With a grateful heart I welcome you to my blog and my life journey as a foster/adoptive/and bio parent, a parent of children with special needs, a private practice owner, and a child therapist. I am humbled, honored, and blessed to have you here.
Being a private practice owner was never a dream or even a thought of mine. After being a home centered parent for 11-years (Yikes that’s a lot of years and kids). I was led to re-enter academia. Starting the two-year Master of Social Work (MSW) program I had the goal of working in child protection (CPS). I had seen far too many children entangled and lost within the chaos and dysfunction of the system entrusted to protect our vulnerable children and families. After a yearlong internship in CPS I felt my abilities would best be suited elsewhere. My second-year internship was in clinical social work. I enjoyed clinical work but struggled sitting face-to-face talking with individuals for typically 7 hours straight. Having to reframe from my usual energetic and optimistic personality made days long as well as mentally and physically exhausting. I enjoyed clinical work but felt amiss.
After receiving my degree and passing two of the three exams necessary to practice as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), I began the process of accruing the required 3,000 hours before I would be eligible to sit the third and final exam. My 3,000 hours were direct clinical work with foster children and their families. In this role I took numerous trainings in hopes of finding an intervention type that met the needs of my clients as well as integrated me into my agencies practice style. I had trainings in Play Therapy, Sand Tray, Brainspotting, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Theraplay, and more. Considering myself a “play therapist” wasn’t on my radar until completing multiple play therapy trainings and recognizing I was had already been utilizing many of the play and expressive art techniques being taught. Play and art were second nature and felt too natural and fun for me to consider it “work”.
After several years working clinically with children and families, the deficit in child mental health providers that offer developmentally appropriate and effective strategies was discernable. I completed my 3,000 hours and passed the LCSW exam. My innumerable relations with children placed in out-of-home care and the deficit that exists in providers willing to see children (even with commercial insurance), made clear the systematic gap in providing care to children with Medicaid, a low reimbursing plan.
Becoming a private practice owner hasn’t been work (despite late nights and laborious efforts), it’s been a creative outlet and exhilarating to make come into fruition. I am overjoyed to be given this opportunity and humbled by those who have entrusted me with their and their loved one’s mental health. Thank you for your words of encouragement, validation, and praise as I begin this exciting new ride. It’s because of you, I am here.
Come along this journey with me!