Skip to Content
Therapists answer…

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

Dana StricklandD

Dana Strickland

Clinical Director
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
While enlisted in the Army and while most of my experiences during that time were positive, some were very hard and resulted in (service connected) PTSD. The culture of the Army at the time - thankfully it is improving but not as quickly as it should - was to act like nothing happened, drink water, drive on, take 800mg of Ibuprofen and call it a day. That didn't work for me and when I sought help through my chain of command and even mental health professionals, I was met with a less than empathetic response. For several years I struggled to piece my life back together and to figure out what I was going to do with myself. I committed to my own process of healing and when it came time to create a new meaning for what I'd gone through, I decided that I wanted to work with others who have also survived trauma and to make sure that I wasn't meeting them with the same dismissive attitude that I got. What keeps me going and motivated is the understanding that it isn't my job to "fix" anyone. You're not broken and you don't need to exile yourself to the island of misfit toys because you might feel that way. It's just my job to hold space for people to do their own healing. I choose to believe that when someone shares their "stuff" with me and allows me to hold that space, that they are giving me access to their most closely guarded treasures. I get the honor of walking with my clients on their path towards creating a life worth showing up in. Sometimes it's rough, sometimes it's beautiful, most times it's both.
I am an EMDRIA Approved Consultant. I am an Army veteran and am passionate about providing trauma therapy for military, veterans, law enforcement officers and first responders. I offer Extended EMDR sessions (not covered by insurance), EMDR Intensives (not covered by insurance) and EMDRIA Consultation for clinicians seeking Certification. I graduated from Grand Canyon University in 2016, earning a Master of Science in Professional Counseling. I have worked in a variety of settings from community mental health, crisis response, to group practices.
Kim McguinessK

Kim Mcguiness

M.Ed., LPC, NCC
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I chose to become a Clinical Mental Health Counselor later in life. I had spent 20 years in Corporate America and Human Resource Consulting when I noticed a gap in therapy services. When family members were needing help we found it difficult to find a good fit. And moving from one provider to the next was complicated. So I left my work and went back to school with the intention of being a different type of counselor; one that focused on educating clients on strategies to use in their daily lives, delivered empirical-based approaches to therapy, created a space to breathe and maybe for a moment a chance to feel joy. I think about my time with clients as an opportunity to sort out one’s strengths and challenges. Then given my life and work experiences I work with a client to add resources and tools into their thinking to promote changes in how they feel and how they respond to situations. I value questions and feedback along the way and truly find joy in the “a-ha” moments of a client. For me therapy isn’t a job or a task to complete, it’s a way of living an intentional life knowing our strengths and how to manage to those when we are in need.
Your emotions are valuable clues...and sometimes they can overwhelm, frustrate, or create conflict in our lives leaving us feeling hurt, anxious, disappointed, taken for granted or lost. I can help you get to the core meaning of the clues your emotions, your body, and your relationships are giving you. It’s a difficult step to ask for help to sort things out. I believe we weren’t meant to figure life out on our own and I would be honored to be a part of your exploration to find more meaning within your life. What my clients say is that my approach immediately creates a sense of relief that “someone gets it” and starts an excitement to look at the whys and hows of what they feel so they can allow space for change.
Tabitha AdkinsT

Tabitha Adkins

Clincal Social Worker/Therapist, LLMSW
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
One of my passions as a therapist is helping people overcome their challenges, and improve their mental well-being. I do my best to create a safe and supportive environment where individuals can explore their feelings and struggles without judgment. My motivation as a therapist is witnessing the progress my clients have made and that I was able to provide what they were looking for. The amount of progress clients have made continues to inspire me.
Today's world is too often scary and overwhelming. For many of us, learning to function & adapt in life as a child, teen or young adult is confusing & difficult. These challenges lead to feeling lonely, frustrated or hopeless. Through our work together, you will become confident in yourself, begin to not just 'get by', but thrive. You will begin to experience a life where being you is more than good enough. Unavoidable challenges become opportunities & you gain control of the most important area, yourself. Working together, you will become equipped to navigate day to day life & the unexpected, emerging stronger, smarter & happier. I am passionate about helping children, teens & young adults understand their emotions through play therapy & cognitive behavior therapy, within a family systems approach. I have valuable experience helping children and families deal with grief, behavioral issues, stress, depression, trauma, & school-related issues. Working with Wellspring Therapeutic Partners means I regularly consult with our team of prescribers and psychologists who specialize in a variety of areas. I can provide seamless referrals for medication management, psychological testing, therapy for loved ones or other household members, groups & EMDR services as needed and appropriate.
Rebecca AdeyoolaR

Rebecca Adeyoola

PMHNP-BC
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a therapist because I have always been drawn to the human experience and the profound impact that mental health has on overall well-being. Throughout my nursing career, I encountered many individuals facing emotional and psychological challenges, and I realized that offering compassionate, therapeutic support could make a lasting difference in their lives. The ability to help someone understand their mind, emotions, and behaviors, and to work together on strategies for healing, became a powerful motivator for me.
"Hello! I'm Rebecca O. Adeyoola, a dedicated Registered Nurse based in Baltimore, MD. With years of experience in various healthcare settings, I specialize in psychiatric care, restorative care, and acute care. Currently, I work at Sheppard Pratt in Towson, offering compassionate support to individuals in need of psychiatric care. From conducting intake evaluations to managing treatment plans, my focus is always on providing the best possible care and education to my patients. I also serve as a Restorative Care Coordinator at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where I lead a team dedicated to helping our veterans achieve better health. My role involves coordinating care plans, educating patients, and ensuring safety and quality in everything we do. Previously, I worked at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, where I honed my skills in critical care, infection control, and patient education. Whether it's administering medication, assisting with daily activities, or providing one-on-one care, I am committed to making a difference in my patients' lives. Outside of my professional roles, I am passionate about promoting overall health and wellness. I believe in the power of education and strive to help my patients understand their conditions and the best ways to manage them. Let's work together on your journey to better health and well-being. Feel free to reach out to me; I'm here to help!"
Ardenna DowningA

Ardenna Downing

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a therapist because of experiencing first hand heartache with mental health issues in my family as a child. I was curious as to how and why this happens and wanted to learn how to help. My interest in psychology has not changed since then! My high school guidance counselor's response and support of me when I was experiencing significant grief and loss as a teenager is also the reason I became a therapist. What continues to motivate me is my constant thirst of knowledge, the joy I feel with helping people, and the flexibility of combining art into my practice, which is a passion of mine. I love researching, in depth learning, being creative and am generally energized by engagement with people. My motto is from my undergrad school Virginia Tech, which is Ut Prosim. Ut Prosim essentially means "That I May Serve." I live by this motto. I have worked in community mental health, non profit organizations for domestic violence survivors, hospitals, a police department and in school environments in Chicago, IL and Dallas, TX. I have been a private practice owner since 2019. Individual services begin at $200. I currently do not accept insurance, but am able to provide sliding scale. I also accept FSA/HSA. I look forward to being a part of your journey, whether individually or in a community healing environment!
Are you having difficulty with life transitions such as divorce, infidelity and grief? Are you suffering with anxiety, confusion, flashbacks, inability to spark joy and compassion for self due to trauma? We can work together to develop and execute a plan that makes life more manageable and satisfying. My services are best for individuals and groups who need relief, empowerment, insight, and healing from challenging life events, self destruction and relationships. Most of my clients seek me out for grief, domestic issues such as abuse and infidelity, seeking life balance, and trauma. I have 15 years experience as a therapist and am integrative; utilizing a variety of therapeutic modalities and interventions for treatment. I am a certified EMDR therapist, use Brainspotting, somatic, and creative arts to help people heal. I am also internal family systems informed; encouraging you to explore parts of self for wholistic healing.