Alicia Marcos Birong

Therapist Alicia Marcos Birong has a passion for helping people.

However, it wasn’t until she sought help for herself that she found a way to benefit females with low self-esteem.

Birong found herself recovering her own self-esteem after a challenging life-experience. Although she spent her time helping a lot of people, she neglected her own needs, and hit a low point.

She went to New Mexico in hopes of recovery. During her time in New Mexico, she began working with the subconscious mind. Her personal work changed her focus on how she practiced therapy. She expanded her skills to include hypnotherapy.

“I saw a lot of kids in treatment centers and residential centers,” she said. “Most kids weren’t getting well. Hypnosis helps people understand their own inner power, and helps people resolve buried issues.”

Birong will tell her story when Artful Women presents “Raising Strong Daughters, an Interactive Tea Party,” at the Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake at 3 p.m. Nov. 13.

Birong’s book, “Changing the Chatter: Help Your Daughter Look Beyond the Mirror for Self- Esteem,” discusses the importance of raising a daughter with strong self-esteem.

Birong, author of “Changing the Chatter: Help Your Daughter Look Beyond the Mirror for Self- Esteem,” discusses the importance of raising a daughter with strong self-esteem.

Birong is an author and life coach. She is the founder and owner of Guided Choices the parent company of Changing the Chatter/ChatterGirls. With a passion for improving and empowering the lives of individuals of all ages, she has worked with children and adults for more than 30 years as a life coach, therapist and hypnotherapist. Marcos holds a master’s degree in counseling from Loyola University in Chicago.

The Artful Women series was founded in 2013. The organization explores current women’s issues in a format that enrichs, inspires, educates, and entertains the community. Birong’s Interactive Tea is the second in the 2016 series.

Birong believes that many problems like anxiety, headaches, stomach problems have their root in low self-esteem that originated in childhood. As a result of her success in one-on-one therapy, Birong built a program that is successful for groups of women and girls.

“If girls don’t feel confident at 14, they generally don’t revisit it until their 30s,” Birong explained. “By the time women reach their 30s, they are going through some type of transition. Perhaps they want to be more successful in their career, start a business, or contemplate becoming a mother.”

In 2013, Alicia started “Changing the Chatter: Celebrating ChatterGirls” to help young girls between the ages of 8 and 14 deal with social pressures and self-esteem. The goal of the program is to spread the message across the nation so young girls will have the tools they need to be stronger, more confident young women.

“How children treat other people is a mirror of how they feel about themselves,” said Birong.

Birong says the building blocks of a woman’s confidence are cemented before they are 14 years old. The Tea Party involves an open discussion and activities that will encourage improved self-esteem and better communication. Tea, lemonade, and cookies will be served courtesy of Le Petite Marche.

The Tea will be set up on stage with mirrors on each table and large mirror as a back-drop. This follows the theme of Birong’s self-help book. ChatterGirls has two programs: one for girls 8-10 and another for those 11-14 years old. Yet the Tea is not just for mothers and young daughters. Women are encouraged to bring their girlfriend, their sisters, and their own mothers.

Birong chose a Tea because she believes the dynamic of a Tea creates a way that women connect with other women.

“The old-fashioned Southern Tea is multi-generational. Girls learn how to be women,” she said. “It’s very elegant, yet a lot of things are discussed, like politic, raising children, and careers. Women had the freedom to speak their truth absent the influence of men.”

Birong believes there is a real benefit to mothers because they will be connecting with their daughters. They will be inspired by her development as she grows into her true self, and they will see her confidence and strengths emerge as her values become obvious.

Birong was a recipient of the McHenry County Hero’s Award, given to residents who have made a marked contribution to their community. For more information, visit Birong’s Facebook page, Chattergirls1 or follower her on twitter @Chattergirls1.