Sarah Medzyk, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

Kids learn to be emotionally intelligent by being treated with respect and kindness. A child who grows up to be an adult with high emotional intelligence (EQ) ...will have stronger relationships with others and will be more likely to live up to their highest potential. Parents can help model this behavior by being fully present and practicing empathy towards their child. The key is to put yourself in your child’s shoes. Empathize and understand before you problem solve or give advice. Learn more about how to communicate empathy and understanding towards your child when you sign up for Emotion Coaching online. Receive 10% off on the workshop when you use the code EC10SOCIAL: https://bit.ly/3fSRoHO

Staff at The Broken Yolk Cafe - Bakersfield West are prepping hundreds of produce boxes for sale this week. The boxes include milk, eggs, beans, fruits and ve...getables. They cost $35 and can be reserved by calling their restaurant. The boxes are being sold at distribution cost, and are not turning a profit. Current stock is backordered through Tuesday. See more

Food resources in Kern County

A quick reminder / update: I do offer teletherapy! As long as you have a confidential place to be during session, there's no need to come into the office.

Self care! What the hell is it? We hear a lot about self care, usually framed in terms of extra, luxurious, optional actions or products that have some promise of making our lives better. Often we feel like we only 'deserve' self-care when we have earned it through a hard day or a fully checked off to-do list.... When you feel the least deserving of self care is when you need it the most. Self care doesn't have to be anything 'extra'-- just deliberately taking care of the vehicle that gets you through the day: your body. Go back to basics: have you had some nice cold water to drink lately? Slept? Have you showered recently, even a quick one? Are you wearing something comfortable that you like? Have you sat down to breathe today? Read a book? Participated in your hobby? When you are feeling the least capable, show some kindness to yourself. Not only do you deserve it (just for existing! Existing can be hard!), it can often help propel us into the day with a little more energy and patience. Self care is not optional, not a luxury, and not something you need to buy. It is a way to replenish your energy tanks, treat yourself with kindness, and to slow down before you burn out. It's also something most of us struggle with, so don't feel alone if it's hard to get started!

fighting the emotion we’re experiencing rather than accepting it is often cause for much of the pain and discomfort we experience with uncomfortable emotions. Often, the emotion in and of itself isn’t so terrible when we let it be. It is the judgments we place on itall the shouldsthat make it feel unbearable.

As we slowly pull away from the winter solstice and into the new year, it's important to remind ourselves that however hard and cold 2019 has been, there are longer and warmer days coming--sooner than we think. My plan to weather these next few dark and cold weeks is coffee, good company, therapy, and journaling.

It's that time of year: the sun is lower, the time has changed, and it's getting cooler. Many of us struggle with seasonal changes in our mental health. More than usual, relying on your day-to-day coping mechanisms like a healthy diet, good sleep, a social support network, hobbies, and humor will help you weather the bumpy road.

Therapy is a good way to remind yourself of the daily needs of mental health!

just spell it out for me (quote by Mantra Wellness)