We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jami Young. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jami below.

Jami, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When you’ve been a professional in an industry for long enough, you’ll experience moments when the entire field takes a U-Turn, an instance where the consensus completely flips upside down or where the “best practices” completely change. If you’ve experienced such a U-Turn over the course of your professional career, we’d love to hear about it.

Well that would definitely be doing Telehealth. The concept of not being in person and also working from home was never part of the job description. Adapting to Telehealth in a pandemic was definitely stressful and awkward, but it worked, and worked quite well. I discovered benefits to it, such as convenience in scheduling as well as practicing in all areas of the states in which I’m licensed. In fact, I reactivated my license in New York, so I can do Telehealth there as well! The challenges- besides things like WiFi connection, are things like, how to sit and look at a computer, how to read body language, and working from home and how structure my whole day now. It’s such a difference.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a licensed clinical social worker and I have been a therapist for almost 20 years. I do private psychotherapy and I’m licensed in two states. At times worked in other areas besides private practice. I am most proud of the relationship I have with my clients, especially these last two years during the pandemic. I’m proud of myself that I’ve been able to continue working and adjusting to all the changes my profession has had, therefore expanding my therapeutic reach so much further than it would have ever been. On a different note, I also really enjoy the feedback I get from my work Instagram and Facebook account. Those who know me or follow me repeatedly let me know how much they enjoy the content I share, (which is not my own, but I’m very good about giving credit to the artists and account creators). I post what speaks to me or my clients or friends and family, not what will get me likes or comments. So I believe it’s authentic and helpful, which is why so many people respond well to it. My Instagram posts get traction for the professionals whose work I am sharing! It’s always good to support others

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

Personality and boundaries are the two most important components to being a successful therapist. Not everyone is going to like me or connect with me, and as a professional I know and accept that. My own clients don’t have to necessarily like me, but if we have a good connection and open working relationship, that supports the therapeutic process. Having my own boundaries means knowing how to manage my schedule, when to take time off, how to address uncomfortable subjects, how to handle the stress of managing my own practice and knowing my worth. It took a long time to build all of that, but it’s worth it.

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

The first thing is time. If you are good at whatever it is you do, over time people will know, and your reputation will grow wide. Working with different people and gaining experience opens you up to growing that reputation, and as a therapist our work is largely individual and solitary, even when part of a group practice. So the people who know you professionally and personally will refer to you if they feel comfortable, and that’s how it begins to really grow. Getting to know your community I think is one of the best ways, If you are in a well populated area like I am, you probably don’t have to have a far reach. Your friends and colleagues will help your network build if you put yourself out there. It just takes awhile to establish the connections and thus your reputation.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: talknotes_byjami
• Facebook: Www.Facebook.com/jamiyounglcsw
• Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/jami-young-miami-fl/218491