Free to Be Mindful
3 min
Updated: Jan 15, 2023
Happy New Year! As we begin this new year I am excited about the possibilities 2022 will bring to Free to Be Mindful!
To catch you up to speed…
My name is Vanessa and I am the CEO of Free to Be Mindful, a private practice located in Bergen County - Ridgefield, New Jersey. I started my career off as a teacher, then middle school counselor, and as of today I am a full-time therapist and entrepreneur!
When many think of “private practice” they think of a therapist in a chair, helping clients for an hour, and repeating it all again a few times a day. While some of this is true, I offer many more services than just therapy.
When I am asked, “What exactly do you do?” The simple answer is, “I help families leave stress and chaos behind, and live life mindfully.” Below is a breakdown of services I offer through various modalities.
Therapy
As a Licensed Professional Counselor I offer mental health therapy to New Jersey mothers, young adults and children - in Ridgefield, NJ and virtually. My expertise centers on helping with school and parenting-related stress.
I provide workshops, keynotes, and professional development on various topics including mindfulness, mindset, strengthening relationships, parenting, self care, social-emotional learning, coping with stress, and more.
This weekly podcast offers bite-sized tips - episodes under 20 minutes - for anyone interested in living life mindfully. It also has a weekly Consult a Counselor series which answers parenting concerns.
The mission of Amiga Moms is to empower 21st-century Latina mothers through a supportive network and educational events with informative practices to become more patient and mindful moms.
Mindfulness with People of Color
A movement made specifically for black and brown communities, providing education and a space to practice mindfulness through a monthly subscription beginning January 2022.
I help parents navigate the complicated world of obtaining help for their children with learning needs - ranging from early intervention, RTI, I&RS, 504s and IEPs.
Focusing on mindfulness and social-emotional learning - through the use of literature, music and dance - Free to Be Mindful mindfulness classes are fun, educational, and different from any other mindfulness program.
Blueprint to Mindful Parenting Course
Coming in 2022, this course provides education and applicable strategies to decrease tears and screams (from kids or the parents), and increase communication to strengthen family relationships.
As you may notice the underlying theme of all services have mindfulness at the core, "Because in a world where you are free to be anything you want to be, you are always Free to Be Mindful."
I am excited for all of the connections and opportunities 2022 will bring! If you’re in need of professional help for yourself, family, school district or organization, please be sure to reach out to me for a free consultation. May the new year bring you peace, joy, mindfulness and happiness!
All the best,
Vanessa
Vanessa De Jesus Guzman is an Educator and a Board Certified Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked with children and families for two decades. Vanessa is the owner and CEO of Free to Be Mindful - a private practice located in Ridgefield, New Jersey.
Vanessa is passionate about helping moms, kids and educators with mindful living, mental health and personal growth through efforts including:
Host of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast which provides bite-sized tips and guided meditations to anyone working with kids
Founder of Amiga Moms, a supportive network for 21st century moms offering educational events founded in mindfulness
Public Speaking and Professional Development for parents, educators and young adults on topics such as mindfulness, building healthy relationships with kids, self care, mental health and more.
Vanessa has been featured on the Today Show, Univision, Parents Latina and more, always sharing her passion of helping others Learn, Grow & Inspire… all with mindfulness in mind.