Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristy Cheney.
Hi Kristy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Like many counselors, I was introduced to the counseling profession by working with a professional counselor. In high school, I was asked by the school counseling staff to be part of their peer counseling program. I received training in basic listening and problem-solving skills. I also realized that I loved learning about how people think and behave through my psychology class.
My commitment to the counseling profession never wavered, but it took a while for me to get here. After earning my first master’s degree in counseling, I began a long season of being a stay-at-home mom. When I was ready to re-apply for my counseling license, I found out that my education had expired (according to the Texas licensing board at the time). That’s when I started looking into programs where I could earn a second master’s degree virtually. I graduated in May 2020 and worked in group practice until I began Sunflower Counseling Center in February 2023.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest struggle was returning to school when I had four young children at home. My roles in our family shifted as a result of the extra work of school. My family has been so supportive and has celebrated every single milestone: starting my first class, graduation, passing my licensing exam, completing my 3,000 post-graduation supervised hours, and opening my practice.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Sunflower Counseling Center?
Clients often seek me out for therapy because they are feeling stuck. My clients want to live full lives without fear holding them back. I love working with people as they begin to challenge the thoughts and behaviors that are keeping the fear alive and leading to that feeling of being stuck.
I have experience working with kids, teens, and adults. While the life details are different, the drivers of anxiety in an adult start in childhood. Oftentimes, major life transitions can exacerbate the anxiety people have felt throughout their lives to the point that coping skills are no longer working for them.
I frequently use techniques from Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) as I believe that following our values helps us make the best decisions moving forward. I will not tell you what to do or how to run your life, but I can help you sort through what is working for you and what is not. I will help you challenge your current ways of thinking that are not serving you.
I encourage all clients to pay attention to what the body needs–movement, rest, social connectedness, time alone, water, food, etc. Our bodies are wise and can provide us with a lot of information so long as we are paying attention. I understand this is difficult for many clients as they begin counseling, so we will work towards more awareness throughout the process. I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and we can use it to process past memories that are causing current problems.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Every Sunday, our family had dinner at my grandparents’ home. We would get there several hours before dinnertime to play with cousins, explore my grandparents’ property, and help grandma cook. I love my people deeply, and I know this love of family time comes from the intentional time we spent together every week.
Pricing:
- Individual Counseling- $125/session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sunflowercounselingcenter.com/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunflower_cc_tx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunflowerCounselingCenter
- Other: https://linktr.ee/sunflowercc?utm_source=linktree_admin_share
