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keepstaryn

@keepstaryn

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♑️ Mental Health Advocate/ Future Therapist
UCLA Alumna 
CSULB M.A. 💛🖤🦈
UMD Counseling Psych PhD loading ❤️💛❤️
LA Native 🩵 in the DMV

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As a grad student living across the country from my entire family, having the opportunity to go home and celebrate those I love is precious to me. Being able to surprise my beautiful Nonnie for her 94th birthday is a memory that I’ll keep in my heart forever. My pockets may hurt, but seeing her smile when I surprised her was the most priceless gift I could ever receive. I know it’s hard, but if you are able, try and get home and celebrate milestones with family when you can grad students! I truly feel fortified for my third year 🥰

(P.S. jury is still out on whether I’ll fully return to LA after this program 🫣) taken in Los Angeles, California by @keepstaryn

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a month ago

Always an honor to attend the Association of Black Psychologists Conference!!! I am always in awe of how much I am poured into by peers, elders and community members in this space. This was my 3rd conference and first time presenting in a symposium! To learn and fellowship alongside pioneers of Black psychology whose contributions have influenced the entirety of the field is such a profound blessing! Professional spaces like these are increasingly rare, and I am so grateful to everyone who made this possible! I went to so many amazing talks including learning, African centered approaches to postpartum mental healthcare, and also navigating anti-black racism in professional spaces with @pearisjeanphd ! I look forward to meaningfully incorporating Dr. Jean’s framework with clients and for myself as necessary. Thank you!!!! #blackmaternalmentalhealth #abpsi2026 #graduatestudent taken in Morgan State University by @keepstaryn

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2 months ago

Had an amazing time at #SPSSI26 !!!! It was a pleasure to present some of my preliminary findings from my thesis project which explores the processes by which Doulas cultivate empowerment and social support for Black birthing folks. I was honored to present along side incredible Black psychologists, Dr. Sierra Carter @scarter2210, my advisor Dr. Jioni Lewis @jionilewis and Dr. Nathalie Dieujuste. I am so inspired by the presentations on Black Feminist praxis by @blackqueergrits @douglard jackiethelight @whitney__clarke @nessiethegreat_ !!! It is so important to me to do work that expands beyond the confines of academic journals and touches the communities I intend to serve, so thank you all for modeling the beautiful ways you have been able to achieve that. All while in your PhD programs also!!! Shout out to the beautiful @studio_be_ it’s a must visit! And thank you to @anansisdaughters for an incredible tour! New Orleans owes me nothing! 🎷⚜️💜💚💛 taken in New Orleans, Louisiana by @keepstaryn

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3 months ago

A new bombshell has entered the villa 🌸🥰 taken in Montego Bay, Jamaica by @keepstaryn

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4 months ago

I give you Taryn….……in springtime! 🌸🪷🌷✨

Happy Pride ! 🫶🏾 by @keepstaryn

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4 months ago

Vamos a la playaaaa 🇲🇽💃🏾 . This is where I will be mentally during the Bad Bunny Bowl 😌 taken in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo by @keepstaryn

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8 months ago

Aging like a fine wine🍷🤌🏾. These deserved their own post. Cheers to 30! A new decade of being smarter, sexier and more full of love than ever before ✨ taken in Washington D. C. by @keepstaryn

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9 months ago

Why lie? I need the dopamine that posting this will give me lmaoo. Lil dump from my Braid era 🫶🏾😂🤪 by @keepstaryn

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10 months ago

Come with me to see myself in an art gallery 🥹🥹. First and foremost, thank you to the one and only @acurlywalk who has been with me on my natural hair journey since basically day one. Thank you for holding me through the process of releasing society’s conditioning around Eurocentric beauty standards and constantly reminding me of my power. To be featured in a museum in my most natural form is such a blessing. Let this be a reminder that you are art! Thank you @larrywrightphotography for capturing my essence and displaying your art so beautifully. I’m so full. 🥹🫶🏾 by @keepstaryn

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a year ago

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a year ago

APA 2025 was such a gift! To present in a symposium with my advisor at the same conference where I met her two years ago was such a full circle moment. In 2023 I was a masters grad who prayed to one day work beside Dr. Lewis, and here I am as her student! I am so grateful for all the wonderful connections I’ve made at both ABPsi and APA. 🫶🏾

#graduatestudent #apags #apa2025 #apadiv35 taken in Denver, Colorado by @keepstaryn

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a year ago

I cannot think of a more perfect way to end my first year of my PhD program. My heart, mind and spirit are so full. Every interaction with ABPsi is a beautiful reminder of whose and whom I am. Being in space with GIANTS in the field of psychology who have created and shaped theory and tools of psychological liberation for Black people is a gift that reminds me to keep going. A reminder that I stand on the shoulders of so many who will loudly cheer me on throughout my career. This first year was hard, but not harder than anything my ancestors have triumphed against time and time again. I will sustain myself with the joy from this week for a long time to come. Thank you @nationalabpsi and @dc_abpsi !!!! 🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾

#graduatestudent #abpsi2025 #counselingpsychology #psychology #research #doctoralstudent taken in Daytona Beach, Florida by @keepstaryn

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a year ago