When Jenny initially asked me to write a blog post for her website, I thought, “Sure! How fun will this be!” I returned to my computer in no less than thirty minutes from our conversation and began plugging away, at what I thought, was the perfect post. I presented it to Jenny who responded with something along the lines of “I want our clients to get to know you. Write something more personal.”
Hmm. Personal. You mean, you’re asking me, the therapist, to be vulnerable?? Eeek
Vulnerability, I know. Something I demand of each of you. Vulnerability, honesty, self examination. And here I sit, wondering, how to be vulnerable within this space.
What led me to becoming a therapist?
My journey began as a young girl, sitting in a preschool classroom. No, I was not the preschooler. I was a teenager, helping my mother in her classroom. The class was full of young children, but my time was spent the most with Keanu. A little boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder. His most coined phrase being, “I too busy” to evade snack time where a bowl of pretzels and a cup of milk awaited him. Because as we know, all 4 year olds have such packed schedules they ought not be bothered for snack time!
This became my journey. This was my calling. Teaching Special Education. So I pursued it. Fearlessly and bull-heatedly. I earned my degree in Early Childhood Special Education and immediately began providing services for children between birth and age three within their home environment. It was over the next four years, meeting with approximately 8 families a day, where my curiosity surrounding mental health services began. A churning started in my heart. “I know I want to do something more, something to support families who have children with special needs.” But what that looked like, I didn’t know.
I returned home over a holiday and was visiting with my mother about this conundrum. Becoming a behavior analyst didn’t quite feel right. Jumping ship into nursing didn’t quite feel right. And continuing on in special education felt like something was missing. It was then that my mother handed me a pamphlet for PCIT (Parent Child Interaction Therapy). Holy smokes. If I’ve ever had an “ah ha” moment this was it. I was going to become a Parent Child Interaction Therapist.
So…as in typical Lauren fashion, off we went. Determined and bull-headed. I entered graduate school to study Counseling Psychology.
But…again…another turn. I wanted a challenge. I felt little ones were my comfort zone, so I asked my clinical internship site director for something new and different. And different was what I was given. I spent a year providing mental health support to individuals experiencing severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. I led groups for senior citizens with dementia. I conducted assessments for individuals seeking Social Security Disability support.
Again..I was thinking…wow! Look at the options. So vast! How will I ever decide?!
The universe stepped in on this one. I knew Jenny from being roommates with her younger sister in undergrad, but also from babysitting her son, Deakon. I reached out to Jenny to inquire of post-graduate supervision. Jenny’s response was, “Can I hire you?” I think my jaw dropped and my mind reeled for about a week before we were able to discuss. more. And, in one discussion, my whole life changed.
Thank you for sharing your vulnerability with me. I look forward to working with you.