Eiryn is licensed in both Colorado and Florida and will be working in person at our St. Augustine office. We shared a fun interview where we explored what led her to become a counselor, the basics of play therapy, and the importance of unconditional positive regard. (We also met her adorable dog, Arlo!).
Read on to hear more from Eiryn:
What drew you into the counseling field? Why did you become a therapist?
This is a bit of a long story (laughter). I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression since about second grade when I had a couple of traumatic incidents happen. So I’ve always known about mental health and therapy.
Then right before high school, my mom wanted me to watch this movie warning me about what high school could be like, going to parties, and all that. It was that movie that taught me about human trafficking. Well, really just, you know, straight up terrified me, but it also became a passion of mine. How could something so terrible happen to people? Specifically, how could something so terrible happen to children?
That moment revolutionized my life. I didn’t know what I was going to do, but it was going to have something to do with working with children and human trafficking. As I got a little bit older, I started watching SVU and Criminal Minds, and I thought, ‘I’m going to be an FBI agent, that’s what I’m going to be.’ I actually went to the Denver FBI Teen Academy! But then I got to college and talked to a police chief, and he told me what it would really look like if I went down that path. I realized I am just too sensitive to do the finding and rescuing steps of the job.
I also realized I didn’t want to just find and rescue kids, I wanted to help them heal and grow. So I got my degree in psychology, but…this part is super embarrassing…I had my own counselor, but I didn’t even know what she was called. My mom suggested becoming a counselor, and I said, ‘What is that?’ And she told me, ‘That’s the person that you see every Wednesday.’ That’s when it all clicked for me.
You specialize in working with kids, what does the work look like in session?
I love working with kids. I take a very indirect and child-centered approach using play therapy, which means I allow the child to lead. In each session, a therapist needs to show empathy, unconditional positive regard, and understanding. Every child needs to be heard, to feel like they are valuable, and to feel good enough no matter what.
When a child first walks into therapy, we introduce the playroom and say ‘These are the toys, you can play with these toys in a lot of the ways that you want.’ (I try not to say ‘any way you want,’ just in case we have to set some sort of boundary).
After you introduce them to the playroom, you allow them to lead. The child may want you to play with them or just want you to watch. Then as they play, you reflect back to them and track their emotions. Something like, ‘Oh that made you really upset. Hmm, I wonder why that made you really upset when you played with that?’
As they show emotions through play, you can start to identify common themes. Do they always play that the mother toy abandoned the family? Do they always play when the baby gets hurt? From there you can start to understand, adjust, and provide insights and help. It’s so fascinating how they tell us what’s going on with their brain, but instead of using words, they’re using toys.
As a parent, how would I know if my child needs therapy?
I once had a professor who said, ‘We can’t speed development up but we can slow it down.’ There are already so many challenges that a child faces in their development, but if you feel like your child is struggling at all, therapy could help.
Even if there’s nothing atypical happening with your child in their development, but you think they could use a little extra support right now, that’s what we’re here for. Therapists can provide a parent a greater understanding of what may be going on within their child, and how that parent can support their child outside of the playroom.
As a parent, you know your child best. But I think it’s always a good time to bring a child to therapy.
What would you say to an adult who is thinking of going to therapy for the first time?
There are a lot of reassuring things that I can say, but ultimately it’s about taking that first step. We live in a fast-paced world where we are supposed to just go about our business, but all of our business has feelings attached to it. At the end of the day, therapy will help you before those feelings come out sideways. You might feel anxious after taking the first step to reach out, and it can get really scary leading up to the appointment as the anxiety builds. But once you get into the office with your therapist, it does get better.
My three principles for working with adults are the same for children: empathy, unconditional positive regard, and understanding. I believe you are as valuable as you are. You are okay. Life has beaten you down and you have some feelings about that. That’s okay. Your feelings are okay. A therapist wants to understand what you’re going through.
You want to feel understood, you want to feel heard, and I will do my best to understand you and empathize with you. And if you don’t feel that after the first one to two sessions, then we’ll try again with somebody else. I want you to find somebody you feel comfortable with.
What are some hobbies you’re interested in?
Arlo! My dog Arlo is my hobby. Arlo is my life. Come here! (Arlo appears on camera and we paused for extended cuteness).
I’m one of those stereotypical dog parents, my dog is my everything. I’m planning on making dog ornaments this year with his paw print. I got him as my graduation gift, which was a really, really hard time in my life. He has been a huge saving grace, because he has saved my life a couple of times. I call him my guardian angel.
I’m also kind of a nerd. I love puzzles. BIG puzzles. I always tell people I love puzzles and then they’ll do a 50-piece puzzle and say they love puzzles too. But I’m talking use-a-large-table-and-sit-for-five-hours puzzle.
I love paint-by-numbers too. I am a horrible artist, but I like that paint-by-numbers makes you feel very accomplished and creative. I love reading James Patterson novels, self-help books, and biographies. I also love going to the beach and collecting oyster shells and sea glass.
We’re excited to have Eiryn on the team!
We had a wonderful conversation, I wish you could have been there. (Arlo truly is the world’s cutest dog!) We shared our love of puzzles, the importance of empathy and understanding, and how life never turns out quite like you think it will once you grow up.
Eiryn has a lighthearted, compassionate, engaging spirit, and we agreed that we should make t-shirts that say “It’s always a good time to go to therapy.” If you’re looking for a therapist for yourself or your child who will sit with you in the tough moments with calm, curiosity, and compassion, she is your gal.
Eiryn will be joining our team in St. Augustine, and also available for online sessions in both Colorado and Florida. She offers after-school and after-work time slots for counseling for individuals, children, teens, and families.
Click below to schedule your appointment, or request a free phone consult with Eiryn:
