Jessica Medina (she/her, formerly Jessica Ehrman)

Jessica joined Momma on June 7, 2021 for a live Q&A via Twitch and YouTube to talk about how Therapy Doesn't Have to be Boring

This was the VERY FIRST TIME Jessica joined me on the show - she has since joined many other times as well - check them out here, here, here, here, here or here!

About Jessica

Jessica Ehrman is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. She has been a therapist for 2 years and graduated from Pepperdine University with her Master’s in Clinical Psychology, emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. She loves creating innovative & fun pop-culture based therapy interventions such as Roblox, Animal Crossing, and Inside Out. Jessica uses techniques like mindfulness, play, geek culture, and pop-culture to explore the chaos that can be everyday life. As a therapist her goals are not: try to fix people, give advice, tell someone what to do, assume what is best for someone, have all the answers, make the hard stuff go away. As a therapist, her goals are to: remind clients that they aren't broken, give someone room to access their own wisdom, support people in figuring out what to do, and work together on how to make the hard stuff easier to sit with. She has extensive experience working with children/teens/adults, school-based counseling, trauma, anxiety, divorce, depression, OCD, grief, LGBTQIA+, alternative lifestyles, suicide ideation, self-harm, and healing from difficult family dynamics. Jessica also has experience creating curriculum for and facilitating an anxiety and survivors of sexual assault group.

Socials / Links for Guest Connection

• Website - https://www.happylilbrains.com/

• X / Twitter - https://twitter.com/happylilbrains

• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/happylilbrains/

• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076823436277

• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@happylilbrains

• TAGGS Presenter Link - https://event.taggsummit.org/speakers/jessica-ehrman/

Episode Summary

If you’ve ever felt like therapy wasn’t for you or wondered how it could be more engaging and personalized, this episode is for anyone looking to reimagine mental health support with creativity and authenticity.

Key Takeaways

• It's important to challenge common perceptions of therapy - therapy can be engaging and fun.

• Self-care is crucial for mental health professionals.

• Using pop culture can help clients express themselves.

• Innovative methods can lead to significant breakthroughs.

• Each client is unique and deserves personalized approaches.

• Gaming can be a powerful therapeutic tool.

• Younger clients require structured and engaging activities to maintain focus during sessions.

• Celebrating uniqueness in clients can enhance their therapeutic experience.

• Boredom in therapy often stems from resistance to deeper emotional exploration.

In this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, Jessica Ehrman, a registered associate marriage and family therapist, shares her journey into the mental health field and how she’s breaking the mold with innovative, engaging approaches to therapy. With a master’s degree from Pepperdine University and a passion for pop culture, Jessica focuses on making therapy a space where clients feel safe, seen, and excited to grow.

Jessica didn’t take a conventional route into mental health—her interest initially lay in forensic psychology, inspired by an early fascination with serial killers and cult leaders. However, life had other plans. A business course and a love for abnormal psychology shifted her focus, and her career path ultimately landed her in therapy, where she discovered how to weave her unique interests and creativity into her practice.

Jessica’s therapeutic approach is anything but traditional. From integrating video games like Animal Crossing and Call of Duty to using pop culture references like Inside Out, Jessica ensures that her sessions resonate with clients of all ages. She emphasizes that therapy isn’t about “fixing” people or doling out advice; it’s about giving people the tools and space to navigate life’s challenges. “Therapy doesn’t have to be boring,” she says, and she proves it by creating a dynamic environment where clients can explore their emotions in ways that feel natural and relatable.

One of the standout moments in the episode is Jessica’s story about a selectively mute child who found his voice through therapy sessions centered around Roblox. By meeting him in his comfort zone, Jessica helped him progress from nonverbal communication to confidently speaking 200 words per session. It’s stories like these that highlight the importance of creative and individualized therapy approaches.

Jessica also shares her thoughts on the misconceptions surrounding therapy. Too often, people think of therapists as stone-faced, suit-clad figures who ask detached questions like, “How does that make you feel?” She’s here to break that stereotype. Jessica embraces her authentic self—brightly colored hair, tattoos, and a personality that’s as loud as it is compassionate—and encourages her clients to do the same.

Throughout the conversation, Jessica touches on themes like the importance of building rapport, the power of play in therapy, and the challenges of telehealth. While teletherapy has its perks, like eliminating commutes, it can also bring unique obstacles, from tech issues to the struggle to maintain work-life boundaries. Still, Jessica adapts and thrives, finding ways to make meaningful connections even over video calls.

The episode wraps up with Jessica offering valuable advice: therapy should be a place you look forward to, not dread. If you don’t feel comfortable with your therapist, it’s okay to find someone else who feels like a better fit. Jessica’s passion for her work and her commitment to helping clients rediscover their inner child and individuality shine throughout the episode, making it clear that therapy really doesn’t have to be boring—it can be a space of growth, healing, and even fun.