I can’t tell you how many moms come to me ready to “confess” what they perceive to be their inadequacies and shortcomings.
Do you know how many moms truly believe that they are the problem? They come to therapy convinced of it.
GIRL, when a plant isn’t growing, we don’t assume it’s inadequate. We look at the conditions it’s trying to survive in first. Are they even survivable?
The plant wilting in the dark MAKES PERFECT SENSE.
Conditions for some component of wellness have to be a bare minimum.
The CONDTIONS are your starting ground.
04/16/2026
Found it? 🤣
04/14/2026
This is amazing for us! Uploading these updates!
04/13/2026
Recap, ladies!
04/11/2026
Mark your calendars, Mom Circle with Bright Tribe Therapy is back this Monday! 💛
Stop by for open play for the kids while you connect, relax, and chat with moms who truly get it. It’s the perfect chance to unwind, make friends, and enjoy a little community time.
03/19/2026
(Shortened version)
OH GOSH. Matrescence is having a red-squiggly-lined public moment. This is particularly notable for America, as “bruh” is already in the dictionary and widely accepted. 🤣
As someone who has a background in Anthropology as well as Psychology, Matrescence and Matriscentric Feminism is nothing new, but I am loving all the mothering things becoming hot topics and must now geek out…
SO LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT WHY MOTHERHOOD IS THE WAY IT IS IN THE WEST and why the word being acknowledged even matters so can get paid time off work and not be taxed for tampons, an stay in bed for 40 days like we are supposed to, Kay?
03/18/2026
OH GOSH. Matrescence is having a red-squiggly-lined public moment. This is particularly notable for America, as “bruh” is already in the dictionary and widely accepted. 🤣
As someone who has a background in Anthropology as well as Psychology, Matrescence and Matriscentric Feminism is nothing new, but I am loving all the mothering things becoming hot topics and must now geek out…
SO LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT WHY MOTHERHOOD IS THE WAY IT IS IN THE WEST and why the word being acknowledged even matters so can get paid time off work and not be taxed for tampons, an stay in bed for 40 days like we are supposed to, Kay?
03/17/2026
The amount of BRAVE WORK, emotionally and expressively, that my teens have been doing is so damn cool. Some of my teens and I are knee-deep in some loud and proud maximalist art therapy projects and expression for sh*tty-world times.
I love the max color, wild themes and experiments we are hitting, when it can be a scary time to be seen at all. ⚡️
03/14/2026
STL!! This is happening March 23! WE MUST SHOW UP for our transgender kids, our family and our friends!!
Transgender rights in Missouri are under significant threat, characterized by a, by-now permanent, ban on gender-affirming care for minors, restrictions on care for adults, and active legislative efforts to limit transgender participation in sports and access to public facilities.
Unhinged details happening now are below.
Missouri regarding trans rights includes:
* Gender-Affirming Care Bans Upheld: In January 2026, the Missouri Supreme Court unanimously upheld a 2023 law (SB 49) that bans puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries for minors.
* Expansion of Restrictions: Lawmakers are currently moving to make these restrictions permanent by removing a 2027 expiration date (“sunset”) on the ban for minors.
* Medicaid Restrictions: The upheld law also prohibits Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care for transgender people of any age.
* Restrictions on Athletic Participation: The Missouri House passed legislation in February 2026 to make permanent a ban on transgender athletes competing in sports that align with their gender identity.
* “Bathroom Bill” Advancements: Multiple bills have moved through the House in 2026 that aim to restrict the use of bathrooms, locker rooms, and other facilities in government-owned buildings—including schools—based on s*x assigned at birth.
* Forced Outing and Policy Attacks: In early 2026, legislative attacks continue to focus on public school policies, including proposals that could force the outing of transgender students to their parents.
* Impact on Medical Providers: The 2023 law, still in effect, allows for the revocation of medical licenses for doctors who provide gender-affirming care to minors, causing many providers to stop offering care.
* Upcoming Constitutional Changes: In November 2026, Missourians are set to vote on a potential constitutional amendment that could outlaw gender-affirming care for minors, a move that would make the prohibition extremely difficult to reverse.
03/10/2026
This group-created mandala art project represents a group of over 22 amazing refugees who fled their homes from war and unrest. Through a therapeutic mindfulness group, they are working to learn about caring for themselves (not just their families), managing their own wellness, noting their own accomplishments and pride, and dreaming for their futures.
All of these women are working so hard to learn English and adjust to a completely different culture after undergoing traumatic displacement. Each woman wrote her name in English— most of whom never learned to read or write and are learning it now— on an outer leaf to celebrate and symbolize these feats. (Names covered for privacy)
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Contact The Practice
Send a message to Bright Tribe Therapy and Wellness:
Hi! Welcome to my page. My name is Jillayna, pronounced Jill-anna (just ignore the ‘y’!) and I am the owner of Bright Tribe Therapy and Wellness. I am a licensed therapist (LPC) specializing in Depression, identity development, anxiety and trauma in Mothers, Women, Teens and Children. My background is in anthropology and psychology, and I have a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am trained in, and most commonly employ psychotherapy, EMDR, interpersonal, narrative therapy, as well as expressive arts and mindfulness practice.
My experience includes working with children and teenagers with significant depression and anxiety, Mothers and new mamas struggling with transition, depression and anxiety, cross-cultural trauma work with refugee children and adolescents, and individuals in various stages of identity development.
In addition to being a therapist, I am a mother, writer and photographer with a passion for cross cultural work!
Areas I am passionate about:
Child, pre-adolescent and adolescent Depression, Anxiety and su***de ideation
Parenting, new motherhood and the motherhood experience, including Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
Cross-cultural mental wellness, trauma and healing including human rights and minority struggles
Identity development and transitive identity throughout the lifespan: teenhood, new parents, elderly. Self-exploration,growth and empowerment across the lifespan
