Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Harris.
Hi Brooke, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I had a somewhat difficult childhood and don’t have the best memories, but I remember one thing clearly. When asked what I wanted to do when I grew up, I said the same thing over and over, “I just want to help people.” What kid says that?
I didn’t exactly know what helping people meant, so I started my undergrad in nursing pre-requisites. Everyone said “you’ll always have a job; you’ll make good money.” Do nurses help people? Absolutely! Was anatomy the bain of my existence; Absolutely. I started going to counseling for my increasing depression. I couldn’t get out of bed except to go to class. Other than that, I watched America’s Next Top Model marathons daily. My Christian counselor helped me so much throughout that time. One session I was complaining thoroughly about my anatomy class and he said, “it kind of sounds like you don’t want to be a nurse.” And that was it. The permission was given for me to not be a nurse and yet I wasn’t overwhelmed by what I would do instead.
On the way home, I had a vision. I have NEVER had visions before but I did on this day. In my passenger seat was Jesus and he was counseling me. As soon as I realized it, he vanished and I was now the counselor counseling someone else in the seat. Done. I immediately knew what to do and it was so clear and so simple. I changed my major to psychology and the rest is kind of history.
I have been counseling for 10 years. The Lord has allowed me to serve my community and help people, just like I had told so many adults as a kid. I’ve seen women break down walls and chains put on them by others. I’ve seen men overcome emotional obstacles they didn’t think possible. I’ve witnessed people far from God wondering why he was distant when they needed him close soon realize he wasn’t far at all and began to walk closer to him than ever before.
I’ve been up close and personal with people desperate for help and change which has honored and humbled me to be a part of their courageous journey. Many people don’t have the bravery to show up to therapy, be vulnerable with their story with someone else, and allow someone to be a safe place for them to be themselves and no one else. I can’t imagine anything more courageous.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have had challenges over the course of this journey. My master’s program was hard for me as it was online and I am ADHD and not the best self starter. I enjoyed it though. After I finished, I worked at a group practice that was unfortunately very toxic. There are many things I can’t get into about how awful it was but fortunately I met some amazing therapists, some of whom I get to work with today and some I am still close friends with. It taught me many lessons that I wouldn’t have learned otherwise and they were the things I got to learn how to not repeat for my future employment.
This field of mental health can be lonely at times. There isn’t a great support system in our field even though you would think there would be, considering what we do. I had to work hard at finding my support system and have been blessed to find therapists who are willing to do this messy, hard job with me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in Christian counseling, ADHD, trauma, anxiety and depression. I enjoy working with many people from different backgrounds, different ages, and different walks of life. I thrive in working with people who are highly motivated and open minded to change/progress, even if they’re scared.
What makes me different is I aim to make therapy enjoyable. I laugh with my clients, find things in common with them, build a healthy rapport that allows therapy to be more successful than just coming in and talking about your week.
I now get to supervise other therapists and help them become their best version.
I am most proud to be a safe place for people. Many people tell me things they don’t feel they can tell others. This is such an honoring and humbling quality that God has specifically designed me for and it what I wanted to be and to have throughout my life. I am ecstatic to do that and be that for others.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
God, first and foremost, deserves all the credit for getting me here. His holy spirit leads me every day and I experience him working through me to help my clients when I get stuck.
My brother, before he passed, was always so encouraging and proud of me. There was something about his energy that made me want to continue to make him proud.
I’ve had supervisors and mentors over the years that planted seeds and watered them to get me where I am.
Mostly my colleagues and coworkers have been a safe place for me to grow and thrive in this field – especially my best friend Katie Richard LPC, RPT-S. She’s been my rock and my safe place. God brought us together at the crappy practice and I’m so thankful she’s been with me on this journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theartofhealingllc.org
Image Credits
Lauren Shinn APC took the headshot of me.
