344 - Immigrant Resilience and Self-Compassion with Dr. Sonila Sejdaras
344 - Immigrant Resilience and Self-Compassion with Dr. Sonila Sejdaras
Listeners, we are back this week with Dr. Sonila Sejdaras
In this episode of Cafe con Pam, host Pam and guest Dr. Sonila Sejdaras delve into a deep and transformative conversation about self-discovery, immigrant resilience, and the power of self-compassion. Dr. Sonila shares her personal journey of leaving her home country and the emotional impact of her family's separation due to immigration. They discuss the significance of attending to one's own pain, the complexities of self-compassion, and the connection between emotional well-being and physical health. Join in as Pam and Dr. Sonila explore these profound topics and leave listeners with valuable insights and actionable advice.
Dr. Sonila Sejdaras is an Albanian-born clinical psychologist, who emigrated to America 1999 leaving her family behind to pursue higher education. Sonila is sought-after for her expertise on a range of topics including complex trauma, addiction, social anxiety, panic attacks, depression, perfectionism, stress and self compassion.
For the past 16 years, Sonila has worked in numerous of inpatient psychiatric hospitals and outpatient mental health clinics in Detroit, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois. She mostly worked with severely mentally ill patients suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, HVI, complex trauma, and drug addiction.
Currently, Sonila is the owner of Sejdaras Psy.D & Associates private practice and works with a team of psychologists. They serve higher functioning adults suffering from panic attacks, social anxiety, work and relationship stress, gender identity issues, grief & loss, and life transitioning.
She is best known for her talks regarding self-compassion addressing higher functioning professionals and audiences throughout North America and Europe. She has made a number of media appearances over the years to help communities have a better understanding of mental health. Her work focuses in identifying and eliminating self-guilt and self-shame and promoting healing through self-compassion in hopes to promote a healthier and more fulfilling life.
She is the founder of non profit organization care for Albania helping children and older age in Albania.
During this episode we talked about:
00:00 Sonila owns private practice, aids higher functioning adults.
07:00 Immigrant's journey to US filled with challenges.
09:53 Struggle to survive, worked odd jobs, distant family.
13:40 Overcoming trauma and breaking family patterns resolutely.
15:54 Cultural narrative and self-compassion are interconnected.
18:45 Navigating immigrant experience, pain, and self-discovery.
24:47 Practicing self-care to heal emotional pain.
28:18 Saying is easier than doing, health is connected.
30:46 Pause the negative thoughts, introduce new ones.
33:12 Compassion, self-discovery, and ongoing personal growth.
39:02 Difficulty in understanding self-compassion and awakening.
41:32 Encouraging self-compassion, change, and patience.
43:24 Life's struggles offer opportunity for growth.
46:32 Be careful giving advice; understand others' experiences.
51:06 Handle conflict by removing yourself and calming.
54:41 Productivity tips: Take breaks for mental health.
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