We were lucky to catch up with Abby Thomason recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Abby, thanks for joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
I have always loved working in early childhood mental health. I am incredibly passionate about it and believe we can make such a difference in kids’ lives and their family’s life when we address mental health early.
Much of my career was spent working with a school district as a social worker in the early childhood special education department and it was such an amazing experience. During this time, I completed the thousands of supervised hours required to receive my clinical license, as well as become a registered play therapist. If you would have asked me then, I would have told you I would have stayed in that job forever.
But when my daughter was born in 2019, everything changed, and I needed more flexibility to allow me to be home with her. I spent the next few years working part time, supporting families of children with disabilities from birth to three in the home environment and then took a complete hiatus from work for a year after my second child was born.
One day, when dropping my daughter off at preschool, I saw another child struggling separating from their mom and it just tugged me right back to wanting to be back in the field, supporting young kids through their big emotions. I spoke to my daughter’s preschool director to see if they would be interested in any extra support in the classrooms, and she graciously welcomed the idea and asked if I would ever consider going into private practice.
I never saw myself as a business owner or much of a “go out on a ledge” person but I knew I wanted to be back in the early childhood mental health space, while still having the flexibility I wanted as a mom. I had even previously applied for some full-time ‘dream jobs’ as they popped up – putting in the application that I would absolutely love the job, but would they consider a flexible schedule or part time? (No surprise, this didn’t work out for me). But her asking me this question was enough to make me think – why not create my own dream job?
That was the spark I needed, and I immediately started learning as much as I could to get the process started. It has definitely not been the easiest journey and takes a LOT of patience, but the experience has been so empowering and rewarding, and I am so grateful for that tiny spark that lead me to where I am today.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am an licensed clinical therapist and registered play therapist, specialized in early childhood mental health. I work with parents through tele-therapy in both Kansas and Missouri, as well as provide mobile play therapy in the Johnson County, KS area. Through mobile play therapy, I am able to see children in their home or school, allowing me to meet children in their natural environment. This makes such a difference for kids, especially in the early years, as they are more comfortable and I am able to support their entire system.
I also manage and create content for my instagram page: @earlyemotions. My goal with my social media work is to provide a resource for families who want to support their child’s mental health – and their own! – in the early years.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
I believe the most important way to succeed when working in the therapeutic space, is being flexible and understanding that all of the training and knowledge you have received is here as your foundation, but every family and child is different, and we have to meet people where they are.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
100% – I believe I am exactly where I am meant to be. It took some pivoting along the way – I got my undergraduate degree in elementary education and chose to not go into teaching. I spent a few years working a generic desk job, with no idea what was coming next. But when I found my passion, I went all in and I am so grateful I did.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.earlyemotions.com
- Instagram: @earlyemotions
Image Credits
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