Jennifer Catabas, MA, LMFT, LPCC

This simple three-letter word has the power to transform negative and limiting thinking patterns that stop growth in its tracks...to more positive ones that breathe life into our goals and dreams. Some examples include: I don’t know how to do this math assignment...yet.... I don’t have any money to buy a house...yet. I can’t find inner peace...yet. For me, when I add the word yet to the end of my own limiting statements, I can’t help but utter these words right after: But I will. Yes, I don’t know how to do X, Y, and Z yet, but I will. What dreams can you accomplish when you add the word yet to the end of your sentences? Edit by @parentwithpride Original photo background: stock photo retrieved from @picmonkey (1.14.21) #yet #growthmindset #growthmindset #growthmindsetforkids #marriageandfamilytherapy #counselingforkids #counseling #mentalhealth

Owning a small business in 2020 has been challenging. Trying to decide what needs to grow & where I need to put my energy & finances, especially during a pandemic, can be downright nerve-wracking. But my mom once taught me that when it comes to career-related stuff, I sometimes have to break a few eggs to make an omelet. I’ve done a small refresh in my office & updated my telehealth game, and now it’s time to prepare for next year. I’m now a proud owner of this #passionp...lanner (and fun accessories), which I hope will be a way for me to organize and set my good intentions & goals for 2021. Here’s to hoping next year is a better one! #passionplanner #goodintentions #goals #privatepractice #smallbusiness #marriageandfamilytherapist #professionalclinicalcounselor Rug by #ruggable : @parentwithpride

Big emotions are OK. We all have them from time to time. It’s important to help our kids use the tools to ride those emotional waves, including sharing our own calm, rather than joining in the chaos. What do you do to help your kids find their calm? +++++++++++++++++++++++ Meme credit: @parentwithpride ... Stock photo from PicMonkey Quote: L.R. Knost #parentingtools #firstrolemodels #LRKnost #emotions #psychotherapy #marriageandfamilytherapy #kids #toddlers #teens #threenager #childpsychotherapy #teenpsychotherapy

The holidays can bring out the best & the worst in all of us. We can easily & ironically find ourselves arguing & bickering with each other over how much holiday cheer & family togetherness we should & should not have. Despite the stress & the breakdown in communication that can sometimes happen during the holiday season, it’s important to step back, find that common ground, and savor those magical moments when we can find peace with each other and within ourselves. -Jennif...er Catabas, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor | Meme credit: @parentwithpride | Stock images from: @picmonkey | Quote credit: the brilliant 13th-century poet, Rumi. #rumi #rumiquotes #lmft #lpcc #selfcare #peaceofmind #peaceandlove #counseling #mentalhealthmatters #therapy #holidayseason #holidaystress #couplestherapy #childandfamilytherapy #family #field #wishyouwerehere See more

Red letter days or in other words, those days on the calendar that are marked as happy and significant can be tough on those who have lost someone. This time of year marks many red letter days, which can bring about a lot of mixed emotions for those who are grieving, ranging anywhere from anger, sadness, and despair to feelings of bittersweetness, happiness, relief or sense of peace due to the loved one no longer suffering, survivor guilt, and/or nostalgia for the days when... their loved ones were with them. At Forever Footprints we strive to be a source of support for those who have lost a loved one via miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. One of the activities that we accomplished at our Costa Mesa group this month was to make memorial candles to honor those babies we lost but are still with us in our minds and hearts. #miscarriage #infantloss #stillbirth #sids #grief #griefandloss #redletterdays #griefcounseling #lmft #lpcc | @foreverfootprints @parentwithpride | photos and photo collage credit: @parentwithpride - Jennifer Catabas - Costa Mesa Group Volunteer Support Therapist See more

I am running the Forever Footprints Costa Mesa, CA Coping With Loss Group. The topic is on Helping Families with the Loss of a Child through Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Early Infancy. First group is today, 9/14/19 from 10-11:30 AM. For more information on future groups, please visit the website: www.foreverfootprints.org. @foreverfootprints #foreverfootprints Photo credit: @parentwithpride - Group Facilitator: Jennifer Catabas, LMFT, LPCC 1387 #grief #griefsupport #griefsupportgroup #infantloss #miscarriage #stillbirth #copingwithloss #mft #lpcc

Reposting for a worthy cause.

Please join us in welcoming Therapist Jennifer Catabas to the Forever Footprints Team. Jennifer's "Coping with Loss" Support Group is in session Saturday, Sept.... 14, 10am, Costa Mesa, CA. Read more about Jennifer, her work, and why she advocates for the loss community. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? My parents immigrated here from the Philippines to provide better opportunities for our family. As a first generation Filipina-American, I strive to be able to reach for the stars while doing my best to honor my roots. Living in Orange County gives me a chance to pursue my hobbies, including going to the beach, photographing nature, and exploring different cuisines, as I am a foodie at heart. I've been licensed for nearly 9 years and currently work for Kaiser Permanente, as well as in my own private practice in Costa Mesa. My family and I have seen a lot of ups and downs, especially recently. In a span of 3 years, my husband and I lost my mother, his father, and went through a miscarriage; all 3 of which happened in the month of January but in different years. We were fortunate enough to have a rainbow baby, and what a rainbow baby he was, especially as he came into the world 2 1/2 weeks after my father-in-law passed away. He is now a happy and thriving 4 year old boy. In your work, what are you most passionate about? I am most passionate about getting families to enhance their communication with each other and to learn to heal from any past traumas. I truly believe that no one is an island and that we are all connected to each other, if we just slow down a bit to get to know one another and do our best to show some kindness and compassion. No one has to suffer through their pain alone. (INTERVIEW CONTINUED IN COMMENTS SECTION BELOW"

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As a Filipino-American and a therapist, I think this is a subject that is important to discuss within our community. Though I also think that the generation gap and different outlooks between immigrant parents and their Americanized children re: mental health can span different cultures. That stigma may contribute to a startling picture of Filipino mental health in America. A 2015 review found that Filipino-Americans have some of the highest rates of depression among Asian-Americans. Another study found that Filipino-American adolescent girls have some of the highest rates of suicidal thoughts in America. Yet Filipino-Americans across the board seek mental health treatment at some of the lowest rates.

Here’s a kid-friendly search engine powered by Google. It’s a good site for researching school projects, without worrying about whether kids are accidentally viewing sites not suitable for children. https://m.kiddle.co

There are definitely times when someone else’s needs should be prioritized, such as a child’s basic rights to food, clothing, shelter, safety, comfort, and love. That’s a given. But there are other scenarios, in general, when the below message becomes a great reminder that we should avoid sacrificing who we are to please others. Photo credit: Anon

Several studies including an article in the Journal of Family Psychology found that children have better social skills and fewer behavior problems if they spend time with their grandparents. This author seeks to provide guidance for parentless parents.

Ghosting is the ultimate use of the silent treatment, a tactic that has often been viewed by mental health professionals as a form of emotional cruelty. It essentially renders you powerless and leaves you with no opportunity to ask questions or be provided with information that would help you emotionally process the experience. It silences you and prevents you from expressing your emotions and being heard, which is important for maintaining your self-esteem.