Tanya Keenan, MA, AAC (she/her)

Tanya Keenan joined Momma on July 5, 2021 for a live Q&A via Twitch to talk about The Importance of Taking Care of Yourself

About Tanya

Tanya is a clinician at community mental health agency in northwest Washington, and provides dedicated services to under 18 housing programs for homeless youth through an inter-agency partnership. She has worked with homeless youth for 18 years, and this has included work with sex trafficked youth since 2014. She is an active member of two county task forces to fight human trafficking. Tanya typically utilizes a narrative/archetypal/psychodynamic approach to therapy; she specializes in geek and gamer culture and presented on the therapeutic value of video games at TAGGS, where we met! She utilizes many different cultural artifacts (music, movies, books, etc.) to encourage engagement. She has also developed and facilitated the group Therapeutic Cinema, and has used therapeutic gaming as a group modality.

Socials / Links for Their Info

Twitter: https://twitter.com/coyotedreaming

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coyotedream/

TAGGS Presentations: https://event.taggsummit.org/speakers/tanya-keenan/

Episode Summary

This episode is for anyone feeling overwhelmed, struggling to prioritize self-care, or looking for real, practical ways to build resilience and navigate life’s challenges with more compassion for themselves.

Key Takeaways

• Coping strategies vary widely among individuals.

• Therapy provides a nonjudgmental space for healing.

• Self-diagnosis can lead to misunderstandings about mental health.

• Community support is crucial for mental well-being.

• It's important to acknowledge and validate complex emotions.

• Resilience can be built through storytelling and engagement.

• It's important to give yourself permission to feel emotions.

• Therapy should not be seen as a punishment or a sign of failure.

Tanya Keenan joined MommaFoxFire to talk about why self-care is critical, especially in today’s post-pandemic world. Tanya, a clinician with nearly two decades of experience working with homeless and trafficked youth, shared insights into her therapeutic approach, her personal journey into mental health work, and how she helps clients navigate their struggles.

Tanya's love for psychology began during her studies in sociology, which gave her a dual perspective on individuals and society. This foundation guides her work with youth who have endured complex and generational trauma. She uses narrative therapy, gaming, movies, and other cultural tools to create engagement and resilience. For Tanya, witnessing the strength and adaptability of her clients is endlessly inspiring, even as the work often comes with significant challenges, like navigating limited access to mental health resources in underserved communities.

When it comes to selfcare, Tanya emphasizes the importance of personalizing it. For her, it includes playing video games with a supportive online community and making homemade yogurt. She noted the value of having hobbies that also double as selfcare—activities that provide joy, connection, and grounding.

The pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to mental health but also highlighted opportunities. Teletherapy, for instance, made mental health care more accessible, though it’s not without its difficulties. Tanya pointed out the benefits of flexibility in therapy formats, such as video sessions or even using screen-sharing to connect with clients through their hobbies like gaming. However, she stressed that the increased willingness to seek help has placed a strain on mental health services, highlighting the need for systemic change.

Tanya also discussed the unique stressors of transitioning back to in-person interactions, such as reintegration anxiety and grief over lost connections or routines. She encouraged people to honor their feelings, take things slow, and practice self-compassion. Recognizing grief, even for toxic situations or relationships left behind, is vital to healing.

One powerful takeaway was Tanya’s view on resilience. She explained that resilience isn’t about being unshakable; it’s about navigating complex emotions, building supportive relationships, and finding what keeps you emotionally alive. Whether it’s through community, therapeutic practices, or creative outlets, resilience grows when we nurture our needs in ways that feel meaningful and sustainable.

Tanya also addressed common concerns like unhealthy coping mechanisms. She emphasized that behaviors in excess—whether it’s sleeping too much, isolating, or overindulging in any activity—are often symptoms of deeper struggles. Addressing the root cause, rather than shaming the behavior, is key to moving forward.

Finally, Tanya offered practical advice for those feeling overwhelmed: start small. Break tasks into manageable steps and celebrate progress, no matter how minor. Whether it’s cleaning one corner of a room or making time for hobbies, small victories matter. She also highlighted tools like mood-tracking apps, online mental health communities, and therapeutic breathing techniques as accessible ways to reduce stress.

This conversation underscored the importance of embracing your unique path to selfcare and growth. Tanya’s work and perspective remind us all that selfcare is not one-size-fits-all—it’s about finding what nourishes your body, mind, and spirit.