Dejaye Botkin
Bio
I am a social justice advocate, travel blogger, and nationwide life coach. I have a lot of opinions.
Stories (11)
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When a Cough Isn’t Just a Cough: The Silent Spread of Valley Fever and Aspergillosis
Valley Fever Cases Surge as Climate Change Fuels Spread of Coccidioidomycosis. Online Support Groups Rally to Raise Awareness of a Little-Known but Life-Altering Fungal Disease.
By Dejaye Botkin4 months ago in Education
Thinking Clearly
Acknowledgment I dedicate this guide to all of the strong women who have survived domestic abuse. I am proud of you for finding the strength inside of you—that you didn't know you had. For those of you still caught up in the struggle, let this guide be your guiding light.
By Dejaye Botkin5 years ago in Humans
The Balancing Act
Acknowledgment The father of cognitive-behavioral therapy, Doctor Aaron Beck, does not get enough credit in modern times for his work. Many theorists and clinical psychologists have repurposed CBT Theory by putting a personal spin on the basic premise of the theory, which is, “If you change your thoughts, you change your world.” To that end, I want to dedicate this book to Dr. Aaron Beck to show my appreciation for his contribution to the field of psychology. Were it not for his teachings; I would not be as successful as I am today working in behavioral health and addiction treatment.
By Dejaye Botkin5 years ago in Psyche
Radicalized, by Dejaye Botkin
Belonging Julie Samrick wrote an outstanding book called How People Get Their Politics. In Samrick's book, she states, "Human beings inherently seek communities to which they can belong. Americans may find communities in houses of worship, at workplaces, in schools, and in neighborhoods. With the advent of the smartphone, it is no wonder people have sought communities online."
By Dejaye Botkin5 years ago in The Swamp
Dear President Trump
Preface As I sit here editing this copy, I have just learned that Donald Trump left the hospital against medical advice and returned to the white house with an active Covid-19 infection. When I initially wrote this book, POTUS was still promoting the China Virus Hoax Theory. Now that he has been exposed, he is making insane claims that he may be immune, found the cure, and reiterates that Covid-19 is disappearing. He continues to ignore the immense stressors placed on our health care facilities, neglects Americans who are still sick and dying, and disregards survivors drowning in hospital bills.
By Dejaye Botkin5 years ago in The Swamp
The Betty in Me
I cut my bangs with some rusty kitchen scissors; I screamed his name 'til the neighbors called the cops. I numbed the pain at the expense of my liver, don't know what I did next - all I know, I couldn't stop. Word got around to the barflies and the Baptists. My Mama's phone started ringing off the hook. I can hear her now saying she ain't gonna have it, "Don't matter how you feel, it only matters how you look! Go and fix your makeup, girl, it's just a breakup, run and hide your crazy and start actin' like a lady. Cause I raised you better, you gotta keep it together, even when you fall apart. Powder your nose, paint your toes, line your lips and keep them closed!" – Miranda Lambert
By Dejaye Botkin6 years ago in Families
The Search for Happiness
The Search for Happiness By Dejaye Botkin, LPC During my initial assessment with a client, I always ask, “What are your three goals for therapy?” The most common answer I hear is, “I want to be happy.” My young clients in particular often state that happiness is their single most important therapy goal and frequently express desperation for this goal to be achieved. I often hear clients express their desire to achieve happiness in this sequence: “I am either happy or sad. I know I am not happy, so I must be sad. Since I feel sad almost every day, I must be depressed, which makes me want to end the pain.”
By Dejaye Botkin6 years ago in Motivation
Culture Wars 2020
By Dejaye Botkin, LPC A Divided Nation During the campaign leading up to Donald Trump’s election victory, I lost many friends along the way. I withdrew from family over my mother’s adoration of Donald Trump and my sister’s alt-right Facebook Posts. Throughout the election process, and after Trump won, I heard Fox News propaganda coming out of both of their mouths – and I was afraid they too, were becoming Trump Zombie-sycophants. Slowly but surely, my estrangement from loved ones grew into a larger circle – my mother, sister, cousin, peers, colleagues, and ultimately, I lost my best 45-year childhood friend. During the 2016 election, my whole world turned upside down. People whom I have known my whole life started becoming tribal. One group sided with Donald Trump, (A.K.A. the deplorables’), and the other side, was against him, (A.K.A nevertrumpers). I started noticing Trump seducing the minds of those in America who admired him for his wealth and also wanted to get rich quick. For those who want to be just like him – he is excellent at selling the fantasy with zero shame. He is the kind of snake oil salesman people talk about when they discuss dirty sales tricks. He made it acceptable to be greedy, selfish, and prejudice about anything and everyone not like him. He glorifies bullying and blackmail as everyday business tactics and allowed the white supremacists, sex addicts, and white-collar criminals to come out of the shadows.
By Dejaye Botkin6 years ago in The Swamp
