Smart Talk

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Smart Talk

We are a boutique appointments only online practice. We are in network with Aetna, Cigna, MHN/HealthNet, Optum, and Souther CA Kaiser Permanente.

We specialize in working with adults who are going through:
1) Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (aka Postpartum)
2) Stress and Anxiety
3) Isolation and Loneliness
4) Relationship Counseling
We work with clients via telehealth in CA, IL, NY, & FL. We accept Cigna health insurance! Female Owned, Female Ran.

12/11/2024

It is so easy for us working mother's to feel overwhelmed and like we are not doing enough. My twins were off yesterday for Veteran's Day and as lovely as it was to have them home, this also now means that I am starting the week already behind. So, if you're a working mother, then these tips are for you!

07/11/2024

🌟NEW BLOG ALERT🌟

Navigating motherhood is both beautiful and challenging, especially during the intense postpartum phase. After welcoming a new life, many mothers encounter a whirlwind of emotions. The combination of fatigue, body changes, and new responsibilities can be overwhelming. This is why practicing self-compassion becomes essential. Embracing self-compassion not only enhances mental health but also helps mothers turn this unpredictable time into an opportunity for growth and deeper connections.

In this post, we will explore self-compassion's role in new mothers' mental health, highlight its importance during the postpartum period, and provide practical techniques to cultivate it.

Click on link in bio to read entire blog!

25/10/2024

Being a new mother is a profound and transformative experience that brings forth a whirlwind of emotions, ranging from overwhelming joy and unconditional love to moments of doubt, fear, and uncertainty. The sheer responsibility of caring for a newborn, coupled with the physical and emotional changes that come with childbirth, can leave new mothers feeling vulnerable and exposed.

It is perfectly normal for new mothers to experience a wide array of postpartum emotions, including happiness, sadness, frustration, and anxiety. The pressure to be the perfect mother while balancing other aspects of life can take a toll on one's mental well-being. It's essential for new mothers to acknowledge and embrace these emotions.

To read the entire blog, click on link in bio.

22/10/2024

Last week our founder Linda attended a training on how food can be used to help support our mental health. Before we get into it - (for legal reasons... not a nutritionist, doctor, etc... Just a licensed mental health professional who attended a CA licensing board approved continuing education class on how nutrition impacts mood). Here is how food works in terms of mental health (in a nut shell):

1) You eat the food
2) The food has up to 9 different amino acids in it
3) Those amino acids get converted into different neurotransmitters in the gut
4) Those neurotransmitters then travel up to the brain and make you feel certain ways

The foods listed in "foods that make you less depressed" all contain high levels of an amino acid known as Tryptophan. When broken down in the gut, this amino acid gets converted to SEROTONIN!! (I know, finally a word that we have heard before). Serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters that makes you feel HAPPY!!

Now here's the deal - nutritional changes, just like other lifestyle changes take time to work. So don't expect to eat a handful of almonds and feel happy right away. The idea is that if you consciously eat foods known to have high levels of tryptophan (and as a result high levels of serotonin) then over time, you should feel happier.

12/10/2024

It's sometimes fun to highlight the differences between "evidence-based treatment" and reality. All of the suggestions in the first picture have evidence behind their efficacy and will work for you if you apply it regularly and consistently. But reality is oftentimes different for most of us. The second picture is a list of things that we do to fill our cup, laugh, and feel a little more content. In our therapy with clients we like to mix and match evidence with reality. Each person's cup is filled with different activities so we invite you to think about what fills YOUR cup.

10/10/2024

Today is World Mental Health Day and when I look around at all of the things this world is facing right now, I cannot help but think that we could all use a bit of support. So remember that it's okay not to be okay all the time. Social media will make us want to show our best sides and feel less than when we don't match the unrealistic expectations set forth. Just know that you are not alone and that we are always here to help.

01/10/2024

There are so many different benefits of therapy but here are just a few things that can happen when you work on yourself with a professional.

24/09/2024

Just in case you needed some ideas today.

18/09/2024

Say hello to our newest therapist!! We are so excited that Brittney has decided to join our group. Brittney has not 1 but 2 Masters degrees in Psychology and we are so fortunate to have her. Here's what she has to say:

Growing up, you learned early on that trusting others could be dangerous. You were taught to rely only on yourself, and that self-reliance has served you well. You’ve achieved so much—your degree, your job, and a comfortable life. Yet, despite these accomplishments, your mind still feels like it’s in survival mode.

The nights are restless, your emotions seem unpredictable, and you’ve tried filling the void with drinking, partying, and casual relationships, but it never quite works. You’ve felt frustrated as your emotions are often labeled as angry or aggressive, leaving you feeling misunderstood and isolated. Trusting only yourself has taken you far, but it’s not enough to bring the peace and fulfillment you crave.

I recognize how these experiences have shaped your life, affecting your relationships and overall well-being. Together, we’ll work on building trust, setting healthy boundaries, and learning to identify and name your emotions. Let's challenge and unlearn the limiting belief that you’re destined to succumb to the hardships you may face due to your upbringing, gender, or skin color. My goal is to create a space where you can address and work through the tough conversations often avoided in your past, fostering deeper healing and growth.

17/09/2024

Not every day can be a great day. Here are some ideas on what to do on days that just aren't going well.

13/09/2024

It's been a while since we introduced ourselves and we've been busy growing so we figured it might be a great time to review who we all are.

Linda Meier Abdelsayed, LMFT, PMH-C: Linda is our founder, twin mother, and specializes in supporting women as they transition into motherhood. She's licensed in CA and IL. Linda runs our instagram account so follow this account for all of our practice's updates.

J'nay Reckard, LMHC: J'nay is a licensed therapist in Florida and New York. J'nay loves to work with young adults and all of the transitions that come with that.

Hayley Niles, LMFT: Hayley is a licensed therapist in California and a mother of three. Just like Linda, Hayley loves supporting women as they transition into motherhood.

Stacey Sheller, LMFT: Stacey is also a licensed therapist in California and a mother. Stacey loves supporting women as they transition into motherhood.

Daniella Leon, AMFT: Daniella is an associate therapist in California under the supervision of Linda. Daniella loves supporting women who are facing people pleasing, low self-esteem, and body image issues. Follow Daniella at

Natalie Herriott, AMFT, APCC: Natalie is an associate therapist in California under the supervision of Linda. Natalie loves working with couples and supporting them in building intimacy and communication. Follow Natalie at

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+14249995798

Website

https://smarttalktherapy.com/

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Our Story

Smart Talk was created to provide mental health services to people who might not have otherwise been able to access it because, for example, they don’t have child-care, live too far away from a therapist, or who simply cannot afford the astronomical costs of traditional therapy.

By conveniently offering live video therapy sessions, ranging from 30 - 60 minutes long. Smart Talk therapists are uniquely able to support clients even when their only time to spare is during a lunch break or commute, when the kids are napping, or in the evenings after work. Therapy can be hard enough for clients depending on what brings them in, so we made sure that at least the scheduling was easy! Connect with a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist right on your laptop or smartphone through the internet, schedule as many or as little as you would like, and avoid the costs of having in-person therapy.