I AM BLOSSOMING: Overcoming the Ultimate Evil
A presentation and workshop focusing on the speaker’s my personal experiences with child molestation and sexual abuse, discussing the long term familial, social, and personal effects, how others can be effective allies to those who are survivors, how survivors can build adequate personal support structures, and how they can overcome and transcend the negativity associated with what they have gone through.
The Silent Killer Unspoken: Mental Health and Living in Blackness
A presentation focusing on the unique challenges of living with mental health, seeking treatment, and dealing with social stigmas and ignorance as a part of the African diasporic community in the United States. The emphasis will be on ways in which public policies, communal social practices, and institutions might be transformed to better facilitate care for mental health needs as well as how sympathetic voices can be brought to bear as allies to the cause of removing stigmatization and silence concerning this critical set of issues.
The Foster Care Challenge: Group Homes, Courts, and the Feminine Experience
A presentation focusing on the author’s personal experiences with the foster care system. Exploration of the effects of dislocation from the nuclear family unit on personal identity development will be examined, as well as particular dangers and pitfalls for the female child forced to navigate that system.
Girl: In Search of Dad Workshop
A workshop focusing on the unique aspects and challenges of girls and women growing up without fathers or at least, without fathers who function in a positive way in the context of the family structure. Phenomena like substance abuse, sexual misconduct and innuendo, physical abandonment, and other topics will be explored as will their effects on the personal consciousness and identity development of the young female child and her own conception of relationships, motherhood, family, marriage, sexuality, and growth.
Revive, Release and Replenish: Self-Esteem Workshop
A workshop focusing on the self-esteem challenges of girls and young women growing up in today's society. The goal is to revive the emotional wounds placed by society, family, and oneself. Release, the pain, negativity, self-doubt and hatred while learning to love yourself. Replenishing, the spirit and learning to better cope with life along with developing the tools of self-care and knowing ones worth.
Media Coverage
Omaha World Harold
Omaha Magazine
The Reader
https://thereader.com/culture/author-feature-denisha-seals
Enspire Magazine
https://enspiremag.com/2022/10/water-2-spirit-offers-mental-health-and-trauma-healing/
KETV Newswatch 7 Omaha [11:33]
News Now Omaha
Speaking Appearances
The Shameless Mom Academy Podcast
Boys Town of Nebraska
The Trauma Therapist Podcast
Clean Juice: Be Organic Podcast
And Still We Rise: A UNL Journalism and Mass Communications Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2NlGhDuA0HxjHZNCK8eoOv?si=8832e2ca35f449e1
Women & ADHD Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-adhd/id1543615866?i=1000598170281
Happy-Go-Lucky At Heart Podcast
Your story is so powerful and pulls at anyone's heartstrings. I could also understand how it makes some people uncomfortable as most want to ignore the fact that society isn't perfect or equal. I really admire your courage and the energy you pour into your work. Keep at it!
Patricia Manga, UNL - AFIRE Presentation
Butterflies in Me
"Butterflies In Me" is an original children’s illustrated book written and created for multicultural children who have been diagnosed with mental illness. Equally as important, it is a support resource for those who love them, work with them, and care for them. The book seeks to open up a path of communication between all these components of the “support village” by creating open discussion and facilitating critical thinking among all these interested parties concerning the mental health challenges minority children face.
Along with the book itself, author Denisha Seals offers herself as a critical presenter to help students learn about the meaning and importance of self-esteem. The presentation is focused on the book's theme “you’re special, strong, and you did nothing wrong”, which also includes a self-esteem activity workbook created for children that may struggle with other challenges due to home life, school, mental health, and more.
Denisha captures her experience, her passion, and her dedication to healing in her book. The stories are authentic, moving and hopeful. The culturally-specific and hopeful nature of the book should be experienced by any child who has suffered trauma or is living with a mental health challenge.
John Jeanetta, CEO - Heartland Family Service
