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Cheryl Donaldson, MA, LMFT, LPC, Founder of Helping Families Flourish, LLC, joins Abdullah Boulad on Living a Life in Balance for an honest and practical conversation about emotional growth, family dynamics, and the inner world of children and adolescents.
Drawing from her own early struggles, academic challenges, and family experiences, Cheryl reflects on the moments that shaped her understanding of resilience and motivation. She shares how the coping mechanisms she developed as a young person now guide the way she supports parents, teens, and families in her clinical work.
🔗 Tune in for a wise, supportive, and deeply human exploration of what it means to grow, parent, and find balance in an ever-changing world.
About Cheryl:
Cheryl is a seasoned mental health clinician with over 20 years of experience supporting families, parents, and teenagers through modern challenges.
She holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College and began her career serving at the American International School in Vienna. Today, her focus is on empowering families and adolescents with guidance that fosters confidence, resilience, and lasting well-being.
00:00:00 – Early Struggles and Motivation
00:03:27 – Academic Challenges and Family Dynamics
00:06:00 – Coping Mechanisms and Emotional Growth
00:10:37 – Parenting, Learning Styles, and Strengths
00:14:48 – Emotional Intelligence and Adolescent Support
00:18:45 – Cheryl’s Clinical Practice and Common Issues
00:21:15 – Helping Children Manage Anxiety and Friendship
00:24:57 – Social Struggles, Bullying, and Resilience
00:28:28 – Family Moves and Emotional Adaptation
00:33:40 – Career, Identity, and Purpose Abroad
00:42:08 – Building Connection and Navigating EXPAT Life
00:47:17 – Family Bonds, Friendship, and Finding Home
00:51:44 – Introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS)
00:53:39 – Soul Work, Spirituality, and Self-Compassion
00:58:41 – Integrating Soul into Clinical Practice
01:04:44 – Leadership, IFS Principles, and Organizational Culture
01:10:54 – Communication, Curiosity, and Workplace Wellness
01:20:01 – Balance Practices and Final Wisdom
For further mental health information and support, visit The Balance RehabClinic website: https://balancerehabclinic.com/
Follow Abdullah Boulad:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullahboulad/
https://www.instagram.com/abdullahboulad/
Follow Cheryl Donaldson:
https://stillpointpsych.com/about/cheryl-donaldson/
You can order Abdullah’s book, ‘Living A Life In Balance’, here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...
Follow The Balance RehabClinic:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/thebalancerehabclinic/
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