Reflections on Therapy, Leadership, & Change

Title slide for a podcast called 'Praxis' with Charla Yearwood, LCSW, on a blue background.

Praxis is my blog where ideas meet action. I write about the intersections of therapy, leadership, and social change — inviting readers to move beyond awareness into meaningful practice. While the full blog lives on Substack, you’ll find clips and excerpts here on my website.

Charla Yearwood Charla Yearwood

Kind, But Not Nice

I grew up surrounded by women who taught me that love isn’t always nice, but it is kind. Their sharp honesty pushed me to rise to my potential, even when their words stung. As a therapist, I carry that lesson forward: I care more about helping people grow into their best selves than keeping everyone comfortable. Sometimes kindness means telling the truth, even when it’s hard to hear.

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Charla Yearwood Charla Yearwood

It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way: Reflections on Violence, Change, and the Agreements We Make

It doesn’t have to be this way.” After the recent school shooting in Minneapolis, those words carried more weight than ever for me. We don’t, and can’t, accept such violence as normal or inevitable. Change doesn’t only come through legislation; it begins in our families, neighborhoods, and the everyday spaces we inhabit.

Through a simple but profound example, Bernie’s Place, a student-run restaurant, I reflect on how shared expectations and small acts of care push back against a culture of violence and resignation.

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Charla Yearwood Charla Yearwood

Safe in the Uncertainty

Leadership taught me that I’m less a boss and more a mentor. In “Safe in the Uncertainty,” I reflect on evolving as a professional, letting go of rigid roles, and embracing the security that can be found in change itself.

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Charla Yearwood Charla Yearwood

Redefining Success: From Building a Life to Living It

Success isn’t just about what we build—it’s who we become in the process. “Redefining Success: From Building…” explores how transformation often lies in the journey and the values we live by, not just the milestones we reach.

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Charla Yearwood Charla Yearwood

Private Pay Therapy and Social Justice Can Coexist

Private pay therapy often feels out of reach — but it plays a role in social equity. This piece explores how accessible, affirming private practice can serve as a bridge toward more inclusive mental health care.

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Charla Yearwood Charla Yearwood

Getting in the Room

"Getting in the Room" is about more than presence—it’s about claiming space even when you feel out of place. This reflection explores what it takes to show up boldly—and how showing up is often the first step toward change.

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Charla Yearwood Charla Yearwood

I’m Not in Competition with You

We’re not enemies in a race to the top. “I’m Not in Competition With You” reflects on embracing collaboration, relinquishing comparison, and creating space for shared growth.

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Charla Yearwood Charla Yearwood

Say It With Love, But Say It

Words matter—and how we say them matters even more. In “Say It With Love (But Say It)”, I explore the balance between clarity and compassion, and why speaking truth with kindness can be the most powerful form of care.

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Charla Yearwood Charla Yearwood

The Internet Isn’t Real Life

The Internet isn't real life—but the emotions it stirs often feel deeply real. This piece reflects on how our online lives shape our sense of self, belonging, and anxiety in ways that underscore our need for authentic connection.

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Charla Yearwood Charla Yearwood

Too Smart to Play Small

High-achieving women are often told to shrink themselves to fit expectations. This piece is a reminder that you are not “too much” — you’re too smart to play small.

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Charla Yearwood Charla Yearwood

Unlearning Martyrdom

We’re taught to put everyone else first — but self-sacrifice isn’t the same as love. This reflection explores what it means to unlearn martyrdom and choose a healthier way of showing up for ourselves and others.

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Charla Yearwood Charla Yearwood

Hold Space for Being the Bad Guy

Sometimes growth means being misunderstood. Setting boundaries and choosing authenticity may cast you as “the bad guy,” but it’s a step toward resilience and honesty.

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Charla Yearwood Charla Yearwood

Praxis: an introduction

Awareness isn’t enough — change requires action. Praxis is where theory meets practice, an invitation to close the gap between knowing and doing.

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