Kelsey Takemoto, M.A., LMFT #117888

08/31/2021

Take whatever you need today.

05/27/2021

What did you do for yourself today?

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPXIe3TDLOg/?utm_medium=copy_link

10/17/2020

🧡Did you know there are 4 types of personal boundaries?
💛What are your boundaries today? https://hubs.la/H0xSssn0
💚Share your Answer...

08/14/2020

Between stigma, lack of access, and financial barriers, finding proper mental health care can be extremely difficult. We at HearYou.org believe mental health is essential to living a healthy life. This is why we are committed to providing confidential, affordable, & timely access to online counseling services to CA educators, school staff, and their families.

05/01/2020

04/07/2020

We will get through this. One day at a time 💗 I am conducting Telehealth sessions to offer support and guidance during this unsettling time.

02/24/2020

Love this act of kindness. Let’s all commit to doing something kind for someone else today ❤️

"I'm a high school U.S. History teacher here in Kentucky. I wanted to take a moment to shout this out. I had honestly never seen anything like this happen...

One of my guys, a straight A+ guy, offered up his 5 bonus points to someone in need. Anyone. He totally offered up what was rightfully his, his earning, to any peer that may have been struggling especially hard the day of the test.

He didn’t care if he considered them a friend or if they were cool. It didn’t matter to him what situation had caused them to score lower. He just wanted to help, be kind, and commit a loving act.

I honored their request. The recipient was very thankful. The 5 points actually moved her from failing to passing.

This note gave me so much hope. Let us all be a little more like this young man!"

For our best love stories, listen to our brand new podcasts: https://ihr.fm/2Od03Yr



Credit: Winston Lee

02/11/2020

Hug someone a little longer today ❤️

Hugging is the most beautiful form of communication that allows the other person to know what beyond a doubt that they matter.

Hug long and hug often!!! 💞

12/17/2019

💗

05/23/2019

I JUST NEED YOU TO TELL ME THAT IT SUCKS.

I spent FIVE hours in the dentist chair yesterday.

On my way home I was hungry, thirsty, and most of all -- CRANKY.

I walked in my house, dramatically flinging the door open for effect and -- BAM!

I smacked right into it.

Something was blocking the door so I couldn't fully open it. One of my biggest pet peeves.

UGH.

The story I told myself was Casey Sasek didn't care about me enough to make sure nothing was blocking the door when I got home, and worse -- he probably KNEW it was blocking the door and *really* didn't care.

I mean -- he KNEW I was on my way home.

It's clearly HIS fault I'm so cranky.

I was ready to start a fight.

Then I stopped, took a deep breath, and asked myself:

Is this true or is it a story I'm telling myself?

Do I really want to start a fight?

What's going on? What do I need right now?

It hit me.

All I needed was for him to recognize my crankiness and validate me.

Of course I'm cranky. I spent five hours at the dentist. That sucks. Anyone would be cranky.

I walked into the room and pouted:

“I'm hungry + thirsty + tired + cranky + I just spent 5 hours in the dentist chair and I just need you to tell me...THAT IT SUCKS."

He got up, walked over, wrapped his arms tightly around me and said,

“I'm sorry, babe. That DOES suck. It sounds awful."

Instantly my whole body relaxed.

That was all I needed (plus some coffee and food!)

Later I wondered -- how different could things be if we actually ASKED for what we need?

Instead of blowing it up, starting a fight, lashing out, making our problem their problem.

What if we just asked for what we need in the moment?

I need attention.
I need validation.
I need you to tell me that it's going to be OK.
I need you to tell me that I'm going to be OK.
I need you to be angry at what I'm angry at.
I need you to see me.
I need you to hear me.
I need you to love me.

Yes, this is easier said than done.

And I don't always know what I need in the moment, and that's OK.

But I've found it gets better with practice.

When I'm able to stop, get silent, and tune in -- allowing myself to be vulnerable enough to ask for what I need -- it's always a game-changer.

*****

ADDENDUM: So happy this post resonates with you.

For lots more, find me on Instagram .

https://www.instagram.com/themollygalbraith/

I'd love to see you over there! 　

📸: Beaux Arts Photographie

04/05/2019

Human connection is an important part of recovering from trauma and thriving. Understanding how connection works and giving it authentically can help us connect to others and ourselves.

03/28/2019

These warm, nurturing messages need repeating over and over again with our children.