Dr. Zori A. Paul
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zoriamber.bsky.social
Dr. Zori A. Paul
@zoriamber.bsky.social
370 followers 210 following 77 posts
Clinical Assistant Professor| PhD in #CounselorEducation | #MentalHealth Counselor| LPC, NCC| Research: #bisexual+ #WOC | Therapy on a Tangent Podcast Co-Host | She/Her

https://www.zoriapaul.com/
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zoriamber.bsky.social
✨Your peace matters. You matter, and you deserve to feel safe, supported, and grounded during this time of community and connection. 💛

🛑 This post is for educational purposes only and should not be a substitute for professional therapy. 🛑
November 24, 2025 at 5:24 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
✨Here are 11 tips that you may find helpful. Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and know that you’re allowed to honor your needs this holiday season.
November 24, 2025 at 5:24 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
✨The holidays can be a beautiful mix of joy, connection, nostalgia… and also stress, overwhelm, and old family patterns that resurface the moment you walk through the door. If this season brings up complicated feelings for you, you’re not alone.
November 24, 2025 at 5:24 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
💜 October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month 💜

Did you know bisexual+ individuals, especially bi+ women, experience higher rates of intimate partner violence than their gay, lesbian, or heterosexual peers?
October 21, 2025 at 12:20 AM
zoriamber.bsky.social
“Uncovering the Gaps: The Impact of Historical Biphobia and Erasure on Bisexual+ Clients of Color and Sexual Wellness,” as part of the Association of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness’s (ACSSW) webinar series.

📅 Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, 10am–12pm CT | 11am–1pm ET

#BiVisibilityMonth
“Uncovering the Gaps: The Impact of Historical Biphobia and Erasure on Bisexual+ Clients of Color and Sexual Wellness,” a webinar presented by Dr. Zori Paul as part of the Association of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness’s (ACSSW) webinar series. Friday, Sept. 19, 2025 8–10am PT | 10am–12pm CT | 11am–1pm ET Held virtually via Zoom Sliding scale pricing and 2 CE credits available
September 3, 2025 at 2:19 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
✨Super excited that my copy of “Sex and Sexuality Handbook for the Helping Professional” by my dear friend and colleague, Dr. Alie Kriofske Mainella, arrived today!

This book is just like Alie, approachable & super helpful!

🔗: titles.cognella.com/sex-and-sexu...

#CounselorEd
Photo of the book, “Sex and Sexuality Handbook for the Helping Professional” by Dr. Alie Kriofske Mainella
May 24, 2025 at 11:10 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
✨Thank you to everyone who came out to the IWL Research Social: Feminist Evaluations of Structural Injustices hosted by the Institute for Women's Leadership Marquette University!

🔗Here’s my video w/initial findings here: youtu.be/EzsYnsSNfUI?...

#LonelinessEpidemic #CounselorEd #CounselorEducation
Dr. Zori Paul standing in front of an audience as she introduces her research video. Screenshot of opening slide for Dr. Paul’s research, “A Feminist Perspective of the Loneliness Epidemic and Women of Color”
May 8, 2025 at 4:54 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
✨For many of our participants, microaffirmations meant more when they came from close friends/family/mentors rather than acquaintances/strangers. This underscores the importance of intentional, ongoing support for QTPOC within personal & professional relationships.

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Major Takeaways Though participants appreciated microaffirmations and their effects in the moment, some participants expressed that microaffirmations didn't necessarily make the negative impacts of discrimination, such as microaggressions, go away. Instead, most participants highlighted the need to focus on advocating against anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation and advocating for more LGBTQIA+ affirming policies and cultural norms on the larger societal level. (Paul et al., 2025) So What Can Mental Health Professionals Do? • Recognize the various stages of identity development for QTPOC clients and their sources of affirmations. • Establish environments where QTPOC clients feel safe and affirmed. • Check your biases, assumptions, and competencies around the intersecting identities that QTPOC clients have. • Understand the importance of advocating for inclusive policies that protect the rights of QTPOC. (Paul et al., 2025) Was this helpful? If so, please like, comment, share, and/or save! Thank you! Reference Available Open Acess (Read for Free): Paul, Z. A., Isadore, K., Ravi, N., Lewis, K., Qisti, D., Hietpas, A., Hermanson, B., & Su, Y. (2025). Operationalizing microaffirmations for queer and transgender people of color. The Professional Counselor, 15(1), 32 - 51. https://doi.org/10.15241/zap. 15.1.32
March 27, 2025 at 2:02 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
✨Our study on Operationalizing Microaffirmations for Queer and Transgender People of Color highlights a key finding: Microaffirmations—small but powerful signals of support— may carry the most weight when they come from trusted relationships.

🔗 Read here: tpcjournal.nbcc.org/operationali...
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Research Findings: Understanding Microaffirmations with Queer and Trans People of Color Our study shows how small acts of affirmation (microaffirmations) impact the intersecting identities of queer and transgender people of color (QTPOC). What are microaffirmations? Microaffirmations are small, positive actions or words that show support, respect, safety or inclusion towards individuals with marginalized identities. Examples: Using correct pronouns, putting up pride flags, advocating for pro-LGBTQIA+ policies, etc. (Paul et al., 2025) Key Findings from the Study After interviewing 14 queer and/or transgender people of color, we've found the following five themes related to their experiences with microaffirmations: • Influence of identity development • Safety with others • Envisioning policy changes • Representation, both received externally and self-created • Internalization of perceived self-worth (Paul et al., 2025)
March 27, 2025 at 2:02 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
✨NEW PUBLICATION!✨

Our latest research publication, “Operationalizing Microaffirmations for Queer and Transgender People of Color”, is now out in The Professional Counselor—and it’s Open Access! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Check it out: tpcjournal.nbcc.org/volume-15-is...

#CounselorEd #LGBTQIAMentalHealth
March 14, 2025 at 2:04 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
I had the honor of writing a blog post for the Bisexual Resource Center (BRC) for #BiHealthMonth! In my post, I talk about some ways that mental health professionals can provide more affirming care for bi+ clients. 🩷💜💙

🔗: biresource.org/how-mental-h...
Screenshot of the blog post, “How Mental Health Professionals Can Do Better for the Bi+ Community” by Zori Paul, PhD, LPC, NCC. “As a clinical mental health counselor, I learned early on that my clients are experts in their experiences. As a Black bisexual woman, I have also learned early on that for some clinicians, the client is only the expert of their experience when they are not bisexual. In those cases, the client is confused, going through a phase, or their sexual identity is viewed as not important for understanding their negative mental wellbeing.”
March 13, 2025 at 8:49 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
New episode of Therapy on a Tangent podcast available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube! Listen here: linktr.ee/therapyonata...

#MentalHealth #Podcast #TherapyOnATangent
In this episode of Therapy on a Tangent, Natalie & Zori dive into the world of mindless media. When is it a necessary escape, & when does it leave us feeling even more drained? They explore the balance between passive entertainment and more engaging activities that can truly help us recharge. Whether you’re team “brain rot” or prefer something more stimulating, this episode is for you!
March 12, 2025 at 4:31 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
🚨 Season 2 of Therapy on a Tangent has officially begun! 🎉 Our latest episode, "Scrolling, Streaming, Stressing!: Managing Media Overload," is out now! 📱🧠

🎧 Watch or listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube: linktr.ee/therapyonata...

#TherapyOnATangent #MentalHealth #Podcast #CounselorEd
February 24, 2025 at 3:51 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
What is biphobia? 🤔

According to the Bisexual Resource Center, biphobia, aka binegativity/bi+ antagonism, “is the fear of, hatred towards, or discrimination against bisexuality.”

Examples:
- Assuming that bi+ folks are promiscuous/greedy
- Saying that bi+ individuals going through a phase
January 29, 2025 at 2:23 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
✨Excited to share I’ll be joining the University of Missouri - St. Louis’s CACREP-accredited Counseling program in the fall as a tenure-track Assistant Professor!

#CounselorEd #CounselorEducation #AcademicSky
Image of a University of Missouri- St. Louis sweatshirt.
January 19, 2025 at 9:48 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
Without downloading any new pics, what's your energy going into 2025?
Screenshot of a dragon looking pokemon sitting in water. Pikachu looking like it’s drowning. Original caption reads: unbothered. moisturized. happy. in my lane. focused. flourishing. Second caption reads: pikachu is drowning. Third caption reads: This ain’t about him.
December 28, 2024 at 2:56 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
✨Earlier this year, I was invited to be part of an expert panel w/ amazing mental health professionals & advocates to aid in the creation of the SAMHSA’s “Evidence-Based Guide: Suicide Prevention Strategies for Underserved Youth”! Check it out 👇🏾

store.samhsa.gov/product/evid...

#YouthMentalHealth
Cover of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) “Evidence-Based Guide: Suicide Prevention Strategies for Underserved Youth”
December 9, 2024 at 8:53 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
☃️The last episode of year for the Therapy on a Tangent podcast is now out!

This time Natalie & I talk about our favorite holiday movies & shows! We also talk about why we’re doing New Year’s Affirmations instead of Resolutions!

🎧Listen here: linktr.ee/therapyonata...

#GeekTherapy #Podcast
December 7, 2024 at 3:09 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
✨ Microaffirmations are small, intentional actions/statements that affirm a person’s marginalized identity.

🎧 Watch the recording I did w/Mizuno Consulting & their other awesome upcoming events: www.mizunoconsulting.com/events

✨Need a speaker? Book me: www.zoriapaul.com/contact-8

#AcademicSky
December 7, 2024 at 3:03 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
❄️New episode of Therapy on a Tangent tomorrow! We’re talking about our fave holiday movies and our New Year’s Affirmations!

🎧 Listen to the new episode when it’s available and previous episodes here: linktr.ee/therapyonata...

#Podcast #GeekTherapy
December 1, 2024 at 6:40 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
Tell us how old you are by posting a picture of your first console/gaming system.
Image of a play station 2.
November 30, 2024 at 4:37 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
✨In October, I talked with the awesome folks at Mizuno Consulting about bisexuality, microaffirmations & mental health.

🎧 Check out the recording & their other awesome upcoming events: www.mizunoconsulting.com/events

✨Need a speaker? Consider booking me: www.zoriapaul.com/contact-8

#AcademicSky
November 27, 2024 at 5:52 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
✨Check out my article published earlier this year in the Journal of Bisexuality,“Psychometric Properties of the Bisexual Microaffirmation Scale: For Women in a Sample of Bisexual+ Women and Nonbinary People of Color”!

🔗 doi.org/10.1080/1529...

#AcademicSky #CounselorEd
Screenshot of the first page of the research article, “Psychometric Properties of the Bisexual Microaffirmation Scale: For Women in a Sample of Bisexual + Women and Nonbinary People of Color,” by Zori A. Paul and Kayla D. Lewis. ABSTRACT Though the Bisexual Microaffirmation Scale: For Women (BMSFW) was originally created to help mental health clinicians and researchers understand bisexual women's experiences of stigma and affirmation, the scale has so far only been used with predominantly White samples. The present study used a sample 209 majority bisexual cisgender women from marginalized racial-ethnic backgrounds to test the psychometric properties of the BMFSW. This study's findings include the BMSFW's convergent validity with previously developed bisexual and queer specific scales and discriminant validity with the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding Short Form Impression Management subscale (BIDR-IM). This study also suggests a different factor structure than the one initially proposed by the original authors. The present study provides insight to the still underexamined construct, microaffirmations, and also extends beyond previous research on bisexual + individuals by highlighting the importance and need for more research and scales that look at the intersection and experiences of bisexual + women and nonbinary people of color.
November 26, 2024 at 3:30 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
✨Have you checked out the most recent episode of the Therapy on a Tangent podcast?

Listen here: linktr.ee/therapyonata...

#GenerationalTrauma #FamilyDynamics #Encanto #TurningRed #MentalHealth #Podcast
In our next episode of Therapy on a Tangent, Natalie and Zori dive into the powerful themes of generational trauma through the lenses of Encanto and Turning Red. From family expectations to inherited wounds, they explore how animated stories can help us see—and start to heal—the generational patterns in our own lives. Plus, they share tips for navigating the holiday season when family dynamics are complex or tense. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
November 25, 2024 at 5:33 PM
zoriamber.bsky.social
✨New publication coming soon!!!!✨

#CounselorEd #CounselorEducation #AcademicSky
Screenshot of an email that reads: Dear Zori Paul, Thank you for your diligent work to revise your manuscript titled "Operationalizing Microaffirmations for Queer and Transgender People of Color." I am pleased to accept it for publication in the Bridging the Gap special issue of TPC.
November 22, 2024 at 11:48 PM