Meet Celisa Flores, Psyd

We were lucky to catch up with Celisa Flores, Psyd recently and have shared our conversation below.

Celisa, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?

I believe generosity is the foundation of strong communities. It helps us to feel connected and recognize that we are all an integral part of the larger society. I’ve studied many traditional teachings that encourage authentic generosity as a practice. Over time, I have grown to incorporate generosity as a part of my daily life. Generosity can be offered in many ways, such as tangible donations of money or goods, but also, of time, compassion, or emotional support. I do my best to release attachment and also to respect my own needs when giving.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I work full-time in Trauma Treatment at Lido Wellness in Newport Beach. I love the complexity of healing. It is so special to work in a place that truly understands the uniqueness of each person and their needs in their healing journey. I am so grateful to work with such a well-versed and comprehensive team that is so creative, collaborative, and innovative. During my time here, we have been running our “Healing the Healer” series of self-care activities for providers to be a part of the community care model that is so important to us as an organization.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I have a background in Biology that helped shape my perspectives on the world. There are so many interesting intersections between the natural environment, health, and well-being that are often overlooked. Humans are complex and intricate systems that are interrelated and each choice can have significant impacts on the entire system.
I also practiced and studied yoga and meditation since I was a very young child. I feel these practices have given me so much: attention, tenacity, compassion, and patience, to name a few. I share my training as a yoga and meditation instructor from a trauma-informed lens to help people develop an internal sense of safety and gratitude.
Finally, I would say recognizing the importance of diversity. In biology, diverse systems tend to be more stable. This has helped me to truly hear and understand the need for diverse perspectives in all areas.
I would encourage new therapists to build community outside of their area of focus. Attending case consultations, continuing education seminars and conferences are wonderful ways to start, but also, consider attending seminars unrelated to your profession to support personal growth.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

I have seen so many amazing professionals leave the industry because they are burned out or overwhelmed. This is so sad to me! It is so important to share these feelings early, to look for community and opportunities for self-care. This is the reason I started the “Healing the Healer” series and have continued it for years now. Community care is so important. We have to look out for each other and validate that the work we do can be so challenging. We also have to be willing to look at ourselves and our needs and be discerning with what we offer to others. I have struggled with over-giving at times and often have to reassess my energy before agreeing to a new project. One of my mentors always reminded me that work is just work, you always need to keep your time for what’s important to you as a top priority. I do my best to take time for family, friends, community and rest.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lidowellnesscenter.com/
• Instagram: @dr.celisa
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings?trk=d_flagship3_profile_self_view_public_profile
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/drdelisa