Welcome to Mind Align Counseling

7/23/24- The Brendan G Podcast Featuring Amanda Emerson, LCSW

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Welcome to the Brendan G Podcast!

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We’re excited to feature Amanda Emerson, a licensed clinical social worker with over two decades of experience in the mental health field. Amanda is currently enrolled in a PhD program at the International Institute of Clinical Sexology in Miami, Florida, and she runs a renowned mental health clinic, Mind Align Counseling, in Little Rock, Arkansas.

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Host (Brendan G): Welcome to the Brendan G podcast! We're going to be exploring mental health and its connection to gut health. On board here, we've got an expert in the field, Amanda Emerson. She's a licensed clinical social worker with over two decades of experience in the mental health field, and she's enrolled in a PhD program at the International Institute of Clinical Sexology in Miami, Florida. She runs a mental health clinic in Little Rock. Amanda, welcome to the show.

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Amanda Emerson: Thank you for having me. I'm thrilled to be here and to talk about this topic with you all because it is very, very close to my heart and it’s everything that I talk about and do within my practice.

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Host: Fantastic! Yeah, and we're going to be hitting all kinds of topics here. We're going to be talking about the brain-gut connection, how hormones are involved, ketogenic diets, how that impacts mental health, and we’re going to be talking about some common solutions as well. But give us a little bit of background on what you're doing, what you’re involved in, and then we can jump into the brain-gut connection.

 

Amanda Emerson: Absolutely. So, I have my own private practice in North Little Rock, Arkansas, where I practice all different kinds of modalities for therapy. But I work specifically with complex trauma in a lot of different cases and in a lot of different ways. I also do coaching out of the clinic so that I can provide services globally via telehealth and things like that. I do hypnotherapy, I’m a certified sex therapist, and physical and mental health is just my passion. I really want to get people connected and talking about it because it’s extremely important. It affects all areas of mental health.

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Host: Beautiful. Yeah, and as you said before, you’re not locked into a particular region because you do this over the phone and Zoom calls, I would assume, right?

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Amanda Emerson: Yes, yes, because with things like hypnotherapy, it’s all about overriding some of our subconscious beliefs to heal faster.

Host: So, you know, we talk a lot about gut health. We think it's a cornerstone of overall health. You see this from a slightly different perspective. I think it's very interesting, this mental health component. Could you explain your understanding of this connection between gut health and mental health?

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Amanda Emerson: Yeah, so research has shown that an unhealthy gut can contribute to a range of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and even cognitive disorders. Inflammation in the gut can affect brain function, and imbalances in gut bacteria can influence our neurotransmitters and the production of certain hormones such as serotonin, dopamine, and cortisol, which affects our moods and overall emotional well-being.

Host: Yeah, we talk about serotonin and cortisol quite a bit. Maybe we should focus on one of those first and kind of do a deep dive. Should we start off with cortisol?

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Amanda Emerson: Yeah, yeah. So, cortisol is a stress hormone, and it breaks down in the body as sugar. The increase of that really affects your gut health, the breakdown of the digestive system and the foods that you're eating. It also increases anxiety, so a lot of times people will experience essentially their own sugar crashes throughout the day, and that’s going to have a huge impact on their mood.

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Host: Right, and if they have an inflamed gut, they're going to have cortisol up even if they're not necessarily experiencing stress. That's almost a side effect. The increase in cortisol is going to end up jumping the blood sugar, right? Is that basically what you're talking about?

 

Amanda Emerson: Yeah, yeah. So, when stress is ongoing, the body will continue to produce high amounts of stress chemicals. In contrast, unresolved things like complex trauma are associated with chronically low levels of cortisol within the bloodstream. What happens is this is where a lot of autoimmune disorders come from, like fibromyalgia, because you're essentially putting your foot on the brake and on the gas at the same time of your nervous system.

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Host: That's interesting. I never put that together before. Okay, and with the parasympathetic nervous system, that's all about rest and digest. But if you're having a lot of complex trauma and flashbacks, and emotions all over the place, you're in survival mode a lot. You're not allowing your body to rest and digest, and that’s where a lot of the buildup of toxins in the gut and the inflammation can come from. With that, it puts your body in basically an unchecked autoimmune response, and it starts attacking itself.

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Amanda Emerson: Right. Yeah, we talk about it through a cascade of molecular mimicry where typical pathogens will cross the gut barrier and then get confused with components within the body. You're seeing this from a completely different perspective, which complicates things tremendously.

Host: Absolutely. And so, what you're talking about is you can develop leaky gut syndrome, which occurs when the intestinal lining becomes excessively permeable, allowing toxins, pathogens, and undigested food particles to pass through the bloodstream, triggering systemic inflammation.

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Amanda Emerson: Yeah, and food sensitivities. The body’s not meant to see these things. It seizes things and the immune system just goes crazy.

 

Host: That makes sense.

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Amanda Emerson: Absolutely. And when you're stressed and you're tired, picking up a coffee or something on the run seems like a good idea and it's sometimes all people can do. They’re working two different jobs and just trying to get by, and we have to eat. So, they’re eating as much as they can, but all of that gets stored in their guts and they can’t digest it properly. A lot of times, talking about hormones too, if your body doesn’t make the correct amount of, say, estrogen, testosterone, or progesterone, it’s going to keep all of this in the gut as well. This is why a lot of people experience different body types where their stomachs are inflamed, but their legs and arms are really fit and toned, and they can’t figure out how to get that little bit that’s left to go away. It’s because all of this stuff is stored there. Our bodies also store emotions. So, feelings are trapped in the body, and it’s not allowing that to move. In Chinese medicine, they say the liver is the emotional organ, often the organ of anger more than anything else, but it is the emotional organ.

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Host: Give us an example of how the imbalance of sex hormones, like estrogen and testosterone, might impact some of the things you just discussed. I think that's really interesting. People probably want to know more about that.

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Amanda Emerson: It impacts and has been shown to impact anxiety and depression levels, sexual health and well-being. A lot of times, libido is involved with this as well. It causes that toxic stress response, and it throws you off balance with your moods.

Host: Definitely. I’ve noticed a couple of studies that show these imbalances in male and female sex hormones end up directing where certain fat cells are stored within the body, just like what you were talking about. It basically drives the way certain individuals look. So, if some people keep weight on in one area, maybe it’s the belly or thighs, a lot of that is sex hormone-driven. It’s your genetics, but there's another level to this which I think is interesting.

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Amanda Emerson: And like you mentioned, the liver and the gut, that's where serotonin is actually made and created. It's not from the brain, as most people suspect. Serotonin is essential for mood regulation, and about 90% of it is actually produced in the gut. A healthy gut microbiome is crucial for that production. Your serotonin is what's associated with depression, commonly referred to as the happy hormone.

Host: Yeah, yes, absolutely. So, the combination of that along with potential lacks of dopamine is what’s affecting your mood.

Amanda Emerson: So, let’s unwind this a little bit. We have damage down the digestive tract, and our neurons and components within the immune system that secrete serotonin end up getting damaged. So, we get decreased serotonin production. How is that going to get communicated back up to the brain? How does that whole system work?

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Host: Well, it’s like when you have a blockage, right? Only little bits of serotonin could be passing through that blockage, if any at all. Then you see a mental health provider, and they give you an antidepressant to increase the serotonin levels. But the problem is, it’s still being blocked. Every now and then, say that block is somehow removed—you change your diet, you exercise—some of that block is removed. Well, now you're flooded with serotonin, and that also increases anxiety and depression. An imbalance in either direction.

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Amanda Emerson: Right. If you end up going to see a professional and they put you on an SSRI, how is that impacting folks? That’s a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, right? So, that’s trying to increase or keep serotonin in circulation. I think that underscores how important this hormone is to overall mental health.

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Host: Absolutely. When you have these blockages, you could potentially be experiencing an increase of serotonin throughout the day and a decrease. When this medication is introduced and there’s a blockage, at times you're going to have massive increases, but you can also have massive decreases. You're going to be very irritable, cranky, and not want to have sex. The other problem is it could create addictions too. A lot of people don’t realize that most of your addicts and stuff have dopamine imbalances and serotonin imbalances. It’s hitting that brain reward system, leading to increased gambling, addictions, alcohol, food cravings, things like that. Now you're putting yourself in a cycle.

 

Amanda Emerson: We’re talking about folks that can have food addictions and people who are adrenaline junkies. These are the guys down to Wall Street that love being in the pit and big-time traders, day traders, and stuff like that. That’s them, right?

 

Host: Oh yeah, absolutely. Increased testosterone creates aggression in men and women, so having these balances is so important to our everyday lives. Emotional eating, you want to go to the gym and you're all for it, but then you start having an intrusive thought, insecurity, feeling bad about yourself. What’s the first thing you go to? Food.

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Amanda Emerson: Right, so now you're sitting there eating ice cream all upset, and now you're self-hating even more. Later on, when you're trying to go to sleep, you're going to experience that sugar crash, and anxiety is going to ramp up, causing trouble sleeping.

 

Host: Exactly. I think people don’t recognize that serotonin is a precursor for melatonin, which helps you go to sleep. So, they're going to have an issue if they have depleted serotonin levels.

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Amanda Emerson: So, it’s like creating this cycle where in the morning, when you're supposed to be getting up, you're falling asleep because you're having another sugar crash. You have to force yourself to get up. What's the first thing you grab? Something sweet or a coffee.

Host: Sweet coffee, right, to boost the energy levels.

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Amanda Emerson: Right, exactly. Then you're going to have another crash around lunch. You're going to be very irritable. Sometimes people even get a little sweaty.

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Host: So, a lot of the folks you see, explain some of the symptoms they have. You’ve got 20 years of experience in the field, so you've probably seen quite a few of these individuals. What do they look like?

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Amanda Emerson: A lot of times, this is where fibromyalgia and pain come in because the body is always trying to create a sense of balance and harmony. When you're going through states of the nervous system due to complex trauma and things like that, it creates the imbalance. When your body's trying to find that balance again, this is where a lot of the pain comes in. It's your body's way of alerting you that something is going on. People know something's wrong but don’t know what to do about it. They go see their doctor, who says to eat healthier and lose weight. But they might have a thyroid issue or a hormone imbalance.

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Host: Exactly. A lot of women at birth have endometriosis. One in ten women have cysts on their ovaries, which is very painful. Hormone imbalances, but they prescribe birth control. If you don't know where your hormones are at, they could give you birth control with way too much estrogen, and now your mental health is affected, and your hormones are all over the place.

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Amanda Emerson: Exactly. Your anxiety, depression, meltdowns, anger outbursts—all of those are all over the place. If your estrogen levels are already high and you haven't tested for them, and the doctor prescribes something that increases them even more, you're going to be completely out of balance. Everything’s exacerbated. They might send you to a dietitian and you get something like phentermine or ozempic. They're boosting that up, but you’re still not losing weight, working out every day, eating healthy. That's going to impact your self-esteem, self-worth, and self-image, leading to more depression.

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Host: Right, and now we’ve jumped into diets. We were going to cover ketogenic diets and the carnivore diet. What’s the ideal diet? What do you see that works?

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Amanda Emerson: There’s not really an ideal diet. It’s figuring out what is best for you and your body. We do need carbs, but people with gluten intolerances, like me, store it in the gut because we can't break it down. Certain vegetables like broccoli can be hard to break down. It’s about listening to your body and figuring out what you need, working with your provider.

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Host: Have you seen certain diets work in certain circumstances and maybe not so much in others? Everyone’s physiology is like a fingerprint, but are there any examples?

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Amanda Emerson: Intermittent fasting is good for people with insulin resistance. Keto is great because it limits carbs and sugars. It’s about balance. For example, I’ll have a hamburger without the bun but eat the fries. It’s about having that balance.

Host: Makes perfect sense. We’ve had individuals call in with gut issues, and certain vegetables like nightshades should not cause issues but can trigger problems in compromised gut lining. Have you experienced that too?

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Amanda Emerson: Absolutely. It’s difficult for people with insulin resistance. Eating an apple is healthy, but it has your carbs for the day. Carrots break down as sugar. It’s so much to process. You have to listen to your body and notice crashes. Protein offsets a lot of sugar. If you're feeling sugar imbalances, eating more protein helps.

Host: Protein and fat stabilize energy levels. It’s shocking how much sugar is in a carrot or corn. Corn is genetically modified, carrying glyphosate, impacting the microbiome. How is that impacting mental health?

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Amanda Emerson: 100%. People from other countries do cleanses to clear the digestive system, important for circulation and preventing neuropathy. They do cleanses to eliminate parasites and toxins from fast food. In America, they don’t do it as often. In other countries, they do a cleanse every six months.

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Host: What kinds of cleanses do they do? Is it parasitic cleanses?

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Amanda Emerson: For me, personally, I have Epstein-Barr and experienced irritable bowel syndrome and digestion issues due to complex trauma. I found out I had leaky gut and needed to repair that. Leaky gut affects internal organs like the liver and intestines. That’s how I found your products. I was so sick, canceling clients, almost bedridden, exhausted, extreme fatigue. Doctors kept telling me to diet and exercise. I did the autoimmune system and leaky gut repair products, and within two days, I was out of bed. I didn’t have any pain, unlike other cleanses.

 

Host: That's great. Full disclosure, Amanda has been taking some of our gut and liver products from Liver Medic. I'm glad it's helping you. This is what we do.

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Amanda Emerson: This is how I became one of the experts in the field. I researched for years before finding your products. I compared other products, and yours had the best ingredients. You're a physician brand, keeping things clean and addressing detox and repair.

 

Host: We try to keep things separate because detoxing and repairing the digestive tract have to go in a specific sequence. I have a pharmaceutical background, so I can navigate contraindications. That’s probably why these things work well.

 

Amanda Emerson: One of the reasons I chose your products is because they have mental health properties. Ashwagandha, for example, is great for mental health and managing cortisol levels. It helps physical and mental health, making you feel better and managing cortisol levels.

 

Host: Exactly. Cortisol levels are about inflammation and stress. We address inflammation with curcumin in the products, but stress needs to be addressed too. That’s why we added ashwagandha.

 

Amanda Emerson: Health problems associated with chronic stress include high blood pressure, blood sugar imbalances, food cravings, addictions, sluggish digestion, and suppressed immunity. Low cortisol and unchecked immunity include digestive disturbances, sleep disturbances, and autoimmune disorders. We see a lot of autoimmune issues, including leaky gut-induced Hashimoto’s.

Host: Absolutely. That affects therapy appointments too. People are too fatigued and exhausted to get extra help. They feel like they can’t do what’s suggested, leading to more depression.

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Amanda Emerson: Exactly. It’s about brain fog, mood regulation, lack of sleep, high stress, and insulin resistance. It’s a cycle affecting overall health.

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Host: Absolutely. From personal experience, I was told I couldn’t have children. After working on these issues, I have my daughter now. But I went from 110 pounds to 210 pounds during pregnancy and never lost that weight. It impacted my self-esteem and led to anxiety, depression, and negative relationships.

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Host: So, viewers might be thinking, how did you do it?

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Amanda Emerson: I went to therapy, got mental health help, and fought doctors to test my hormones. I found out I only made estrogen. I got on testosterone and progesterone, then researched gut health and found your products. Now my levels and enzymes are even. It took years to get the help I needed and have providers listen to me. I want to save others from those experiences.

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Host: Absolutely. We hear people say they feel unsupported by the conventional medical community. It’s nice to have someone like you who understands firsthand and has the background to address these issues. It’s not just the sex hormones, it’s cortisol, serotonin, and the microbiome.

 

Amanda Emerson: Yes, I went down six pant sizes without losing a single pound. I’m still at a healthy 147 pounds, but I lost six pant sizes by addressing mental health, hormones, and clearing out digestive issues.

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Host: Phenomenal. Anything else we haven’t covered?

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Amanda Emerson: People get prescribed ADHD medicine for brain fog, but it’s often lack of serotonin and anxiety causing focus issues. Toxins in the body affect mental health. Even bacteria in teeth can get into the bloodstream, impacting overall health.

 

Host: Dental health is important too. It’s all connected. It’s about mental health, liver, and digestive health. There are a lot of checkboxes for overall health, but they’re all doable.

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Amanda Emerson: Yes, and it’s about getting the right help and providers to listen. It’s detrimental when doctors fat shame you when you’re doing all the right things.

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Host: Exactly. And it’s not just physical health, it’s mental health too. Having someone who understands and has gone through it is key.

 

Amanda Emerson: Yes, and the mental health aspect is so important. Hormones, cortisol levels, and gut health all impact overall well-being. It’s about finding balance and addressing all areas of health.

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Host: Amanda, it was awesome having you on. You’ve hit on a lot of topics that are crucial for overall health. For viewers, if you like the content, like and subscribe. How can people connect with you?

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Amanda Emerson: They can call the clinic at 872-206-8212 or email admin@mindaligncounseling.net. I can help fast-track emotions and subconscious beliefs with various modalities, so people don’t feel stuck.

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Host: Great, thanks for sharing your expertise. We’ll have to have you back to discuss more topics. For viewers, like and subscribe, and we’ll catch you on the next one.

For more information or to book a session with Amanda, visit Mind Align Counseling or call us at 872-206-8212. 🌟

#MentalHealth #GutHealth #Podcast #MindAlignCounseling #AmandaEmerson #BrainGutConnection #HolisticHealth #Therapy #MentalWellness

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To view Brendan Gaughran's Podcasts including this Podcast: 

 

https://youtu.be/X7msu00IIBQ?si=f-UXLsLM6TzziL2I

Liver Medic – liver supplements and health articles

https://livermedic.com 1,500 visitors/mo

https://www.facebook.com/LiverMedic/ followers: 291

https://twitter.com followers: 2,200

Zen Herbalists – sleep, stress and adrenal fatigue solutions

www.mindaligncounseling.net

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8/7/23- 

"Empowering Together: Lion's Den, Life Align Coaching, and Mind Align Counseling Join Forces to Normalize Sex-Positive Conversations and Sexual Wellness Education!"

We are delighted to announce the powerful collaboration between Lion's Den, Life Align Coaching, and Mind Align Counseling as we unite in our shared mission to promote open and informed discussions surrounding sex, sexuality, sexual expression, gender, gender identity, and gender expression.

As leading advocates in the realm of sexual health and wellness education, our collective efforts aim to create even safer and more inclusive spaces for individuals to explore their identities and express themselves authentically. Through collaborative events, programs, and resources, we strive to remove the shame and taboo often associated with conversations about sex.

Together, we are committed to offering a diverse range of engaging events and workshops, led by expert educators, therapists, and advocates. From interactive sessions on consent and communication to inclusive discussions on sexual orientation and gender diversity, we seek to foster a community that celebrates diversity and embraces the rich tapestry of human experiences.

Our working partnership envisions a future where sexual health and wellness are embraced with understanding, compassion, and positivity. By combining our resources, expertise, and passion, we are dedicated to making a lasting impact on society, empowering individuals of all backgrounds to explore their sexuality and find their path to sexual well-being.

Join us on this transformative journey as we break down barriers, challenge stigmas, and create a more open, sex-positive world. Lion's Den, Life Align Coaching, and Mind Align Counseling are here to support you, educate you, and advocate for a future where everyone can embrace their true selves without judgment or fear.

Stay tuned for upcoming events, workshops, and resources that will empower you to lead a fulfilled and authentic life. We invite you to become a part of our collective efforts in sexual health and wellness by reaching out to us through our respective websites. Together, we can create a network of support and understanding, making a significant impact in promoting a more inclusive, accepting, and positive world.

Your sexual well-being matters, and we are here for you every step of the way. Let us shape a world where love, acceptance, and understanding reign supreme, breaking free from societal norms that may hinder us from fully embracing our authentic selves.

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6/3-4/23 9:30-1:30pm Retreat for LGBTQ+ Teens (14-18) that includes: 

Breakfast

Trivia with Prizes

Yoga with a certified Yoga instructor 

Collage making and mug decorating

Psychoeducation and discussion groups

** This will be a safe and affirming space to build community and have fun!

-Register: visit equalshares.org or http://tinyurl.com/bdh8avdy

It's Free to Register 

 

4/8/23 Easter in the Park with Diego Ranch at Craighead Forrest Park

This is a free community event! We will be having vendors, outdoor activities, free horse rides, and of course the easter egg hunt and bunny! We will be located at Pavilion's 3 and 4 from 11-2pm...Additional information to come shortly..Special thanks to Craighead County Parks Department!

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2/8/23 St. Bernards Auditorium- Transitions Job Fair 830-230 pm

Presented by Project Care and Craighead County Schools

Will be catering to the special needs students in the NEA area focusing on providing assistance with entry-level jobs & continuing education opportunities for the youth.

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2/4/23 Craighead County Library - Large meeting room 10-12 and 2-3 (Host is Engaging Arkansas with Mind Align Counseling as a Co-Host)

Will be sharing educational information on safe sex education and include free testing for HIV, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Hepatitis C. They will also be providing additional resources, grab bags, and resources. Then during the second half of the day, they will be providing education on drugs and drug overdoses and they will be providing Narcan supplies. A light lunch donated partially by Subway will be provided as well. 

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12/10/22  We're partnering with 10Fitness to promote and discuss how mental health and physical health go hand in hand. This event will start at 10 am at 10 Fitness on Caraway. Everyone is welcome to attend their new fitness class with a small stretching discussion with tips and tricks on how to incorporate mental health practices including trauma releases into exercise. This is for every fitness level!

 

12/9/22 This will be a very special community event presented by Black Arrow and Mind Align Counseling at the Recovery Room Downtown starting at 6pm. This will be the year anniversary of our Mental Health Awareness event with Freddie Bowers's spin on it. We will have a self-care gift basket giveaway and several special guests and artists discussing Live, Laugh, Love, and Deconstruction. 

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11/11/22 Stop by Texas Roadhouse for their Veterans Day event and speak with our clinicians and pick up some goodies.

 

10/12/22 

Come by the clinic this Saturday, October 15th, from 2-4 pm for free coffee and cookies! Get a chance to see our clinic and meet the providers.

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10/11/22  

Podcast Interview

 

Name: Amanda Emerson, LCSW, Owner

 

Business phone number: 870-206-8212

 

1.  Please give a description of your company and the products/services you offer.

 

Mind Align Counseling is an outpatient behavioral mental health clinic. Currently, I provide counseling services, but I will soon provide wellness, medication management, and coaching services. My specialties include working with those with complexities in almost every aspect of one's life and over the life cycle. I believe that we should treat individuals as a whole, including mind/body/ and soul- whatever that means to the person. I can list all of the areas in which I have expertise and many years of experience and study if you would like or you can find those on the website at www.mindaligncounseling.net .

 

I will say that I take a very nonjudgmental approach to people and treatment. It has been a long process and journey to get over my own ego and pride and let me tell you, I’m no angel…we’re all human, and we all make mistakes. Usually, we judge ourselves harder than anyone else ever will, and I want to create at least one place in someone's life where they can feel safe to lay everything out without fear or the thought of someone judging them. Life is about exploring and learning. I want to be someone who helps guide others along their personal process and journey, as it is and can be a vulnerable struggle.

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2.  How long have you been in business?

 

I opened for business on September 25, 2022

 

3.  Tell us about your business..

 

 I provide a variety of services to assist individuals, families, relationships, and couples.

 

4.  What inspired you to pursue your profession?

 

I think everyone in this profession has a reason for choosing this field, and mine stems from childhood trauma….I didn’t know what I wanted to do in life other than to help people and figure out what made them do or choose to do the things that they did…what motivated them and their behavior, and how I could figure that out. I was never told what there were in terms of career options, I started out taking classes to become a lawyer, and my major was supposed to be in Political Science. I decided to try working at a law firm during this time and, after about three months, realized that was not what I wanted to do, and that attorney was not the type of person I wanted to be or be around.

 

 I started to think more about how I could study people and the intricacies of the mind, and I landed on Psychology. Then as I was graduating, I met a professor who asked me what I wanted to do with my degree. I said I wasn’t sure, but I thought therapy would be a great idea and aligned with my feelings on wanting to help empower others. He told me that I should look into getting my Master's Degree in Social Work instead because I would have many more options in life, and I decided I wanted to have as many options as possible as I’m not one to feel constrained. I did end up finding through my healing journey that what I was honestly searching for were the answers as to why people chose or did the things that they did to me, as I never felt like I deserved any of it.  
 

5.  What would you like the listeners to know about you?

 

Hmmm this is a loaded question. I would say that if they planned on coming to see me for services or if they wanted to recommend me for services, then they should be aware that I am very direct, my face is loud, and I don't sugarcoat things. I truly care about their progress and that it won't be an easy process. As much as I would like to help them, I am not able or willing to do the work for them as I’m meant to be more of a guide on their journey. I’m here to create a place of nonjudgmental acceptance, a sense of security, and a place/feeling of unconditional support.

 

 Additionally, most people who go to therapy learn how to deal with their thoughts and feelings from individuals who should be or should have been in therapy. Certainly, I am not implying that other professionals whose approaches differ from mine do not care about their clients. In my experience, this approach works best for me and gives my clients the healing results that they're coming into the clinic for. 

 

The topic that keeps coming to mind from this interview and the questions that we’re presented to us, I feel like, surrounds FEAR. I’ve got to say that FEAR tends to dictate most of our thoughts and feelings. Still, we need to strive as humans to work through our fears because our brains are hard-wired to protect us even if something is wonderful and healthy for us; if we haven’t learned or tried it, it will be unfamiliar to us, and our brains tell us that it’s scary or uncomfortable.

 

 If I had listened to the people that I was around growing up or even the majority of my Mental Health supervisors and CEO’s I would not be anywhere near where I am today. 

 

Around my Birthday last year, I came up with a mantra based on my childhood wound: I said you know what? If everyone else is going to choose someone or something other than me. Then I choose myself. Everything I thought was fearful, if I knew it was good but scary, I fought through the feelings and faced them, Including this interview, as I’m generally not an eloquent public speaker.

 

 On the offset, If I thought things or people were draining my energy or putting their feelings or wants’ above my own, then I put in boundaries and would say no. I am so glad that I did. Even though it was extremely hard to do at the time. Now here we are in this interview where you’re asking me about the business and company I created with a wonderful colleague…You can’t get much more validation or confirmation than that. 

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I believe as humans we all have unique experiences that have shaped who we are. I'm both sensitive to the needs of others, and I want to help, but more than anything, I want to empower clients to advocate for themselves. When clients meet with me, my goal and hope is that they feel seen, heard, secure, and accepted for who they are.