Rosalena (Rosa) is a psychotherapist at Wildflower. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, with an emphasis in Human Services, at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and obtained a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Adler University in Chicago. Prior to coming to Wildflower, Rosa was a clinical director at a rape crisis…
mindfulness
Why Mindfulness Matters in Relationship-Centered Care: Should You Care if Your Doctor or Therapist Meditates?
In all my years of supporting expectant parents as they navigate their pregnancy, birth and parenting, finding the right health care providers, the right therapists, the right doula has been front and center for them, and for those of us who are advocates. We’ve created guides and lists, and even healthcare personality quizzes to help…
Therapist Spotlight: Eden Himidian, MA, LCSW, RYT
Eden is a psychotherapist, yoga instructor and clinical supervisor at Wildflower. Eden earned her Bachelor’s degree from Knox College and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. She has extensive training in Trauma Sensitive Yoga Therapy and Yoga Informed Psychotherapy as well as third wave…
Therapist Spotlight: Kate Ernstrom, MSW, LCSW
Kate is a psychotherapist and Director of Clinical Operations at Wildflower. Kate earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Cornell University and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Loyola University, Chicago. She has extensive training in treating mood and anxiety disorders as well as trauma through evidence-based practices,…
Present parenting and the mindful art of Play-Doh
“Mindfulness” is not only a buzzword in the media, I realize it’s one in my office as well. I reference it constantly and try to incorporate it into my work and personal life consistently. Of course the emphasis there is on the word “try”. It doesn’t necessarily come naturally, and it certainly doesn’t come every…
Mindfulness Challenge: Day 9
LOVING-KINDNESS MEDITATION Now, perhaps more than ever, we are faced with messages of hate, rejection, fear and exclusion. I experience visceral reactions when hearing said messages spoken by our leaders, the media, people in our communities and beyond and notice the impact on both my physical and emotional wellbeing. Changing these messages must begin at…
Mindfulness Challenge: Day 8
MOUNTAIN MINDFULNESS EXERCISE When feeling uneasy, restless or anxious, I gravitate towards mindfulness exercises that ground me and serve as a reminder that I am NOT my struggle. What a welcome insight in times of difficulty! Mindfulness practice does not have the power to stop whatever pain we are experiencing, but it can create opportunity…
Mindfulness Challenge: Day 7
LETTING GO OF SELF-IMAGE Our self-focused culture emphasizes the importance of self-image and constantly sends us messages of how we should look, should act, should be. This proves to be exhausting! Today’s practice is inspired by a quote from Pema Chodron which beautifully explains what we are missing when we live our lives entrenched in…
Mindfulness Challenge: Day 6
MINDFUL WALKING In winter, a practice I use to bookend my days is mindful walking. I focus on the feeling of my feet striking and pushing off the pavement that lies between the train and my destination. Tasks and memories and judgments and desires surface and distract me. I notice the distractions, accept my distractibility,…
Mindfulness Challenge: Day 5
RADICAL ACCEPTANCE When thinking about a mindfulness exercise to practice today, I suddenly had a chuckle, remembering a time I tried to practice a mindful breathing exercise on the bus and immediately gave up after the driver slammed on the breaks. “Clearly this isn’t the right time to do mindfulness. It’s too hard,” I thought…
