Why Be a Therapist?

I never thought I would be a therapist…

With all that is going on globally, especially these days… why choose this as a path? I grew up wanting to be an environmental educator. In fact, it was my first ‘’career.’’

And I loved it.

I still find that being outside fixes everything for me. I love the days when I can spend lots of time outside, walking with Louis (aka Berkshire’s Llewellyn – my big standard poodle baby), swimming in the ocean, walking the beach, kayaking, and just gazing up at the stars at night.

I love using my chainsaw and mowing my fields. I love gardening and figuring out how to landscape to attract bees, butterflies, and birds to my garden. I prefer the messy cottage garden look to well-manicured, symmetrical plantings.

So, why exchange chainsaw for the therapist’s chair?

The second most exhilarating thing for me to do is to figure out how our human brains function. What makes us do what we do? Why do we think what we think?

My pondering often veers into the existential… debating purpose and meaning – what is this life of ours all about, anyway?

Honestly, that is some of my favorite counseling to do – to work with individuals to discover their sense of purpose and meaning. How does it show up in their lives? Or what needs to change so they can be more open to discovering those things for themselves?

An equally natural environment

I come from a family of deep thinkers, so it seems natural to dwell here for me. I realize that, sometimes, these conversations with myself can get pretty darn deep.

Sometimes it’s almost too deep, time-to-catch-your-breath deep. I need to balance my deep thinking with mindful awareness, acceptance, and gratitude, so I don’t lose myself in the morass of philosophical inquiry.

Sometimes it is good just to be and listen to the heart and mind. To accept with grace the peaks and the valleys – and not to get too caught up in it all.

A pathway to the essential

This is where meditation, yoga, breathwork, and mindful movements come into play for me. These help me ground myself, get out of my head, and go back to the here and now, which matters a lot.

Being present to this life – to this moment – helps us navigate the more in-depth questions. Being present with another person pondering these questions for him or herself is an honor and a gift. It’s inspiring and fulfilling. It gives my life purpose.

So, Elizabeth, what is it like to work with you?

My clients often say to me, “Wow, you are the first counselor that I ever felt really got it or listened to me.”

I have many clients who tell me they used to dread counseling, just did it because they had to for one reason or another, and now look forward to our meetings.

This makes my heart sing… I love feeling that connection with my clients, and, mostly, I love to see people get their shit together… literally. To finally feel empowered and worthy and resilient. There is no better feeling than to be a part of this transformation!

No greater joy

I love counseling because each day gives me the chance to dig deeper and learn more. To marvel at the creativity and resiliency that I see in my clients. To share their excitement in being open to defining a sense of purpose. It’s really the best, and I’m grateful to be a part of the process.

I suppose that answers my question, “Why be a therapist?”