ready for a mini therapy sesh baddies? in this episode of The Soft Life, [Dr. Alicia Hodge](https://www.instagram.com/helpmehodge/) shares her origin story and educational background in psychology. She discusses the creation of her business, ‘[Slay Your Anxiety](https://www.slayyouranxiety.com/)’, and the intention behind creating this safe space. We also dive into: - the difference between anxiety and stress - what cognitive distortions are (aka filtered thinking styles), and how neurodivergent baddies can navigate these thought patterns with softness - how Black women often face additional barriers to mental health care due to the intersectionality of race, class and gender - how anxiety in the workplace can manifest as perfectionism, overachievement, and hypervigilance and more - why creating a safe space for mental health and addressing misconceptions about anxiety are crucial for supporting Black women’s mental well-being timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Origin Story 05:12 Educational Background and Career Journey 08:28 Creating Slay Your Anxiety 10:47 Creating a Safe Space for Mental Health 14:09 Understanding Anxiety and Stress 17:35 Exploring Cognitive Distortions 20:23 Misconceptions about Anxiety in Black Women 22:04 Anxiety in the Workplace download the episode to tune into the convo