Today we’d like to introduce you to Bryn Chafin.
Bryn, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a rare breed. An Atlanta native, born and raised. I danced my whole my life, grew up training and performing with the Atlanta Ballet, and pursued that career in college. I attended the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. With a double major in dance and creative writing and a minor in English, I earned a Bachelor’s of Art and a Bachelors of Fine Art. I really enjoyed the bio mechanics and kinesiology classes that were required and thought that when I was done dancing professionally, I would become a physical therapist. When I ‘retired’ from dance, I got a job working in a chiropractor’s office as an assistant and rehabilitation coordinator. Essentially, I walked people through appropriate stretches and physical therapy-like exercises to assist with their adjustments. It was during this job that I realized I didn’t want to be a physical therapist, I just wanted to be a therapist! My clients would just start opening up to me about their life and I found I was good at listening and being empathetic. This is when I started looking at graduate programs.
I was in Phoenix, Arizona at the time and was looking at the programs offered by Arizona State University. The social work program at ASU was a great one. It offered two different tracks: policy or clinical. Basically, I could go into law, government, and/or agency work OR become a clinical therapist seeing clients in private practice. This was the track I chose with an emphasis on child and family development. While I went to school, I continued my love of dance and movement by teaching with an adult only dance and fitness studio.
After graduation, I was hired by an agency that provided therapy to underserved communities. I saw clients that were receiving long term medical care by the state. My clients all had a medical diagnosis that exacerbated their mental and emotional well-being or vice versa. I found that my dance background and knowledge of the body really came in handy. I saw a wide variety of clients that ranged from a 16 year old with spina bifida to a 91 year old with Alzheimer’s. It was an incredible learning experience and really solidified the body-mind connection for me all while still continuing to teach dance and fitness. I had found my balance.
I moved back to Atlanta six years ago this month! I joined a therapy practice that provided space for pre-licensed professionals to see clients, build a practice, and earn their hours to full licensure. While this was building, I taught at a fitness studio in Virginia Highlands as well as Dance 101 (North Druid Hills and Briarcliff). As I had found through the years, I really enjoyed teaching and choreographing for adults. It was an outlet for me that provided the balance I loved and craved with my therapy practice.
In 2018, I became a partner with the Brookwood Center for Psychotherapy, founded more than 30 years ago. One of the perks is that I get to work with my father Michael Chafin, a marriage and family therapist, as he is also one of the partners. It is a joy to work with him and learn from his years of experience. I see mostly working, professional women struggling with balance. An imbalance could include mental, emotional, physical, relational, or situational issues. I help my clients work through struggles with anxiety, depression, work-life balance, relationship issues, grief, and trauma to name a few. I also work with the LGBTQ community and see adolescents who might need a third party to talk to that is not a parent or school counselor. I meet my clients where they are and provide a safe and secure environment for them to self-reflect and address their struggles. I take a mindfulness-based approach helping my clients be intentionally aware of the present moment non-judgmentally of self.
I am happy to be back in Atlanta doing what I love. I am grateful that I can meld my two worlds together to promote mental, emotional, and physical well-being to those I serve.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No road is entirely “smooth”. It is the bumps, twists, turns, and roundabouts that help us grow as individuals. One of the biggest bumps I encountered was when I ‘retired’ from dance. For many dancers, the art form is so enmeshed with one’s identity that it brings up the question: “If I’m not a dancer, who am I?”. Bruce Feiler recently wrote an article for Psychology Today about the non-linear life. He described transitions in life as three phases: the long goodbye, the messy middle, and new beginnings. For me, saying goodbye to dance caused a lot of grief. It was a loss I was not prepared for as it made me question who I was if I wasn’t dancing. The messy middle allowed me to try on different hats, get curious, and investigate how I wanted to curate my life. My new beginning was when I rediscovered dance with fresh eyes. This time it was for me and for fun. I wasn’t trying to make it my career so it reignited my joy for movement. I got to dance for myself and not for someone else. These transitions are a necessary part of life. If we fight against them, it can feel like we’re swimming upstream. If we follow the flow of the river, however, we can be swept easily along our journey keeping our eyes open to enjoy the ride.
Brookwood Center for Psychotherapy – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The Brookwood Center for Psychotherapy has proudly served the Atlanta community for more than 30 years. Being a therapist can, at times, be lonely if you are in private practice by yourself. Brookwood was built on partnership. With a structure of partners, renters, and now associates, Brookwood has created a space for therapists to practice in a collaborative environment. We meet to support one another, be sounding boards, and grow to better serve our clients. We have social workers, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, and licensed professional counselors. With our many backgrounds, we are able to look at different perspectives and provide evidenced-based practices to our clients.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
There are so many people I could name that have done so much for me in the areas of support and guidance. My first sounding board in all things is my partner, Connor. He is always there to listen, give feedback, and most importantly to be supportive. He gives my ambition space to breathe and grow and I never feel stifled. Secondly, my family. I could not have moved back to Atlanta without the help of my family. They have always believed in me and pushed me to do my best. When I called my parents to tell them I wanted to be a therapist, they said “what took you so long?”. I love that they knew what was in my heart but allowed me to find it on my own. Finally, I am extremely grateful for my friends. Connor and I consider ourselves incredibly lucky to be surrounded by amazing people who are generous, supportive, and compassionate.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1708 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 505, Atlanta, GA 30309
- Website: www.brynchafin.com
- Email: bchafin@brookwoodcenter.com
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