Roya Dedeaux
clinical expertise + Creative tools
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a virtual community center
for mental health, community, and creativity
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But wait, there's more!
Therapy with a creative twist:
I'm also an expert in recreation and leisure!
I'm Roya Dedeaux
(rhymes with play-dough)
Can I tell you something? Even now, after decades as a licensed therapist, author, and university professor, I still resonate with my teenage self.
I was an intense and emotional kid who hyper-focused on ceramics, collage, poetry, printmaking... There wasn’t an art form I didn’t deep dive into, to the exclusion of just about everything else. It would have been very easy as my parents to look at my "obsessions" and worry that my lack of balance would prevent me from being a successful adult. However...
Turns out? Leaning into your kid's interests is the key to helping them prepare to be happy and healthy adults.
Through my degree in Recreation & Leisure Studies and my Master's in Counseling I focused on studying the impact of creativity, playfulness, and free time on our mental health. I was able to conduct research and put academic language to my deep understanding that we are all better prepared for adult challenges when our interests are supported.
I focus on honing the 3 C's with my clients - Creativity, Connection, and Community. I use my RECREATE Parenting approach to work with families, I offer teen-specific resources through my Launch Anxiety and Lift Off workshops, and I combine clinical expertise with creative fun when I work with my business and corporate clients to provide teamwork, communication, and leadership workshops.
Therapy
I've been in private practice for over a decade, working mostly with families who don't fit the mold.
With my background in recreation and leisure and my focus on mental health, I especially love working with teens and their parents on having the best relationship you can so that you can feel secure and supported during difficult transitions and milestones in your life. Adulting is hard - being a good grown-up is difficult.
I offer telehealth sessions out of Fullerton, California for individuals and families.
Groups & Memberships
The Recreative
a virtual community center for mental health
The ReCreative is a virtual community center designed to enhance your creativity and community!
Each month I run approximately 25 different groups, workshops, or special events. YOU can have access to as many of these as you would like!
Instead of paying for each individually, think of this like a martial arts or dance studio. You pay monthly for a certain number of group sessions each week based on your needs and interests. Take a look at the calendar each month and decide which you want to go to, based on your membership level.
Groups range from creative writing and art to small group therapy. There are events for teens and their parents, and everything is virtual.
Parenting Courses
Empower Your Parenting Journey with Roya Dedeaux's Signature Courses
I offer specialized courses designed to help parents and teens navigate the challenges of growing up and growing together. As a licensed therapist with a passion for strengthening family connections, I’ve created two comprehensive courses tailored to address the unique struggles of parenting.
Whether you’re dealing with launch anxiety, communication breakdowns, or simply want to strengthen your bond, my courses provide the tools and strategies you need to move forward with confidence.
Introducing My Parenting Courses
1. Lift Off: 5-Week Program for Parents and Teens
The transition into adulthood can be overwhelming for both parents and teens. "Lift Off" is a 5-week course designed to guide families through this pivotal time with a focus on reducing anxiety, improving communication, and building emotional resilience.
In this program, you and your teen will:
- Explore feelings of anxiety surrounding independence, college, or career planning
- Develop practical tools for navigating emotional ups and downs
- Strengthen communication so you can better understand each other’s needs
- Work through challenges together, with guided exercises that promote trust and understanding
With a blend of expert advice, creative activities, and actionable strategies, "Lift Off" is perfect for families looking to make the transition smoother, less stressful, and more empowering.
2. Connect with Courage: 10-Week Program for Parents
"Connect with Courage" is a transformative 10-week program designed specifically for parents who want to deepen their connection with their child, even through the toughest challenges. This course focuses on understanding your child's emotional world, addressing conflict with compassion, and building a lasting relationship based on trust and respect for their interests and passions.
In this course, you will:
- Learn advanced communication techniques to reduce conflict and improve understanding
- Gain insight into your kid's emotional development and unique struggles
- Discover creative ways to reconnect with your child, using their interests as a foundation
- Develop the courage to face tough conversations and parenting moments with confidence
"Connect with Courage" is ideal for parents who want a deeper, longer-term commitment to strengthening their relationship with their children. This course goes beyond surface-level solutions, providing you with the tools to truly transform how you approach parenting.
Why Choose These Courses?
As a licensed therapist with expertise in child and teen development and family dynamics, I’ve designed these courses to meet the specific needs of modern families. Whether you're dealing with launch anxiety or just seeking a better way to connect, my courses are grounded in proven strategies, creativity, and compassion.
You’ll walk away with:
- Practical, hands-on tools for addressing real-life parenting challenges
- A deeper connection with your children, built on understanding and trust
- Support and guidance every step of the way, so you never feel alone in this journey
Ready to Strengthen Your Family’s Connection?
Join one of my courses today and discover how you can move from stress and confusion to connection and clarity. Whether you choose the short-term impact of "Lift Off" or the deep transformation of "Connect with Courage," you’ll be empowered to navigate your children's next stages with confidence.
Sign up now to reserve your spot in either "Lift Off" or "Connect with Courage," and take the first step toward a stronger, healthier family connection.
Soft Skills Training for Businesses
As a dynamic speaker, extroverted people person, and creative therapist - I LOVE getting to go out to new businesses, meet new people, and provide training designed for your work place! If you are looking for someone for your next in-service training, corporate retreat, or staff meeting, I would love to work with you to create a personalized training to fit the needs of your company.
Discounts available for women owned businesses!
Why Soft Skills Matter
The strongest teams are built on more than just skill sets; they’re grounded in connection and collaboration. By investing in soft skills development, you give your team the tools they need to:
- Enhance Communication: Clear, empathetic communication is the foundation of any successful workplace. I provide training that helps employees actively listen, express themselves clearly, and resolve conflicts constructively.
- Boost Teamwork: Creativity thrives in teams that trust each other. My approach to team-building fosters collaboration through hands-on activities designed to strengthen relationships and break down silos.
- Develop Leadership: Whether it’s emerging leaders or seasoned executives, I offer leadership training that cultivates confidence, emotional intelligence, and a growth mindset to lead with empathy and vision.
Ready to Invest in Your Team?
Contact me today to learn more about how our soft skills training can transform your business through creativity, connection, and community.
Teens & their Parents
I help parents navigate the emotional and practical challenges of supporting their teens through launch anxiety. As a licensed therapist and specialist in adolescent development, I’m dedicated to empowering parents to connect with their teens as they prepare to transition into adulthood.
What is Launch Anxiety?
The transition from adolescence to adulthood is an exciting yet overwhelming time for both teens and their parents. As teens face new responsibilities—whether it’s leaving for college, entering the workforce, or gaining independence—many experience anxiety, uncertainty, and fear about the future. For parents, this phase can be equally challenging as you try to support your child while managing your own worries about what’s next.
Launch anxiety can manifest in a variety of ways, including:
- Emotional struggles such as mood swings, withdrawal, or heightened anxiety
- Behavioral changes like procrastination, avoidance, or risky behaviors
- Communication breakdowns, making it harder to connect with and guide your teen
If you’re feeling unsure about how to best support your teen during this time, you’re not alone. I’m here to help.
My Approach
As a licensed therapist with expertise in teen development and family dynamics, I understand the unique pressures both parents and teens face during the launch phase. My work focuses on three core principles:
- Connection: Rebuilding and maintaining a strong, open line of communication with your teen is essential. Together, we’ll develop strategies to foster meaningful conversations that help you understand your teen’s needs and feelings.
- Creativity: Through my RECREATE Parenting approach, I blend creative solutions with clinical knowledge to help you think outside the box when supporting your teen. This includes incorporating your teen’s interests and passions to reduce anxiety and build their confidence.
- Community: No parent has to go through this journey alone. I provide guidance, tools, and support for you to navigate this transition alongside others who understand. Whether through individual therapy sessions, workshops, or group support, you’ll find the help you need to manage launch anxiety.
How I Can Help
Working with me, you’ll gain:
- Practical tools to address anxiety and communication challenges
- Personalized strategies tailored to your teen’s unique needs and situation
- Ongoing support as you navigate this critical time, ensuring you and your teen feel confident about the future
Through my years of experience as a therapist, professor, and parent advocate, I’ve helped countless families move from stress and uncertainty to connection and clarity during this transitional period.
Ready to Support Your Teen with Confidence?
If you’re ready to feel empowered and prepared for the challenges ahead, I’m here to guide you through every step of the process. Let’s work together to ensure you and your teen are equipped to face the future with strength and resilience.
Contact me today to learn more about how we can work together to reduce launch anxiety and rebuild a stronger connection with your teen.
"Roya's way of exploring the ways to better understand and connect with our teenagers were incredibly helpful."
Here are the 3 most popular parenting services for you AND your teen:
If you aren't sure where to start, you can always
contact me!
Online Art & Creative Writing Group for Teens
Individual & Family Therapy Sessions
Lift Off Workshop for Teens & their Parents
Neuro-divergent families
Even before becoming a therapist, the majority of my professional life was spent working with people with disabilities. I worked for the North Orange County Community College Disability Services, at a magnet daycare for kids with disabilities, and worked for Project Independence, the largest provider of services for adults with disabilities in Southern California.
These experiences helped me hone my philosophy when I work with families and individuals who are on the neurospicy side of the spectrum. As a therapist, I believe in working from a strengths-focused perspective. I meet my clients where they are at, and create an individualized treatment plan that is best for each person.
If you are officially diagnosed, or even if you suspect that you or your child has ADHD, autism, ODD, or any other potential diagnosis, I am happy to work with your family on your unique needs.
Homeschoolers & Unschoolers
Not only am I a grown unschooler, but I also conducted the largest study to date on mental health and homeschoolers (you can read that here if you want!)
If you are looking for someone who understands your lifestyle, who knows that the solution to your problems is not automatically, "put the kids in school," who gets the nuance of park day politics, and does not need you to waste valuable therapy time educating your therapist... then I'm your alternative education gal.
"As a homeschool parent whose children are gamers I found this helpful for working on my mindset around what I think it should look like to being ok with how it actually is when it comes to learning and my children." Jaclyn
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