Welcome to the second interview of Ask a Therapist, an exclusive Q&A with a Chico Creek Counseling therapist. Over the year, I’ll share the inner workings of each CCC therapist’s mind and dig into his or her counseling philosophy. I hope you enjoy getting to know each unique and amazing individual as much as I did.
This week it’s my pleasure to highlight Brandi Callison. She’s been with Chico Creek Counseling for almost a year now. And what a great addition to the team! I can’t count how many times we holed up in my office in between sessions and chatted, sharing our lives and hearts. She’s one of the most authentic, vulnerable, and caring people I know.
RD: Just like always, let’s start with what made you decide to become a therapist.
BC: I don’t think I so much “decided” to become a therapist, but rather the profession chose me. Some say being a therapist is a calling rather than a vocation. I believe this was true for me.
RD: I get that. I feel the same way about writing. It’s in my bones. What intrigues you most about psychology?
BC: The limitless possibilities that exist within the field of psychology always fascinate me. With all the advances in research and technology, we continually rediscover what an amazing, complex mechanism the human mind truly is. I get excited just thinking about how that applies to me, both on a personal level and to my clients in a professional capacity.
Brandi’s Approach to Therapy
RD: Speaking of these discoveries, what are a few of the foundations/principles on which you base your counseling approach?
BC: I am Jungian trained with an emphasis in depth psychology, so my orientation and approach to counseling in general is a bit unique. According to my alma mater Pacifica Graduate Institute, “Depth psychological approaches to psychological suffering attempt to help individuals become aware of what has been cast out of consciousness or not yet able to be known. Healing is associated with allowing what has been repressed, rejected, denied or ignored to come forward so that the person can understand, explore its significance and integrate it, allowing for a transformation in consciousness. Depth Psychology also attends to the way unconscious processes express themselves in society and culture, and how culture affects the psyche.”
RD: That’s a super interesting approach. It makes sense that a person’s suffering, pushed way down in the depths, would affect how they view their life and the world around them. I find that to be true in my own personal healing.
Why Brandi Does What She Does
RD: You mentioned earlier that being a therapist was your calling. With that in mind, what’s your favorite part of being a therapist?
BC: My favorite part of being a therapist is being there to witness my clients become the best versions of themselves.
RD: I imagine watching that is truly rewarding. On a larger scale, if you could change the world for good in one area, what would that be?
BC: I don’t pretend to have an answer to changing the world for good, I can only attempt to live my moments doing the best I can with the information I have at the time.
RD: Great answer! I suppose, no matter how great our schemes and intentions, that’s all any of us can do.
RD: Now, let’s focus on a more micro level. When you sit down across from a new client what’s that like? What can a new client expect from their first appointment?
Your First Appointment With Brandi
BC: The first appointment involves a couple key elements, which include some important and necessary paperwork and conversation about what brought them into therapy.
RD: Ah, paperwork that necessary and important drudgery. What else can new clients expect? What makes you uniquely you?
BC: My laugh.
RD: Ha! That laugh, how I love it. And once you’ve experienced it, you’ll know how contagious it is. This concludes the interview, but before we go, will you recommend your top personal growth books you recommend to clients?
BC: There would be way too many books to list, so let’s just go with a few of my top authors: Carl Jung, Thomas Moore, Brené Brown, Byron Katie, Robert Fulghum, James Hillman, Tara Brach, and Wayne Dyer.
RD: Thank you so much, Brandi. I loved getting to know you better and sharing your amazingness with our readers. For more about Brandi check out her bio. And, if you think Brandi might be the right therapist for you, please call our office at 530-410-0505 or e-mail info@hys-bz.haaaz.co to make an appointment.
Meet Rachelle DeNecochea, Chico Creek Counseling’s new blogger. Rachelle worked as office manager for Chico Creek Counseling, but now spends most of her time writing fantasy novels for teens and blogging about bravery, risk-taking, and living fully. She has an undergraduate degree in behavioral science and a master’s degree in business. She lives in Chico, CA with her superhero husband and two almost grown minions. If you’d like to connect, follow her personal blog or send a message through her Acts of Bravery Facebook page. She’d love to chat with you.
