We recently connected with Nancy Irwin and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nancy, thanks for joining us today. Have you ever experienced a times when your entire field felt like it was taking a U-Turn?

I made a U-turn at age 44, shifting from professional stand-up comedian to psychologist. Oh, the road from comedy to mental health is very short indeed. Having learned a thing or two about change, I wrote a non-fiction to inspire others to do the same thing (YOU-TURN: CHANGING DIRECTION IN MIDLIFE, 2008).

In 2020, COVID hit us, and this required another u-turn in my field. Fortunately, modern technology, Zoom in particular, allowed us to meet patients’ exponentially increasing mental health needs without in person contact. Phone and video sessions have become somewhat of a norm now, and I am happy to accommodate those needs; however, I prefer the human connection of in-office sessions. So it is certainly a blessing to be able to treat those who cannot attend in person, and I am grateful for all those who still prefer the traditional one-to-one experience.

The cons are lost time when there are technological snafus, or patients get distracted by elements in their environment, and the lack of 360 degrees with another human being. The pros about virtual sessions are that our technical skills are increasing, our flexibility, and the ability to read body language exclusively from the waist up; and of course we clinicians can serve so many more people at a time when anxiety, depression and addictions are on the rise.

Nancy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am originally from Atlanta, and trained as an opera singer. Sadly, I had more ambition than talent, and discovered there were other skills I had on stage besides singing, specifically a flair for comedy. So I changed my shingle to stand-up comedian, moved to NYC and honed that craft there for 9 years. I moved to Los Angeles in 1994 when I heard Hollywood needed more blondes. I was fortunate to pick up an agent and became a staff emcee at the Melrose Improv, where I got to regularly bring up a few comics some people may have heard of: Jerry Seinfeld, Ray Romano, Damon Wayans, to name a few.

When you are a comic, you only work about 30 minutes a day. I was bored and started volunteering in my community at a shelter for sexually abused teens, Children of the Night. This experience absolutely woke up the healer in me, and prompted me to return to graduate school and earn my doctorate in psychology, to treat trauma recovery. I still volunteer for Children of the Night, because (1) they are awesome, and (2) they changed my life.

I have been very fortunate to work for the past 20 years in private practice as a licensed clinical psychologist and therapeutic hypnotist, treating victims as well as perpetrators of sexual assault, as well as addictions, sports enhancement, and over 100 issues (fears, phobias, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and more). I enjoy being a frequent media guest as an expert on a variety of psychological issues, having appeared on Anderson Cooper’s show, The Doctors, Megyn Kelly, Nightline, Bravo, KTLA, as well as numerous radio shows and podcasts.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

I believe that in any industry, having a clear mission or purpose is vital. When we know the “why” the “how” unfolds quite naturally.

My mission has always been to hold a safe place for patients to release their fears, doubts, and negative limiting beliefs and behaviors that have blocked their true selves. I am committed to helping people heal, recover, and “free their inner winner.”

I always say I have the greatest job in the world. I get to watch people grow and attain their goals. What is more fulfilling than that?

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Oh, so many!!! I’m a voracious reader and continuously read for the “mental protein” as part of my self-care regimen to keep a positive attitude. As a trauma specialist, I must keep a healthy balance.

Chellie Campbell’s The Wealthy Spirit singlehandedly helped me to open my private practice as a sole proprietor and keep it flourishing through these past 2 decades. As well, Dr Bruce Lipton’s The Biology of Belief and just anything by Anthony Robbins and Deepak Chopra.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.drnancyirwin.com
• Instagram: @DrNancyIrwin
• Facebook: DrNancyIrwin
• Linkedin: DrNancyIrwin
• Twitter: DrNancyIrwin
• Youtube: DrNancyIrwin
• Yelp: DrNancyIrwin

Image Credits
CNN KTLA