We’re looking forward to introducing you to Joseline Mejia. Check out our conversation below.
Joseline, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Who are you learning from right now?
In this season of my life, I’m learning from my kids. I’m learning to have a balance, hearing them out, seeing them for who they are, cherishing their independence, and the person they are becoming. I’m learning to undo a lot of learned parenting from previous generations and to trust my gut when it comes to guidance and parenting. I have at home a 13-year-old, a 14-year-old, a 17-year-old, and a 21-year-old, each with their own personality, views, and needs. I’m learning to deal with my own triggers and heal to be able to provide the best guidance and experience that I can for them. I’m learning to put on the mask first (airplane metaphor) before I assist them, and I’m discovering that if I’m okay, I will be able to provide my best version of myself to them.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Joseline Mejia, a licensed marriage and family therapist, founder of Konnect Counseling and Stream Konnections Academy. I provide psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families. The name of the clinic and academy expresses one of the core beliefs, which is human connection. One of the key pillars of therapy and healing is the connection with your therapist, providing a safe space for processing, healing, and emotional containment. Our priority is to be with people through their healing journey and help them achieve their best selves and improve their quality of life. Even though no one can do the healing journey for us, it doesn’t mean you have to do it alone.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Lack of communication, lack of connection, self-betrayal, dishonesty, and abuse can break bonds between people. It is a human instinct to form attachments and bonds with people; however, not all bonds are healthy, safe, or lasting. There are different reasons why people come together, some are true, real connections and care, and others could be what we call “trauma bonding,” which is what is bringing people together, whether it is an abusive relationship, or both of them experienced similar situations and relate and create a bond. However, one of the beauties of human connections is the ability to restore the bond if both parties are interested in healing and restoring.
Compassion, respect, effective communication, trust, and following through on commitments, as well as vulnerability, are essential qualities that can restore relationships and create healthier, stronger bonds. A bond is healthy when we can be ourselves in a safe environment, and it contributes to our well-being, helping us develop our best selves.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
Very early on in life, I learned to lean into my spiritual beliefs. Prayer was a big tool that I always used to calm my fears and help with my sadness. I began to experience a meaningful connection with God. I remember one time, when I must have been around 5 years old, I lost my glasses, and I was scared I was going to get in trouble. I started praying to God to please help me find them. I remember praying as a child when my dad used to go on trips and I was scared something would happen to him, praying when I was sad, etc. Prayer has been a powerful tool for me since I was a child.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
One project I’m committed to is offering emotional intelligence classes, which will teach children how to deal with and healthily manage their emotions, without suppressing or reacting to them. I want to be able to reduce aggression, violence, abuse, addiction, and trauma that comes from people not being able to express and manage emotions healthily.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
If I were stripped of my name, role, and possessions, I would remain a human being experiencing life, a human being who is learning how to relate to the world around her and to make a positive impact on other people’s lives. A human being whose goal is to live life to the fullest, the best way possible, with more peace than complications.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.streamkonnections.com
- Instagram: @Streamkonnections
- Facebook: @Konnectcounseling
Image Credits
Photographer Belinda Guizar
