We recently had the chance to connect with Emily Bradshaw and have shared our conversation below.
Emily , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Right now a “normal” day looks like getting up and getting my kids off to school, then heading to work to see clients, finding time to film a TikTok, and then running back home to be Mom again. My days feel really busy and time management is really important to get everything done in an effective manner.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Emily and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or a therapist, if you prefer that. I see clients individually on a weekly or as needed basis. I also work for an IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) where clients who need a higher level of care come in for 11 hours a week in a group setting to hopefully decrease symptoms related to mental health disorders. I specialize in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and I wholeheartedly believe that the skills taught in DBT are life skills that we all could benefit from.
Since I spend a lot of time sitting and listening I have picked up an interesting hobby. Almost 2 years ago I began making paper stars, or origami stars. A client taught me how to make them. I have really enjoyed having something to keep my hands busy that actually increases my focus while doing my job. I have also taught many of my IOP clients how to make the stars as a mindfulness activity. It appears as though I have gotten really good at this hobby, and have collected tens of thousands of stars since starting. I posted a TikTok recently where I dumped all my buckets of stars into a giant 5ft tube and it went viral. So since then I have been enjoying filming more TikTok’s related to my paper stars.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Something I believed as a child was that something was inherently wrong with me and I had to prove myself to be loved. I was often labeled as “too sensitive” or “too emotional”. As an adult, I continue to learn and re-learn that there wasn’t ever anything wrong with “baby Emily”. I see this in many of my clients as well, and one of my overarching goals is to help my clients see that they were always worthy of love and kindness.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I try to practice saying kind things to both my adult self and my younger self regularly. I like to tell my younger self, “you weren’t ever too much, carrying all of that was never your responsibility. It’s okay to have big emotions. The things that happened to you were unfair and they absolutely were not your fault. I’m sorry you didn’t always feel safe or protected.” Telling my younger self things I apparently needed to hear at the time has been so incredibly healing for me and my nervous system.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Something I am wholeheartedly committed to is helping others understand how worthy and lovable they really are. This is always one of my main goals with my clients. I give many of my clients a sticker that says “What Would Emily Say?” hopefully as a reminder for them to talk nicely to themselves and to believe that they deserve that. I plan on doing this for the entirety of my career.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope that people remember my kindness. I am absolutely not perfect at this, but I really do try to be kind to everyone around me. Kindness and empathy are big values in my life and I hope that shines through to others. I also would like others to see me as a role model of sorts for surviving through hard times. I have had many experiences that in the moment I was unsure I would make it through, and I am so glad I did. I want people to remember my kindness and strength through it all. Honestly, I just want people to remember me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://houstonpsychotherapists.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houstonpsychotherapists/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Houston-Psychotherapists-Inc-100057556355081/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmilyBradshaw-u2k
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emilya1202?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Image Credits
Photo Credit: Ashley Boyd Photography https://www.ashleyboydphotography.com/
