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Next up we have Kimberly Macias! She is an associate professional clinical counselor (APCC 5752), working with our clinical supervisor, Jennifer Gonzalez (LMFT 98444). Kim is really talented at finding solution focused ways to help her clients, even the youngest kids she works with. She loves working with parents and is truly an amazing resource for families who want to blend learning tools to help their children and time to process the challenges they are experiencing.  Who do you LOVE working with? I love working with clients from all walks of life, from children to adults and everything in between. I love working with clients to build confidence and self-esteem, and I love being able to help clients meet their goals. What should potential clients know about you and your style in therapy? I strive to provide a warm and nurturing space for you to identify your needs and goals. I approach therapy as a partnership between me and my clients to help you reach your goals, and I strive to create a space where you can be yourself. What is your favorite parenting tip or recommendation? I always recommend that parents spend time one-on-one with their children where the child gets to pick the activity. You may be surprised by what they choose! And it's a great way to show how special they and their interests are to you. What advice would you like to have received when you were younger? I would have liked to hear, and I want everyone to know, that it is okay to ask for help when you need it. There is nothing wrong with seeking the help you need, and it's the first step on the journey to better mental health. What do you like to do in your free time? I am a big book nerd and love to read. I also like to explore the city with my family, try new foods, and see new places. At Thrive, we take a positive, client-centered approach to therapy that is focused on creating a genuine connection with our clients. If you would like to talk with Kimberly Macias, or another Thrive therapist about yourself, your child, or teen attending therapy we offer in person and video sessions, please reach out to us by phone at 858-342-1304. Up next is Abbey Stewart! She is an associate marriage and family therapist (AMFT 133167), working with our clinical supervisor, Jennifer Gonzalez (LMFT 98444). Abbey is wise beyond her years and brings that to her clinical work, offering a depth of clinical understanding that is so helpful in her work with children, pre-teens, and their parents. She is able to facilitate communication between her clients and their parents, as well as between them in her pre-teen group, in a really effective way.  Who do you LOVE working with? It is hard to narrow a certain group down as my favorite to work with and support. I have found that whether a person is in elementary school or leaving college, we are all humans trying our best to navigate new experiences and find our sense of self. I have found joy in both individual work and working with our Preteen Group, as well! What should potential clients know about you and your style in therapy? I would love for clients to know that I have tools and knowledge that I use to support a client in exploring the questions or processing experiences they have. Ultimately, every person is the expert of their own experiences, and supporting people in their therapeutic journey is a great privilege. What is your favorite parenting tip or recommendation? My favorite parenting tip is not usually my most popular: less is more. I mean that parents are quick to believe that if they don’t offer solutions or instant comfort, their child will experience unreasonable distress. I like to support children in finding their inner strengths by increasing their understanding that they can navigate challenges autonomously. If folks have questions, I am happy to expand! What advice would you like to have received when you were younger? I actually received the most valuable advice, but my personal doubts and anxieties distracted me from taking it. The most valuable advice I have been given is that I was enough. We live in a world that is pervasive with comparison and urges to improve or change. I love supporting clients in discovering the areas of growth, of course, but understanding that they have the resources and strengths within to meet their needs. What do you like to do in your free time? I love reading a good mystery novel paired with bubble tea. And I can always enjoy perusing one of the million dog rescue accounts I follow on social media. At Thrive, we take a positive, client-centered approach to therapy that is focused on creating a genuine connection with our clients. If you would like to talk with Abbey Seldomridge, or another Thrive therapist about yourself, your child, or teen attending therapy we offer in person and video sessions, please reach out to us by phone at 858-342-1304. The next therapist that I want to introduce you to is Ying-Ying Shiue, LPCC 11195. She is a breath of fresh air in our office! She can hold space for really hard, uncomfortable emotions while also having a lot of joy and fun in the same session. Ying connects really well with her clients and does the same thing with our team. She has a few rare openings as well!  Who do you LOVE working with? I love working with people who are self-reflective and willing to try new things. It tells me that they are ready to make changes to try to improve their life. What should potential clients know about you and your style in therapy? I like being able to make connections with my clients so I incorporate a lot of real life experiences and humor into my style of therapy. I’m kind, caring, and compassionate while also being realistic and honest. If you’re making a mistake, then I’ll tell you that but then I’ll also tell you about the time where I made that same mistake and we can laugh about it! What is your favorite parenting tip or recommendation? Foster connection and hold your boundaries. While you may think it’s an oxymoron, I find that you can do both in fostering connection with your kids while also holding them accountable. What advice would you like to have received when you were younger? It’s okay to say “no” and to put yourself first. Growing up I was always taught to respect my elders and to be obedient and it translated into me having trouble setting and holding boundaries in the future. I always tried so hard to please other people and to “be perfect,” but it became really detrimental to myself and my own well-being. I wish that I had been given more permission and freedom to say no and make mistakes so that I could learn and grow from them and become more self-confident and resilient. What do you like to do in your free time? Sometimes I like spending time with friends or going out to eat, but the best way for me to unwind is going to the movies because it helps to immerse myself in a different space. I also plan trips so that I can visit loved ones or go and explore new places. I also love going to Disneyland because honestly, who doesn’t love the happiest place on earth? Although it may seem like I love being out and about, I live for the days where I can hermit indoors and just do nothing but binge-watch TV all day. At Thrive, we take a positive, client-centered approach to therapy that is focused on creating a genuine connection with our clients. If you would like to talk with Ying Ying, or another Thrive therapist about yourself, your child, or teen attending therapy we offer in person and video sessions, please reach out to us by phone at 858-342-1304. The next therapist I am excited to introduce you to is Dr. Andrea Seldomridge, who is currently a psychological associate (PSB94026434) working closely with me as I have the privilege of supervising her work (Dr. Erica Wollerman, PSY25614). She is one of the most intentional and detail oriented therapists that I have ever worked with and brings a depth of knowledge and understanding to her clinical work that is pretty impressive! She has rare new client openings even in afternoons!  Who do you LOVE working with? I love working with children, teens, and young adults. Getting to walk alongside clients and witness both their struggles and growth is a true privilege. As a queer therapist, working with members of the queer community is something near and dear to me. I love having conversations around what it means to develop a queer identity! Additionally, I love working with folks experiencing anxiety, school stressors, religious issues, interpersonal resolution challenges, identity development, and transitions into young adulthood. What should potential clients know about you and your style in therapy? I like to strike a balance between structured and unstructured. I often will bring in tools that may help them with what they’re coming in for, such as depression or anxiety. However, I always want to meet the client where they’re at and utilize a more conversational and organic approach. What is your favorite parenting tip or recommendation? Less is more! Often it can be so hard seeing kids and teens about to make mistakes. Instead of stepping in each time, allowing them to make mistakes can be such a great way to help them grow, mature, and build confidence. What advice would you like to have received when you were younger? Whatever you are anxious about likely won’t matter in a year, so you will get through it! What do you like to do in your free time? I love to run (aka go on “gentle jogs”), throw a lacrosse ball around, and watch a movie and make popcorn each weekend. At Thrive, we take a positive, client-centered approach to therapy that is focused on creating a genuine connection with our clients. If you would like to talk with Dr. Andrea Seldomridge, or a Thrive Therapist about yourself, your child, or teen attending therapy we offer in person and video sessions, please reach out to us by phone at 858-342-1304. As the founder of Thrive, I have the privilege of working closely with some truly amazing therapists. My Thrive Team! In the next blog series, I am going to be introducing you to them one at a time. The next therapist I am excited to introduce you to is Molly Llamas, who is currently an associate marriage and family therapist (AMFT 122924), working with our clinical supervisor, Jennifer Gonzalez (LMFT 98444). Molly is a vibrant and deeply compassionate therapist who is gifted in her ability to connect with clients authentically while also challenging them to work on themselves in a deeper way. She has rare new client openings even in afternoons!  Who do you LOVE working with? I am passionate about working with adolescents and young adults. I aim to create safe and affirming spaces that are inclusive of all cultures, races, genders, age, and sexual orientations. As a bilingual Latinx therapist, I am passionate about working with the BIPOC community in supporting them through their healing journey. I am also passionate about working with individuals through different walks of life and experiences including cultural issues, imposter syndrome, first-generation stressors, life transitions, trauma, self-esteem, self-advocacy/ boundaries, identity exploration and expression, and anxiety and depression. What should potential clients know about you and your style in therapy? I bring my authentic self to all sessions by incorporating humor, curiosity, empathy, and culture, inviting you to bring your whole self too. My approach includes a multicultural lens that allows me to understand and honor all of my clients’ needs and stories by meeting them where they are at, while also challenging them to step out of their comfort zones through a non-judgemental approach. What is your favorite parenting tip or recommendation? Less is more! Oftentimes, parents may feel pulled to make decisions and choices for their children to prevent them from making mistakes or getting hurt. I love experiences where I can work with parents to normalize these worries/ concerns while also empowering them to welcome opportunities to see their children succeed and learn from their mistakes/ choices. What advice would you like to have received when you were younger? Be gentle with yourself. What do you like to do in your free time? During my free time I enjoy cuddling and spending quality time with my puppy, binge watching a good Netflix series with a bowl of chips with Tapatio, dancing, making art, and trying new restaurants around the city. At Thrive, we take a positive, client-centered approach to therapy that is focused on creating a genuine connection with our clients. If you would like to talk with Molly Llamas, or a Thrive Therapist about yourself, your child, or teen attending therapy we offer in person and video sessions, please reach out to us by phone at 858-342-1304. As the founder of Thrive, I have the privilege of working closely with some truly amazing therapists. My Thrive Team! In the next blog series, I am going to be introducing you to them one at a time.  Who do you LOVE working with? Being a therapist brings me so much joy! I have the privilege to connect with individuals from all walks of life and see the world through their lens. I love my work with adolescents, adults, and parents. Working with the BIPOC community is something I am passionate about as a BIPOC clinician myself. I enjoy supporting clients experiencing anxiety, life transitions, identity challenges and interpersonal struggles. What should potential clients know about you and your style in therapy? My therapeutic approach looks to help individuals become more understanding, accepting and compassionate in dealing with themselves and those they love. I believe in creating a safe and non-judgmental space for my clients. I strive to make them feel comfortable and supported throughout our sessions. My goal as a therapist is to support my clients on their journey towards improved mental well-being, and to empower them with the tools and insights to navigate life's challenges. I do this by taking an integrative approach to therapy. This means that I draw from various evidence-based therapeutic modalities and techniques, tailoring my approach to meet their unique needs. I also recognize the importance of cultural sensitivity and strive to create a culturally inclusive environment. I respect and value diversity, and I am committed to understanding and addressing the unique challenges clients may face based on their cultural background. I work alongside my clients, supporting, guiding, and rooting them on as they brave the challenges life can sometimes bring. My clients are as much my teachers as I am theirs. My clients never cease to amaze and inspire me with their strength, courage, and resilience. What is your favorite parenting tip or recommendation? That your child is a whole person with the same feelings we have, but with developing brains and very limited experience with these emotions. So remember your child is having a hard time, not giving you a hard time. What advice would you like to have received when you were younger? I wish I was told that all feelings were valid and okay to express. That acting strong and like you can handle everything on your own will catch up to you. It’s okay to not be okay and to ask for help. What do you like to do in your free time? I love to watch my son play baseball. I also love spending time with my family, especially going to Padres games together! I also enjoy reading and dabbling in photography. At Thrive, we take a positive, client-centered approach to therapy that is focused on creating a genuine connection with our clients. If you would like to talk with Dr. Maria Fowlks, or a Thrive Therapist about yourself, your child, or teen attending therapy we offer in person and video sessions, please reach out to us by phone at 858-342-1304. 
By Dr. Erica Wollerman
As I shared last week in my blog post about overscheduling, I have been thinking a lot about overscheduling as we adjust to the back-to-school phase. So often, our kids have jam-packed schedules filled with numerous extracurricular activities, tutoring sessions, and academic pursuits. While exposing kids to various experiences can be beneficial, overscheduling can take a toll on their physical and emotional well-being. As parents, it's crucial to strike a balance between offering enriching opportunities and allowing ample time for unstructured play and relaxation. In this blog post, I will share some of the risks associated with overscheduled children and the importance of nurturing balance and well-being in their lives.
So, what on earth could go wrong when you are just trying to provide your children with opportunities?
As parents, it's essential to evaluate your child's schedule regularly and make necessary adjustments to maintain balance. Focus on quality over quantity, allowing your child to participate in a few activities they genuinely enjoy and excel at. Invite them to talk with you about what they enjoy and what activities they might want to stop doing. It is a good learning experience for kids and parents to realize that we are not actually able to do “everything.” Encouraging downtime and rest in your child's daily routine is also important. Sufficient sleep and relaxation are vital for their physical and mental well-being. How you frame this to them is so important - so make sure to let them know that they need rest just as much as they need activity, school, and food. Let them know that the signals of being tired all the time, not motivated, stressed, etc., are actually signals of needing downtime, just like a check engine light in the car is a sign the car needs some mechanical support! The “check engine light” analogy usually is super helpful in building an understanding of what our bodies need! I totally understand why parents want to provide their children with so many opportunities - we all truly want the best for our children after all! Learning to strike a balance between enriching experiences and downtime is essential for their overall well-being and development. By nurturing a balanced schedule, we can foster their growth, creativity, and happiness, allowing them to academically and emotionally flourish. Remember that a child's well-being should always be the top priority, and finding that sweet spot of balance can lead to a healthier and more fulfilling childhood experience.
If you are interested in learning more about connecting with your child please make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Dr. Wollerman will be launching a parenting course all about this topic later this summer or early fall! You do not want to miss it!
At Thrive, we take a positive, client-centered approach to therapy that is focused on creating a genuine connection with our clients. If you would like to talk with a Thrive Therapist about yourself, your child, or teen attending therapy we offer in person and telehealth via video sessions, please reach out to us by phone at 858-342-1304.
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