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1. Tell us about your background and journey.
My name is Liz Earnshaw and I am a mama, wife, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and business owner. I grew up in a small town on the bay in Maryland and have always been fascinated by relationships
Hias you can imagine, there were some...interesting... relationships within my family system. When I first began my studies, I went to school to become a teacher. I quickly recognized that I was not very good at managing a classroom and was more ested in creating the more quiet and personal relationships that come with one on one work. After I finished my undergraduate degree, I decided to begin a graduate program in Couples and Family Therapy at Jefferson University and it's been history ever since!
2. What led you to take up this career path?
I was inspired by a billboard - I was driving down the highway, feeling lost about what I wanted to do following my undergrad degree and a billboard appeared with information about the couples and family therapy program at Jefferson University. This was my first conscious recognition that I wanted to be in this line of work. However, my own experiences with relational dysfunction certainly were the driving force.
3. What are some common myths in the society about psychology?
A huge myth that I see perpetuated is that getting mental health support is about "being a victim" or finding ways to blame others. This couldn't be further from the truth - getting support is about finding ways to connect with, heal, and empower the self so that you get choice and responsibility in your life. Yes, at times, the work is exploring ways in which a person has been harmed, traumatized, or victimized and that within that there is exploration of how other's have perpetuated that pain. But, the ultimate goal is to connect with the self and find ways empower the self.
4. How
can people practice mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a practice that seems tricky at first but ultimately is about being about to come into the present moment and truly connect with yourself. You can practice everyday mindfulness by tuning into your body (listening to the sounds it makes, noticing how it feels, what it needs) or tuning into your senses by taking a 5 minute time out to notice tastes, sounds, smells, physical sensations of touch, and what you see.
5. What are your tips for people who want to practice this profession?
Take time to learn about yourself. Understanding yourself and your own triggers is incredibly important if you are going to do this work. It's also important to remember that while you will have professional insight and knowledge, you never will know more about a person and what they need than they do. Allow them to be t important guide.
6. Is work-life balance a myth or reality according to
you?
It can be a reality but for some it might not be. First, it requires some form of privilege to have the balance - does your boss allow But, if you do have the supports needed to have the balance you will also need to make conscious effort to maintain it by setting boundaries around work and home.
7. How
according to you can one manage stress ?
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