Grief is the New Normal Podcast: S2E8 Healing While Black: The Weight of Racial Trauma & Grief with Ashley McGirt, LICSW

Breaking Barriers: Exploring Grief, Healing, and Racial Trauma with Ashley McGirt, LICSW

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor welcomes Ashley McGirt, LICSW and founder of the Therapy Fund Foundation. Ashley shares her personal journey into the field of mental health, driven by the loss of her grandmother and the systemic racial trauma impacting black and marginalized communities. They discuss Ashley's work in health equity, her experiences as a hospice therapist, and the significant role of cultural responsiveness in care. Ashley also details the inception and mission of the Therapy Fund Foundation, aimed at eliminating barriers to mental health services for black and marginalized communities. The conversation touches on the systemic issues contributing to health disparities, the importance of culturally competent care, and the intersectionality of grief and racial trauma. Listeners are encouraged to connect with Ashley and support her upcoming book focused on racial trauma in healthcare.

00:00 Introduction to Grief is the New Normal

00:28 Meet Ashley McGirt: A Journey from Law to Therapy

07:12 The Impact of Racial Trauma on Health

11:30 The Therapy Fund Foundation: Bridging the Gap

22:58 Grief in Black and Brown Communities

30:28 Supporting Grief: Strategies and Approaches

37:27 Future Directions and Final Thoughts

42:31 Closing Remarks and Resources

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Ashley McGirt is a renowned psychotherapist, international TEDx speaker, author, and the visionary founder and CEO of the Therapy Fund Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating barriers to mental health services within Black communities. With a passion for equity and healing, Ashley has become a sought-after speaker and expert in trauma, racial trauma, leadership, health equity, mental health, and self-care.

Ashley holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She brings her extensive academic foundation and practical experience to her private practice, where she specializes in racial trauma, depression, and anxiety. Her work goes beyond therapy, focusing on de-stigmatizing mental illness, promoting mental health awareness, and addressing systemic inequities, including reducing recidivism rates in American prisons.

Ashley’s contributions to mental health and social justice have earned her widespread recognition. She has been featured in Forbes, MSNBC, HuffPost, and more, and her impactful TEDx talk continues to inspire audiences globally. As the Health Chair for the NAACP State Area Conference, Ashley leverages her expertise to promote health equity and address disparities in underserved communities.

In her dynamic presentations, Ashley combines lived experiences with professional insights to deliver transformative content on topics such as crisis response, social justice, and racial equity. She offers keynote speeches, workshops, and consultation services, providing audiences with actionable strategies to promote healing, growth, and self-empowerment.

Ashley’s approach to mental health emphasizes unpacking emotional baggage, cultivating self-care, and restoring balance. She encourages individuals to rest, reflect, and restore themselves to live authentically and reach their full potential. Her commitment to creating a more just and compassionate society shines through in every aspect of her work.

Ashley McGirt’s unparalleled dedication and expertise make her an engaging and powerful speaker, inspiring audiences to embrace healing, equity, and resilience.

For email inquiries please contact ashley@ashleymcgirt.com

Check out Ashley @ https://www.ashleymcgirt.com/

Instagram @TherapyWithAsh

Twitter/X @therapywithash

YouTube @Therapywithash

LinkTree https://linktr.ee/therapywithash 

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleymcgirt/

Check out the Therapy Fund Foundation https://therapyfundfoundation.org/

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Grief is the New Normal is the podcast that refuses to sugarcoat loss—because grief isn’t a problem to fix, it’s a reality to live with. Hosted by Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist with over a decade of experience in grief, trauma, and reproductive psychology, this show dives deep into the messy, nonlinear, and very real ways grief impacts our lives.

Whether you're navigating the death of your person, wrestling with the weight of an invisible loss, or trying to figure out who you even are after everything changed—this podcast is here for you. With a mix of solo deep dives, expert interviews, and candid conversations, Dr. Taylor unpacks the emotions no one warns you about, challenges outdated grief narratives, and offers both practical tools and hard-earned wisdom to help you feel less alone.

No toxic positivity. No “fixing” your grief. Just honest talk, validation, and the reminder that you don’t have to do this alone. Because in a world that wants you to move on, Grief is the New Normal is here to help you move through.

https://www.griefisthenewnormal.com

hello@griefisthenewnormal.com

Follow @grief_is_the_new_normal on Instagram for grief podcast, mental health, self-care, sass, and dark humor content whether you’re grieving or you’re a mental health professional needing more modern grief language.

Wanting more grief specific support? Check out my grief journal, Authentically Unapologetic: A Grief Journal available for purchase thru this link: https://a.co/d/4hbLtbX

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Opening Music by The Dadicorns

Copyright 2024 Grief is the New Normal: A podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor

All Rights Reserved.

This podcast is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information discussed in this podcast is not a replacement or substitute for therapy.