Q: As the owner of the Relationship Counseling Center of Maryland (RCC), you just successfully passed ten years of being in business! What has been the most fulfilling?
A: Thank you! We are really excited about reaching that milestone last year. The most fulfilling part is to watch the growth and progress of our clients. It is very rewarding to see individuals, couples, and families doing well in their relationships.
Q: What was the moment you realized you wanted to be a marriage and family therapist?
A: I volunteered for a domestic violence shelter when I was in college and I enjoyed talking to the women and children who lived in the shelter and understanding their life experiences.
Q: For anyone seeking therapy, what is essential to having a successful experience?
A: Client readiness (that is, the client’s readiness to do the necessary and difficult emotional work in therapy) is a big factor. The couples who do well are also the ones who are committed to their relationships and are open to some of the suggestions for trying new modes of engagement. They work hard to make positive efforts at home and to be vulnerable with their partners in session. These couples take responsibility for themselves and their actions.
Q: In your experience, what have been the most common issues couples face?
A: Many couples experience communication problems, such as verbal conflict and invalidation of one another’s feelings. Couples also commonly deal with issues around infidelity, finances, and emotional and physical intimacy.
Q: When you have issues in your own relationships, do you utilize any of the techniques from therapy, and, do they work?
A: They work! I take a deep breath, stop, and listen. I also explain my side from an emotional (feelings) standpoint and take responsibility for my part in the misunderstanding or issue that was created.
Q: Are there times when the work becomes too overwhelming and if so, what do you do to manage?
A: I am a strong believer in self-care, particularly for our therapists, and that includes myself. I do deep breathing exercises and try to stay current with yoga, exercise, and social activities. I also see my own therapist to process my own emotions.
Q: Is there a secret ingredient you look for when hiring associates to be a part of RCC?
A: We look for a good team member, warmth in personality, responsiveness, and excellent clinical skill. We choose therapists who are passionate about their work and love what they do, and are interested in always improving and growing. We have added many fantastic therapists to the RCC team and they have added wonderful new elements to the RCC family. We are very fortunate to have our therapists and because of them, our practice is growing every day!
Q: If you could give an aspiring therapist advice, what would it be?
A: One of the most important things you can do as an aspiring therapist is to do the personal work on yourself. Go to individual therapy and explore who you are and what makes you tick. Resolve any past emotional issues and work on healthy boundaries with others. You will also experience therapy from the client’s point of view, and that is valuable information. These things all translate to the therapy room when you are finally sitting in the therapist’s seat.
