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Therapists answer…

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

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Jenn Parker

Resident in Counseling
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
My path to therapy wasn't a straight line. I actually began in computer programming, but after navigating my own significant life transitions and personal losses, I realized that the "code" I really wanted to understand was the human mind. Through my own therapy, I discovered that my struggles with depression and anxiety didn't start in my adult life—they were rooted in a childhood spent navigating a household with very rigid expectations and unpredictable emotional dynamics. I spent years "walking on eggshells," suppressing my own needs to manage the moods of the adults around me. I didn't realize until much later that I had developed a "fawning" response—merging with others' expectations to stay safe. Discovering this gave me the freedom to finally be me. That is what drives me now: There is no better feeling than being able to wholeheartedly be yourself, not who others want you to be. I want to hand that freedom to my clients!
Hi, I’m Jenn. I'm a Resident in Counseling and the founder of The Mind Garden, a boutique, online-only practice in Virginia. I specialize in helping millennials who are exhausted from holding it all together. If you are the person everyone else relies on, but you feel like you have no one to lean on yourself, you are in the right place. If you struggle with people-pleasing, perfectionism, or the inability to say "no" without guilt, I can help you move from surviving your life to inhabiting it. My approach is warm, evidence-based (IFS & CBT), and entirely human-first.
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Jessica Brown

Psychologist (PhD, CP)
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I ultimately got into therapy after seeing just how big of a mental healthcare desert existed in this area in terms of the availability of affordable care. This is even more true for marginalized people living in the South. I've always been told that I'm a good listener and when I was in the military I eventually served as a counselor, talking to soldiers and officers about depression, anxiety, marriage and family issues, PTSD, and even gender dysphoria. In the years after serving, I found myself applying those skills in order to talk people through major issues they were having, including friends of mine in the LGBTQ+ community. I eventually decided to work towards a PhD in Psychology so that I'd be better able to serve people in need, particularly those who are in need but cannot afford professional help. Depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, gender dysphoria and other LGBTQ+ issues, etc. should not be the taboos that they seem to be today. What motivates me to continue is seeing just how much I can help people by listening to them and coming up with a plan of action that puts them on a path towards recovery. My motivation is to shatter these taboos and get people to freely talk about their struggles so that they can be the person they truly want to be.
After having served as a counselor while in the military, I later pursued a PhD in Psychology so that I could help meet the growing demand for available and affordable mental healthcare in this area, especially for those who are part of marginalized groups (such as the LGBTQ+ community) and cannot find safe and affirming people to talk to. While I have my particular specialties, I am more than happy to talk to anyone who is in need of psychological counseling, therapy, evaluations, and support. I'm very knowledgeable with the topics of depression, anxiety, gender dysphoria, ADHD, PTSD, autism, sexuality, and more. I try to make patients feel as comfortable and validated as possible.
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MaryJo Melander

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I went back to school to get my Master’s in Social Work because I have a heart and passion for helping others and walking with them in their pain. It is an honor to work with clients through their most vulnerable moments. I believe therapy is a place where you should feel understood, heard, and validated. My approach to sessions is to lead with empathy and help you alleviate your symptoms.
Are you anxious and overwhelmed? Are you feeling alone? Are you grieving a loss? Are you parenting a child with complex medical issues? Are you depressed? Do you feel like no one understands you? I want to create the space for you to share all of your emotions and problems so you can start living the life you dreamed of. I want to understand what you are feeling and I want to help you get to the place where things are better. I provide counseling for adult women and adolescents specializing in trauma, complex grief, depression, anxiety and Christian counseling. I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years experience in a variety of settings . My approach is to lead with empathy and to help you feel understood, heard and validated. I have a gentle spirit but will also speak the truth with kindness. My goal is to provide a safe space for you to share your emotions while also providing practical tools for you to utilize. I want to help you understand your past so you can change your present and have hope for your future. I believe the most important part of therapy is establishing a therapeutic relationship and having the hope you can change. I am trained in DBT, EMDR, Perinatal Mental Health and Advanced Grief Counseling. Head to my website to schedule your free 15 minute consultation with me.
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Kyle Freiburger

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a counselor because there was a time when I was younger when I struggled with severe depression and didn’t know how to cope. I was able to find help from a therapist which made me realize that I wanted to help someone when they were at their lowest moment. I am motivated by each interaction that I have with clients to see struggles and the potential strengths within each individual that will help them overcome their overwhelming experience.
Beginning counseling can be a very different experience. Becoming comfortable enough to discuss personal and difficult topics about your life is not always easy. I understand, as a person who has been in counseling myself, which is why I became a counselor. I know that faith can be an important part of people's walk in life and can integrate concepts of faith into counseling based on each individuals preference. I also realize that others wish to focus just on the therapeutic concepts that will aid their journey. I want to engage with you where you are and process all that is currently occurring in your life. I have found that through my journey of becoming a counselor that I want to help those who have experienced trauma. I also want to help those who struggle with addiction to aid in their changes they are pursuing. I want to be a support to relationships that are experiencing difficulty and are hoping for restoration as well as ending relationships well. The other issues that I can provide service for are anxiety, depression, and general life difficulties. I want to provide a peaceful and engaging experience that will help you on your journey to complete health. No matter what brings you to counseling you will be cared for. Please reach out via email, text, or phone to begin that process for your health.