On September 4th, a gathering of Healing agents tool place, as the event served as a healing space for many. Event creators have often said “our community needs to heal” but what does that mean? Trauma is all around us in our everyday lives, in fact that statement cannot have enough attention. “The Healing Gathering” was hosted by Marrika Rodgers, a Mental Health Clinician in Milwaukee who was joined by other professionals during the event.
Marrika Rodgers
Virtual Retreat With Therapist Marrika Rodgers
The Faces of Black Therapists
“Stop crying you not sad” “why you not smiling” “why are you mad all the time, go to sleep” “you must be crazy or something” “therapy is for white people” These are some of the statements I have heard spoken to Africans Americans of all ages in regards to therapy. The stigma for years has been that seeking professional help is a sign of weakness, or insanity so we should “sleep it off” to avoid the attention. Not only is therapy not race specific, it is in no way an admittance of insanity. A Therapist can be sought after to deal with trauma that you might not know you experienced (i.e. death in the family, verbally abusive relationship). Often times we do not know how a situation has affected us and inadvertently create a mask. Individuals who want to talk to someone do not because the Therapist does not look like them. In the city of Milwaukee Black Therapist are not as scarce as one might think, and one Black Clinician made it her business to showcase them.
Kia Wilkinson- Holloway had an idea and she shared it with fellow clinicians Lakeia Jones-Spell, Arnitta Holliman, Hope Jackson and Thomasina Jenkins. The aforementioned women, who all own private practices as well supported Holloway in her desire to have a Black Therapist Photo shoot. The shoot took place on Sunday May 6thwith photos done by Timothy Rickets. “I wanted to show the city that we are Black Therapist, and we are here and ready to help.” This was a statement from Holloway who also owns Imani Counseling Services LLC.The scene was beautiful one as I watched Clinicians of all ages both men and women, converse with each other as they awaited there turn to take pictures in the required black dress attire. I even heard jokes like “how she get a standup picture I want to look sassy too” and “let me grab a prop I want to stand.” This was a statement from Marrika Rodgers, a clinicianwho has been aggressively active in the community. The group showed professionalism perhaps just as important, their human side, they are people who have gone through life, therefore can relate to the struggles of our community.
Witnessing it inspired me to continue my education and become a Clinician… I hope it inspires someone who needs help to seek out a Therapist.
Phenomenal Women Holds First Event
My father is a 69 year old African American man who had multiple heart attacks then a stroke. Growing up he was our superman, an indestructible force that could not be harmed and that could do anything. My father like many other Black men deals with high blood pressure, and ignored the signs until it literally knocked him off his feet and could no longer walk. It is a common misconception that men more often have strokes, but each year approximately 55,000 more women have strokes every year. According to the American Heart Association, stroke is the 3rdleading cause of death among women. For African American woman that risk is even greater, so one organization decided to dedicate its inaugural event to this and other health issues.
On Saturday April 13th, Phenomenal Women one held its first event at the Sheraton hotel near the airport. The event featured booths by various organizations dedicated to educating women on high health risk and preventative actions.
Stroke and heart diseases education was available at stations, as well as information diabetes that was also presented and explained by a speaker.
“ I did not know how common diabetes is and the risk” one woman shared with me after the presentation. A company named Doterra Co impact Sourcinghad their products on display which peaked my interest; they offered oils that helped to clear your pores and provide energy, perfect for me for long writing nights. The event also touched on mental health wellness, headlined by serial entrepreneur and mental health clinician Marrika Rodgers. The Organizations founder Mrs Jackie was busy from star to finish so we did not chat much, bt her smile said it all as her guest left feeling educated and healthier.
Live Your Truth Project
Child molestation, Absentee fathers Dealt with at the “Live Your Truth Project” Created by Marrika Rodgers
In the year 1650, France was involved in a war called the Frondes in which, King Louis XIV was at war with the nobility over increased taxation. After the series of civil wars the nobility were humiliated, the fields were littered with dead bodies and those who experienced trauma. The Greek word originated in 1650 with a different meaning; as it was used to describe bodily injury. It was not until 1889 that the word was officially used as a psychiatric term. As it origins proves, Trauma can mean a variety of things and contrary to popular belief it does always involve a physical component. In the city of Milwaukee, a cycle of generational trauma has plagued the city for decades, and one local Therapist has had enough.
Trauma is now defined as a deeply disturbing experience that comes from many directions. Examples include: spending time in jail, absence of father or mother, to bullying, and more commonly than not to childhood molestation.
The Live Your Truth project was created by mental health clinician Marrika Rodgers to address the effects of trauma within families, and provide a space for healing through transparency.
Rodgers started the event off with a powerful declaration of purpose saying,
“Let us be clear! We are here to disrupt the cycle of toxic norms in families.”
A disturbing truth, as it was reported in multiple studies done in the Milwaukee Public Schools systems, is that two thirds of all students have experienced a traumatic event before he age pf 16. The event provided a setting conducive to the stories shared, with dimmed lights soft music and food; brave panelists were able to share their “truths” freely.
“When I was young seeds were planted early, I would receive extra pieces of candy with a hush do not tell anyone from a family member as a test. Not knowing I was being groomed to keep a bigger secret later on.” This was a heart breaking statement from young woman who describes child molestation within her family. A disgusting truth that happens in so many families that is unfairly kept a secret.
Another common theme in the families is the absence of fathers; one man describes his issues dealing with it.
“I remembered being labeled as ADHD and my mom was a big help in terms of not allowing the school systems to drug me.” This was a statement from a panelist who had problems still as a result of an absent father.
There is stigma within the African American community that therapy is not a cultural norm; we should deal with our issues ourselves, but the “what happens in the family stays in the family” mantra that so many follow is ruining our families from the inside out. Hurting people are all around us. Bless the heart of Marrika Rodgers who decided that enough is enough; we need to address the issues aggressively.
Suicide Prevention Month: A conversation with Marrika Rodgers MS LPC-IT, Founder of Rodgers Counseling & Consulting Firm LLC
“Hurting people hurt people,” a quote from Bishop Randolph Nichols of Solomans Temple Evangelistic Ministries. People who have experienced emotional, mental or physical pain, will often hurt others, in some cases they will hurt themselves as well.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that, 13 in every 100,000 individuals attempt or commits suicide. While attempts are higher in middle aged men, Interviewed local mental health clinician Marrika Rodgers, to get a in depth look at her experiences here in Milwaukee.
Rodgers also an active member of Global Outreach Ministries Training Center, was born and raised in Milwaukee, knew she wanted to work in the field early on.
“I have known that I wanted to work in the mental health field since childhood. I saw the deficit in the community, and in the lives of loved ones. I wanted to be a part of the solution.”
A current Doctoral student, Rodgers Described herself as a “lifetime learner,” panting those roots early on.
“In the fourth grade would utilize my library time reading mental health, and AODA books. I used to tell my mom and dad all the time, that I want to be psychologist, and I have been on a journey every since.”
She also earned a Bachelors degree in 2008 in Business, and then graduated with honors from Concordia University in 2012, with A Masters of Science in Professional Counseling.
At just 18 years of age, she was exposed to suicide up close and personal, as she watched a friend and formal army vet attempt to commit suicide multiple times in her presence.
“I would be driving and he would attempt to throw himself out of my car!”
“I literally watched him grab a knife at my house, and attempt to stab himself to death. I provided some physical resistance, but ultimately was able to talk him out it.”
Rodgers states that her friend always had some mental health issues, but was elevated tremendously after serving time in army.
“Suicide has no respect of walks of lives or age”
“I have talked to many individuals of all ages, social statuses, with an alarming number of them being under the age of 32.”
According to the Centers of Disease control, In Wisconsin suicide rates have increased by 25 percent since 1999.
Rodgers gave this advice in response to decreasing Suicide attempts in the city.
“Creating a safe judgment free space to discuss the sensitive topic.”
On September 10that 10am, she is hosting a Face book live moment of silence broadcast for victims.
The stigma that suicide comes from being weak is non sense, people are hurting and until we begin to help heal that hurt, they will hurt themselves.
For more on her approach , visit
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/marrika-rodgers-milwaukee-wi/407001
Also attend her event
“Live Your Truth Project”
Sunday, November 11th@ Mr J’s Lounge 4-7pm
Topic: Breaking the silence behind parental dysfunction