is Out! a swapcast with Irresistible Marketing Pod on how to go beyond rainbow capitalism. We’ll also be launching a trans and gnc/enby therapy group in June. Stay tuned for details!
Announcements!
Learn Health Stress Relief Skills with OSTC Mindfulness Sessions!
6:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Weekly on Wednesdays - Virtual
$15 a session - no commitment required
Are you feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed? Do you struggle to stay focused on the task at hand? If so, then this mindfulness group is for you.
Each session is led by registered creative arts therapist and certified yoga instructor, Debbie Whyte. Together, we will explore the practice of mindfulness, which involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment.
Through a combination of guided meditation, mindfulness exercises, and group discussions, you will learn how to cultivate a sense of calm and clarity in your daily life.
Some of the topics we will cover include:
* Understanding the benefits of mindfulness for mental and physical health
* Developing a regular mindfulness practice
* Techniques for staying present in the midst of stress and chaos
* Cultivating self-compassion and empathy for others
* Building resilience and coping with difficult emotions
You will gain a better understanding of mindfulness and how it can help you find peace in the present moment. You will also have practical tools and strategies for incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine.
Join us for this transformation and take the first step towards a more mindful and fulfilling life.
Collective Member Spotlight!
Meet Debbie Whyte, ATR, RYT
(she/her)
I specialize in working with teens and adults who are looking for a nurturing environment to improve mindfulness and work on Anxiety, Depression, Self-Esteem, and Artist Development.
Not traditional therapy
If you’re someone who struggles with self-esteem, if you have a hard time setting boundaries and speaking up for yourself- you might want to consider art therapy.
Art therapy gives you permission to express yourself as you tend to your mental health through creative exploration & play. Even if you haven’t considered yourself a “creative” person before, you will find that art therapy frees you of the unnecessary restrictions you’ve been holding yourself to.
If visual art is not your jam, we’ll find what your jam is. Maybe that’s talk or music therapy. Whatever it is, we’ll find the creative approach that best suits your needs.
Tap into what you have forgotten about yourself.
In just a few months, you’ll begin to feel more empowered and find that your confidence is increasing. You will strengthen your self-advocacy skills and be able to set healthy boundaries for yourself and the people you interact with.
You’ll develop the habit of checking in with yourself so you can make intentional decisions rather than simply react. The goal is to get you to a point in your mental health journey where you don’t even need me anymore!
If you’re ready to reclaim your voice, build your confidence, and tap into your creativity, I’d love to work with you.
Monthly Insights:
Reflecting on Trans Day of Visibility
by Maritza Ruelas (they/she)
Please check-in on our trans siblings, hold space, and continue to spread joy through community. I think most of us are aware of the several bills targeting trans rights. It is important to have awareness around what’s going on, how it impacts our community and persevere against the system that is trying so hard to break us down. I speak from personal experience, I know it can be easy to get caught up in the news which brings that looming hopelessness. For Trans Day of Visibility, I didn’t want the focus to be gloomy. I chose to set the tone in a way that is uplifting and honor how strong the community is.
We are here today because our trans siblings fought for us to be here, our support system present today, and also by living authentically in our truth. The thought of the day for me was “thriving, not just surviving.” For me personally, I have seen myself getting caught up in trying to live day to day. It wasn’t until I took a step back, got appropriate support, that I was able to move away from that mindset. I hope that today brought that little break from the day to day for you and gave you a moment to celebrate and experience that trans joy that is out there.
Not everyone has the safety and ability to embrace their trans identity, so I personally make it a point to acknowledge that and respect everyone’s capacity. Let’s use this day to not only celebrate our diverse trans identities, but also uplift all our trans siblings in the community. I hope you are able to experience this sacred day in a safe and lively way. Trans existence is power. ✨✨✨
We at OSTC are in full solidarity of our trans relations. We will continue to hold space for our communities by having trans and non-binary voices at our table.