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Why
I became a therapist
Kim Honeycutt
I never thought I would graduate from high school. Not because I was academically
challenged, but rather quite honestly I did not believe I would live to
be 18. Around the age of 11, I became a daily drinker. Alcohol brought great
pain and destruction to my life and "drank" all passion and purpose
from me. When I was 24, I was placed in an alcoholic medical detoxification
unit. It wasn't my first time in detox but praise God it was my last. Eventually,
I became a therapist because without compassionate, empathetic counselors
coming into my life and teaching me how to live life without alcohol and
with purpose I would have died. Today I have my masters. Today I have 13
years of sobriety. Today I have the privilege of being a compassionate,
empathetic, and purposeful therapist who helps others find and live their
own purpose. |
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Laurie Fulper
Like many people I have had struggles, hardships, and even traumas throughout
my life, particularly in my childhood. From a very young age I was given
a peace in believing that there was reason for my pain and that someday
God would use that pain for a special purpose. Now, as an adult and with
over ten years of experience being a therapist, that purpose is clear.
I am able to empathize and sympathize with others because I've been there
too. I may not have experienced exactly the same struggles, but I do know
what it means to hurt and be sad, angry, scared, and many more emotions,
particularly for children. I want to be there for our children. The greatest
gift I can offer is to help our children learn how to deal with the ups
and downs that life will bring so that as adults they can realize their
purpose too. So our children can live the lives they deserve, filled with
joy and peace.
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Natalie Huston
One time I was asked in a job interview in college which Star Wars character
I am most like and why. I answered "Yoda" because people often
come to me for advice. I have just always been a counselor by nature.
I even remember
analyzing people and family interactions when I was as young as four years
old. I believe God gave me the ability to have insight into problems,
and compassion for people in emotional pain. I have deep concern for the
people who cross my path. They are not just a client or a person I do
business with, but they are people with a story and meaning in life, and
I concern myself with the deep inner-workings of their soul whether I
show it all the time or not.
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Amanda Houston
Why I became a therapist... there are many reasons why I wanted/want
to be a therapist. I think the main reason is that I am very passionate
about helping others. Ever since I was a teenager, I knew I wanted to
help people--it was just in my heart. I have personally seen the positive
impact therapy can have on a person's life, as I have had my share of
struggles and strife. God has blessed me with an innate ability to make
others feel safe and to build rapport with clients. These are two things
that are essential to the therapeutic relationship; I believe a trusting
environment is necessary if true sharing and healing are to occur. I have
my undergraduate degree in psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill and my master's
degree from Boston College. I love the work I do and look forward to the
opportunity, to walk with you, on your path towards healing.
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Kathee Varner
I, too, struggled with eating problems starting in middle school by using
food to escape emotional pains and avoidance of life discomforts for many
years, even while I was studying nutrition in college. I believe many
of us who work in nutrition were attracted to this field because we were
searching for personal answers to our struggles. This was certainly true
for me. I overate, underate, binged and went through different weight
ranges. Had I known about purging, I believe I would have done that as
well. Today I can say my struggle and recovery has turned into a blessing
as it has led me to who I am and to the depth of who I am today. As a
nutritionist, it also allows me to offer you the
understanding and compassion as you seek a healthier relationship with
food and your body. I have an understanding of the journey one passes
through to become free from distorted eating and thinking. I make every
effort to provide a safe and nurturing environment that lessens the threat
and shame that can hold someone back from seeking help because I was there
too. |
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Mya Hart
I never really dreamed of being a speech therapist growing up. I knew
that I loved children and loved helping people, so I figured I’d
be a teacher. After observing a speech therapist during my senior year
of high school, my plans changed and I decided to pursue the profession
of speech pathology.
As I have grown as a professional my career has also become a part of
my ministry. I have had the ability to help children improve their communication
skills as well as give families the joy of effectively communicating with
their children.
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Jennie Brown
As early as elementary school, I remember helping those in pain. It seemed
people felt safe to let down their guard with me and share what was happening
below the surface. I felt honored for such a privilege and found joy in
helping people process their emotional distress.
I also know what it’s like to struggle. For many years I lived
in a confusing world of depression and self-worth issues. But I eventually
let others into my pain, and I experienced the compassion, patience, and
safety that has helped me on my life journey. As such, I seek to offer
that same care to others.
Furthermore, and not lastly, Christ’s redemptive work compels me
to counsel. We are all broken and incomplete, looking for more than what
this life offers. Christ offers us Himself as the ultimate healing relationship.
Knowing the hope He offers to all people awakens in me a desire to share
His grace, acceptance and compassion to others, especially the hurting.
There is hope. And the hope He offers lasts forever. For more information
on this hope, check out www.jenniebrownreflections.blogspot.com.
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Heather Griffin I wouldn’t necessarily say that
I “became a therapist,” but rather being a therapist is a
part of who I am. Even at an early age, it seemed as though I viewed the
world through a different set of “lenses” than most people.
The insight that I gain from this allows me to help clients from all walks
of life whether they are suffering from deep emotional wounds or simply
need someone to provide them with a safe, empathetic, and nonjudgmental
space to give voice to their struggles and to explore their options. All
too often we feel we are alone in our struggles even when we are in the
midst of family and friends and it is important to me that people understand
that the journey toward healing and wholeness does not have to be undertaken
alone.
Joseph Campbell, an American professor of mythology, once said, “…we
have not even to risk the journey alone; for the heroes of all time have
gone before us; the labyrinth is thoroughly known; we have only to follow
the thread of the hero-path…where we had thought to be alone, we
are with all the world.”
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