Previous Guest
Jessica Medina (she/her)
Jessica joined Momma on July 28, 2022 live on Twitch to talk about what to do when a friend/family member needs therapy & the boundaries around therapizing loved ones
She has joined many other times as well - check them out here, here, here or here!
About Jessica
Jessica Medina (congrats on the wedding!) 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 Their Info
Twitter: https://twitter.com/happylilbrains
Website: https://www.happylilbrains.com/
TAGGS Presenter Link: https://event.taggsummit.org/speakers/jessica-ehrman/
If The Couch Could Speak Podcast: https://www.happylilbrains.com/podcast
Episode Summary
In this insightful and candid episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, MommaFoxFire engages in a thoughtful conversation with returning guest, Jessica Medina, exploring the delicate dynamics surrounding the topic, "What to do When a Loved One Needs Therapy & the Boundaries Around Therapizing Loved Ones." This whole conversation is a compassionate exploration of mental health struggles and the challenges faced by individuals and families.
The discussion kicks off with Jessica recounting a personal experience of reaching out to a therapist who ultimately ghosted her. This sets the stage for a profound conversation about the importance of clear communication and trust in therapeutic relationships. Jessica emphasizes the need for transparency from both therapists and clients, advocating for open dialogue about difficulties or potential mismatches in therapeutic relationships.
The conversation delves into the ethical considerations of therapy, with MommaFoxFire and Jessica agreeing on the significance of clinicians being upfront about their specialties and the clients they can effectively support. The emphasis on informed consent and the importance of clinicians assessing their own capabilities before taking on a client are recurring themes throughout the discussion.
A particularly impactful segment addresses the stigma surrounding mental health and the misconceptions associated with therapy. Both hosts express frustration with the negative perceptions surrounding seeking help, emphasizing that therapy can be a beautiful and transformative experience. MommaFoxFire and Jessica each touch on their personal journeys of trying various therapeutic approaches before finding what worked, highlighting the importance of perseverance in mental health treatment.
The interview takes an interesting turn as the hosts discuss the fine line between encouraging and becoming too involved in the therapeutic process for loved ones. Jessica offers valuable insights based on her experience, emphasizing the need for clarity in roles, especially when a therapist has personal connections with the individual seeking support. The hosts humorously reflect on the challenges of maintaining professional boundaries when both partners in a relationship have backgrounds in psychology.
The conversation becomes more interactive as they address questions from the audience, showcasing the engaged community of Even Tacos Fall Apart. Jessica and MommaFoxFire provide practical advice on what to do if a loved one refuses therapy, underlining the importance of respecting their autonomy and offering alternative resources, such as self-help materials.
During the "magic moment," Jessica passionately addresses the stigma surrounding autism, sharing her personal experience of being doubted despite a legitimate diagnosis. MommaFoxFire adds her voice, expressing frustration with the misconception that taking psychiatric medication is a sign of weakness.
In summary, this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart provides a heartfelt exploration of the challenges and nuances surrounding mental health, therapy, and supporting loved ones. Jessica Medina's expertise and MommaFoxFire's personal anecdotes create a dynamic and engaging conversation that resonates with the show's mission to reduce stigma and foster understanding in the realm of mental health.