I've thought about calling myself a "stubborn generalist" because I'm terrible at identifying a niche for my work.
My first therapeutic role was at a university health center, and from day one, I learned to work with whoever walked through the door. Social anxiety? Sure. Relationship issues? Got you covered. Gender identity questions? Yes.
Initially, I was terrified. No kidding. I couldn't sleep. I got a mouth guard to use at night because I was gritting my teeth so hard, I was cracking them.
More than a decade later, I love it. I love that people ask for help and they let themselves be whole.
It's pretty amazing to explore one thread in a client's life and find where it connects to another and another and to recognize the rich tapestry that makes up each person's background and dreams of what lies ahead.
Wayfinding
In my free consultation calls with people who are exploring whether we're a good fit to work together, I often ask them, "If we work together, how will you know that you've gotten what you came for? What will have changed in your life as a result of our work together?"
Answers vary, of course, but people's responses tend to fall into a few categories:
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ADHD
I'm married to someone who was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, and I've worked with college students and adults in claiming ADHD as a strength.
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Infertility
I walked this road >25 years ago, yet its impact on my life has been profound. I've worked with many people who have experienced perinatal loss , traumatic birth, infertility, and early parenting years.
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Career
People come to me seeking support around career direction, job search, workplace toxicity, burnout, career sabbatical, and managing up.
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Parentification
Taking on too much responsibility at a young age, developing eerily attuned emotional GPS (while losing internal connection), all to survive in the early years. It was too much then, and yet, it's too hard to shed these habits.
Emotional Eating
When food serves as a numbing mechanism, and it’s become a habit with tentacles.
Digestive Issues
GI issues without a clear medical source.
Ambiguous Grief
Loss, both overt such as the death of someone you love and loss that’s hard to pin down such as watching someone age (or aging yourself).
“I don’t know.” That’s what people sometimes tell me.
"I just want to feel better," they'll say. Or "My partner suggested I schedule time with you." That works.
It's not important what you call your pain or your worries. Soft-focused goals can lead to remarkable shifts. When we view ourselves as whole and in the context of our entire lives (it's a myth that coaching looks forward and therapy looks backwards - totally wrong!), we find insights and change and truth.
While I'm great at identifying the root cause of what's going on and equipping people with tools to support their desired changes, I'm not very strong when it comes to diagnoses, medication management, and acute needs. If you're seeking support in these areas, take a look at Psychology Today's directory to find someone who is better trained to give you what you need and want.