Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Wilson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
There were several different factors that contributed to me becoming a therapist, but mainly I decided to pursue this career because I experienced firsthand how life changing therapy can be. I sought out therapy as a young adult because I felt stuck and uncertain of what I wanted out of life and in a career. I felt like I was unable to tolerate uncertainty or distressing emotions, which led to an endless cycle of unhealthy coping and never feeling “good enough”. During my time in therapy, I became more aware of how my earlier experiences influenced who I am, and I became better able to navigate challenging circumstances and feel more confident within myself. However, it wasn’t just the tools that I learned in therapy that were so profound for me. It was the relationship with my therapist that I believe had the most significance. I was able to be vulnerable, fully transparent, and not feel judged for my inner conflicts and struggles. I learned self-acceptance through compassion and understanding from my therapist, knowing that I could trust someone and expose all parts of me, and feel non-judgmental acceptance in return. It was through this process that made me feel so passionate about wanting to help others, and why I feel so passionate working with young professionals.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s definitely had it’s challenges! I would say one of the biggest hurdles was overcoming “imposter syndrome”, which is basically feeling like a fraud in the role that you are in. This is very common for new therapists (as well as many other professionals). Earlier on in my career, I felt like there was so much I still didn’t know, and worried that I wasn’t doing enough to help my clients. I think when you want so badly to help others, oftentimes you wish you could fix their problems or wave this magic wand, but unfortunately, it’s never that easy. I definitely had to learn to sit in discomfort with my clients, learn how to be okay with not having all the answers, and trust that creating a safe, secure relationship with my client is really the most important thing. I also had to learn that you can’t work harder than your clients. Some people show up with certain goals in therapy, and may not be ready to address something I think is really important. As a therapist, I have to meet my clients where they are in their process, and not force my own beliefs or opinions on anyone. It is not my role to give answers or solutions (although I may suggest some effective coping skills or cognitive reframing), but rather to provide a relationship where we can explore together what might make sense for the client.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a psychotherapist in private practice and provide individual therapy to adults. I typically work with high-functioning, young professionals who are navigating a variety of different life stressors. Since the pandemic, I have transitioned to being fully online, which I have found has offered a lot more flexibility and convenience for the population I work with. It also allows me to work with clients all across Texas. I would say I am most passionate working with women who are struggling with anxiety, relationship issues, or have a history of childhood/relational trauma. I take a very humanistic, person-centered, and attachment-based approach. I don’t want to just look at the symptoms someone is presenting with, but rather understand them as a whole, and explore the root causes behind those symptoms. I also think it’s important to explore early childhood experiences that shape our perception of ourselves and the world around us. Making sense of our adaptive defense mechanisms, and better understanding how we relate to others in our relationships, is often critical to developing a stronger sense of self.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I think the most important lesson has been that relationships are everything. Through my work as a therapist, I focus on how relationships impact my clients, often being the reason they begin therapy. I am also better able to understand my clients as they show up in the therapeutic relationship, and use our relationship as a way of exploring and gently challenging the patterns that emerge. The relationships I’ve developed with my colleagues has also been one of the greatest gifts from my profession. I’ve made friendships that will be life long, with people I admire and have come to love so much. If it weren’t for the people who believed in me, I would not have had the courage to start my own practice, and I would not have discovered some of my greatest gifts as a therapist and as a human.
Pricing:
- Individual Therapy – $175 per session
Contact Info:
- Email: abby@abbywilsontherapy.com
- Website: abbywilsontherapy.com
