Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Johnson.
Andrea, before we jump into specific questions about your practice, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Anyone who knows me well would describe me as an empath. I feel the full spectrum of emotion so deeply, and I always have, even as a young child. “You’re too sensitive” became a story I played on repeat until I was in my early twenties. I lived in a dichotomy of trying to prove that story wrong yet fiercely wanting to help others through their emotional experiences. It wasn’t until I leaned fully into my sensitivity that I stepped out of emotional shame and into my own power.
Through a journey of self-love and self-discovery, I began to give myself the validation and approval I had once so desperately wanted from others. I learned to live with intention by incorporating healthy rituals, taking care of my body, and choosing my thoughts in order to create a reality I loved. Before long, that old “you’re too sensitive” story was scorched and replaced with “you’re so sensitive, and that is your superpower.”
My anxiety and depression shifted into heartfelt purpose, and I wanted others to know, they too, had the power to change. Over the last ten years, I have worked as a therapist in a private practice setting, and currently, I co-own a group psychotherapy practice where I help clients step into their own power and create a life they love.
Has it been a smooth road?
My desire for “smooth” is something I’ve had to learn to release. Yes, it’s comfortable, but it usually means we aren’t growing. As soon as I redefined my relationship with failure, I discovered what I was truly capable of accomplishing. We have to become acutely aware of our default settings and old stories, and when those start to take over, we must implement the basic habits we’ve developed in order to get back onto the rocky road of success! I believe we pick our pain–we can choose the pain of staying stuck in old patterns, or we can up-level our pain into growing pains.
We’d love to hear more about The Friendswood Center for Couples and Families.
In my work as a therapist, I see people grappling with hopelessness, rooted patterns, uncertainty, perfectionism, loneliness in the presence of another, and an overall lack of self-worth. I learn, daily, how to master the art of therapy, because my clients teach me. They are the experts of their own lives, and I’m just lucky enough to have a front-row seat as they become empowered to take the wheel.
Most of my client base consists of highly motivated-for-change, insightful individuals who are ready to confront what is keeping them stuck in an unfulfilled, anxious state. As a systemic thinker, I see people as a product of their relationships and environment. To support long-lasting change and growth, I take the systemic approach even further by recognizing that my clients need support in other areas of their lives, too, including their minds, bodies, spirituality, careers, hobbies, motivations, and overall life purpose. I acknowledge nutrition, movement, and sleep as important factors that contribute to overall wellness and life fulfillment.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Every ounce of my father’s being is laced with discipline, and my mother’s veins bleed perseverance and, well, fun! Those two worlds molded together gave me a solid foundation to work hard, to never give up, and to laugh the whole way through.
I owe much of my approach to life to them, as well as my belief in the resilience of the human spirit, and my tendency to get really, really excited about my dreams and ideas. I’ve adopted the belief that excitement is an invitation sent to us by the universe, and it’s up to us to RSVP. Don’t water down your excitement with overthinking and under-doing!
Contact Info:
- Address: 1506 Winding Way, Bldg 108
Friendswood, TX 77598 - Website: www.friendswoodfamilies.com
- Phone: 281-797-9879
- Email: andrea@friendswoodfamilies.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccf_friendswood/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendswoodccf/
Image Credit:
Jordan Clay Productions, Joseph West Photography, Paul Buceta
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