We were lucky to catch up with Cynthia Agyeman-Anane recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Cynthia, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
I was one of the lucky ones that received a job out of my undergraduate social work program. My employer helped me pay for my graduate education and I received my MSW shortly after. To my immigrant family, I was the “good daughter” making certain all their hard work and dedication had paid off and that their dreams had come to fruition. To my family, I was in a good and stable situation personally and professionally. I had a stable job, good salary, supportive friends, family and a part of a nationally provided health care system. Therefore, why would I risk it to move to an unknown situation: new work environment, decreased salary and private insurance. It wasn’t an easy decision but whereas my family was looking at all the risks I would be taking, I was looking at all the new possibilities and opportunities. There were many challenges moving to a new country as a young social worker. However, almost fifteen years later I can say, taking that risk was the best leap of faith I have taken in my professional and personal life. Along the way, I have worked in several supportive work environments that have nurtured my knowledge and skills. In 2019, I founded a successful group therapy practice called Conversations Create Change LLC. I have also made life long friendships and even figured out the complicated health care system. Looking back, the risk taking was exactly what I thought it would be: full of possibilities and opportunities of a lifetime.
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’ve always wanted to be in the helping profession. Initially, as a lawyer because growing up my favorite show was Matlock The Cosby Show/Living Single. However, I came to the conclusion that I preferred helping clients on an individual level instead of within a system that isn’t always supportive. Going into the social work field was a smooth transition because outside of my desire to help, I also enjoy talking and working with diverse people. I wanted to create a therapy group practice that took away the mystery around therapy and encouraged people to create change through conversation. Our therapists use evidence-based modalities and resources to support clients. However, healthy therapeutic relationships allow us to support clients to feel safe and vulnerable to create the changes they need in their life. We also engage in psycho-education to help clients learn that therapy is a part of their self-care and wellness plan. We work with individuals, families and couples. Our speciality includes: depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship and communication issues.
Currently, I’m transitioning my clinical work to focus primarily on couples therapy. I use Gottman Method Therapy to work with couples. I am a Level 3 Gottman Method Therapist and also trained to work with Treating Affairs and Trauma, PTSD and Couples in Addiction Recovery.
Transitioning my clinical work to couples therapy could be another risk taking moment. But again, my motto from high school persists: carpe deem: I have to seize the day (and opportunities that aligns with my personal and professional life).
I believe my work over the past 20-plus years as a therapist has prepared me with the tools, knowledge and expertise to support couples who are struggling in different areas of their relationships.
During the pandemic, I started using instagram as a creative outlet. Over the last three years, it’s become a fun way to connect with other therapists and healers around the country and world. I’m able to share relatable mental health information and resources in a fun and creative way. Talk All about It (my IG handle) has become an extension of what I do in my business, initiating a safe space to create change through conversations.
I believe I show up authentically in all areas of my personal and professional life. I am truly passionate about helping my clients through their healing journey. I meet my clients (and IG followers) where they are and provide them with the resources, information and therapeutic perspective they need to create & live a life that is authentic, intentional and meaningful.
I am proud of my ability and willingness to take risks. I believe having this spirit helps me to embrace life as it happens.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the things I am unlearning as a social worker/therapist is I don’t have to be so rigid with my boundaries. As a young social worker, we learn about ethics and boundaries with clients and internalize this as: I should not be “human” around clients. Over my career, I’ve learned there are ways to be respectful of boundaries and ethics and nurture therapeutic rapport with clients. Through my IG page (@talk_allaboutit) I get to share pieces of myself that I feel can help clients and followers talk all about it and heal. I am learning that I can be a social worker/therapist in a way that is authentic to me and my profession.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Outside of training/knowledge, I believe the biggest quality required to succeed in our field is authenticity. Clients are able to see through inauthenticity and that can negatively impact rapport building. When I show up as an authentic therapist, clients also show up as their authentic selves. Thereby, allowing them to be vulnerable on their healing journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.conversationscreatechange.com
- Instagram: @talk_allaboutit
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090644457511
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-agyeman-anane-362a341a3/
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/talkallaboutit
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ5SQ_bS4SBTTwKhwYFzh0A
- Other: www.createchangewithcynthia.com www.talkallaboutit.com
Image Credits
Most of the images are from JCPenney and the flyer is done through Canva.