Jennifer Catabas, MA, LMFT, LPCC

03/09/2023

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Parent with PRIDE is a private psychotherapy practice centrally located in Costa Mesa, CA.  Conveniently located near the 405 freeway and serving Costa Mesa and its neighboring cities, including Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana, and Irvine. Counseling services are provide...

07/01/2021

June is typically graduation month, and yet that milestone can happen any time of the year. Whether your children are graduating from kindergarten or college, leveling up on a set of skills, or moving forward in their lives to something bigger or better, it’s important to acknowledge their accomplishments and the transition to a new chapter in their lives. This little guy happens to be my son who just graduated kindergarten and we’re so very proud of him! What's something you can celebrate about the children in your life?

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04/03/2021

Today at the office, my family and I completed 2021 vision boards. We included images and quotes that reflected our values, goals, positive affirmations, and dreams. I typically do one every few years and it’s always interesting to compare old ones with new ones. Here is a couple from me, one from my husband, and one from our kiddo. It’s definitely a powerful tool to empower us and instill hope for our future as individuals and together as a family. 4.3.21

Vision boards credit: my family 😉
Medium: magazine cut outs on poster board
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04/01/2021

At some point or another, we’ve probably all have heard how important it is to not sweat the small stuff. Well, I present to you the lesser known sibling to that saying: “Enjoy the little things in life, for someday you will realize they were the big things.”

If you’ve ever been to my office, you’ve glimpsed that saying on this little placard. When putting it into practice, it can be as simple as finally getting extra keys on pretty little keychains to the restroom, as seen here, which can make a world of difference for those who most need them in the moment.

When we can appreciate and have gratitude for those little things in life that bring us even the teeniest sparks of joy, they can help us to sustain happiness. They can also improve mental and physical well-being, boost self-esteem, and move us from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset, therefore reducing the need to become overly competitive or jealous of others.

What are some little things you can enjoy in your life?

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Quote credit: Robert Bault

03/22/2021

I think this is a great reminder that life can’t always be seen in binary. Half empty? From a certain point of view. Half full? Certainly, some of the time. Refillable? Why, yes. When we view things from an abundance mindset, the possibility are endless.

What refills your cup? 💧 🍵 💕

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01/14/2021

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?

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Original photo background: stock photo retrieved from (1.14.21)

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12/08/2020

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 (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!







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08/22/2020

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?

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Meme credit:
Stock photo from PicMonkey
Quote: L.R. Knost

12/04/2019

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. -Jennifer Catabas, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor | Meme credit: | Stock images from: | Quote credit: the brilliant 13th-century poet, Rumi.

11/13/2019

“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. 💕 🕯 | | 📸 photos and photo collage credit: - Jennifer Catabas - Costa Mesa Group Volunteer Support Therapist