Why I’m a Therapist
Farming and the woods. When I think about what makes this work worthy to me and why it has done so over twenty years, I get an image of the farm I used to have and an image of these old Appalachian hills where I live.
Both places taught, and teach, me the importance of wildness.
When something is in a wild state - healthily so- it’s in a complete state. All the qualities and abilities inherent to that being are present and available. Nothing has been declared bad and deleted.
Likewise among all the lives in a healthy, wild environment. There is an ease of being within each life of each species and among all the species that are present. There is an understanding and acceptance of how to share space and resources.
Think forest floor.
I see that completeness —fullness—as inherent in us humans, too.
The variety of life that is in the wild and on a healthy farm is much like the mix of thoughts, values, emotions, perspectives, longing, energy levels, spirituality, and on and on that abide within each of us. Conflicts and all.
We struggle with that mix, though. Most of us were given an image of how we’re supposed to be and we strive to match that image. Or we rebel against it. Either way, we’re shaped by an external image rather than by something inherent.
We push aside thoughts and feelings that scare us, hurt us, make us angry, sad, feel guilty or ashamed. We’re told that if we push aside those aspects of ourselves, we’ll be happy, good people. Seems sensible. I certainly gave that approach a solid go, as most of us have.
It doesn’t work, though. And my guess is that since you’re here, you too are realizing something’s off. The metaphorical poison ivy, bramble, and biting pests keep showing up. Aka worry, overwhelm, numbness, never good enough, and on and on. We hate them and we want them gone.
Thing is, they’re our signals. We think worry, overwhelm, numbness, never-good-enough, etc. are what’s wrong and we’re supposed to get rid of them. Nope.
They’re here to show us the way. We need to know how to follow their lead though. We need to know how to read the map they reveal because that map shows a complete way to live. We can do that.
We can read that map. And I’d love to help you do so. I’d love for you to discover the completeness, wildness of you, to love that completeness, and to love being here.
Credentials:
I received my BA in Psychology from Furman University (Go FU!) and my Master of Social Work, clinical track, from the University of Georgia. I’m licensed to provide mental healthcare in North Carolina (C008994) and in New Hampshire (4914). I continually study specialized trainings so I can provide the best care available. I’ve worked in this profession over two decades and I’ve spent a chunk of time in other fields, too.
And of course, I’ve had to deal with my own debilitating rounds of anxiety, depression, sensitivities, and trauma related ills. I get where you’re coming from. I’m a highly sensitive high achiever and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
As a mental health care provider, I’ve worked in a variety of settings: group home, hospitals, schools, clinics, and private practice. With all ages (children through adults) who had a wide range of needs and resources.
Working with a wide array of folks for an extended time has been essential in helping me understand how we humans function: what we need, what we want, what helps us, and what gets in our way.
I’ve seen what works, what doesn’t, and I will gladly share what works.
When not working as a therapist, I’ve worked in the arts (visual and written), as a farmer (so you’ve read!), and in the health food industry. Those experiences, just like those within this profession, figure huge in helping me understand what supports us as humans and what trips us up.
Apart from working, I’m often outdoors (no surprise there!). Preferably in the woods. I’m also often learning about and writing poetry, reading all manner of material (pick a subject..), doing my best to be a loving friend and family member to all species, and making art along the way.
I would love to know what makes you come alive, or what used to, and I’d love to help you find connection again.