The Family Room

In celebration of #womenshistorymonth2021 , I’d like to share my story. I’m Ronnie Vehemente, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a private practice that I call The Family Room, based in Los Angeles. When I think of my family, I remember holding my first newborn son, staring at his angelic face, my tears overflowing, anxious & overwhelmed by the awesome responsibility of taking care of my baby, who relied on me for his every single need, paralyzed by what used to be the mo...st mundane tasks of taking a shower or doing the laundry, feeling that I had lost my identity. Grateful for the life changing gift of being in therapy during different parts of my life, I wanted to give back. To hold, to guide, to give voice to those I work with during their most vulnerable moments, to be witness to & be inspired by their resilience. The Family Room is for real people, in real life. Specializing in: Maternal mental health from pregnancy through motherhood Parent support groups Support for working parents in the corporate world Depression, anxiety, grief & trauma in children, teens & adults To be seen, heard & understood. It is an honor to be a part of one’s healing journey. Ronnie #internationalwomensday2021 #lcsw #psychotherapist #maternalmentalhealth #parentsupport #workingparentsupport #selfcareformoms #mentalhealthformoms #therapyformoms #pandemicparenting #mom #momlife #motherhood #familyroomla

So many of my clients, as well as parents I know in my personal life have hit a wall. Depleted from daily pandemic life. As we approach living through a year of this chaotic time, with continued uncertainty & change, some are feeling cautiously optimistic. Looking at this photo from a family camping trip, it reminds me of the hope on the horizon, seeing the possibilities in the distance. How can we find moments of joy every day? #findthejoy #joyfulmoments #hopeonthehorizon #selfcareformoms #mentalhealthformoms #therapyformoms #pandemicparenting #mom #momlife #motherhood #familyroomla

I’ve been teaching this exercise to my clients a lot recently & practicing this myself. To bring ourselves back into the present, through our senses. To ground & to calm during challenging moments. #grounding #groundingtechniques #selfcareformoms #mentalhealthformoms #therapyformoms #pandemicparenting #mom #momlife #motherhood #familyroomla

Mamas, I see you. I hear you. I’m here for you.... @jessgrosewrites https://www.nytimes.com//par/working-moms-coronavirus.html #primalscreamline #americasmothersareincrisis #selfcareformoms #mentalhealthformoms #therapyformoms #pandemicparenting #mom #momlife #motherhood #familyroomla

The last of Dr. Bendell's questions is about RECONCILIATION ~ "With what and whom shall we make peace as we awaken to our mutual mortality?" What comes to mind for me is that we must make peace with ourselves first. Making peace with our past and broken pieces of ourselves creates space to make peace with others, including our families. As parents, our role is to avoid fixing or solving, but rather to guide our children with a present heart, modeling love and compassion for... self and others. #reconcile #makepeace #makepeacewithourselves #makepeacewithyourpast #jembendell #deepadaptation #selfcareformoms #mentalhealthformoms #therapyformoms #pandemicparenting #mom #momlife #motherhood #familyroomla

Kids are reaching out for connection ~ a call for guidance, support and love. When understanding that your child’s behavior is communicating feelings and unmet needs, then parents can respond with compassion, presence, and love. If you’re looking for parenting support, please reach out.... Ronnie [email protected] (310) 364-4688 #behavioriscommunication #connectingwithkids #selfcareformoms #mentalhealthformoms #therapyformoms #pandemicparenting #mom #momlife #motherhood #familyroomla

Gratitude turns what we have into enough. ~Aesop In our pandemic life, it may be difficult to feel grateful for what we have. As parents, we can teach our kids the value of gratitude by creating a family gratitude jar. In my family, whenever any of us feel inspired, we take a moment to write down what we are grateful for throughout the year. On New Year’s Eve, we read each note together.... May you have a jar full of grateful moments on this Thanksgiving holiday & every day. Image: @gratitudeglassjars : @fridayevephoto #gratitude #gratitude2020 #familygratitude #selfcareformoms #mentalhealthformoms #therapyformoms #pandemicparenting #mom #momlife #motherhood #familyroomla

I don’t know how it happened, but one day I had a problem. I didn’t want it. I didn’t ask for it. I really didn’t like having a problem, but it was thereEvery problem has an opportunity for something good. You just have to look for it. Children’s books with a powerful message like this are often just as meaningful for adults as they are for kids. We are all facing many problems right now, both individually and collectively. We have our unique resources to overcome challen...ges. But, we might be feeling stuck and need guidance. What opportunities can you find in the problems you’re facing? If you need some guidance, please contact me. [email protected] (310) 364-4688 Image: My personal copy of What Do You Do With A Problem? Written by Kobi Yamada @livethegoodstuff Illustrated by Mae Besom #whatdoyoudowithaproblem #kobiyamada #maebesom #growthmindset #selfcareformoms #mentalhealthformoms #therapyformoms #pandemicparenting #mom #momlife #motherhood #familyroomla

We are living through a historic time, as parents and children witness historic moments of hope and healing, of change and possibility. As our country heals, I think about how families heal after ruptures ~ when we as parents lose patience, yell, ignore, or are not attuned to our children’s emotions, when we show up as the worst version of ourselves as parents. For healing to begin, forgiving ourselves first creates room for empathy ~ to see things from our children’s poin...t of view, to tune in to their feelings. Children’s misbehavior is often a way they communicate their struggles and unmet needs, which are usually a need for connection. Slow down. Take a breath. Take a moment to check in with yourself, notice what’s going on for your children. Connect with them from a place of calm, speak with love and kindness, and maybe a dash of humor. Repairing ruptures, no matter how big or small, are an incredibly powerful bridge to healing. #repairtherupture #buildbridges #connection #speakwithloveandkindness #selfcareformoms #mentalhealthformoms #therapyformoms #pandemicparenting #mom #momlife #motherhood #familyroomla