Why We Keep Coming To Therapy
Dear friends,
I pinch myself a lot for the privilege of being a therapist. I also really enjoy being a patient, which I have spent years in as well -- and it's an integral part of being a whole and healed person in the work. But, the artistry of therapy never ceases to inspire me; it is a delicate dance between what's known and unknown.
It takes a seasoned eye to decipher if something is free to emerge into full awareness, and note what the defenses may be doing to attempt to buffer it. My hair sometimes stands on end in witness to a revelation of new clarity, a modicum of new self love that shows itself after the hard work of looking inward with a new lens. The gift of insight is that it offers choices -- new ways of being in the world, inhabited in the self, and in relationships with more intent, consciousness, and wholeness. It is always a wonder to behold, and I revel in the experience everyday.
These are tiny miracles that the psyche will offer us when we follow it closely, honor where it is taking us, and trust that it will alight to the place where more love and understanding is needed. When together we arrive there, it is discernment that can narrate what new gifts of freedom, meaning, and hope are being offered.
Every session is an entirely new experience to participate in. The therapist/patient relationship is always evolving. The dynamics of mutual regard that protect and preserve, the gift of "saying anything", and the promise of complete safety/confidentiality, are a living and marvelous thing. When we tell our stories and put words and meaning to our experiences, we heal. To be a witness and co-creator in that process is hallowed work. My patients teach me new things about life, their world, and myself every single day. I know, right? Pinch me.
We know that this life will break and heal your heart daily. It is both burdensome and luminous experience - the journey of parenthood in particular is a harrowing and heart-swelling ride. Here are some other thoughts on being a therapist from the wonderful clinicians here at the center:
Kenya Easterly says:
"I love helping people realize how strong and amazing they are.
I love seeing people feel better and enjoy life more.
I love being trusted with someone’s story.
I love being a supportive, non judgmental listening ear.
I also love the amazing, kind and caring people I get to work and consult with!"
Heidi Lengel says:
"I love seeing how people come to understand themselves more through our work together, identify their internal strengths, and create new ways of being in their lives that are healthier for everyone in their lives!"
Shaily Nandra says:
"I specifically love being a postpartum therapist because I can truly empathize with the struggle and pressure of raising little people to become their own big person. There's something really special about just listening to my clients and validating their very own parenthood journey. With that, I love being the one that can provide that space where clients can be their 100% authentic self without feeling judged or having to prove themselves. It's also always fun learning about different cultures and backgrounds!"
Katie Holzworth says:
"I love being entrusted with the most intimate details of people's lives.
I love learning about such a wide variety of cultures, careers, and walks of life.
I love seeing what a profound and lasting effect that self-awareness and growth can have on an individual, couple, family, and even future generations."
Lindsay Edwards says:
"I love being a therapist for the following reasons:
- Witnessing clients feel moved by their insights.
- Feeling moved myself by clients' stories and resilience.
- Noticing roots and patterns that clients have yet to observe because I can unbiasedly see the bird's eye view. I then love how awareness of these can relieve one's sense of "failure" or "hopelessness". Finding patterns and reasons for them can be the key to unlocking many unsolved problems at once.
- Offering undivided attention in which clients can be fully and compassionately listened to. Since I can't do this for my own family members during everyday life, it's a gift to be in an exchange in which a person's intimate stories can be given acute priority.
- Applying learning from my client work to my own life.
- Accessing a broader stroke of experiences, cultures, perspectives that I would otherwise be privy to.
- Being a therapist requires and motivates me to continue growing in my own development.
- Giving the experience of genuine confidentiality and a sense of what trust can feel like."
Christina Moran-O'Brien says:
"#Notatherapist but I thought I would share some things I love about intakes/welcoming people into care here. So many people come to us because they feel othered or isolated from one of the biggest experiences in their lives. I love when I can tell them that, yes, they are welcomed here. I love the sense of relief that I hear when I tell someone that we are taking new clients/no waitlist, and they don't have to do it alone anymore. It is humbling to be there for people in that way. I love to hear that someone was referred by a friend/sister/etc who told them that we would know how to help them. That level of trust is really special."
As you can hear, we are a dedicated group of clinicians and humans. Truly, it is a special team and we embody the value of continued growth, training, and healing in ourselves. Are you feeling ready for your own journey of self discovery? Let's do it!
Warmly,
Kellie Wicklund, LPC, PMH-C
Owner + Clinical Director
Christina Moran
Executive Director
