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
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.
Are you always in conflict with your teen?
It might sound crazy but arguing with your teenager is not only normal but also healthy. Think of your job as a parent to be their sparring partner to help them get stronger and better prepared to face the challenges of being a young adult.
All Too Soon…
Last weekend I was in Las Vegas, the City of Lights. Before you conjure ideas of a weekend filled with flashy shows, incredible restaurants and glitz and glamour, let me clarify. I was Las Vegas supporting my 15-year-old daughter at a 3-day long volleyball...
Parenting teenagers is difficult but being a teenager is hard, too
If you think it's hard being a parent, try being a teenager in today's world. Between social media, expectations, pressure, brain development and hormones, they are caught in a hard stage of life.
The Things that Matter are the Things that have a Story
Meet Rock. Rock is a little black piece of compressed grains and minerals. When you look at Rock, you see…. a rock. Maybe you see a stone, a pebble or perhaps a little boulder. Something you would walk on, step over, maybe try skipping on top of a lake. Rock...
Hello 2020, What’s your One-Word?
It’s time again. Another year, another word. Hello 2020. Last year I shared my philosophy on resolutions. They don’t work for me. I stopped making them because it didn’t make sense-why set myself up to fail? I decided to try something different and embrace a...
Parenting Teenagers Means Finding Hope in Little Moments
As parents, we never know. We don’t know if we are doing our job correctly as a parent--raising responsible and kind young people to gift to the world when we launch them into adulthood. We don’t know if our kids feel connected to us, that we have done enough to be...
Goodbye, Sweet Boy
Two nights ago, I received a message no one wants to get. My precious cousin took his life. He was 45 years young. It was a gut-wrenching moment. Heartbroken. Tears. Sadness. Statistics show that around 800,000 people die by suicide every year, and it’s the...
The Email That Changed Our Lives
Career change the email said. I almost clicked the trash button before I even opened it-- I was sure this email had spam written all over it. It had been a hard few months dealing with loss. In March our sweet boxer suddenly died when a tumor burst in her stomach....
What We Learned Working A High School Dance
One night can teach a lot. Because our daughters are in leadership, my dear friend Lisa and I volunteered this past weekend to work the high school homecoming dance selling waters. We were the hydration station and we had a prime spot to soak in the night. We saw...
Her Brain Might Forget This Day But I Know Her Heart Won’t
My mom is in a hard season of life. Her memory is no longer what it used to be. She knows what is happening and it's hard for her. A retired schoolteacher and principal, she’s a smart and well-read lady. She forever thirsted for more knowledge and always wanted...
