Licensed Family Therapist Releases Debut Book “INTO-MESEE” to Explore Black Love, Mental Health, and Families

(Black PR Wire) Charleston, SC -- Over four years in the making, Charleston, SC-based licensed family therapist, Dr. Jeannelle Perkins-Muhammad, is proud to release her first book, INTO-ME-SEE: Mastering Black Intimacy for the Relationship You’ve Always Wanted. This timely work designed to provide Black couples with a blueprint for building deeper, long-lasting relationships is set to be released across major book platforms on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. For additional details about the launch of INTOME-SEE, visit drjeannelle.com.

The health of relationships in 2023 is trending toward a state of crisis. According to data collected from LegalTemplates in 2020, there was a 34% increase in the number of couples contemplating divorce compared to 2019. Dr. Jeannelle and other mental health professionals have seen significant increases in couples seeking professional counsel in their relationships. Stressors such as unemployment, finances, death, illness, and mental illnesses put a significant strain on the emotional connection and communication needed for couples to sustain healthy relationships.

INTO-ME-SEE goes beyond the surface to debunk the myths that exist regarding gender norms, relationship scripts, and societal expectations; with a closer look into the intricacies present for Black couples. Few research and resources exist that explore the nuance of Black love and Black relationships in connection with the history of the culture. This book seeks to fill that gap and begin the conversation within Black communities.

Dr. Jeannelle’s dynamic take on intimacy is shared with unrelenting honesty and expertise in order to expose the unspoken challenges that have jeopardized the strength of healthy intimate relationships. She offers her expertise through psychological research and client case studies to enlighten readers about:

The four (4) levels of intimacy that must be addressed to deepen intimate connections;

The importance of mental health awareness and emotional regulation in relationships;

The cultural issues affecting Black couples, including how a history of slavery and the ongoing racism in America have created expectations that often work against Black intimacy.

“While this is not a ‘how to’ manual, it is an in- depth look into what it means to be ‘honest, authentic, and trustworthy’ in a relationship and how to approach and manage expectations in a way that validates the uniqueness of the individual, as well as the complexities of the couple.” - Dr. Frances Murphy Draper, publisher of Afro-American Newspaper

For more than 20 years, Dr. Jeannelle has assisted individuals, families, and couples across the globe in revitalizing, rehabilitating, and repairing their commitment to authentic living as a characteristic of building healthy relationships. She serves the Black community and beyond with the personal belief that the greatest generational wealth that can be bestowed is mental and emotional wellness. Through her professional experience of helping hundreds of clients to resolve their intimacy challenges, she strives to ensure Black couples are equipped with the resiliency to flourish within their relationships, improving the overall health of the Black community.

“Dr. Jeannelle reveals insights into relationship dynamics that can limit intimate expressions. She explores the depths in which trauma impacts human connection and how to overcome deficits in emotional awareness, cognitive expression, and spiritual awakening. In-To-Me-See will open all your senses during your relationship journey.” -

Melissa Milanak, Ph.D., Founder

Mind Impact Consulting, LLC INTO-ME-SEE is available wherever books are sold, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Kindle.

How to Maximize the Value and Timeliness of Your Tax Return

(StatePoint) Research shows that if you’re dreading tax season, you’re not alone.

According to the Pew Research Center, 47% of Americans say they are bothered a lot by the complexity of the federal tax system. Other taxpayers stress out over getting the details right. In a Credello survey, 22% of respondents say not maximizing their refund is their biggest fear around doing taxes, while another 22% said their biggest fear is making a mistake.

“Many Americans rely on their tax refund to make ends meet. Accessing those funds should be fast and easy,” says Chad Prashad, president and CEO of World Finance.

To help you get a handle on your taxes, World Finance is drawing on its 26 years of filing expertise to offer these timely tips:

• Get ready early. As soon as your employer provides your W2, you can file your taxes. Having all other documentation and receipts ready to go will help expedite the process, which means you will get your tax return faster, too. Collect the necessary materials in one place before filing.

• Consider significant life changes. Did you move in 2022? Have a baby? Get married? Change jobs? Each of these monumental life events can have an impact on your taxes, so be sure to disclose these factors when filing or to the professional filing on your behalf.

Should I Buy or Rent a Home?

• Know what’s new. Visit IRS.gov to learn about any changes to tax filings that are applicable to you. A tax services professional can also help you identify relevant updates. World Finance tax pros have year-round training to stay on top of the latest tax filing requirements and are ready to tailor tax services to each tax customer’s financial situation.

• Review and adjust. Once you know what your return is going to be this year, make any necessary adjustments to your W2 to make sure you’re withholding enough during the year. If this is your first year working with a professional tax service, have them review your previous years’ filings as well. You may be able to recover additional refunds if anything was missed. World Finance offers this service for no additional charge.

• Consider a tax refund loan. After filing, you can potentially take out a loan for the amount of your expected refund. This is known as a tax refund loan and an option to consider if you need your refund as soon as possible.

• Work with a professional. Filing your taxes with a software program is a low-cost option, but only if you have time to dedicate to the task, and the know-how to get your biggest possible

Real Estate

to building long-term financial independence. Plus, for those with a fixed-rate mortgage, stable monthly payments provide important predictability when creating a budget. Another benefit to homeownership is the freedom to make decisions about your house that best suit your needs without the approval of a landlord.

Why Rent?

Compared to owning, renting is flexible and is usually low risk. Renting can require less money up front and provides you immunity to declining home values. It’s also a good option if you enjoy the ability to move relatively quickly. Not handy? Renting is also great if you prefer to leave home repairs to someone else.

Next Steps

As you make your decision, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

Credit Repair Services

If you plan to stay in your home for at least five to seven years, buying can make financial sense. Homeowners may be eligible for certain tax benefits, and increases in home equity are important

1. Am I ready for homeownership? Mortgageready homebuyers typically have not had a foreclosure or bankruptcy in the past seven years and no severe delinquencies in the past 12 months. Potential buyers are also often required to have credit scores and debt levels that meet certain criteria. To learn more about credit scores and managing credit, consider using free educational resources from Freddie Mac.

2. How much can I afford? Free online tools can help you get a better idea of how much you can afford based on your personal financial situation.

3. Do I have enough saved? Determine how much you have saved for a security deposit or down payment. Look into down payment assistance programs, low down payment mortgage programs and learn more about budgeting for upfront rental costs.