I talk to people all the time. Probably every day. I’ve also written quite a bit. Spending over a decade in universities will do that to you. (Why I was in school for such a long time is a story for a later date, though I will share with you it involves Indiana Jones and cats.) But writing a blog?
Never.
Until now.
That sounded more ominous than I intended. Back to the matter at hand. As a psychologist, I generally spend more of my time listening than talking, and when I do talk, it’s rarely focused on my life and experiences. Those of us in my line of work tend to have a well-defined line between our personal selves and our professional selves. However, I think blogging gives me the opportunity to speak more informally and lets you see more of who I am as a person, behind the titles and fancy letters.
I’m often asked by clients and people outside of mental health whether I “like” my job. I deeply love the work I do, and I am honored every time someone shares their story in my office. I know it can be nerve-wracking for many folks to even consider telling “a stranger” about their struggles, especially when it comes to things they haven’t shared with anyone. It’s common to fear being judged, and it’s hard to suddenly let go of that fear, especially if you have been judged harshly by others in the past.
It’s okay to be afraid and to still have your guard up. I don’t expect new clients to feel ready to explore all their painful areas. Actually, I don’t expect that of current clients, either. Part of our work together is you letting me know when you feel prepared to “go there,” because I respect your boundaries. We may check-in from time to time to see where you are, because circumstances change and we find ourselves in different headspaces as time passes.
Clients also tend to wonder what I do outside of the therapy room. Although my work is a major component of my life, I spend quite a bit of time reading. Many books are professionally related, and if you are interested in helpful reading outside of therapy, I am happy to share titles that I or other folks have found helpful. I also enjoy reading history and historical fiction, philosophy, classical literature, and horror (both Gothic and modern).
During the spring and summer, I can be found gardening (or trying to learn about gardening as this is a newer hobby for me). I also try to take walks in my neighborhood when weather permits. One thing I really love doing regardless of seasons is cooking. I watch all kinds of cooking shows, and have a growing library of cookbooks and recipes. Making stock from scratch and chopping up ingredients are both activities I find therapeutic. Plus, I feel accomplished I can nourish myself and others. I learned to cook as an adult on my own, so I don’t take my ability to cook for granted because there was a long time where I wasn’t able to prepare many dishes.
I didn’t know I wanted to be a psychologist when I was younger. Actually, I wanted to be an archaeologist into my early adulthood. This is where Indiana Jones comes in, as you may have guessed. I grew up watching those movies and always looked forward to visiting museums. It seemed like a natural fit, and that’s why my academic background includes history degrees. Eventually, I decided this path wasn’t for me and I took some time to decide where my career path was calling me. I chose clinical psychology because it afforded me the opportunity to work in a variety of areas across multiple types of settings. I’ve been able to provide therapy, psychological assessment (testing), supervision, and create educational workshops. I want to help people alleviate suffering, become more aware of themselves, and learn new things. My work is fulfilling and I can see myself growing as a professional for the rest of my life in it.
If you’d like to work with me, please give me a call or send me a message here. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
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