The Part You Skip

Q+As from Ask a Therapist Thursday

Amber Dee, LPC — therapist, founder of the BFT ecosystem, and the voice behind programs, events, and conversations designed to make mental health accessible, culturally relevant, and real. Known for her direct insight, relatable storytelling, and ability to blend clinical wisdom with everyday life, Amber shows up for a raw, honest session of answering questions straight from the audience. * How to get over past trauma In this episode, Amber dives into the topics you said you needed the most, the messy, confusing, and very human experiences that don't always make it into the group chat. From friendship burnout to emotional exhaustion to navigating relationships in a world that's doing the most, Amber brings clarity, humor, and that signature "tell you the truth with love" style.

Should I Schedule Sex with My Partner

Today in the guest chair, we have Dr. Donna Oriowo, LICSW, M.Ed, CST — award-winning DEI advocate, international speaker, certified sex & relationship therapist, author, and the unapologetically brilliant mind behind AnnodRight, where she helps Black women feel "Free, Fabulous, and F*cked!" In this episode, Dr. Donna dives into one of the most debated questions in modern relationships: Should you schedule sex with your partner… or does that ruin the magic? With her trademark blend of humor, realness, and deep clinical expertise, Dr. Donna explores why so many couples struggle with intimacy, what gets in the way of spontaneous sex, and how planning can be a tool for connection, if you use it intentionally. She breaks down the psychology behind desire, the realities of busy lives, and the cultural messages that make people feel guilty for needing structure in their sex life. Dr. Donna keeps you entertained and informed as she shares multiple perspectives around: * Whether scheduling sex is healthy or harmful * What planning intimacy actually looks like (and what it isn't) * The myths about spontaneity that sabotage real connection * How stress, identity, and life responsibilities shift desire * Why Black women, in particular, need more spaciousness and permission around pleasure * How to talk to your partner about your needs without shame * Ways to build a sex life that fits your real life, not the version Instagram told you to want Dr. Donna brings the energy, the education, and the truth-telling, helping you rethink intimacy through the lens of self-compassion, communication, and cultural context. Whether you're partnered, dating, or simply curious, this episode will leave you laughing, learning, and feeling a whole lot less alone.

Creating Boundaries with Friends You Have Outgrown

Today in the guest chair, we have Esther Boykin, LMFT, therapist, author, retreat host, and a leader committed to helping people build lives that feel as good on the inside as they look on the outside. Esther specializes in bridging clinical insight with real-world leadership and soulful self-compassion, helping people navigate growth, burnout, and the evolving nature of relationships with more clarity and grace. In this episode, Esther guides us through a deeply honest and necessary conversation: how to create boundaries with friends you've outgrown. Esther breaks down: * Whether it's typical or "normal" to outgrow friends * The life stages where most people begin reassessing their friendships * What internally shifts when friendships start to feel misaligned * Clear signs you may have outgrown a friendship * How to set healthy, respectful boundaries with friends you still care about * What to do when the friend doesn't realize things have changed * How to communicate honestly without causing unnecessary harm * How to handle the emotional fallout when the other person doesn't take it well If you're entering a new chapter, navigating shifting relationships, or simply wanting healthier connections that reflect who you're becoming, this episode is your guide to moving forward with intention and grace.

LGBTQ + Mental Health: Having the Discussion

Today in the guest chair, we have Quinn Gee-Edwards, LPC. Quinn Gee-Edwards is from Clarksdale, MS, a current resident of Washington D.C, and began practicing psychotherapy in 2014. Quinn is an alumna of the University of Mississippi, holds a BA in Psychology, an MS in Professional Counseling, and is currently a PhD candidate with a focus on advanced human behavior. Quinn identifies as cisgender, queer, and uses the pronouns she/her. Quinn is also the founder of Hey! Black Girl, a division of MMH that focuses on the emotional, physical, and spiritual health of Black women. Her areas of professional focus include women's issues (such as relationships and codependency), intersectionality, healthy sexuality, gender identity, sexual orientation and race based trauma. Quinn has devoted thousands of hours to working with marginalized persons, including private practice, mental health hospitals, and outpatient therapy services, since beginning her professional career in 2014.

Mommying, Managing, and Meditating

Today in the guest chair, we have Lauren Williams. Lauren Williams was born in the heart of the city Atlanta, into the renowned Williams family, highly regarded for their work in community service, civil rights and philanthropy. As part of Bravo's The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Lauren has used her platform to share her health and wellness journey through her social media following while advocating for the elimination hunger and homelessness, assistance for single mothers, mental health, activism for civil justice and speaking at the March of Dimes. As co-owner of Go Naked Hair, a beauty & lifestyle company and Real Life Snacks, Lauren's aim is to provide everyone with ways to make their life a little bit better.