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

Hi Erika, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Balance is such an interesting concept, and one that has shifted drastically for me personally in the last few years. Pre-covid, work life balance was what so many people consider “normal.” I was working 40 hours at an agency job, and evenings and weekends were for family and general life. But then covid hit, and our world suddenly shifted, and I realized what I thought was working for me-a standard 40 hour work week-was never actually working in the first place. I was tired, I was burnt out, I was honestly running on fumes. I couldn’t practice what I preached. Covid’s disruption of my standard work week gave me a big wake up call. Suddenly I was working from home, I saw my children more, I felt less stressed, I realized there were policies in place at my place of work that weren’t congruent with my values (and I didn’t have the power to change them). I had to ask myself, “why do you continue to do something that doesn’t work for you? And participate in a system that doesn’t align with your values or the way you truly want to practice?” And that’s when I began making the jump to private practice. I think balance is honestly a myth. It doesn’t exist in a perfect 50/50 split. I now replace the concept of balance with ebb and flow. And in different seasons of life, and even on different days, this ebb and flow is different. This allows me continual room to expand, readjust, and shift. It allows me to attune to my values, my needs, and be ok with an ever-changing capacity. There are so many factors that influence our health, and at this time with a continued pandemic, continued collective trauma, and political unrest, none of us are immune. So instead of shaming myself for not being able to do all the things I used to, I realize that my energy and what I can expend is ebbing right now; I continue to work on pursuing rest, healing, change and activism, knowing that eventually things will flow again. I encourage my clients to do the same!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I entered the mental health field in 2016. I’ve dabbled in multiple areas-I was a registered behavior technician working in ABA therapy for a time, and then during graduate school for my counseling degree I interned at a homeless shelter working with co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders. I’ve worked in outpatient mental health settings and in residential/inpatient addiction treatment settings. I honestly loved working with my past clients in those settings; I carry so many of their stories with me. Those experiences forever shaped my views and understanding on important issues such as addiction, racism, and social justice. It also highlighted the many flaws in the system, and I realized I didn’t want to be a cog in the wheel of something that is inherently flawed and built to work against the very people it purports to help. As an individual as a part of the system I couldn’t change it, so I decided to build a practice that gave me the freedom and flexibility to respond to clients and their needs without all the corporate red-tape. I think sometimes it takes knowing what doesn’t work for you in order to find what does! Because of my experience in various settings, I was able to concisely define what I valued and narrow my niche. I now work with women in a one-on-one teletherapy setting empowering them to live their best lives. I’ve learned that every experience is valuable and there is always information to be integrated. We learn just as much if not more from our mistakes and ‘oops’ moments versus the things that work out. If anything, I want the world to know that there’s no such thing as having it all figured out, or having all the answers. We’re human and life is allowed to be messy and undefined. I’m continually finding what doesn’t work, and adjusting to try to find what does when it comes to running a business. When I started a private practice, I had the basic building blocks in place, but there’s a lot I’m figuring out as I go along. I strive to normalize and be transparent about my journey and struggles; behind every ‘success story’ is a lot of hard work and a lot that didn’t work out!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am happiest when outside, and what better place to do that than in Colorado! For sights I agree with the guidebooks and recommend driving up Pikes Peak on a clear day; there’s nothing like being fourteen-thousand feet in the air and seeing all of the earth spread out below you for miles on end. Garden of the Gods is stunning, too. Have fun rock scrambling and admiring the giant rock formations. Avoid crowds and go early in the morning, or catch a sunset to beat the heat of the day. Right next door is Rock Ledge Ranch, a living history museum. Red Rock open space has miles of trails and pretty views. If you have kids, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a must. You can spend an entire afternoon here easily! If you’re looking for a good hike and some Colorado sunshine and fresh air, 7 Bridges Trail in North Cheyenne Canyon is one of my favorites or head up to the Catamount Trailhead in Green Mountain Falls for a pretty waterfall hike. Coffee is a must-have, so skip Starbucks as local coffee shops are the place to go. My go-to’s are Switchback Coffee Roasters and Third Space Coffee. For drinks and food I highly recommend the quirky and funky Burrowing Owl. They have to die for vegan food and delicious drinks. Santana’s Vegan Grill has the best vegan burger, hands down, and is well worth the wait. For some more traditional fare and brews galore, head to Colorado Brewing Company. If you’re tired and sore after a long day of hiking, book a soak in the cedar tubs at Sunwater Spa!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without my partner. He continually holds safe space for my self-doubt and fears, and perpetually encourages me to take the leap of faith anyways. Whether it’s parenting, general life, marriage, or my dreams, he holds space, believes in me always, and is always shoulder-to-shoulder beside me in the thick of it. So thank you, Danzig. You’re my safe haven, my harbor, my rock-I wouldn’t be where I am without your love, belief, and encouragement.

x

Website: https://www.thornandthistlecounseling.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thornandthistlecounselingco/

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