We recently connected with Chelby Mendell and have shared our conversation below.

Chelby, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your professional career?

I had experience providing therapy in group settings early in my career, but it wasn’t until later on that I had experience consistently seeing individuals for therapy. I was excited and knew that was the direction I wanted to pursue. When helping others there are always new challenges that arise. I remember in one of my first group consultations bringing up concerns to my supervisor, that I didn’t feel I was doing enough for a client. I clarified that I felt there were more tools I could teach and other therapy modalities I could utilize, but that our sessions seemed to focus more on this client sharing their thoughts and emotions. It was through feedback from my colleagues and supervisor that I was able to learn an invaluable lesson. My supervisor asked why I felt this client had to learn those specific tools. This helped me to see the bigger picture and realize that it truly is the client’s journey for healing, and my job is to create a space for that. For a lot of my clients, I might be the first person that they truly feel heard and supported by, and being listened to and validated might be what this client needs at this time. I know how invaluable the skills are that I have learned in school, trainings, and through experience, but it is also important to not be too focused on techniques and remember that those are not the only important pieces of therapy. The foundation of a therapeutic relationship is developing rapport and building trust, which can truly make a difference for someone who is receiving therapy.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and provide psychotherapy to adults. Many of the clients I work with are struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, loss, and trauma. I use various evidence-based treatments to assist clients in working towards their goals, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for those experiencing PTSD. I work from a humanistic approach, meaning that I find it vital to learn about a person as a whole and understand how their life experiences have led them to become who they are today. I believe the client should drive the therapy session in order to meet their goals.

When considering how I got into this profession, there is no doubt that my mother played a huge role. As a psychotherapist herself, her profession and the experiences she exposed me to are what shaped and steered me down the path of becoming a social worker and psychotherapist myself. When I was young, my mother worked as a pediatric hospice social worker. Throughout high school and college, I spent time volunteering at a children’s bereavement camp every year. I became very interested in helping those struggling with depression and other mental illnesses. In graduate school at the University of Texas, I chose an internship at Austin State Hospital where I could work with individuals who have severe and persistent mental illnesses. Upon graduation I accepted a full-time position. My experience working with children and adults in psychiatric inpatient settings further strengthened my desire to become a therapist to help individuals learn the skills to improve their mental health and wellbeing. After moving to Houston, I worked at Harris County Psychiatric Center and The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD. My time at both jobs was incredibly valuable and helped guide me towards my next step of starting my own private practice.

There are several aspects that set me apart from others. My comfort with and awareness of death and loss started at a much younger age than most. Death and loss are often taboo topics which lead to people frequently grieving and mourning in silence. In my family, it was a common topic due to my mother’s job as a hospice social worker. Additionally, my experience working in psychiatric hospitals and a community mental health clinic allowed me to see a variety of severe mental illnesses. I have years of experience working with and learning from other health care workers including nurses, psychiatrists, and psychiatric technicians. I am very comfortable in assisting those in crisis as well as helping clients process traumatic events.

I want anyone considering psychotherapy services to know how much I value the therapeutic relationship. It is crucial to find the right therapist for you. You should feel safe, heard, and also challenged to work hard towards the goals you set for yourself. I always want clients to feel comfortable asking questions and sharing any concerns to ensure they feel we are a good fit. I provide a space for clients to know that anyone can experience growth and benefit from therapy at any point in their lives.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

Absolutely, I would choose this same profession again. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be in a helping profession. I am so incredibly grateful that I can be with my clients during their most difficult moments and watch them move forward in their lives when they didn’t think it was possible. It’s hard to explain how amazing it is to have the opportunity to watch the hard work that clients put in and how rewarding it is to reflect on how much progress they have made. I am very passionate about continuing to discover and grow. I truly get excited when I learn about a new therapy modality or am trained in a new technique that I can use to help a client. The feeling of helping others is incredibly fulfilling to me and I cannot imagine being in any other profession.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

My genuine desire to help others. Clients and other health professionals I have connected with can tell that I started my private practice to help individuals grow and explore what has been preventing them from reaching their goals. During my time in my previous jobs, I was able to get a sense of the barriers to mental health access. I also understand the courage that it takes for anyone to enter a therapeutic relationship. I tell potential and new clients that if they ever feel they are not getting what they need out of therapy, to please let me know so that we can discuss as a team. Sometimes this even means referring them to a new therapist to meet their needs. That experience is something I myself can empathize with, as I too have felt like a healthcare professional was not a good fit for me. It is important to feel comfortable enough with your therapist to express those feelings as your care is the priority. I make a point of being transparent and acknowledging that it can be uncomfortable, but what is most important to me is that my clients feel that they are getting what they need out of therapy.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chelbymendelltherapy.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelby-mendell-13661598

Image Credits
Dallas Evans Robert Greenberger