Reflections on Ten Years of Providing Psychotherapy (Part 1) [Episode 20 of The Intentional Clinician Podcast]
Paul Krauss MA LPC reflects on his ten years of providing psychotherapy. Paul has worked in a variety of different roles as he has provided therapy to people from diverse populations and socioeconomic demographics. Episode 20 is part one of two episodes of reflections on Paul’s life and career. Part one, is far more about Paul’s personal journey through that led him from newly graduated counselor, to his work in social services, to beginning a successful private practice. Paul talks at length about his evolution as a counselor as he learned about different modes and types of therapy as well as about himself on the journey. Paul discusses the struggles of trying to find his way in the field of counseling and the ups and downs and difficulties that all led to his own personal transformation. Paul hopes that Episode 20 and 21 of the podcast will help new therapists that are getting into the field that are looking for direction as well as seasoned professionals who are looking for new ways to work and help others.
*Psychotherapy is interchangeable with the term Counseling.* But since there are many “types” of counseling that have nothing to do with psychology (credit counseling, etc.), Paul chose this term for a direct reference
In part two, Paul Krauss will discuss his experience and opinions with various modalities of psychotherapy and their implications (Part 2 will be released as Episode 21).
Paul Krauss MA LPC is a full-time Private Practice Psychotherapist, the host of the Intentional Clinician podcast, Behavioral Health Consultant, Clinical Trainer, and Counseling Supervisor. Paul is willing to travel and train clinicians in multiple states. Paul is the creator of the National Violence Prevention Hotline (in progress) https://www.violencepreventionhotline.org/ as well as the Intentional Clinician Training Program for Counselors. Paul consults for and trains clinicians at behavioral health organizations. Paul works at at Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids and works with multiple talented clinicians there, in Grand Rapids MI. Questions? Call Paul at 616-365-5530 (direct), or at the office 616-200-4433. Learn more about Paul at https://www.paulkrausscounseling.com/
Original music:
“Shades of Currency” [Instrumental] from Archetypes by PAWL
“Arctic” from 7 by RIFIFI
Music available here:
Additional Thoughts on Episode 20 of The Intentional Clinician Podcast:
While the Intentional Clinician podcast is a demystification of psychology and counseling to encourage people to engage in their own inner work and to understand that if they work at it, they can have a better life—there are many layers leading both down and up. Eventually, there is an importance to understand that “the answer” will never be the cure. The human mind cannot believe something 100%–of that I am convinced. There will always be a shadow of doubt—nothing is beyond the shadow of a doubt. So a balance must be achieved between the polar opposites of pessimism and optimism, and between rightness and facts and so-called truths and the mysteries, new discoveries that obliterate old-facts, and the myriad ambiguities that flow in and out of our lives. Which is the right path? Both. There is a need to re-mystify our lives and bring us out of a linear, chronological order, which may be regressive and repressive and locked into a certain viewpoint—and moving to an expansive place, both in and outside of a container—where images and symbols take on more meaning than the numbers, and the felt sense, feelings, and subtle impressions that make up the stuff of life (both precognitive and pre-linguistic), and allow us to thrive in this mystery called life.
To understand what I am talking about, I must take you through the basics of counseling and psychotherapy; discuss a variety of treatments, as well as a journey into depth psychology. I will discuss my own story of how I found myself in the field of counseling and reflect on my 10 years as a psychotherapist and my time spent in sessions with clients. And I have this before and I’ll say it again, I am not DONE learning. I will never be done learning. Part of my mission in life from a young age was not to grow cynical or bitter, but to seek to evolve and soak up experiences. It was one of my mantras in college as I noticed so many middle age adults finding a plateau of knowledge, or perspective, opinion, and just settling in and watching the fire. For whatever reason, the “good life” or just having a nice little life, never appealed to me. I wanted to experience more and live more and so I set out. Of course, this came at a financial sacrifice as I lived in cheap and basic quarters from my early 20s until I was married—my wife had ideas about living with the most basic of materials. But she is a lifelong learner as well and refuses to stop learning and evolving, so it works.
I may not be the most talented person in any realm, psychotherapy, writing, podcasts, singing, songwriting, piano playing, but damn it. I am not going quit.
“Small and hidden is the door that leads inward and the entrance is barred by countless, prejudices, mistakes, assumptions, and fears.” – C. G. Jung.
To hear more about my evolution that led to 10 years of providing psychotherapy, click here.
