Let's Connect
Below are upcoming and past events!
Scroll below for more information!
Scroll below for more information!
Sacred Heart University School of Social Work 2022 Symposium
Creating Antiracist Solutions: Our Stories, Our Narratives, Our Collective Healing
Register if you plan to attend in person or virtually.
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Join Dr. Holly on August 10, 2022 for the first annual symposium on anti-racist, anti-oppressive solutions for systemic change hosted by Ph.D. in social work students, the Sacred Heart University School of Social Work and the Office for Diversity & Inclusion.
Sacred Heart University | West Campus | East Building Auditorium 3135 Easton Tpke, Fairfield, CT 06825 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. This symposium is designed to disseminate scholarly and community works addressing some of today’s most pressing issues within higher education, community settings and other social environments. Being anti-racist is not just the work of one individual or organization––this symposium seeks to generate and promote lasting systemic change through connection and collaboration. Coffee, light breakfast and lunch will be served. This event is free and open to the public. |
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Dr. Holly Sawyer presented at the NBCC Foundation 2022 Bridging the Gap Symposium: Eliminating Mental Health Disparities June 4–5, 2022, in the Washington, D.C., metro area. The theme for the Symposium is Elevating Families and Communities, with an emphasis on counseling skills, research, and resources that can improve, strengthen, or enrich the lives of families, communities, and those impacted by trauma.
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Microaggressions can affect the mental health and well-being of BIPOC coworkers. It is important to be culturally empathetic and supportive to coworkers of color. BIPOC coworkers who experience on-going microaggressions and overt racism in the workplace often cope with drugs and or alcohol due to not having emotional support or a safe space.
- Participants will be able to identify 3 types of microaggressions, microaggression type language and ways to address microaggressions in today’s cultural environment to ensure diversity and inclusion.
- Participants will learn best practices on ways to eliminate microaggressions and how to be culturally supportive.
- Participants will be able to define microaggressions and understand its psychological impact when they show up in the workplace.
GPACA Trauma Conference 2022: Reconnecting, Restoring, and Re-emerging
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The Greater Philadelphia Area Counseling Association (GPACA) is hosting its 6th annual Trauma Symposium: Reconnecting, Restoring, and Re-Emerging. This event will be held virtually on Saturday, February 26th from 9am-3pm. You can register through Eventbrite. Links to join the event will be sent out to registered participants the day of the event. The price advertised for this event includes admission and CEs!
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On August 12th, 2021 Black Excellence at Unilever (BE-U), Black employee resource group within the company invited me to present on Targeted Self-Care for Stressful Times as part of their advancement and retention initiative for 2021. The presentation also discussed ways to work remotely and trying to balance time and energy and how black employees show up to the work place.
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On June 19th, the Andrews Counsel and Consulting hosted their Misdiagnosis of the Negro Conference, a conversation surrounding the psychological impact of racism, racial injustice, and police brutality. My presentation Don't Get Lit, Get Therapy discussed how to better understand depression (what it feels/looks like) and ways to use therapy to help with common stressors instead of substances to cope; the benefits of therapy and why online therapy is just as good as face-to-face therapy; and what key factors to look for when trying to identify a therapist, what questions to ask when seeking a therapist and questions to ask themselves after session to identify if the therapist was a good, clinical fit.
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11th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Conference: Targeted Self-CareThis past April, Lake Cumberland Community Action Agency, Inc.'s Community Action Agencies (CAAs) hosted its 11th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Conference. CAA is a nonprofit private and public organizations established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to fight America's War on Poverty. Community Action Agencies help people to help themselves in achieving self-sufficiency.
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Targeted Self-CareOn Wednesday, February 10th, Dr. Val and I presented for the Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC) Fantabulous 2, three day virtual conference. It was an empowering presentation on Targeted Self-Care.
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A virtual safe space for Black clinicians to share their election stress. Hosted by two dope Black clinicians Johndalyn Armstrong, MA, MHRS and yours truly! This was a virtual space where clinicians shared: *Election Stress *The impact of the political climate *Ways countertransference maybe showed up with clients *Ways they kept their client's best interests in mind *Ways they maintained good boundaries and self-care |
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Black software engineers have historically faced challenges in reaching their full potential. Dev/Color ensures Black engineers fulfill the promise of their talents, transform the industry, and use their resulting skills and position to give back to their communities. Dev/Color mission is to empower Black software engineers to help one another grow into industry leaders.
I had the honor of being the guest speaker at Queens of the Valley, a virtual private event for Dev/Color women engineers only. This safe space was dedicated to giving a voice and support around intersectionality, emotional labor as a black woman and engineer, self-advocacy and ways to show up for yourself as well as how self-care and self-advocacy can be one. There was further discussion on how to set boundaries with yourself and work while working remotely during the pandemic. |
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Let's Talk in a Safe Space!
This is a Pandemic Recovery Support Group starting Sunday, July 12th - September 27th, 2-3 pm EST for women living in Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey and Louisiana. Topics include:
Location: Online |
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The Clinicans of Color happy hour was hosted by Frantzces Lys, MSW, Sabeen Shaiq, LCSW with DJ Chevez and myself. We had a jammed packed night full of trivia, games, networking and opportunities for joint ventures. Prizes were given away to the trivia and game winners. We took the time to have fun, connect and check in on each other. |
For Black Maternal Health Week, I discussed the benefits of going to therapy after an Ectopic Pregnancy.
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The Association of Black Psychologists, Temple University Chapter hosted their annual panel discussion on Career Options for Psychology majors on Thursday, February 27th at Anderson Hall.
The panel discussion was about what lead the panelists to the field, dealing with racism and sexism and life lessons they would like to share with the next generation of young black professionals going into the field. I was honored to speak about my experience as a licensed professional counselor and member of higher academia, my view on mental health and its importance. |
I had the distinct pleasure of being a keynote speaker at the first annual Black Author Book Drive on Saturday, February 22nd. It was amazing to have met so many talented black authors ranging from children to teenagers to adult, self-published authors. I was also able to vend and interact with the community that came out to participate in such a wonderful event.
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Only Elite Matters has an event series, "The Funeral" where themes rooted in mental health and mental illness are explored through art and music. The setting was full of community. I was truly inspired as a guest speak around breaking the stigma connected to mental health and mental illnesses. For more information about OEMatters, go to oematters.com/
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Self-Care Sunday
Did you know that Sunday Night Blues is a real thing?
Sunday anxiety, panic or depression is called the Sunday Night Blues. Around 62% of people experience Sunday blues regularly. Women are almost twice as likely to dread Monday's than men. People get anxious about returning to work, its environment, their commute and responsibilities. Sleep is also affected. The blues starts around 4 pm, according to research.
Come to this workshop to escape the Sunday Night Blues!!!!
Self-Care Sunday
Did you know that Sunday Night Blues is a real thing?
Sunday anxiety, panic or depression is called the Sunday Night Blues. Around 62% of people experience Sunday blues regularly. Women are almost twice as likely to dread Monday's than men. People get anxious about returning to work, its environment, their commute and responsibilities. Sleep is also affected. The blues starts around 4 pm, according to research.
Come to this workshop to escape the Sunday Night Blues!!!!
Methods to Combat Stress and Anxiety Through Mindfulness
Join us for an amazing workshop on Methods to Combat Stress and Anxiety through Mindfulness. Discussion includes the ways stress and anxiety impacts one's mental, emotional and physical health with practical tools to manage it all.
Whether you're experiencing stress, anxiety or both, come learn how practicing mindfulness can help you in your every day life!
