Did you know April is Counseling Awareness Month?
This month, we are recognizing and celebrating counselors and the incredibly dedicated individuals who devote themselves to this work each and every day.
Below is a small sample of Compass counselors who opened up about why they chose this field, its challenges, and what empowers them to continue forward.
Counselors, thank you for all that you do for the Compass community and your communities at large.
Savannah Williams, LCPC, Lead Group Therapist, Adolescent Program, Compass Virtual, She/Her
How long have you been in Counseling?
I have been counseling for 5 years, working mainly with children and adolescents.
What is the most gratifying part of being a Counselor?
The most gratifying part of being a counselor is getting to see the progress in your patients. Watching them work so hard to do the work outside of sessions and fighting through their hardest times while watching them practice grace and forgiveness for themselves is both beautiful and inspirational.
What is the most challenging part of being a Counselor?
The most challenging part of being a counselor is learning not to take work home with me. It can be really hard to end the day right when you get home when you're wondering about how some patients are doing.
What actions do you take to take care of your own mental wellness?
In order to take care of my own mental wellness, I actively practice self-care multiple times a week that include watching my favorite movies, kickboxing, connecting with my friends, and of course, eating as many lemon bars as the law allows.
Kathy Charley-Gad, LCPC, Senior Family Therapist, OCD Program, Northbrook, She/Her
How long have you been in Counseling?
I've been a therapist for nearly 19 years. As a child, I looked up to my parents who were both therapists and I knew from a young age this would be my path.
What is the most gratifying part of being a Counselor?
After all these years, I still get excited and fulfilled being a part of helping struggling families connect, communicate, and understand each other. It's heartwarming when they give each other a smile or hug after working through a difficult situation.
What is the most challenging part of being a Counselor?
One challenging part of being a counselor is not being able to help whether it's because I'm not the right fit or the person/family isn't ready. I reflect on these situations and try to learn from them.
What actions do you take to take care of your own mental wellness?
Self-care to me is CHOCOLATE! I make sure I have my daily dose to get me through. And of course, spending time with my family. We watch movies, go on drives, and often end up getting ice cream.
Taylor White, LCPC, Associate Director, Adult Program, Compass Virtual, She/Her
How long have you been in Counseling?
I have been in counseling for 5 years.
What is the most gratifying part of being a Counselor?
The most gratifying part of being a counselor is knowing that the patient trusted me enough to let me into their heart so that I can help them heal from life's struggles.
What is the most challenging part of being a Counselor?
The most challenging part of being a counselor is balancing being empathetic to the client's needs while maintaining a neutral stance in sessions.
What actions do you take to take care of your own mental wellness?
I work out regularly, which is a huge stress reliever for me. I utilize my PTO in order to decompress and ensure that I'm taking care of myself. I love to read and make sure that I get an hour of reading time each night to help me unwind.
Dillon Dostal, LPC, Associate Intake Therapist, Chicago, He/Him
How long have you been in Counseling?
I have been in the counseling/mental health field since August 2015. I have worked in a variety of settings, including a crisis and EAP phone line, an agency specializing in survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, a substance abuse/detox facility, and an agency that specialized in working with individuals that had been diagnosed with severe, persistent mental health disorders (i.e., schizoaffective disorder).
What is the most gratifying part of being a Counselor?
I enjoy being a counselor because I feel like it is a job where I can utilize some of the best qualities that I see in myself, all while helping others daily. It is very rewarding to see the progress an individual makes on their journey to better their mental health. It has always been my passion to help others and try to make the world a better, safer place for all and I feel being a therapist helps me pursue that ongoing passion.
What is the most challenging part of being a Counselor?
The most challenging part of counseling for me is how often as a provider I feel “helpless” in a situation due to systems put in place that hurt our clients and prevent them from making actual progress in society. It can also be challenging dealing with the ongoing stigma surrounding mental health and trying to get patients and their loved ones to better understand their symptoms without being judged or ashamed of themselves.
What actions do you take to take care of your own mental wellness?
I love to read. I listen to audiobooks on a regular basis and was able to listen to 30 books in 2022. (The goal is 35 books for 2023, wish me luck 😊). I play in a weekly competitive volleyball league, as volleyball is a sport that I have loved watching and playing since I was a kid. I also enjoy walking and biking along Lake Michigan.
Despina McBride- Spencer, MA, LCPC, Senior Director of Contact Center and Clinical Response, She/Her
How long have you been in Counseling?
I have been in counseling since 2007- 16 years.
What is the most gratifying part of being a Counselor?
Prior to working at Compass Health Center, I worked part-time in a private practice that focused on counseling children and adolescents who were experiencing loss, due to their parent's divorce or separation. The most gratifying part of that experience was being able to provide hope and reassurance to the kids who felt hopeless about their situation. In my current position at Compass, I am so grateful to help our patients quickly connect with high-quality mental health care.
What is the most challenging part of being a Counselor?
The most challenging part of our profession is being able to 'filter out' and not internalize the many things you are exposed to daily as a counselor. Having good clinical supervision is key!
What actions do you take to take care of your own mental wellness?
It is important to me to get at least 8 hours of sleep per night as well as daily exercise. Whether it is cardio or weightlifting, I feel so much better starting my day with a workout. It is equally important for my mental health that I carve time out for a date night with my husband every week as well as planned dinners 2-3 times a week with my family. This helps me feel connected to my kids.
Alexandria Howard, MA, Associate Primary Therapist, Child Program, Oak Brook, She/Her
How long have you been in Counseling?
I have been working in counseling for a year and a half!
What is the most gratifying part of being a Counselor?
The most gratifying part of being a counselor is seeing the progression of patients from week one of program until discharge!
What is the most challenging part of being a Counselor?
The most challenging part of being a counselor is not being able to help families with EVERYTHING that's going on in their lives.
What actions do you take to take care of your own mental wellness?
I try to remind myself of the positives in work I'm doing and know that I put my all into my work with patients. I also try to do Zumba and yoga weekly to take a mental break.
Sonja Crockett, LCPC, Senior Family Therapist, Young Child Program, Chicago, She/Her
How long have you been in Counseling?
11 years.
What is the most gratifying part of being a Counselor?
As a family therapist, I enjoy working with the entire family system and helping them all see progress. My favorite moment is when parents say “we have our kid back.”
What is the most challenging part of being a Counselor?
The most challenging part of being a counselor is balancing expectations around progress in treatment between the patient, family, and therapist.
What actions do you take to take care of your own mental wellness?
Going for a run and spending time by the lake. And of course, anything Bravo.
Kim Havlik, LCPC, Associate Director of Child Program, Northbrook, She/Her
How long have you been in Counseling?
7 years.
What is the most gratifying part of being a Counselor?
We often see children/families at some of their darkest and most challenging moments. It is so rewarding to walk with them through their journey and celebrate their progress and successes!
What is the most challenging part of being a Counselor?
Finding the balance between meeting children/families where they are at, especially with readiness to change, and encouraging their continued change and growth.
What actions do you take to take care of your own mental wellness?
I enjoy running and going to Orange Theory Fitness. I also love to spend time outdoors and enjoy camping in the summer, as well as spending time with my family, friends, and dog!
Katie Henegan, LCPC, Senior Primary Clinical Therapist, Adolescent Program, Northbrook, She/Her
How long have you been in Counseling?
I started in the counseling field in the summer of 2012 after obtaining my master’s degree.
What is the most gratifying part of being a Counselor?
The most gratifying and rewarding part of being a counselor is seeing the growth in patients as they challenge themselves and work on recognizing the areas that they want to improve on. I am always amazed by the courage and strength that patients have as they work to practice skills and allow themselves to be open and vulnerable during the counseling process.
What is the most challenging part of being a Counselor?
The most challenging part of being a counselor for me is knowing that I can’t fix or change circumstances for patients and their families.
What actions do you take to take care of your own mental wellness?
In order to decompress, I love spending time with my friends and family, running or doing yoga, reading, and listening to podcasts on my drive home from work.
Alicia Marrero, LPC, Associate Family Therapist, Adult Program, Oak Brook, She/Her/Ella
How long have you been in Counseling?
Almost 4 years.
What is the most gratifying part of being a Counselor?
Seeing how patients and their families are healing individually and collectively. They are doing intergenerational work that is healing their mental state. Recognizing the courage it takes to be vulnerable to welcome healing, and seeing families do this collectively is so powerful and moving.
What is the most challenging part of being a Counselor?
Recognizing that holding space for others is heavy work. Taking care of yourself as a counselor and not dismissing those needs is valid root work so that we can heal and be present in ways we need ourselves to be for/and with others.
What actions do you take to take care of your own mental wellness?
Practicing my own multi-faceted forms of self-care, and being with family and friends. Visiting conservatories, buying and caring for plants. Attending music festivals and concerts and being lost and empowered with the music. Exploring my inner peace and exploration through dancing(I've been dancing since I was 4 years old), cooking, traveling, and listening to music and vibing out! I have recently found myself loving vinyl records, good ol' generational connection there.
