Meet Emily Straw | Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate and Addictions Counselor Candidate (or LPCC, ADCC)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Straw and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
The concept of risk is crucial in the field of mental health care. The vast majority of clients seek therapy because their coping skills for their current situation haven’t worked for them. Most of them have tried to figure things out on their own, but they keep falling into the same relational and behavioral patterns, and experiencing the same results. In therapy, clients take the risk of being vulnerable with another person about the most intimate parts of their lives, usually parts that make them feel a lot of shame. The most important factor in how well therapy works is the relationship between the client and the counselor. Clients who want to improve have to risk connecting with me and trying something new.

I have been a client for a long time, and digging through past experiences and healing can be hard, messy, work. It can also be beautiful and liberating, especially with someone you trust. The healing I found in my own therapy gave me the courage to go back to graduate school in my 30s and become a counselor. I started to trust my intuition, make room for my hopes and dreams, and let myself enjoy the successes while learning from the mistakes. My personal mental health work is what allows me to sit with clients every week. It’s not fair of me to ask clients to go deeper than I would be willing to go myself. Every week I work with clients as they take on the challenges of connection and vulnerability, which gives them the strength they need to move forward in ways they can take pride in. My clients are some of the bravest people I know, and they inspire me every day to keep going too.

What should our readers know about your business?
I opened A Way Through Counseling, PLLC on January 1, 2022. I focus on creating connection in every aspect of my business, from serving clients to connecting with other therapists to speaking on mental health. Even if I cannot serve a client because of insurance or expertise on a certain concern, I try to make sure I help them find a provider that would be a good fit for their needs. I specialize in treating clients who are struggling with addiction and/or suicidal thoughts in an outpatient setting, which is a big need in our area. I take into account the role trauma plays on the nervous system, and I work in partnership with my clients to help their bodies learn to regulate and process what happened in the past so they can stay in the present.

Graduate school was a lot of work, and I graduated in December of 2021. I chose to open my own private practice instead of serve in a group practice or community mental health because I wanted flexibility to choose whom and how I serve. This is somewhat atypical in this field because new counselors still need to work through thousands of hours of clinical work while under supervision to become licensed after graduating. I split the time I am not working with clients between building a professional business and developing my identity as a counselor. This means on top of doing marketing, financials, and administrative work I am also doing research, training, and my own therapy. I also attend supervision regularly to have outside eyes on my work and make sure my clients have excellent care.

Building my business has shown me more than anything the importance of self-care. I could easily burn out with all of the work it takes to put this together and be a good counselor. However, my career requires that I practice what I preach. If I could communicate anything with my brand, it’s would be the encouragement to take the risk and try something new. I know how intimidating it can be because I have been there too. I also know how amazing it is to have someone working with you toward a better future.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would absolutely have to spend at least one day hiking, probably up Horsetooth Rock because it’s not too difficult and has a spectacular view at the end. We would visit a few of my favorite restaurants like DGT in Fort Collins and Origins Pizza in Loveland. If it was summer, we would go to one of the live music events at the Foote Lagoon. If we felt like going outside the city a little, we would definitely check out the Meow Wolf exhibit, the Botanic Gardens, and Casa Bonita if it would be open again. (That last one is a rite of passage I try to take most of my friends through when possible!)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My therapist walked with me for years and helped me become the woman, counselor, wife, mother, and friend that I am today. My pastor, Grant, and my good friend, Ken, continue to support me spiritually. My husband and family have been my biggest cheerleaders through this journey.

Website: www.awaythroughcounseling.com

Instagram: @awaythroughcounseling

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-straw-28952732/

Image Credits
Shauna Beth Photography