Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendra Foisie Rice.
Hi Kendra, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
For as long as I can remember, I have had two passions; psychology (why we do the things we do) and dance. My family is full of artists and musicians and I have spent a large majority of my life in the dance studio training to become a ballerina. When it came time for me to decide on a career path, I found myself torn between these two passions. I knew from my own experience how powerful creativity and expression can be in affecting mental health and in my mind, one could not exist without the other, so I found a way to combine my interests. After receiving my BS in Psychology from the University of Houston, I earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from St. Mary’s University as well as a postgraduate certificate in Expressive and Creative Arts from Salve Regina University.
However, in my final year of graduate school, my outlook on life shifted significantly when I learned that my husband and I were expecting our first child. Managing the responsibilities of both my home and work life proved to be outrageously difficult and I knew that I needed to advocate for new mothers and parents, navigating the most challenging and transformative time in their lives. I immediately began pursuing advanced training in perinatal mental health. Currently, I am listed on both the Pregnancy and Postpartum Health Alliance of Texas’s and Postpartum Support International’s list of qualified practitioners and am able to support new parents struggling with postpartum mood and anxiety disorders as well as the natural challenges in the transition to parenthood.
My experiences working with new parents as well as my own journey into motherhood brought up another concern. How on earth are we supposed to manage technology use (both for ourselves and our children)?! There are countless articles warning of the dangers of screen time for young kids, but what are we supposed to do with that information during a time when the foundation of our entire society is dependent upon the internet and media?
It was then that I received training in technology use and addiction for children and adolescents. I am now certified with the National Institute for Digital Health and Wellness to diagnose and treat technology addiction. While my passions for psychology and movement have never wavered, the ways I choose to pursue those passions have certainly shifted over time. Guided by my own experiences, I have found new ways to address some of the problems faced by families today. I am honored to be able to share my knowledge in support of new families as they navigate the challenges of parenthood.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
After becoming pregnant with our first child, I juggled graduate school, an internship at a private counseling practice, as well as my career as a dance instructor all while creating, birthing, and caring for a new human life. It was then that I realized the overwhelming obstacles new parents face and the general lack of support post-birth. I quickly saw that once all the bells and whistles of pregnancy were over, little support remained, with the exception of social media likes. New moms are bombarded with images of what motherhood “should” look like; the peaceful snuggles, nutritious meals lovingly prepared, and carefully crafted, developmentally stimulating activities newly presented each day. And don’t forget to maintain your romantic partnership, grow your career, make time for self-care, and nurture your friendships as well. Piece of cake right? Now throw in postpartum anxiety or depression and do it all with a smile.
Most mothers don’t know that the postpartum period lasts a full year after birth, not the six weeks we’ve been led to believe. Additionally, postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) can show up anytime during that period and they are much more common than most of us realize. On top of that is the fact that fathers are twice as likely to experience paternal postpartum depression when their partner suffers from a PMAD.
The bottom line is that new parents are often given a plethora of resources to prepare for the experience of birth and almost nothing to prepare for the months that follow. This is a systemic problem that needs changing now.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have advanced specialized training in Perinatal Mental Health as well as Technology Addiction. I work from an existential framework while incorporating evidence-based cognitive-behavioral, dialectical behavioral, and person-centered therapy. I also love to incorporate expressive and creative arts modalities into session when appropriate. I am currently training to become EMDR certified as well. I work with children and teens ages 9+, pregnant and postpartum moms, families, and couples presenting with a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, perinatal issues, and tech addiction.
With the availability of virtual platforms, I can work with clients located anywhere in the state of Texas! This allows busy families to prioritize mental health from the safety and privacy of your own space (*babies are always welcome in postpartum sessions!). I am currently accepting new clients through Austin Family Counseling as well as Divergence Counseling. All information can be found on my website.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I spent the majority of my childhood in the dance studio. I trained extensively in ballet as well as other styles, including jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and ballroom (waltz, tango, chachacha, and more). I spent summers training in pre-professional programs across the country and competing in various national competitions. I performed in many productions, including The Nutcracker, Alice and Wonderland, and (my favorite ballet) Giselle.
Pricing:
- Individual Therapy $140
- Couples and Family Therapy $155
Contact Info:
- Email: kendra@kfrtherapy.com
- Website: kfrtherapy.com
- Instagram: @kfrtherapy
- Facebook: facebook.com/kfrtherapy
- Other: psychologytoday.com/profile/735180
Image Credits
Photo credit: Elysia Perkins, Kristina Weinman, Renee Nunez
