Empowered Family Solutions Behavioral Health

09/10/2026

Ever pick your child up from school ready to hear ALL about their day…

…and get exactly two words? 😂🐾

After spending hours listening, learning, socializing, following directions, managing emotions, and holding it together, some kids simply don’t have much left for questions.

Instead of jumping right into “How was school?”, try giving them a little time to decompress first.

Then later, try something more specific:
💬 “What was the funniest thing that happened today?”
💬 “Who did you spend the most time with?”
💬 “Was there anything today that felt really easy or really hard?”

Sometimes the conversation comes when we stop trying so hard to start it.

Featuring Boba, Empowered’s Director of After-School Decompression. 🐶

Empowered Family Solutions Behavioral Health

09/09/2026

Boba has no patients, no notes to finish, and has never fought with an insurance company in her life.

And yet, she’s apparently reached the point in her career where she cannot report to the office without Starbucks. ☕🐾

We support employee wellness at Empowered. Even when the employee’s primary responsibility is sitting in a chair and looking cute.

Employee of the month. Obviously. 😂

09/04/2026

Boba just needs to make absolutely sure. 🐾😂

“Are you mad at me?”
“You’re sure?”
“Like… actually sure?”

Reassurance seeking can be really common with anxiety—especially in kids and teens. It can bring relief in the moment, but that relief usually doesn’t last… so the brain asks again.

The goal isn’t to never need reassurance. It’s helping kids slowly learn:

💭 “I can handle not knowing for sure.”
💭 “An anxious thought doesn’t mean something is wrong.”
💭 “I can feel uncomfortable without immediately fixing the feeling.”

And yes, Boba would still like you to confirm one more time that everything is okay. 🐶

— Empowered Family Solutions Behavioral Health
www.empoweredsolutionsaz.com

09/03/2026

Work-life balance is still a work in progress at Empowered.
Boba, however, remains deeply committed to mandatory cuddle breaks. 🐾

http://www.empoweredsolutionsAZ.com

09/02/2026

It’s okay to talk about su***de. It’s okay to ask about su***de. And it’s okay to ask for help

Talking about su***de does not cause su***de.

Asking someone directly if they’re thinking about su***de does not put the idea in their head. Being willing to have that conversation can create an opportunity for someone to tell you what they’re really experiencing.

Passive suicidal thoughts can be more common than many people realize, but they should still be taken seriously. We need to be able to talk openly about what those thoughts look like, when they become more concerning, and when additional support is needed.

Most importantly: you should never feel like you have to minimize what you’re experiencing because you’re afraid to tell your mental health provider.

It’s okay to talk about su***de. It’s okay to ask about su***de. And it’s okay to ask for help. 💚

If you or someone you know is in crisis or unable to stay safe, call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline or seek emergency care.

***dePreventionMonth ***dePrevention

08/31/2026

💛 Peoria parents — if you’ve been calling around trying to find psychiatric care for your child or teen, I know how frustrating that search can be.

Long waitlists. Providers who aren’t accepting new patients. Appointments that feel rushed. Or finally finding someone, only to leave feeling like they never really got to know your child.

I’m a local Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and the owner of Empowered Family Solutions Behavioral Health here in Peoria, and I currently have openings for new patients ages 8 through adulthood.

I work with kids, teens, and adults struggling with things like ADHD, anxiety, depression, mood changes, emotional regulation, school difficulties, and other mental health concerns.

One of the biggest reasons I opened my own practice was because I wanted the freedom to give patients and families time. Time to tell me what’s actually going on. Time to ask questions. Time to look beyond a diagnosis or medication list and figure out what makes sense for this person.

No 10-minute medication checks. No revolving door feeling. Just thoughtful, individualized psychiatric care and a provider who genuinely wants to know the person sitting across from her.

📍 In-person in Peoria
💻 Telehealth throughout Arizona
💳 Most major insurance plans accepted
📅 New patient appointments available

If you’ve been wondering whether it’s time to have your child evaluated — or you’ve been searching for a new psychiatric provider for yourself — you’re welcome to reach out.

And if you’re not sure whether my practice would be the right fit, send me a message. I’m always happy to answer questions. 💛

Empowered Family Solutions Behavioral Health

Empowered Family Solutions offers compassionate, evidence-based behavioral health care with Cali Yepiz, ARNP. Supporting individuals & families to thrive with mental health services in Phoenix.

08/29/2026

Meet Boba 🐾
Empowered’s Director of Emotional Support

Qualifications:
Excellent listener ✓
Nonjudgmental ✓
Strong advocate for naps ✓
Excellent morale booster ✓

Areas for improvement:
Boundaries ✗
Personal space ✗
Staying on task ✗

Boba
Director of Emotional Support
Unlicensed. Uncredentialed. Highly valued. 😂