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Therapists answer…

Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?

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Maggie Dickens

Online Counselor
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
Have you ever had a job you were just not great at no matter how much you wanted to be a rockstar? That was me in college. I spent my whole life planning to be a 1st grade teacher and then when I got a chance to volunteer and help out at a local school--I, well, sucked. I spent my time talking and listening to the students' needs and neglected the lesson plan for the day. It was then, I realized my goal to guide and support others wasn't meant for the classroom but instead the counseling office.
HI! I’M MAGGIE DICKENS (SHE/HER/HERS).I’M INTERESTED IN PUSHING THROUGH WHAT WE’VE ALL BEEN TOLD ABOUT PAIN.THE PHYSICAL. THE EMOTIONAL. As a Texas based licensed professional counselor, I know there is more life for you to live. Now, I am sure you’ve thought this too..but that was before. Before the hurting seemed to take over. Before your life began to revolve around fears of planning ahead and letting yourself and others down because you’re having, yet another, “bad day.” I am here to tell you that all those thoughts swirling around your mind, keeping you up at night, saying you “can’t”, or are focused on “what was” … are, well, simply-- they’re outdated. Perhaps at one time or another there may have been some truth in there, somewhere. But today, by reading this, seeking out counseling, you’re already telling those pesky, annoying, overwhelming, thoughts-- that you recognize there is more to life. This is where I come in. My role is one of “guard rails.” You know the life you’re ready to live. I am here to help you pave the road for your success. Counseling with me is one that is collaborative and is built on mutual understanding, respect, and commitment to show up and do what needs to be done. Some of that work includes purposeful discussions to change those beliefs that keep you overwhelmed and education for you to learn how to maximize your life AND thoughts, feelings, actions! My favorite tool to use in counseling is clinical hypnosis. Basically, because it’s proven to enhance client outcomes, reduce length of treatment, and is a tool you will be able to use throughout the rest of your life. When you’re ready to push through the stuckness of the current status quo -- I’m here to support you in finding the life you know is out there for you!
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Melisa Alaba

Licensed Professional Counselor & Breakthrough Coach
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
Hi, I’m Melisa Brave Woman, Mom, cancer survivor, Breakthrough Coach, Money Maven and resilient badass Black woman. I know what it’s like to lose something you love and experience your entire life flipping upside down as you try to figure out who you’re supposed to be now. Going through cancer and a divorce at the same time was a serious wakeup call. Life was saying, “It’s time to heal old wounds and reach for new dreams.” I went through all the same “quick fixes” you’ve probably tried (therapy, meditation, heck, you probably don’t want to see the notes I wrote in a couple of those self-help books everyone was talking about at the time.) But it was only when I decided that I had to work on me as a whole rather than work on different parts of me that I started to see the shift. During that time, I discovered healing had to involve my finances. I started by rebuilding my financial foundation, asking for more in my business and for the support I needed at home. This opened up the possibility to recover my entire life. Being Rich and Worthy is knowing we can be emotionally, physically, spiritually, and financially abundant. We get to be whole. Through that self-healing journey, I learned about energetic healing and how to release old trauma. However, it was only when I started studying how to heal in my finances and applying abundance principles to my entire life that I noticed a big shift in confidence.
Hello! I'm Melisa Alaba, a passionate Life and Money Coach dedicated to empowering high-achieving professionals and entrepreneur women of color like you. My mission is to help you heal from imposter syndrome, low confidence, and money trauma while guiding you towards creating a healthy, purposeful business and life that aligns with your soul.

Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?

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Kasia Poczwardowska

Licensed Therapist
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
To support clients with depression , anxiety and chronic illness to meet their mental health goals. I believe that every individual is a unique and complex being, therefore, the approach I take is based on the information provided by the clients, my assessment of their emotional, mental, physical, social, spiritual, economic, and career characteristics, and an in-depth insight into their strengths. I strive to achieve collaboration, which is necessary to identify issues that will be worked on in the session and other issues, which may need other resources such as a nutritionist, physician, or other supportive services. My services are based on an in-depth approach to developing coping skills and problem-solving skills, letting go of the history that no longer serves and changing unproductive behavior and thinking patterns in a way that participating in life becomes a more positive experience, so you can lead a healthier, more fulfilling life. Any change, either a change of self-perception, emotions, and behaviors requires work both during the session and outside of the session. Some changes occur quickly and easily, but most often change requires slow, deliberate, and repeated efforts. Openness and honesty is crucial for appropriate and attainable counseling goals to be established. I specialize in working with adults with: • Depression and anxiety as it relates to living with physical or chronic illness • Adjustment to illness • Major life transitions • Anxiety (stress and excessive worry) • Depression • Personal growth issues Frequently, I use Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Internal Family System, EMDRA and if necessary psychosocial counseling approaches to mind, body, and spirit beneficial for working with the total individual. I also utilize many mindfulness-based and borrow widely from health psychology and alternative therapies.
I am a licensed therapist working with adults with chronic illness.