Hi, my name is Tara Cameron and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have a practice in the area: Collaborative Counseling of Kingwood.
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in Kingwood?
I was born and raised in Houston area. My husband and I moved to this area in 2014.
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
Grant, 4 years old
Harrison, 22 months old
One thing people would be surprised to know about you… I enjoy running. And I know most late 90’s, early 2000’s hip hop songs word for word.
What is your go-to activity for yourself for pampering or for fun? I am a huge fan of being pampered. My husband takes a few days off per year so I can sneak away to The Trellis Spa @ The Houstonian and spend the day there to myself or with friends. Everything about this place is amazing! The services, the amenities, all of it. They also have a tranquility room where many people nap, myself included!
Funniest shortcut/routine for helping you through parenthood? Putting their shoes on after I put them in their carseat. Hooray for not having to chase them down!
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
Yes, I opened a private practice in 2016, Collaborative Counseling of Kingwood. I specialize in Women’s Issues which includes, depression, anxiety, perinatal mood disorders, grief, family issues, loss of identity, divorce, etc. I also see adolescents starting at the age of 14.
What is the best advice for juggling mommyhood and running a business (or volunteering, working, etc)?
-Be proactive, ask for help before you need it. My husband and I have a meeting every weekend and go over our schedules for the upcoming week. At that time, we are able to see how slow/busy our weeks are. We work out times where each person can schedule some “me” time. That might even look like “Hey, I’ll bathe the boys and put them down by myself so you can get some time alone.” And vise versa.
Also, acknowledge that juggling both can be difficult, and you may not to be able to give 100% at all times. It is a balancing act and you are human.
What would you tell the old “You” before you had kids? Take the trips with the long flights before having kids! Ha! But in all seriousness, I would tell the old me to practice enjoying the little things because when you have kids its really about the little things that bring joy.
What is your proudest mommy moment? I am so proud of how thoughtful and how much empathy my oldest son is. (I am sure my youngest one will be too.)
Greatest gift about being a mom? Being able to share life and create memories with these beautiful boys that I have SO much love for. Seeing life through their eyes brings you back to what life is really about- the simplicity.
Best mom hack that makes momming easier? My husband works late hours so to make my evenings easier I often buy prepped meals from local companies. Game changer.
What’s your favorite part about what you do? I don’t know that I have a favorite part. There is so much involved and I truly enjoy it all.
What is your favorite thing to do in the HKA area? My husband and I love grabbing dinner and getting foot massages at JQ Foot Massage.
www.cckingwood.com
https://www.facebook.com/cckingwood/
281-726-4230
Let talk about mental health. It’s not something we talk about often, but we should. We are vulnerable right now. Some may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, irritable, lonely. Some may be grieving the loss of a loved one. Some may be pregnant wishing their partner was able to go to their appointments. Some may have experienced a miscarriage and are having to cope with a limited support system. Some may have a spouse/child/parent with a compromised immune system and are constantly worrying about their wellbeing. Some may be scared about losing their job. Some may be at their wits end. Some may feel isolated more than ever. Times are tough right now and you are not alone. It’s okay to not be okay. I want to leave you with a reminder that we are in a time in the world that most living people have never encountered. Hang in there and reach out for help of you need to. Take time for you. Self-care does not equate to being selfish. In fact, modeling self-care to your children is a healthy habit you’ll instill in them.
-Here are just a few ways to cope when feeling overwhelmed:
-Limit social media if that tends to be a stressor first you.
-Engage in activities that you enjoy. If you’re unable to engage in the ones you used to, then I encourage you to try something new.
-Bring on all the nostalgia. Whether that’s listening to some of your all-time favorite hits, playing an old board game, watching one of your favorite movies.
-Dance! Research shows that just moving your body makes a difference. Get up and dance and have fun with it. YouTube has a bunch of videos you can follow. Or maybe there’s a dance you’ve always wanted to learn. By the way- this help kids when they are dysregulated so if you notice your child getting overwhelmed, have a dance party.
-Get outside: walk, run, bike, eat lunch in your backyard.
-Do a deep breathing technique of inhaling for 4 seconds and exhaling for 4 seconds. (great for kids too!)
-Progressive muscle relaxation is a great tool if you find yourself feeling tense or anxious. YouTube has videos on this that are very helpful. (you can do this with your kids)
-Take a time out when you’re feeling overwhelmed. It doesn’t have to be long- it can be you sitting in the bathroom for 5 minutes. Sometimes you just need a break, and that’s okay.
Please know that If you are struggling, therapy may help. Call your insurance and get a list of providers in-network or check out psychologytoday.com and edit the filters to your needs. Due to the pandemic, the majority of insurance companies are allowing telehealth services. Best of luck and take care of yourself!
Resources:
Psychiatry: Most practices are offering telehealth making it easier than ever to get help.
Kingwood Psychiatry: https://www.kingwoodpsychiatry.com/
Woodland Family Psychiatry: www.woodlandsfamilypsychiatry.com
Holistic Psychiatry: http://www.texasholisticpsychiatry.com/
Individual Therapy: www.psychologytoday.com
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Online chat also available: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
National Postpartum Depression Hotline
1-800-PPD-MOMS (773-6667)
MEND (Mothers Enduring Neonatal Death)
Miscarriage, infant loss, and stillbirth support group
Groups available virtually as of now.
https://www.mend.org/hou-groups