Darla Sedlacek, Ph.D., Psychologist

06/02/2023

Lunch specials at Hurricane. See you soon at noon.

06/01/2023

I believe good base is important, even in podium pics.

Great experience at this tournament, especially sharing it with teammate .aleksa. Good adventure and always improving the game. Worked the HQ w reverse grips. HL reel coming.

05/20/2023

Enjoyable day on the mats. Thanks to all for showing up! Burdens are lifted, even if a temporary reprieve, when we share the jj.

05/18/2023

Second night of reverse grip HQ passing series. Weds advanced class mat 2 is 🔥💥. Join final class in series next week! We’ll review and add more technique.

05/14/2023

Houston IBJJF 2023, Black master 3 light. Felt great, made some improvements due to much drilling, lost final by decision, I thought it was mine! (2-2, 2-2 adv).

05/06/2023

Strong logo game on mat 2.

11/03/2021

"If we've recognized anything throughout COVID, it's that sports are extremely valuable for both physical and mental health...The loss of sports had kind of catastrophic impacts on mental health, and dramatic impacts on reducing physical activity levels in children." And remember, sport should be FUN. https://www.parents.com/fun/sports/change-youth-sports-needs-after-pandemic-fun/?fbclid=IwAR3VmG2lV9fWWLe_fJy1z-OgwnRapyPjuYIM9Jy4yVCxAYIvCoQLYT59ANk

Soccer superstar Alex Morgan and experts across the country call for making the sports experience for kids more fun. Here's why.

02/25/2021

Task: making friends with the unknown. "It’s important that we acknowledge the toll the pandemic is taking on our mental health, whether or not we ever get COVID-19. Dealing with the constant unknown of what tomorrow may bring, school reopenings, economic insecurity, and not engaging in everyday social activities has an ongoing negative impact in most people’s lives. We’ve moved from an immediate reaction to the pandemic (“Let’s stock up on toilet paper!”) to a more chronic phase, one where the new normal is to get used to not quite knowing what tomorrow will bring."

The year 2020 will go down in history as one of the most devastating in history. Hundreds of thousands have died and millions have been hospitalized due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19 has changed the lives of so many.

01/04/2021

"Assertiveness: Speaking up for yourself — in a way that the other person can hear." Key: incorporate and manage the feels.

It's so difficult to speak up in the face of conflict or hurt. Here are the most common reasons that most people struggle. Do they apply to you?

12/13/2020

I’m available to be in your corner if you’re struggling with anxiety. We’ll strategize and get a game plan together. Office and teletherapy available. Contact info: www.drdarlased.com

12/07/2020

"The #1 thing couples fight about is not about money or in-laws or s*x. According to Dr. John Gottman, most arguments in relationships are about a failure to connect emotionally...Gottman discovered that couples who divorced an average of 6 years after their wedding turned toward each other 33% of the time in his lab, while the couples who were together after 6 years turned toward each other 86% of the time. That’s a big difference."

The #1 thing couples fight about is not about money or in-laws or s*x. According to Dr. John Gottman, most arguments in relationships are about a failure to connect emotionally.

In relationships, people offer a “bid” for each other’s attention, affection, or support. This can be as insignificant as mentioning you'd like a cup of coffee to start your day to something as significant as helping a partner deal with the struggles of a sick parent.

There is a profound opportunity to respond to your partner's bids in the micro-moments of love. In these moments, you have a choice to turn towards your partner or away from them. If you turn towards, you build trust, emotional connection, and intimacy. If you turn away, the fabric of your relationship can erode over time.

Dr. John Gottman discovered that couples who divorced an average of 6 years after their wedding turned toward each other 33% of the time in his lab, while the couples who were together after 6 years turned toward each other 86% of the time. That’s a big difference.

Discover the three steps to reconnect: https://bit.ly/31jD4la

12/06/2020

Assistance for difficulty adjusting to struggles is available, reach out and get support if "something isn't right" or you think, "I can't keep this up," and certainly if you are in crisis. Teletherapy is available.

Are you thriving or just surviving? The COVID pandemic has created a concurrent crisis around mental health. We all need to be taking care of each other, but that includes ourselves. This is especially true for healthcare workers. This site from the Colorado Healthcare Ethics Resource Group offers information and resources to help address the anxiety and stress that can, if left unaddressed, deteriorate into crisis. https://cohcwcovidsupport.org/

09/25/2020

"In a new study conducted by CARE, a non-profit international aid organization, investigators have found that while almost nobody is spared from the anxiety, worry and overall emotional fatigue of the coronavirus pandemic, women are almost three times as likely as men to report suffering from significant mental health consequences (27% compared to 10%), including anxiety, loss of appetite, inability to sleep and trouble completing everyday tasks."

An unequal society means unequal suffering

09/14/2020

Safety, love, routine, age appropriate discussion. "Patiently explain to your children some of the ways people disagree and how working things out can be scary sometimes. It can be upsetting to children when they think no one is in control. In their behavior and speech, they may seek to exert control themselves. If they begin having nightmares or unusual changes in behavior, talk with them to find out what is bothering them." If you or your kids are overwhelmed and experiencing a level of difficulty that changes usual functioning (sleep, eating, task completion, etc.), get assistance and some strategies to cope.

Children should be safe. Their primary jobs include playing and learning, sometimes in very tough environments. A news story of a missing boy or girl makes hearts beat faster with worry. Tragic

09/11/2020

If confidence or self respect is a struggle, consider these 4 concepts: focusing on others, self-compassion, improvement and process rather than outcome, and neutralizing self criticism.

People come to me in my private practice and request that I help them build their self-esteem so they can be more resilient in life. I think they’re on the wrong track. While having a healthy amount of self-esteem can be helpful, there are aspects of...

08/28/2020

“Sometimes, depending on what you’re feeling — and the intensity — reaching out for help is crucial.”

The fight against systemic racism will be a long one, and you need to take care of yourself.

08/03/2020

Interesting article regarding the NBA "bubble." ..."If there was ever a litmus test for how far the NBA has come in terms of prioritizing mental health, this Orlando restart is it. On the ground, the league seems to be providing ample resources, and players and coaches have said they believe the mental side of things is just as important as the physical."

Physical harm, whether it be injury or the coronavirus, is an unavoidable concern for the NBA’s restart, but mental health is also front and center for many involved. Players, coaches, and experts detail the unseen obstacles of being sequestered at Disney World, and what they’re doing to overcom...

05/29/2020

Many kids are struggling with the sudden change in schooling. I'm hearing a lot of parents talk about a change in motivation because of the structure change. Research suggested autonomy/choice, competence, and skill building help motivation. Communication skills, collaboration, and critical thinking are important. Read on:

We are approaching the two month mark since schools shut their doors in response to COVID-19, and we are now entering a new phase in the learning ...