We were lucky to catch up with Erin Johnston recently and have shared our conversation below.
Erin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
In my past, I was a special education teacher for five years, a school counselor for seven years and a special education counselor/behavior specialist for one year. Having invested a handful of years in the education field, I felt somewhat comfortable and secure but always knew in the back of my mind and heart that I was being pulled in a different direction. I dabbled in private practice on the side to get my feet wet and to see if it was something I was interested in after all. At the end the 2019-20 school year and at the very beginning of COVID, I took the plunge and left the school environment completely and became a full-time mental health therapist at a private practice. Being able to assist others during vulnerable phases of life has been such an honor and extremely rewarding as I often witness individuals become stronger throughout their therapeutic journey.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I always knew I wanted to work with people. As I gained experience in the school setting, I knew I always enjoyed making the connection with others so I pursued a masters in clinical health counseling. As I worked through the program, I found I really connected to the play therapy portion of my studies. Add in my experience with working with students in the educational setting, I felt like I found my niche.
As a former special education teacher and school counselor, I understand the educational protocols related to student growth and learning, the importance of working on a multidisciplinary team and how mental health impacts academic performance. Add in the power of play therapy, following a child-centered play therapy approach, I provide a safe, nonjudgmental environment where children can express themselves freely while developing skills that will allow them to manage their own behavior and be successful in life.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Parent support and participation is a vital part of therapy for children and teens. I always tell parents that what I work on in the playroom must be carried out across the board of their children’s lives. It is important for me to consistently be in communication with parents throughout their child’s therapeutic journey. We must be on the same page in order to be able to provide our full support for each child.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I feel that COVID had such an impact in the world. For me, it was the push I needed to step outside of my comfort zone and take the risk to go into private practice.
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