This week on IAW’s podcast Unlimited HERizons our host and president, Megan Bozzuto, chatted with a member, Norby Forero, about the benefits of mental health. Norby is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Play Therapist, and holds a Master’s in Clinical Health and Post-Masters in Child Play Therapy.
She and her husband shared a vision to help the Latino community and educate them in a free, accessible, and culturally sensitive way. Thus, they started a YouTube Channel over the pandemic called “Preguntale a Norby,” which now has over 2.3k subscribers.
From her wisdom and passion for mental health, here are a few pieces of advice shared on the podcast:
Burnout
It is common for women to take more and more on their shoulders without setting boundaries or asking for help. Burnout can be difficult to recognize, especially when you are used to pushing yourself constantly. “Basically, it’s just chronic stress where you go-go-go and constantly have responsibilities and expectations without self-care. It leads to a bunch of burnout signs and some of those are feeling exhausted, forgetful, insomnia, lack of accomplishment, detachment from their loved ones or passion, and some people can become cynical” explained Norby.
She advises that you take time to reassess what is on your plate. Form some way to visualize how many hours in the day you have time for yourself, family, friends, etc. The more you can designate what you need to do vs what someone else can handle will establish self-care. Find out more about burnout here.
Therapy
Therapy isn’t laying down on a couch talking to someone with a clipboard. Nor is it getting all the answers to your problems. Instead, therapists are there as a soundboard to help you navigate your issues for self-realization and awareness in toxic situations. “A good therapist is actually not going to give you a solution, but they are going to help you find the best solution for you. That is done through sympathetic listening, clarifying questions, pointing out themes or patterns, so that you grow because we are in one of the only professions where we are working ourselves out of a job,” said Norby.
Want to listen to Norby‘s full story and get more advice? Listen to Unlimited HERizons updated weekly with different amazing professional women telling their stories. All IAW members can connect with Norby Forero in the IAW Community!
