Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Noreen Dupriest. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Noreen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

Before any session begins with a new client, I offer the following… “Hi, I’m Noreen. Welcome to Simply Be Therapy. Before we get started, I have a few things I would like to share… I love Jesus and sometimes I cuss a little; I believe therapy is a lot like Nanny McPhee, when you need me but do not want me, I must stay. When you want me, but no longer need me, I must go; I may not always be nice, but I will ALWAYS be kind; When, not if, but WHEN I hurt you, I ask that you say ‘ouch’ and allow me to apologize, in hopes for repair because I fall short every single day. This is me and I invite you to sit back and SIMPLY BE”.

As a therapist, I am genuine, straightforward, authentic, nurturing, and transparent as needed, and I am never afraid to let my clients see my own tears. My hope is to offer safe space where they can look within without feeling alone, share my strength so they can uncover what is keeping them stuck, and remind them that they have everything they need to become stronger, it just requires being brave enough to start the journey!

Before my clients leave my office, I offer them a chocolate and hug that reminds them that, “You are safe, I see you, I hear you, and you truly matter”. What might seem like a defining moment to some, is just an opportunity for me to use the gifts that God has given me and to SIMPLY BE the woman, He created me to BE!

Noreen, 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?

Outside of being a wife to Darren Dupriest for 28 years, a mom to four amazing boys, Reagan-25, Preston-22, Beckett-18, and Fletcher-14, and a sculptor, I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Kansas.

I provide psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and families, as well as art therapy. I work with clients suffering from anxiety, depression, infidelity and relational problems, self-esteem issues, and general life issues/transitions. When including art in my therapy, I aim for my client to experience self-expression, self-regulation, and trauma healing. I know firsthand how being artistically creative allows me to go to places of tranquility and rejuvenation.

Similar to designing sculptures, I approach each client with a creative process that works specifically for their needs and goals. This includes different modalities, techniques, and interventions. I remind the client that everything we do makes sense in context and that we should never be surprised by our reactions. However, my goal is to help the client understand that reacting to a situation can lead to more pain, whereas becoming differentiated develops a path of being able to respond.

I recognize that no two people are alike and should be celebrated as a masterpiece, in their own beautiful way. Together, we chisel away the rough spots, mold an identity that reflects their true authentic Self, and embellish the parts that need extra love and attention. I have discovered that my way of providing therapy feels parallel to how I feel when I am holding an angle grinder and dancing around a piece of raw wood, it brings the subject to life.

Several theorists, such as Harry Aponte, David Schnarch, Carl Whitaker, Virginia Satir, Richard Schwartz, and Carl Rogers, influenced me. Each theorist brought unique attributes to Marriage & Family Therapy and provided me when knowledge about several approaches, such as client-centered, experiential, self-esteem work, and symbolism. With the direction from these theorists, I have enhanced my skill of unconditional positive regard, empathy, individuality, transparency, playfulness, and nurturance. I am a loving, compassionate, and encouraging individual so being a therapist comes naturally. My Italian roots have equipped me with an appreciation of loyalty, a desire to create a sense of solidarity, and a fierce passion for life.

Aside from theories, I rely heavily on the Enneagram as it allows me to see life from my client’s point of view. The only intake paperwork I read prior to my first session is the result of their Enneagram assessment because if there is anything that I hope to understand, it is simply how client engages in the world.

As a therapist, I strive to be a healer that is sincere, accepting, and present. Our stories might be different, but we have all experienced pain on some level. It is essential for my clients to know that they are more than a presenting problem and that I welcome the opportunity to deconstruct oppressive narratives that have plagued them. When a client tells me about their struggle and how they have coped with the conflict, I gently ask them, “how is that working for you”. A regular response is, “it’s not”. This is when I know that they are truly ready for change, and I feel confident that I can guide them towards safety, structure, and strength. When my client walks through my door, they are no longer alone.

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

While my education is indispensable, I strongly believe that my own life experiences are factors that influenced my way of being a therapist. A therapist can still be valuable without having traumatic events and yet I know that my own adversities have shaped me as a woman, wife, mother, friend, and therapist. I lean into my past as it is the road that has delivered me to where I am today. I regularly say that you cannot know where you are going unless you know from where you have been.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

My boys giggle when I say, “I haven’t decided what I want to do when I grow up” because there are so many things I still haven’t done. However, the one thing I know to be true is that becoming a therapist choose me. On the Enneagram, I am a TWO. Twos are relational, make their way in the world by connecting, building relationships, perpetually functioning with their heart and are selfless givers. Applying the “everything makes sense in context” idea, it makes sense that I am a therapist. Being empathetic, kind, accepting, and attuned is all I have ever known myself to be, so I am certain that this was an inevitable stop on my journey in life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.simplybetherapy.net
• Instagram: simplybetherapykc
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/noreen-dupriest
• Twitter: @noreendupriest

Image Credits
Photographer: Noreen Dupriest