MEet Maddy Trainor | Psychotherapist

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

Hi Maddy, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I originally grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and moved to Raleigh, NC at age thirteen. Spending childhood in one place and adolescence in another taught me about growth, connection, diversity, culture, and openness to experience. Moving to a new state with a very different culture (Rust Belt to Sun Belt) exposed me to a different pace of life. By moving, I expanded my worldview which helped me develop a sense of openness to new experience and cultures, and fostered a proud identity of someone with two hometowns.

My dad also grew up in Northern Ireland before moving to the states after college. Growing up in a household of two cultural backgrounds and religions also helped shaped this idea of multiplicity; everyone is a combination of experiences and complexities that shape who they are.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been practicing in the mental health field post-grad for two years now as well as two years of internships. I’ve worked in case management at a women and children’s shelter, integrated healthcare within the “safety net” for uninsured and medicaid folks, and now here at Lola and Me Therapy. Through this combination of experience, I’ve grown so much as a clinician ans developed a style of empathy, compassion, and meeting clients where they are. I’ve worked with clients of all ages and backgrounds from all walks of life which has deepened both my clinical skillset and personal world view.

I’m most proud of my ability to practice in both English and Spanish as a second language. I have been studying Spanish for over a decade and it has helped open up my world both professionally and personally. Offering bilingual services has helped me connect more presently and fully with my Latinx clients. We need more mental health services offered in Spanish as our number of Spanish speakers in the US is expected to be the most in the world by 2050.

It has definitely been challenging at items to work in the mental health field. I finished my MSW amidst the pandemic, and working in a human-centered field with little to no in person contact was not always easy. I learned to be adaptable and became an expert in tele-health services which I am grateful for, but also learned to expect the unexpected. No two clients are the same so I am truly always learning something new in this field. The difficult and beautiful part of this work is that we as clinicians are always learning alongside our clients, be challenged and growing with them too.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The beauty of Denver is that there are so many things to do here, and with the city growing so fast and access to the mountains, options are limitless. My favorite hikes for out-of-towners are St. Mary’s Glacier and Lost Lake for the beautiful lake and mountain views. A classic Denver day would be spending time outside at one of our many parks, and grabbing a bite to eat in LoHi, especially at Linger or Avanti for the skyline views for the visitors. Safta is also a current favorite of mine. And of course, no visit to Denver is complete without a visit to Little Man Ice Cream.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my mom, dad, brother, and friends. I am lucky to have the best people in my corner who always push me to be the best version of myself and encourage all of my efforts in whatever I set out to do.

Website: https://www.lolaandmetherapyllc.com/

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