When a person demands perfection of herself or himself, anything less can feel like failure. Adia Gooden knows this from experience. In addition to her work as a staff psychologist at the University of Chicago, she’s learned in her own life how to break negative thought patterns and live more freely. She shares those lessons in her talk “Cultivating unconditional self-worth.”

Adia Gooden is a licensed clinical psychologist. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Stanford University and her doctorate in clinical community psychology from DePaul College of Science and Health in 2013. Adia Gooden is currently a staff psychologist and coordinator for multicultural outreach and support at The University of Chicago’s Student Counseling Service. In this role, she provides individual, group, and couple therapy to undergraduate and graduate students. She also conducts outreach workshops for students of color and continuing education training for clinicians on working with black clients. Adia Gooden authors a blog focused on promoting mental health among Black women. She speaks and writes about Black women, Black couples, Black youth, and mental health. 

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Adia Gooden: Cultivating unconditional self-worth | Adia Gooden | TEDxDePaulUniversity

Cultivating unconditional self-worth | Adia Gooden | TEDxDePaulUniversity

Depression, the leading cause of global disability, is intertwined with low self-worth, highlighting mental health's crisis.

Forgiveness, self-acceptance, and supportive connections are pillars for nurturing unconditional self-worth and resilience.

Embracing imperfections and shifting focus from perfection to unconditional self-worth combats feelings of unworthiness.