January/February Newsletter | |
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Welcome to month #2 of 2024, team! Thanks for bearing with us on the technological delay. I hope you all #treatedyourselves and took time to show yourself some love with our self-guided exercises and activities last month, and continue to carry those on throughout the months to come – you deserve it!
We have a plethora of things in store for you all this month like a new LGBTQ+ program, a live Webinar with Dr. Maytal, Salesforce phase #1 kickoff, a shoutout to our female Veterans, and Black History Month celebrations! Before we get started, I have a fun activity up my sleeve for you all that's hidden throughout this newsletter to add extra activity to the newsletter as you read through 😉
| Find the hidden smile emojis (example: 😊) throughout the newsletter (feel free to smile back, no one's watching!) and keep track of each one you find. At the end of the newsletter send me the number of smiles you found to be entered into a raffle to win a pizza party for your team!! Respond with the number of smiles you find by Friday, Feb 9th and I'll announce the raffle winner on Monday, Feb 12th. The search begins after this section, and our trusty groundhog friend Phil (who didn't see his shadow last week) is here to kick things off! | |
Celebrating Black History Month | |
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This year during Black History Month, we celebrate and honor the remarkable contributions made to the world and our culture through art by African Americans throughout time. The theme of 2024's Black History Month is "African Americans and the Arts", so we invite you to take a "walk" with us through these incredible virtual museums below, and read about the beautiful cultural creations that have shaped so many of our lives throughout history in regard to art, music, theater, fashion, and jewelry!
To start it all off, read about these seven African American change makers who have made extraordinary contributions to freedoms instilled today. These changemakers stand out in history as pillars of African American history.
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Theater 🩰🎭
These Black dancers in the links below have successfully broken barriers in theater performance, specifically the American Ballet Theatre, one of them being Misty Copeland, who was the first Black woman to become Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre. Their accomplishments have paved the way for other aspiring Black dancers and performers to reach for their dreams. Check out the links and read about these outstanding performers as well as the ABT's Project Plié.
Breaking Barriers: Black Dancers at American Ballet Theatre
Misty Copeland's Life In Motion Book
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As you saw in our email last week, we are committed to uplifting, amplifying, and celebrating Black voices and the impact they have made throughout history this month and every month. I want to thank Janae Lane, Clinician from our Virtual team, for being our inaugural spotlight of Forge's Black History Month Celebration and sharing her family's story with us all 😊
Stay tuned for more spotlight celebrations to come in honor of Black History Month 🎉
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Welcome back to our "On the Horizon" section where we will be sharing with you a calendar of events, holidays, and reminders coming up in the month ahead. As you can see below, this calendar includes certain work events or reminders in addition to a few fun and whacky recognition days! Take a look at what's to come in this leap month 😊 | Join us for a live external webinar led by Dr. Guy Maytal on February 7th regarding distress, anxiety, and sadness, where he will be discussing the multiple possible causes of these symptoms and strategies for incorporating them into treatment plans. Don't miss this opportunity to broaden your understanding and improve patient care. The link to sign up for the webinar is here! | |
New Hire, Work Anniversaries & Birthdays | |
Say, "Heyyy" and Welcome 😊 to our January new hires! | |
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Natacha White
Clinician, West Deptford
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Rachel Assael
Clinician, Oncology Virtual
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Katie Militello
Clinician, Philly
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LaToya Walker
Clinician, Virtual
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Kaitlyn Zielinksi
Office Manager, Philly
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Samantha Scelsi
Clinician, West Deptford
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Stephanie Foss
Clinician, Philly
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Camryn Collova
Intern, Mahwah
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Clocking another revolution around the Forge sun for these teammates! Thank you for your dedication and your continued work to make a positive difference 😊 Happy Work Anniversary!! | |
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Cassidhe LoFaso
Administrative - KPC Syosset
Her 4 year Anniversary is Feb 1st!
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Tom Moynihan
Clinician - KPC Syosset
His 12 year Anniversary is Feb 14th!
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Ellen Hoops
Administrative - KPC Syosset
Her 1 year Anniversary is Feb 1st!
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Cassy Hartless
Clinician, Greensburg
Her 3 year Anniversary is Feb 15th!
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Julie MacWilliams
Executive Clinical Director
Her 1 year Anniversary is Feb 6th!
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Alex Little
Clinician, West Orange
Her 1 year Anniversary is Feb 20th!
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Charnele Brown
Medical Billing Specialist
Her 2 year Anniversary is Feb 7th!
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La-Toya Larke
Clinician, Virtual
Her 1 year Anniversary is Feb 20th!
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Jessica Dickerson
Director, Intake & Experience
Her 6 year Anniversary is Feb 12th!
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Sabrina Cargill
Clinician, West Deptford
Her 1 year Anniversary is Feb 20th!
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Eliza Griffin
Clinician - Virtual
Her 1 year Anniversary is Feb 13th!
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Stephanie van Zanten
Bookkeeper
Her 1 year Anniversary is Feb 20th!
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Denise McClellan
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Her 2 year Anniversary is Feb 14th!
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Julie Berger
Human Resources Specialist
Her 2 year Anniversary is Feb 28th!
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An extra special shoutout goes to our February birthdays - Happy Birthday, all! | |
Kathryn Boyd - February 1st 🎂🎉 | |
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Amy Young - February 3rd
Anna VanBuskirk - February 7th
Olivia Coffman - February 8th
Jason Palamara - February 14th
Chelsea Hayet - February 17th
Rachel Assael - February 17th
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Anny Diaz - February 20th
Claudine Rene - February 20th
Stephanie van Zanten - February 22nd
Michael Midgette - February 23rd
Rachel Rodriguez - February 26th
Nicole Carey - February 27th
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On February 19th, National Vet Girls RISE Day recognizes the immense dedication of our nearly 2 million U.S. Veteran women. We're thankful to have 6 female Veterans on our team here at Forge Health to celebrate on this day and every day for their dedication to our country and our clients.
Vet Girls RISE day is a day to recognize women veterans and support one another, share resources, build relationships, and spread awareness about the needs of women veterans. It’s also a day to celebrate the special bonds our female veterans made during their time in while in service, something that is truly special and understood by only a handful of individuals.
Please join me in recognizing and celebrating our Forge female vets below and read about what some of them had to say about the significance of the bonds they made while in service.
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"In the military, the bonds formed among female veterans are more than just camaraderie—they're lifelines. Picture this: late-night conversations in barracks, shared laughs amidst challenges, and the unspoken understanding that comes from facing the unique experiences of being a woman in uniform.
For Women Veterans, these bonds are like a second family, a squad that goes beyond the call of duty. They're the ones who've got your back when the going gets tough, who understand the unspoken struggles, and who celebrate the victories, big or small. It's more than just friendships; it's a tight-knit sisterhood forged in the fires of service.
In a world where resilience is currency, these connections are priceless. They're the glue that holds spirits together during deployments, the support system when stereotypes need dismantling, and the shared strength that propels them forward, both in and out of uniform.
So here's to the unbreakable ties, the shared stories, and the unspoken understanding that make the bonds among female veterans not just important, but downright invaluable. It's more than a military connection; it's a bond that lasts a lifetime."
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Sheena Bice 😊
Chief Clinical Officer, Forge VFR
Veteran, US Marines
(2nd from the left)
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Stephanie Foss
Clinician, Philly
Veteran, US Air Force, Bioenvironmental Engineer (SrA/E-4)
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Selena Herbert
Clinician, Manchester
Veteran, NH Army National Guard (SGT/E-5)
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"The friends I've made have been such an integral part of my military experience. We are trained to rely on those around us. Some of the most important bonds I've made in my 9 years are those with other women I serve with. I have been friends with some since Basic Training so some feel like sisters. I would not have made it this far if not for the support and encouragement through every training and adventure." | |
Samantha Betters
Intern, Greensburg
Active, Army National Guard (SGT/E-5)
(shown on the right)
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Jennifer Kerr
Clinician, Princeton
Veteran, US Air Force (OIF/OEF - SGT)
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Meagan Quinn
Clinician, Devens
Veteran, US Marines (SGT)
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Thank you to all our female veterans for your service and sisterhood 😊. We have immense gratitude for all you have done and continue to do! | |
Let's give a big Forge welcome to our new friends in Philly! The team has been busy getting things set up in the office and making it feel like home. They've already seen their first client which is super exciting, and are off to a fantastic start! Exciting things are down the pipeline for this team and location and we're thrilled to cheer them on in support 😊. | |
Pictured above from left to right:
Kaitlyn Zielinski, Stephanie Foss, Ronin 🐕🦺, Katie Militello, Maureen Coulter, Dr. Cleo Lightfoot-Booker, Galo Cunto
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Patient Recognition Week 😊
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The first week of February is an extra special week and celebrates what has brought us all together, our clients! Patient Recognition Week is a time to celebrate our clients for choosing us and trusting us with their mental health care, something that doesn't always come easily or naturally in every case. Because of your caring demeanor and the compassion you show them, you have created an environment that invites them to be open and vulnerable in order to grow.
Read below for mission moments from our teams in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that celebrate the hard work and perseverance our clients embody each and every day. You have provided them with the map and keys, and they're on their road to success because of you – thank you!
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Pennsylvania Mission Moment
Before coming to Forge, the client had been using substances for over 25 years, never having more than a day of abstinence. The client came to Forge, where they began treatment at IOP LOC. The client was able to successfully graduate the IOP program, continuing to attend alumni group and individual sessions. They have been able to maintain sobriety for over a year now, continuing to put their recovery first. They have been able to see positive impacts in all areas of their life, regaining their family and business back.
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New Jersey Mission Moment
The client had been struggling with their mental health for some time. The client had been consistently attending therapy sessions at Forge every week for months in order to work on their interpersonal issues and gain some control over their emotions. The client suddenly experienced extreme disappointment and betrayal in one of their personal relationships, leading to the client feeling particularly overwhelmed. The client was able to recognize that they were in crisis. Instead of waiting until the next therapy session, they took action.
The client spent one week in an inpatient program, learning new coping skills and connecting with people their age going through similar struggles. When the client was discharged, they returned to therapy with a newfound sense of determination and strength. The client was proud that they took control of their mental health and for making the difficult decision to get help when they needed it the most.
This experience helped the client realize that they were capable of overcoming even the most difficult challenges, and that seeking help was not a sign of weakness, but of strength.
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Forge VFR CEO, Eric Golnick, recently sat down with WFEA to discuss important tips for veterans and first responders to avoid the harsh effects of seasonal affective disorder and depression this winter.
Click here to take a listen!
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The Theater, The Theater 🎭 | |
The Kenneth Peters Center for Recovery, along with Watergap Wellness, Gooding Wellness, and Newport Academy sponsored a community theater night, "Every Brilliant Thing", a powerful story of mental health and resilience. It was a night of fun, laughs, and good times! | |
This past month marks the official 1 year anniversary of Huff joining the Forge team, yay!!! The last 12 months have been filled with smiles (and milkshakes 😊) and we're overjoyed to have seen this facility become what it is today. Here's to many more years to come! | |
Office Manager Shoutout 📣 | |
We have a very special OM shoutout which was sent in from someone who wanted to recognize one of our team members for going above and beyond their call of duty. Shawna Packard, OM in Manchester, has received a message of praise that we'd like to share with everyone below: | | |
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Shawna,
Thank you again for, simply put, being you. As with every previous call, you were friendly, confident, and communicated clearly. I can't emphasize enough how much this helps reinforce everything I prepare soldiers with prior to the call. This is building their confidence and trust in me while setting positive expectations for what's to come with Forge VFR. You are the best front-line ambassador your organization could possibly have.
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Thank you for going the extra mile to make all of our clients feel comfortable to come to us when they are in need, Shawna. This is truly an amazing work of heart 💗 Great job!!!! | |
I want to thank you all for tuning in to our VFR Cultural Competency Forum this past month! A first-ever, we heard directly from family members of our Forge team, Ed Lancaster (father to Casey Lancaster) and Anthony Palamara (father to Jason Palamara). A huge thank you to Ed and Tony for sharing their stories, and to Casey and Jason for showing off their phenomenal fathers!! We'll hopefully see them back soon 😊 If you weren’t able to attend the forum, no problem! Take a listen to the recording here: VFR Competency Forum Q1 - January 17, 2024.mp4 | |
Coming up we have our monthly VFR Didactic session with special guests from Moss Rehab! The topic of discussion will be TBI and how it relates to mental health and treatment. This is on February 14th at 1pm and the session will be recorded for anyone who cannot attend. If you have questions ahead of time and will not be able to attend, please feel free to send them to Casey at [email protected]. Looking forward to seeing everyone there! | |
Thanks everyone for coming to the Salesforce trainings for the last couple of weeks. Your time and focus has not gone unnoticed and we appreciate it SO much! Phase 1 of 3 is ready and set to launch on today (WOO!!!) which is the general platform, or main stage if you will. This includes quick notes, email templates, screen flow, treatment locator, and something we're all super excited about is that Kipu is talking back to Salesforce! | |
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Looking ahead to our next phase, we will be working on communication through tasks, how to best utilize tasks, and starting to integrate Ring Central into the system 😊. Stay tuned for calendar invites for upcoming trainings! We'll be working on building an in-house Salesforce Resource Library for you to access when you have a question on how to do some typical and not-so-typical functions.
Keep your eyes peeled for an invite for open "office hours" with Forge Health on Thursdays from 2 pm to 3 pm if you have not already received one. This is the time for you to ask any questions you may have on Salesforce and talk with people on our team to troubleshoot any barriers you may be experiencing.
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Say it Loud and PROUD 🏳🌈 | |
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We’re launching some exciting new annual (yes, annual!) LGBTQ+ programming for our offices and facilities focused on education and support for members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community which includes didactics, our Pride panel, events, webinars, and so much more to come 😊.
This new initiative is kicking off on March 13th with a VFR Didactic takeover session! During the Didactic, we will have a special guest speaker from GOAL, the Gay Officers Action League. GOAL has been serving LGBTQIA+ Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice Professionals from all agencies, and the LGBTQIA+ community with pride since 1982. Check out their website above for more information on them, and keep an eye out for the calendar invite for March 13th at 1pm coming soon!
If you are interested in being an active member or champion, email Rob D’Annibale at [email protected] or Sheena Bice at [email protected].
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The final stages of performance reviews are underway! Thank you all for your time and patience during this new review process this year. Be on the lookout for an invite from your manager this month to discuss your review. | |
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Thank you to all who have sent in referrals and have helped our team grow!! We love seeing our team grow with the help of our already phenomenal teammates 😊! A shoutout goes to those who have given Rebecca and Jami on our TA team a kickstart into 2024 with some referrals. Keep 'em coming and take advantage of that referral bonus below!
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Referral Bonus!!!
Know someone you think would be perfect for Forge? Refer them! Our Referral Bonus Program is an excellent way to build our team from trusted sources, while also earning a little extra $$$.
Read more about our Referral Program, and view all of our open positions here!
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Flu Attestation
Have you gotten your shot? Flu season is in full swing and so is our flu vaccine campaign!
Please complete the 2023-2024 Flu Attestation/Declination Form and submit it to Alicia McDermott at [email protected].
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We love sharing kudos across our teams and seeing all the greatness that's happening! Join me in celebrating these two people who went above and beyond and were called out in the best possible way by someone who spotted their hard work. Congratulations, Sean and John! Keep up the amazing work 😊!!! | |
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Sean Kilbreth
Community Engagement and Experience Coordinator
"Just want to let you know how much I appreciate you. I understand that you were instrumental in providing support and services to an employee that was likely life-changing. I'm so glad to know there are people out there like you. Thank you for everything you do. It makes a huge difference".
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John Sable
Intern, Manchester
"I wanted to give our intern John a shoutout! He has taken everything in stride and is truly an amazing member of the team. He cares deeply about his clients and is always motivated to put in extra time and effort. John is always willing to do intakes and take last minute appointments to get clients in. We are very lucky to have him on our team! keep up the great work John! We appreciate you!"
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Want to celebrate an employee or coworker for doing an outstanding job? Send them Kudos!
Head to the link below to complete the form recognizing a teammate for working above and beyond, for being an all-star teammate, or for simply being an incredible human! 😊
Kudos Form Link
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Welcome back to your newest recurring section – Monthly Tech Tips! With the new year and new systems, it’s important to make sure our computers are up to date. So for this month’s tech tip, we’re circling back on a tech tip we’ve touched on before, but is important to address: searching for optional updates!
In today’s tech tip, I will share with you a useful troubleshooting step for Windows when your Mic, Camera or any peripheral devices are not working correctly.
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Optional Updates include drivers which make your devices work better, they are the programs that let the hardware talk to your computer!
- Running system updates do not always include these important tools.
- To find out if you have any drivers to update, click your search bar and type Optional Updates
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This will open a new page where you can download and install any new versions of Windows 10 as well as every missing driver from your computer! | |
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Check all the entries in this list, and then choose to download and install at the bottom of the page! We want everyone to be on Windows 22H2. Once they install, it will ask you to reboot just like a normal update.
If you see Windows 11 as an option, you can ignore it. For now, we are staying on Windows 10.
I hope this tip proves helpful for those of you who have issues with your external devices! If you have any questions of issues with this process, reach out to the IT Team at [email protected] .
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Welcome to our Pop Culture Corner 😊!! Three of our new hires (Natacha, Rachel, and LaToya) are excited to share some of their favorite watches with you all, and I'm sure some of you have a common interest in these top picks. If you haven't had the chance to check these out, give them a watch. Want to make a suggestion for next time? Send me an email! We love hearing about new shows, movies and books!! |
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Natacha White
Bridgerton on Netflix
I love to binge watch different series on Netflix. My favorite series so far that I am obsessed with is Bridgerton. Its category is romance, and each season covers a different couple. The stories take place in the Regency era (1811-1820). It's basically Gossip Girl, but a different era!
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Rachel Assael
Friends “The One In Vegas, pt 1 & 2”
I especially love these back to back episodes because they take place in a city that I am a huge fan of, Las Vegas! They all travel to Vegas in order to make a surprise visit to Joey who is supposed to be shooting a new movie he was cast for, but the production goes broke so Joey ends up finding a gig at Caesar’s Casino, where he has to confess that he is temporarily working. While in Vegas, Monica and Chandler spontaneously plan to get married at a chapel, but while there, they see Rachel and Ross exit the chapel…married! What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas as Rachel and Ross have to now get an annulment from their marriage. Hilarious every time I watch it and makes me want to revisit one of my favorite cities!
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LaToya Walker
You on Netflix
Obviously as a clinician there is so much to unpack in this show which may be why I enjoy it. It’s psychologically thrilling with a dab of humor, gore, and o-m-g moments. The main character is a hopeless romantic continually looking for love but is menacing, calculated and jealous while pursuing his love interest and this ultimately leads to each one's demise.
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With Black History Month, Valentine's Day, and the Super Bowl right around the corner, the month of February is jam packed with just so many things for us to do and celebrate!! Whether you're a Chief's fan, a 49'ers fan, a Taylor Swift fan, or just watching to see Usher, I hope everyone has fun out there and enjoys the snacks!!
Spend some quality time with your loved ones and don't forget to treat yourself as well this month because you deserve it 😊
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Have a fabulous February!
💗 Christina
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"When life gives you lemons, throw them back and ask for chocolate." | | | | |
