March 27, 2017

Meet Dr. Kelly Mothner and Dr. Vanessa Isetta of S.E.L.F. series in The South Bay

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Kelly Mothner and Dr. Vanessa Isetta.

Dr. Kelly Mothner, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
We developed the S.E.L.F series (which stands for Seek, Embrace, Love, and Flourish) based on our belief that the self-thrives best when it is nourished emotionally, psychologically, and physically. As psychologists, we both see women in our private practices. Through this work we realized that there were very few opportunities for women to come together and engage in self-reflection and self-care. By launching the S.E.L.F. series we hoped to reach out to a broader network of women and provide them with a unique opportunity to reconnect with all aspects of “the self” while connecting with other like-minded women. We believe that incorporating community and connection is an essential component of self-care. Through lectures presented by specialists in the field, experiential group activities, and restorative movement/yoga, this is exactly what our half-day and full-day retreats and workshops aim to provide attendees.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
We have been very excited by the positive response and feedback we have received from participants who attended our past two events: The S.E.L.F. series Women’s Wellness Day and the Awakened Self-Workshop. Despite the success of both workshops, we did face challenges along the way. One of them was effectively marketing and being able to reach our target audience in the South Bay. We found that getting the word out about a new initiative like this can be difficult and requires using multiple avenues. We are still in the process of learning what the best strategies are for marketing our upcoming workshops.

S.E.L.F. series – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The S.E.L.F. series was conceptualized by the two founders, Dr. Kelly Mothner and Dr. Vanessa Isetta. Both have practices in Hermosa Beach and work with women of all ages.

Dr. Mothner and Dr. Isetta grew up in the South Bay and believe in providing a unique resource for the women of this community, a place they cherish deeply. Dr. Mothner, Dr. Isetta, and their staff have built their practices based on the idea that therapy and self-care should be fostered in a space that is safe, inviting and nurturing. What we are most proud of with the S.E.L.F. series, is how we are able to provide an opportunity for women to not only connect with each other, but to heal and grow in an active way. We have been able to combine the practice of Psychology with the practice of Yoga, Meditation and Self-Care to create a unique experience for all that are involved.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
When we think about what defines success, we believe it is rooted in the awareness and achievement of balance. Success is measured by one’s ability to bring mindfulness to one’s daily life, engage in active listening to one’s inner self, and promote health and wellness within on an ongoing basis. The markers of success can be seen by the little things: creating boundaries for yourself, meditating before bed, attending weekly yoga classes, or starting therapy. Growth in yourself is an ongoing process and giving yourself permission to fall helps create more space to grow.

Pricing: