Don’t Compromise on Who You Let In
Finding the Right Resource.
Getting an outside perspective is something I used to do often…like too much. I would rely on someone else’s take before properly forming my own. Perhaps this is a result of me being the youngest in my family, but I think a few decades of lived experiences got me to that point.
When I left my job in 2021 with the intention of taking time off, I knew I wanted to start my journey with a therapist in tow. I had never done therapy before, but knowing my tendencies, it felt like I could become stuck in the ambiguity and unstructured days of taking a pause. So, I started the daunting journey of finding the right therapist. It’s like dating — except way more intense and vulnerable on the first date. Telling ‘my story’ repeatedly to therapists without a real connection felt gutting. And being vulnerable is still a WIP for me, so that sh*t was exhausting. I would take a month or two break between introductory sessions, because I needed it. And then the date of my work departure was quickly creeping up on me. I knew I needed to find someone soon. So instead of asking friends and family for their recs for a therapist, I decided to do some research on my own.
Psychology Today is a great resource for those looking for mental health resources — so I started there. I will admit, I didn’t have the most rigorous criteria at this point, but I saw an office that looked cozy, inviting even. I thought — I’m a very experiential person, and if I can see myself in the space, it’s worth a shot! So, I took a look at their therapists and decided to reach out to one. In my outreach, I said something to the effect of ‘I’m not sure what’s next, but I’m excited to be joined by someone on this journey as I explore things unknown to me’. Her response was simple and disarming. She was in, and so was I.
It’s been almost two years with her and I will be forever grateful for a few things…
Taking my time to truly find someone who felt like the right fit for that time in my life
Finding someone that had the space and energy to bring me on board
Feeling like the work we’ve done together is just the tip of the iceberg to having a better understanding of myself
Having the privilege to afford mental health care
So, as my first blog post, I wanted to share this story because finding the right resource to join you on your journey, at this moment in time, deserves patience and time and confidence in that decision. I believe in finding a connection with someone who can hold a safe space to bring your full self to the table. And I truly cannot wait to work with women athletes enduring a transition that may be one of the biggest in their lives. Although this isn’t therapy, our work together is personal and involves shedding from your past and bringing to light what exactly your future can look like.
Here are some questions to consider when vetting coaches to work with…
What are your goals or intentions in working with this resource?
What kind of support are you interested in getting (mentorship, structure, accountability, etc.)?
How do you want to feel during the process? And how is that different from how you want to feel at the end of this work?
How do you best receive feedback and is this person capable of meeting you where you are?
It’s important to find the right coach to be with you on this journey. It is my honor to work with you all and I’m excited to walk alongside you into the next quarter.
— A
If you’re interested in learning more about me, my work or what we can do together, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
