Be strong and vulnerable

One year and four days ago, Rise Above Counseling started like a dream within a deep sleep. I had been working for 9+ years in my previous job and, while able to provide for my family and having made several friends, I felt unfulfilled like as if there was something left unfinished for me to do in other work.

I had moonlit for a small clinic in the area as a contracted therapist about 8 months prior to that, but had to take a leave of absence due to personal issues. After recovering from that and feeling like I was starting to burn out, I started following my passion for helping others and continuing the work I did when I was working as a therapist. In the beginning, my wife and I had several concerns about starting our own business, but the benefits continued to outweigh the risks. We prayed on it for several weeks before I had announced it to ensure that we were taking this leap of faith seriously and with the reverence that comes from making such a life changing decision.

It took a ton of vulnerability and work to navigate imposter syndrome and the ups and downs for my first year in private practice. I am humbled and grateful for the work I have been able to see in my clients and look on to the next several years of what we can accomplish together. I ask that prospective clients let go of guilt and shame and allow themselves to be vulnerable. Vulnerability is not a weakness, rather, as I have learned in my practice, it is a true strength. In leaving my past job, I put myself in a real vulnerable position, but a position that has led to growth as a clinician and as a human being. Vulnerability starts with exposing ourselves to others as perfectly imperfect in our daily existence.

As Brene Brown put it, ““Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” By being seen and asking for help, you acknowledge that there is still work to be done within you.

If you find yourself struggling in this area, you are not alone. This could be a sign that you might benefit from working with a therapist such as myself to help guide you through life’s most difficult places. I would be humbled if you were to allow me to help you Rise Above where you are to where you want to be.