Welcome to The Consult a Counselor Series, a special segment of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast. Join therapist and host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC, as she answers real-life parenting questions to help you find your calm in the chaos of parenting—and not lose your, well… you know.

TODAY'S QUESTION:

"What are some coping strategies I can teach my child for handling big feelings like anger, sadness, or frustration?"

Big emotions can feel overwhelming for both kids and parents. When frustration, anger, or sadness take over, it’s easy to default to saying, “Calm down!”—but let’s be honest, that rarely works. In this episode, Vanessa shares a real strategy that helps kids manage big emotions in a way that actually makes sense for their developing brains. She breaks down the steps—starting with movement, then using distraction, and finally introducing coping strategies after kids are calm. Plus, she shares why practicing coping skills before emotions run high is the key to long-term success.

TUNE IN TO LEARN:

• Why traditional “calm down” strategies don’t work in the heat of the moment
• The step-by-step approach to helping kids regulate their emotions
• How movement can help release built-up energy before calming down
• The power of distraction as a reset tool before talking about emotions
• Why practicing coping strategies before meltdowns makes all the difference

TAKEAWAY MESSAGE:

Helping kids manage big emotions isn’t about stopping the feelings—it’s about giving them the tools to navigate them. By using movement, redirection, and practiced coping strategies, you’re helping your child develop emotional regulation skills that will serve them for life.

Download Vanessa’s FREE 120 Coping Strategies Guide—complete with videos to help you and your child implement these tools—by clicking this link:

https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills

Listen in, and remember... you’re always free to be mindful!

Send us a text

120 COPING SKILLS
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills


CULTIVATE CALM CHALLENGE
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-cultivatingcalmchallenge


SUBMIT QUESTIONS for CONSULT A COUNSELOR:
https://qrco.de/consultacounselor


WATCH THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@counselorvdejesus


GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT!
https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful
Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice.


STAY CONNECTED:
Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
All Social Channels: @counselorvdejesus


DISCLAIMER:
Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.

This week on the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman sits down with Dr. Nikia Smith, an anesthesiologist with a powerful story about moving from burnout to balance and fulfillment. Dr. Smith opens up about the pressures of her demanding medical career, how it affected her well-being, and the brave steps she took to put her health and happiness first.

In this heartfelt conversation, Dr. Smith shares the turning point that led her to seek therapy and rethink what success really means. She talks about the slow build-up of burnout and how it can sneak up on us, especially when we’re trying to meet the expectations of others.

Through her healing journey, Dr. Smith learned to listen to her body, honor her feelings, and define success in a way that truly fits her life. Now, she helps other women—especially women of color in the medical field—spot burnout early and make their mental health a priority before things spiral.

Listen to this powerful episode wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to subscribe and share it with someone who could use a reminder that their well-being matters!

REFERENCED LINKS:

Website: sheisfireforged.com

Instagram: @sheisfireforged

TikTok: @NikiaSmithMD

Send us a text

120 COPING SKILLS
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills


CULTIVATE CALM CHALLENGE
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-cultivatingcalmchallenge


SUBMIT QUESTIONS for CONSULT A COUNSELOR:
https://qrco.de/consultacounselor


WATCH THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@counselorvdejesus


GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT!
https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful
Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice.


STAY CONNECTED:
Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
All Social Channels: @counselorvdejesus


DISCLAIMER:
Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.

Welcome to The Consult a Counselor Series, a special segment of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast. Join therapist and host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC, as she answers real-life parenting questions, offering practical advice to help you find your calm in the chaos of parenting - and not lose your, well, you know…

TODAY'S QUESTION:

"What can I do to help my daughter be more confident?"

In this episode, Vanessa shares practical ways to help your daughter develop unshakable confidence. From modeling self-assurance to encouraging effort over perfection, she breaks down how small shifts in parenting can make a big impact. Vanessa also provides strategies for fostering positive self-talk, embracing challenges, and helping your daughter own her worth.

TUNE IN TO LEARN:

• Why confidence is built, not given - and how to foster it
• How your own self-talk and behaviors influence your child’s confidence
• The power of effort, struggle, and new experiences in shaping confidence
• Simple ways to help your daughter develop a strong, positive self-image

TAKEAWAY MESSAGE:

Confidence isn’t about getting everything right - it’s about learning, growing, and believing in yourself along the way. With small, intentional shifts, you can help your daughter step into every space knowing she is strong, capable, and worthy.

Listen in, and remember... you’re always free to be mindful!

Send us a text

120 COPING SKILLS
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills


CULTIVATE CALM CHALLENGE
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-cultivatingcalmchallenge


SUBMIT QUESTIONS for CONSULT A COUNSELOR:
https://qrco.de/consultacounselor


WATCH THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@counselorvdejesus


GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT!
https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful
Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice.


STAY CONNECTED:
Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
All Social Channels: @counselorvdejesus


DISCLAIMER:
Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.