Hello! My name is Kelly Richardson
I am a Licensed Psychotherapist as well as a Mom, hence the name “Thera-Mom”.
I live in Northern California with my husband, and our two dogs Sunshine and Fergie. I love being a therapist and offering a safe place for people to take their mask off for one hour and just be themselves. As simple as it sounds, it can be life-changing. I have the privilege every day of watching people’s lives transform as they let go of trying to be who they aren’t and start embracing all that they are. More importantly, I love being a MOM. Each of my kids is so amazingly different, it’s hard to believe they share the same gene pool.
Like most moms, I wear a lot of hats– sister, daughter, wife, friend, mother, cousin, worker. Our roles and jobs are varied and in one day we can wear five or ten different hats. As women, we represent so much within us because each hat matters and each hat allows another side of ourselves to shine.
Let’s be honest- being a Mom is a full-time job no matter how old your kids are and finding time to just do you feels impossible. It’s nice to have a place where we can do life together–unapologetically and authentically–like in my therapy office. Walk this crazy journey called life with me, as hectic and stressful as it may seem at times.
Read my blogs, comment with your thoughts, challenge my thinking, share your ideas, and help me, help you. Thank you Jerry Maguire.
Kelly
Kelly’s Latest Blog Posts
Dear Parent of a 2020 Graduate
Dear Parent of a 2020 Graduate, I am sorry. I am so sorry for what is happening in our world that has affected your child’s senior year. It is heartbreaking. There is no nice way to convey how sad I am for you other than to say, “It sucks”. COVID-19 has disrupted...
Two Words for the Class of 2020
My advice to the Class of 2020 is two simple words: Kindness Wins. You can never go wrong being kind and helping our teens understand this is so important.
Strong Willed Little Girls Grow Up to be Strong, Confident Women
Having a sassy, strong, spiriting daughter is a good thing. We need to embrace our daughters just the way they are, even if they are bossy and strong-willed.
Give Yourself Grace
There is no room for "Mom-Guilt". As parents, the best thing we can give ourselves is the gift of grace. We are all just doing the best we can.
I Worry about our Teenagers- the Extroverts, the Introverts and the Ones in Between
My daughter is tired of me. She’s had enough. An almost 16-year-old extrovert is not meant for isolation. She is wired for connection, friendship and community and her family of 5 isn’t cutting it anymore. Her eyes look different…I can see the lonely. The past 6...
The Mother’s Day Project
My daughter Katie and I embark on the Mother's Day Challenge to help spread positivity to our senior citizen friends who are isolated during COVID.
School, Interrupted: Class of 2020 in Their Own Words
Hear from the Class of 2020 in their own words about how they feel about the changes in their lives, their schooling, and their future.
What Does Your Pause Button Look Like?
We are living though history. We often think of history as something that happened to other people- our forefathers, our ancestors, our grandparents- but we are part of it now. We're walking through it and we will come out of it different people, changed forever....
One Simple Phrase to Help Your Teenager With Distance Learning
What's one phrase you can say to your teenager that makes them feel in control and motivated to get their school work done. One simple phrase can help avoid family conflicts and make for a happier teen.
What Can Help Your Teenager’s Mood Right Now
If your teen lives in their room, it can become a depression cave. Why exercise is so valuable to helping your teen be in a better mood. Hear what they can do to get outside and get moving.
Your “Word” and Why? and Which Song Describes How Your Family is Coping with COVID-19
Too much time together, aka Forced Family Fun, creates a need for patience. During uncertain times, we need to be more fluid as parents to create harmony in the home.
Our Teenagers World has been Turned Upside Down
Being a teenager is so hard during the pandemic and we need to be mindful of all they are missing out on right now. It can create so many emotions and has turned their world up upside down.
The Ball is in Our Court America
Dear America, Our world is turned upside down. Two short months ago feels like a lifetime ago. Life “back then” was normal, easy, flowing. We were all just doing our thing. Waking up, getting the kids to school, going to work, hitting the gym on the way home,...
A Teenagers Perspective
Get a teenager's perspective on letting them make mistakes and about rule-setting for the home. It's a hard line as a parent knowing what is too strict and how to address the concerns and dangers without smothering your child.
What Teens Want: Listen, Not Fix
Our teenagers aren't looking for us to fix things, they just want us to listen. Two important words: questions and empathy. Find out why they are so important.
