Author Archives: ModernMindMD

The brilliance of the brain

The adolescent brain is undergoing a phenomenal process called Brain Remodeling; pruning & myelination.  Pruning involves removing the connections that are not used, and myelination takes the ones that are left and makes them faster.  Whether an adolescent is pursuing an academic or athletic or artistic pursuit, they are likely to thrive with the brilliance and resilience of the adolescent brain.  What other skills are needed to thrive in life despite setbacks and challenges?  When do we struggle and what do we do in those times? Luckily, all brains have neuroplasticity, the amazing capacity to change and adapt. At Modern Mind for Teens, we cultivate practices for empathy, compassion and connection, so we can learn together in a state of receptivity rather than resistance. 

Summer Workshops NOW ENROLLING Modern Mind for Teens
kids worksheet with solved maze placed on table with pen

Learn more about the brain’s Neuroplasticity from Rick Hanson, Ph.D.

Teens do need Privacy but why might they be driven to Secrecy?

The teenage brain is going through a process of self-discovery and the desire for more privacy is a natural part of growing up to gain autonomy and individuality. Giving kids more and more freedom is a key part of helping them develop the skills they need to be functioning adults.  What resources will help them cultivate a sense of trust, community and support so they can maintain privacy rather than be driven toward secrecy?

At Modern Mind for Teens, we cultivate practices for safe and healthy self-discovery and sharing.

Be Informed / Be Embodied – “Let’s Talk About Sex”

The richness we possess

Self-worth, self-esteem, self-compassion; let’s uncover the jewels that are ours to keep

-Dr. Jenny Kim, Modern Mind MD

Positive affirmations build self-esteem in order to create a more stable sense of self-worth.  In a world where we are constantly exposed to information and feedback, solicited or unsolicited, praiseworthy or humiliating, our sense of self-esteem can easily falter.  What can we lean on in those times?  Or rather, how can we lean in? The research on self-compassion is compelling.  At Modern Mind for Teens, we cultivate practices for self-compassion so that our teens can fumble forward into the self-worth that every human deserves.

Modern Mind for Teens – Summer Workshops Enrolling Now!

STIs happen to all, so we haven’t got time for the shame

Teen Summer Workshops ‘Let’s Talk about Sex.’  Because of COVID-19, we all have a better understanding of viral infections, and how Every Body is at risk for exposure.  What do COVID and HPV have in common?  Why are Pap testing guidelines changing?  How can we destigmatize infections and learn how to stay healthy and connected?  Let’s remove the stigma and replace it with understanding infections, prevalence, and modalities for spread and prevention.

Modern Mind for Teens invites you, Let’s Talk about Sex!

Sign Up for a Workshop

WORKSHOP Topics

Age Appropriate

Inclusive of all genders

9-11 year old are invited to attend with a parent.

12-14 year old- teens only

15-19 year old- teens only

WORKSHOP Locations

Longmont- Thursday evenings hosted at Community Roots Midwife Collective, 738 Coffman Street

Boulder- Tuesday evenings hosted at Joy Collective/Birth Center of Boulder

Request a Workshop in your area

Mindful Birthing with PRIDE

Mindful Birthing families come in all shapes, sizes, and orientations, and all are welcome in our classrooms.

In the US, between 2 million and 3.7 million children under age 18 have an LGBTQ+ parent. Approximately 191,000 children are being raised by two same-sex parents. Overall, it is estimated that 29% of LGBTQ+ adults are raising a child who is under 18.

-LGBT Demographic Data, 2019; Press Release 2019; Gates, Marriage and Family 2015

Summer Class starts end of June for due dates September, 2022 and beyond

Pride Month – June 2022

Teen Summer Workshops ‘Let’s Talk about Sex.’ In celebration of PRIDE month, this class is always inclusive of all genders. We honor adolescents in their process of growth and exploration. Getting to know oneself and one’s intentions allows us the courage to find love and happiness, require consent (a basic human right), and maintain healthy boundaries. Modern Mind for Teens provides the perspective of a gynecologist and meditation instructor- Register for a session in Boulder, Longmont, or request a workshop in your location:

Let’s Talk about Sex

Now Enrolling: Summer workshops for Teens in Boulder, Longmont and upon Request

Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus…it’s catchy and sure feels that way sometimes, but since this book isn’t really about gender stereotypes, what is it we need to glean?  As people, our relationships are complimentary, and we thrive from mutual respect and being seen.  Biologically, we benefit when our bodies dispense the neurochemicals that result in pleasure, happiness and stress reduction.  Becoming curious about ourselves and each other cultivates trust, safety, intimacy, inclusion and connection.  Modern Mind for Teens invites you, ‘Let’s Talk about Sex.’

Trust- it’s within you

May 5, 2022- In honor of World Maternal Mental Health Day, which is today, and every day, I honor the imperfections of the world and those of its inhabitants- that’s me, you, all of us. Our instincts for survival allow us to nurture and protect our loved ones. The nervous system is constantly reacting to the evolving stressors within ourselves and within the world. Through it all, we have the inner resilience to emerge in wellness. Everyone, with help from the community, has this capacity. May springtime bring RAIN upon us:

Recognize and name our suffering

Accept and Allow the emotions to inhabit our being

Inquire and Investigate how our life is being impacted

Nurture with nothing short of all the love, gold and patience in the world

Every Mom is worth it, Every Child is worth it, Every Family is WORTHY

Every moment is an invitation to begin again. Support for you and yours is within reach. With understanding and surrender, dropping the shame and blame, YOU will re-emerge with renewed trust in your innate capacity to mother yourself and those you love. Find a Perinatal Mental Health-Certified provider near you –https://modernmindwomenshealth.com/pregnancy/

Call the PSI HelpLine:

1-800-944-4773

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Beginner’s Mind – taking a refreshed interest

My 17 yo daughter brought down a mason jar this morning. Seeing a new combination of orange, rosemary, and star anise, I looked at it with interest and wonder…

As I typically do, I made an assumption. “How did it taste?” I asked. She responds “It’s not to drink, it’s to smell,” and I perceive the familiar tone that I know well and receive as ‘Duh, mom, you’re so dumb, you never get me.’

I inhaled the aroma, I liked it, it was sweet & pleasant

I thought of all the times that she came downstairs in complete disgust of the smell of certain ethnic foods, receiving her dislike in the form of criticism, anger, and ‘you people are repulsive.’ And all of a sudden, perhaps resulting from the sweetness of the aroma I had just inhaled, I understood. I perceived something different- she has to notice what she doesn’t like to find the things that she does like, and indeed, the process of noticing is often UNPLEASANT.

the magic is the shift in perspective, seeing it all in a neutral light,

allowing it to be as it is, dropping the judgement

I have been inspired this week by the dozens of talks in the Parenting Teens in Uncertain Times Summit – the lesson that our teens are neurologically wired to detach and become independent reverberates through each and every talk. Teens are determined to explore the world in a way that is unique from their parents’ experience and so they must willfully exert their dissatisfaction, disdain and dislike for our ways. Ouch, whoa, the cruelty of parenting…and in surrender I place my hand on my heart to eject a release of oxytocin to sooth my soul.

How much gentler could it have been if I had never taken personally the process of discovery that showed up as anger? Will my brain and body rewire so that I can remember next time? The science tells me that yes, indeed, with mindful attention, my physiology is programmed to rewire and be gentler over time. Everyone has that capacity. Let’s drop in to what’s here, right now.