Today we’d like to introduce you to Cecily Batiste Dawson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Cecily. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in Cheek, Texas. My small hometown molded me to be strong willed and determined. In high school when we were forced to write the essay of “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?”, being a licensed professional counselor was not even on my radar. At 18 years old, I knew that I would become an attorney and practice family law – and there’s nothing anyone could have said to change it. So, going into college I had my life set, planned out, and ready to put into action. The plan did not go as I intended for it to. Yes, I graduated college and attended law school, but at the end of the first month I knew that I had no desire or passion to practice law. One of the most terrifying things that can happen to a planner/box checker is for the plan to get shaky.
I spent my entire child/teenage years dreaming of what my life would be, and as I began to experience the dream, I realized the dream didn’t make me happy. So, I became a middle school Texas History teacher. While I enjoyed teaching middle school students, I knew the best way of creating an impact was through building meaningful connections. It’s hard for a 12 year old to learn about the importance of Sam Houston defeating Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto if they’re sitting in a classroom replaying the domestic violence situation that occurred in their home the night before. Because of this, I enrolled into the Clinical Mental Health Master’s program at Lamar University and became a licensed professional counselor.
Has it been a smooth road?
Ha! Smooth? No. I think the biggest struggle was having a dream during childhood of what I wanted for my life and realizing the reality of the dream wasn’t that great. When you’ve built your identity around a specific career and it falls through it shakes the foundation of who you think you are. But that also has probably been one of the most beautiful things that I’ve been able to experience because it allowed me to learn who I am as a person and that my happiness is the most important thing in life. I will choose my peace and enjoyment of life over anything.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Experience Life Counseling Services provides psychotherapy for males and females, 12 to 65 years of age. We provide traditional talk therapy as well as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. I specialize in treating trauma. There’s very little public education on what trauma is and its effects on our lives. We experience trauma from being in a car accident, witnessing domestic violence as a child, or even experiencing emotional abuse. The trauma that we all experience alters our daily routines, and sometimes we’re not always cognizant of how it affects us. Experiencing high anxiety? It’s probably related to a type of trauma. I provide a space where you can process your emotions and begin to heal so that you can ultimately begin to experience life from a newer perspective. I enjoy educating others on what mental illness looks like, where it comes from, and what we can do to manage the symptoms.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Absolutely! Houston has a diverse population with various needs, so it allows for all types of therapeutic treatment to be practiced.
Contact Info:
- Address: 8530 FM 1960 E
Suite 214 Humble, TX 77346 - Website: www.experiencelife-counseling.com
- Phone: 281-849-4402
- Email: info@experiencelife-counseling.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/experience_life_counseling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExperienceLifeCounselingServices/
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