Name: Karyn Rosenberg, LCSW, PMH-C
Where did you grow up:
I was born in New York, raised in Plano, Texas, went to grad school in Columbus, Ohio where I lived for a few years. And moved to South Florida in the mid 1990’s!
Town you live in now:
I have been living in Boca Raton, FL for 20 years with my husband and my two teenage girls.
Why you love living there:
Who wouldn’t love the climate, (like everyone else…those Ohio winters were rough!), and I LOVE the beach, the availability of great dining, culture and the arts. It’s all around, you just have to seek it out!
Tell me about your kids:
I have two teenage girls, 15 and 19 who are awesome! I have loved watching them turn into independent, caring, and compassionate ladies. They are each special individuals sharing the foundation of our family, while maintaining their own distinct personalities. They recently spent a weekend together while my husband and I were out of town. They hung out, shared a lot of good times, and great meals together. I was so happy that the house was even still standing and relatively clean!
Favorite things to do with the kids locally:
One is in high school, and the other in college, so I am grateful for any time they actually want to spend with me, as the moments are precious! They are always up for a coffee date especially at the Seed, one of our favorite places in Boca, or lunch, some shopping, or a beach day.
What’s your ‘day job’? How did you get started with it?
I am a psychotherapist in Boca Raton just about to celebrate my 22nd year in private practice! I first started my career in Hospice as a grief counselor while living in Ohio. When I moved to Florida I worked at several of the local hospices, while very much enjoying the work, I was ready to go out on my own. I am feel very grateful to do what I love for a living. I specialize in grief/loss, postpartum depression/anxiety, and fertility counseling. I have a certification in perinatal mental health.
What is your best parenting advice. Lay it on us.
Remember that your kids are their own unique individual selves, they are not an added appendage like an extra arm or leg. Pick your battles, preserve the relationship, and don’t beat yourself up too much. As my husband always said, the early years are physically exhausting, and the teen years are emotionally exhausting. Especially with teens, “they go into their room when they are 13 and come out when they are 19” metaphorically speaking, and it’s so awesome to connect with them along their journey, when you aren’t pulling your hair out!!
What do you do for self care?
I tell my clients all the time that “Self-Care is not Selfish!” In fac, t that is the name of a chapter of a professional bereavement book I co-authored. My favorite self-care day is watching sunrise at the beach, a jog along AIA, and then hang for a bit and read a book at the beach. Also, my Peloton! There is no way I could do what I do without that bike! It’s my form of therapy!
Anything else you want to share?
A couple of things I also offer in my practice is Hypnotherapy, and EMDR which is a really helpful tool for working through trauma. I love seeing how my clients can move through really difficult and challenging times, even when they can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel at the beginning. Also, I offer a free “mommy matters” support group through the Gutin progam at Boca Raton Regional Hospital twice a month.
