Todd B. Hudson, Psychotherapist

Now offering sessions in Buckhead/Midtown as well as in Kennesaw. https://toddbhudson.com

My thoughts on Rayshard Brooks are similar to what they were on Rodney King in 1991/92: You don't have to be completely innocent to have been a victim, and being guilty of some offense does not mean your life no longer has worth. This is a key thought behind BLM that its opponents do not get in their scramble to find evidence that shootings and beatings were justified: When dealing with suspects - and yes, with perpetrators of actual crimes - police are far more likely to exe...rcise restraint when that person is white than they are if that person is black. This is partly because of historic, systemic racism and partly because it is far easier to unconsciously dehumanize another person if they do not look like you, the latter element contributing to the former. Rayshard Brooks was intoxicated, tired, angry, and understandably afraid when police confronted him and tried to arrest him. He resisted aggressively. He took a taiser and fired it at police as he fled. He was guilty of several small crimes and arguably deserved to spend the night in a cell. What he got, instead, was a death sentence, passed and carried out by another young man in a quick decision made while emotions and adrenaline were high. Those last two sentences underscore so much of why we need to rethink policing - what police are, what they do, and when and how we need their involvement. When we encounter another person who is behaving badly, do we see someone who is having a bad day, who has made a bad decision, who is under duress, whose life is perhaps in tatters and who needs an intervention aimed at helping them get back on track, a life that has intrinsic value belonging to someone's father, husband, son, brother? Or do we see a thing that we cannot control, that does not behave as we want it to, and that we would just as soon be rid of?

To meet the mental health needs of those who have been financially impacted by the Coronavirus, and to help maintain social distancing, I am now offering video counseling services to new clients NATIONWIDE at any rate you state you can afford, down to 20.00 per session! All you have to do is tell me you have lost income due to the coronavirus, and then name the rate you can afford. My normal rate is 80.00 per session, but I will accept any rate you name between 20.00 and 80.00, no questions asked. (We will reevaluate need and rate after 9 sessions). Please share this with anyone you think may need to talk to a professional! Let's take care of each other!

In response to COVID19, most of are practicing social distancing. Unfortunately, the problems that attack our minds and emotions don't give us the same space. In response to COVID19, I am offering therapy sessions by video to both existing clients and new clients statewide. I am also extending my sliding scale to accommodate those who are having trouble affording therapy due to loss of work. All you need is a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a connection. Reach out and let me know how I can help you. First sessions are free.