Brittany Fella, LMFT

07/12/2025

💙💙💙

07/01/2025

In tonight’s group the teens learned a great life skill.

How to provide generosity and hospitality thru shared food.

They can use this in business, when they move into college or a new neighborhood. We discussed the value in this, and how it can open doors.

I’m super excited they came up with the idea. They voted next to watch “Life is Beautiful”, and discuss the film.

They are a joy to engage with!

06/28/2025

Wonder and imagination have returned among teens. Gone are the days of scrolling to live in someone else’s life.

But to full embody living in your own, is scary, confronting and who wants to do that? As teens have had enough time with the alternative, they are coming forward- hopeful, full of wonder.

Summer always has a way of doing this for teens. Throwing them into their natural environment at beaches, parks and the pool and their energy returns.

If you are a teen and you have stopped feeling hopeful, we should chat. I’ve developed communities to help teens come together. This week we are having a potluck. Last week we took a walk.

Being seen, heard and understood among people your age is possible.

06/26/2025

06/15/2025

This past week I trained with .janet.edgette. Her timely humor, frank candor and real conversations, lead adolescents into a space that matters to them.

She’s constantly refining how she comes across to them, and looking and creative ways to connect.

Stay tuned for more tips on our conversations and take aways!

06/07/2025

Happy 3rd Birthday Gussie!

I’ll never forget the day I drove out to pick up Gussie. I wasn’t sure what his story was, with half the information I got. Together we worked hard to figure out the type of love he needed, and in turn, without him even trying, I felt more loved than I’ve ever felt before.

You can go on a quest in life looking to receive love, or you can continue to give it away, and be surprised how loved you feel.

Any day now, Gussie will become the father of our first foster child. I’m confident he will he will be a catalyst to the child’s healing and joy.

Thank you Gussie for being the apple of my eye and the absolute love of my life (for now). I am so excited to see what unfolds for our family. 🩷

05/23/2025

05/20/2025

🎯 Redefining Success: A Teen's Guide

Success isn't one-size-fits-all. It's not just about grades or college admissions. True success is about personal growth, resilience, and living a life aligned with your values.

1. Define Your Own Success

Ask yourself: What does success mean to me? Is it mastering a new skill, building strong relationships, or contributing to my community?

2. Embrace Growth Over Perfection
Mistakes are stepping stones to growth. Each challenge faced is an opportunity to learn and evolve.

3. Set Meaningful Goals
Focus on goals that resonate with your passions and interests. Remember, it's about the journey, not just the destination.

4. Celebrate Small Wins
Every step forward, no matter how small, is progress. Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements along the way.

5. Stay True to Yourself
Avoid comparing your path to others. Your journey is unique, and your definition of success should reflect that.

05/15/2025

Because sometimes the best breakthroughs happen outside the therapy room.

Is your teen feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or just… off?

This isn’t another talk session — it’s a step-by-step path toward connection, movement, and emotional reset.

🥾 What it is:
A weekly small-group hiking experience (6–8 teens) guided by a licensed therapist — where movement and nature support mental health in a low-pressure, judgment-free space.

🌲 Why it works:

Nature lowers stress and lifts mood

Walking side-by-side encourages real conversations

Builds confidence, connection, and coping skills — without the intensity of traditional therapy

📍 Where: Badland’s Park in Laguna Niguel (the most breathtaking views in OC)
📅 When: Thursday’s at 10 am
🎯 For: Teens ages 13–17 who feel anxious, isolated, or “just not themselves lately”

This is for the teen who just wants to breathe, move, and maybe… start to feel something again.

DM hiking group to find out more

05/15/2025

It can feel like your teen’s emotions are all over the place and that logic is nowhere to be found. But here’s the thing: there’s a biological reason for it!

Their brains are still developing.
The prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain that handles logic and decision-making — is still maturing. Teens feel emotions more intensely because their brains are still wiring the connection between emotions and reason.

Hormones are in full swing.
Puberty brings increased levels of testosterone and estrogen, which can cause mood swings and emotional outbursts. It’s not just you — it’s biology!

🔄 They’re figuring out who they are.
Identity struggles are normal in the teen years. Trying to find their place in the world can cause emotional turbulence.

🌍 Social pressures are intense.
Peer pressure, school stress, social media — it all adds up. Their emotions can feel like a rollercoaster as they try to navigate it all.

What can you do?
✅ Validate their feelings first.
“I see that you're upset, that must be tough. Can you tell me more of what’s going on?” This helps them feel heard and understood.
✅ Be patient.
Don’t expect them to be logical right away. Let them work through their feelings first. You will loose 99% of the time if you jump to solutions before validating the details of the emotional experience.
✅ Teach healthy coping skills.
Help them identify emotions and practice tools like journaling, deep breathing, or talking through things when they’re ready.

Remember, their emotional reactions are a part of the development process — they’re still learning how to balance their feelings with logic.

Stay steady. Keep showing up. ❤️

05/14/2025

Did you know therapy and fitness have a lot in common?
They both help you feel your best, mentally AND physically! Here’s how:

Whether it’s therapy or fitness, the approach is PERSONALIZED. Everyone’s journey is different, and that’s okay! 🙌

Consistency = Progress : Don’t expect instant results. Just like working out, therapy takes time – but little steps lead to big changes!

Mental AND Physical Health : Therapy helps your mind, and fitness helps your body, but both boost each other!

Small Wins = Big Growth : Every session, every workout – progress is all about those small victories! 🙏

Total Wellness : Therapy and fitness both help you become the best version of YOU. Mind + body = balance.

Facing Challenges Together : In therapy, it’s dealing with tough feelings. In fitness, it’s pushing through that last rep. Either way, you’re stronger for it!

Support Matters : Whether it’s a therapist, trainer, or squad – having someone to help you stay on track makes all the difference!

Stress? Nah! : Therapy gives you tools to handle life’s curveballs, and fitness helps relieve stress with those feel-good vibes! ✨

So, whether you’re working on your mental health or getting stronger in the gym, they both help you level up your life.

05/13/2025

Parents want the best for you, but they also understand that you’re growing, learning, and figuring things out. So, what do they realistically expect from you as a teen? 🤔
Respect: It’s about mutual respect, not perfection. Acknowledge the house rules, even if you don’t always agree with them. 🙏

Communication: Whether it's about school, friends, or how your day went – keeping them in the loop helps build trust and understanding. 💬

Responsibility: Taking ownership of small tasks (like chores, homework, or even your own schedule) shows maturity and helps your parents see you’re growing. 🧹📚

Honesty: Parents want you to be real with them, even if it’s hard. They’re there to support you, and honesty helps them understand how to do that best. 🤝

Independence: As you grow, they want you to develop the skills to manage your life – making decisions, solving problems, and learning from mistakes. 🔑

Key Takeaway: It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being real, respectful, and responsible. Parents are just trying to help you grow into the best version of yourself! 🌟