Pleasure Is More Than Sex: Why Pleasure Belongs in the Conversation About Mental Health and Relationships
What if pleasure isn't something you earn after you've done everything else?
We often talk about sex and pleasure as separate from mental health, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. But pleasure can tell us a lot about ourselves; what we want, what we fear, where we've disconnected from our bodies, and what we've been taught we're allowed to desire. In this article,
Dr. Charisma explores why pleasure deserves a place in conversations about sexuality, intimacy, relationships, and whole-person wellbeing.
Living Softly in a Hard Political Moment
In moments when the political atmosphere feels tense or overwhelming, it’s easy to believe anxiety is the only reasonable response. But caring deeply about the world doesn’t mean we have to abandon our sense of grounding, humanity, or hope.
Notes from the Collective: How I Practice and Embody Decolonized Therapy
Decolonized therapy isn’t about following a manual: it’s about remembering who we are beyond systems, diagnoses, and survival modes. I center the body, ancestry, and culture in my work, creating spaces where healing is embodied, collaborative, and rooted in lineage.
Notes from the Collective: Reclaiming Sensuality as Power - What Jazmine Sullivan’s BPW Teaches Us
When I listen to Jazmine Sullivan’s BPW, I don’t just hear sensuality…I hear reclamation. I hear the invitation to step back into my body, not as something to manage, but as something to honor. Healing isn’t only about working through pain; it’s also about remembering joy, play, and pleasure. Songs like this remind us that our sensual selves deserve to exist out loud, without shame.
Notes From The Collective: Sacred Pauses - Honoring Ourselves and Our Ancestors
In a world that glorifies busyness, pausing can feel impossible but for Black women, it’s essential. Sacred pauses are more than moments of rest; they’re acts of survival, healing, and remembrance. When we slow down, we honor the labor of our ancestors while protecting our own bodies from the silent toll of stress. Rest is not a luxury, it’s legacy.