Therapists answer…

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

Lauren Kleinow

I became a therapist because my own therapist inspired me! I know what it’s like to sit in the client’s chair and I appreciated the space my therapist held for me while I sorted through my hardships. I continue to do this work because I view it as an honor to be with someone in their vulnerability.

You’re overwhelmed by being everything to everyone. While everyone else sleeps, your mind races with worst case scenarios as you dissect a minor experience from earlier in the day. It’s hard making decisions about even the simplest things. Life just isn’t as much fun as you want. You’ve tried talking to your friends about this stuff, but it never seems to help or change anything. Stacks of self help books go unread on your nightstand and following lifestyle influencers makes your self esteem plummet. Life is hard and it doesn’t come with an instruction manual. You deserve to be truly seen and heard without judgement. Your own answers live within you, and when you reach out for support, I’ll help you find them.

View Profile (248) 231-4538

Tigist Taylor

LCPC

Online Therapy

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

I have always been the person friends come to discuss romantic, family, and friends issues. In college, my friends called me "Oprah" because they could come sit on my couch and tell me their problems. Additionally, I had total strangers tell me their life stories while on the train, bus or plane. I offered non-judgmental, compassionate, and authentic support to those seeking. I believe people should be seen and validated in their truest selves. It is an honor to be entrusted by others to be with them on their journey of hurt, shame, sadness, joy and to be invited into the intimate world of their thoughts, fears, feelings, and dreams. I became more interested in mental health while working as a teacher at an after-school program in the former Cabrini Green housing projects in Chicago. While the focus of the program was on academics, I quickly learned the need for helping kids manage anxiety, depression, trauma, and emotion regulation. This clear need encouraged me to go back to school to obtain my master's degree.

Welcome! I'm glad you're here. Feeling increased stress from the pandemic? Struggling with obsessive behaviors or destructive thought patterns? Perhaps severe anxiety and panic attacks feel debilitating. Does a past or recent traumatic event feel unbearable? Do you often feel worthless and "never good enough?" You are not alone and there is help! I bring a wide range of experience in mental health and wellness and have experience in multiple therapeutic approaches. This allows me to effectively use evidence-based approaches for a specific issue. I tailor a plan specially designed for you - your unique goals, characteristics, and drives. Mental health can be isolating; you are not alone. It takes tremendous courage to come to therapy and devote yourself to introspection and growth. My intention in working with you is to promote self-understanding and concrete skill-building. It is important to own your agency and trust your resilience, and move toward a compassionate self-narrative.

View Profile (847) 306-8344

KaRon Spriggs-Bethea

Therapist

Online & In-Person

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

I always knew that I wanted to work with and help people. Therapy fell into my lap. I had some experiences that continued to make this feeling stronger. I have continued to do therapy because I have seen how much it is helped my clients. It is very rewarding and I am so fulfilled when doing therapy.

Hello! My name is KaRon Spriggs-Bethea. I am a licensed clinical social worker. I have been practicing for about 5 years. I have a very eclectic background in the field which has made it enjoyable to help many different people. I work with individuals and couples. The services I provide are: anxiety/depression, gender identity and sexuality, and substance use/addiction. I am patient, empathetic and easy to talk to. I like to create a supportive and nurturing environment to help clients feel comfortable while working with me. Building trusting relationships and witnessing breakthroughs is something that makes this work very rewarding.

View Profile (412) 580-9549

Tracy Hatzis

Licensed Professional Counselor

Online & In-Person

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

I have always been drawn to the idea of helping others achieve the life they want to live. This passion led me to embark on my journey as a therapist, pursuing specialized training and certifications to better serve my clients.

If you are struggling and you want to reduce your anxiety, depression, stress, and/or relationship conflicts therapy can help. We can work together so you can advocate and care more for yourself and connect to what you need.

View Profile (630) 864-7267

Michael McCully

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

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

I became a therapist because of a broken heart. I was at seminary not really because I knew what I wanted to do with my life, but because I enjoyed studying religion, theology, philosophy, and all that good stuff. But I was still sort of wandering, and I met this woman, who was smart and pretty and just all around great, and I fell in love! And I thought, "Hey! I'm going to marry this lady!". She didn't. And that really sucked, and it hurt a whole lot, and she dumped me, and I got saddled with some of the most excruciating pain I had ever felt. And I decided by God if I have to go through this, I might as well learn something from it. So I started studying relationships. What makes them work, what doesn't. I started with Plato's Symposium and worked my way up to Harville Hendrix's Getting the Love You Want. From classical to pop! And I found that helped. That helped me to understand how to communicate better, how to listen, as well as just how do relationships function in general. And then it was a year almost to the day, that my best friend called me up, and said that he was a little afraid that his wife might be cheating on him. And suddenly, for the first time in my entire life, I actually had useful knowledge! No offense to theology and all those other things I studied. I had knowledge that could be put to good use. And I did. For a time I walked with him during probably the second worst experience of his life. And did everything I could to help him by using those skills of listening deeply. And one night he said, "You know, you're kind of good at this, maybe you should do this for a career". And I thought about it. "Could I? Could I get paid to love people? Could I be a platonic prostitute? Well, why not!". So I enrolled at a school here in Indiana and I became a Marriage and Family Therapist. And I've stuck with it because, as cheesy as it probably sounds, being paid to love people is the best job in the world. And I'm grateful, every chance I get to practice it. So, that's how I became a Marriage and Family Therapist.

View Profile (317) 426-7689