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
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...
Growing Up, One Last at a Time
“At some point in your childhood, you and your friends went outside to play together for the last time, and nobody knew it”. My oldest son grew up with friends like the boys from the movie "The Sandlot". They started kindergarten together and they were a force to...
My Footprint
August always marks another trip around the sun for me. It is another year, a new age to embrace and another chance to make a footprint on this world. While I’ve added a few extra pounds this year (dammit!) and my boob size is 36 LONG, I continue to embrace myself...
Why Every Woman Needs True Trenchips
There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature. ----Jane Austen I am always sad when I hear women who say they don’t have female friendships. My heart hurts because they are...
One Word… Bittersweet
Yesterday we dropped my sweet middle child off at college. He has a new home now and it’s a milestone in his life for sure. And in mine. It's the day I have dreamed of and the day I have dreaded all wrapped up in one big good-bye hug. My heart is washed over...
An Open Letter to Brandy Melville
Dear Brandy Melville, I have a beef with you. If I’m being honest, I think you suck. Sure, some of your clothes are cute and probably comfortable, but I abhor what you stand for. You represent the opposite of everything I work on daily with teenage girls in my...
