We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Crowley Taylor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I dreamt of opening my own psychotherapy private practice while in graduate school at Southern Methodist University. First, I wanted to work in a variety of settings, to sharpen my clinical skills and gain experience. I am fortunate to have worked for a children’s hospital, non-profit, forensic practice, psychiatric hospital, and public school district. I had hoped that I would find an organization to call home, but my dream of private practice remained. I explored the option of working at someone else’s practice first – but ultimately, I chose to take the risk of starting my own. The road to full licensure as a therapist has been both arduous and rewarding. I tentatively envisioned a future for myself where I could help others, while taking care of myself.

The idea of starting my own business brought up a lot of anxiety and fear, but I decided to focus on the potential to create something that would truly suit me. I am lucky to be risk-tolerant. I try my best to trust my own intuition and instinct. I have enjoyed becoming a specialist in adolescent family therapy over the past few years. In building my business, I chose to widen my scope. I think this willingness to be flexible in my career has served me well, many times over. I am happy to now specialize in working with young adults, adult families, couples, Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and alternative spirituality. I’m sure my specializations will continue to evolve.

A quote that continues to ring true for me as a therapist is: “That which is created in a relationship can be fixed in a relationship” (Bowen & Kerr, Family Evaluation, p. 167). Murray Bowen was an American psychiatrist and pioneer in systems theory and family therapy. This notion is often paraphrased as “we are hurt in relationships, and we heal in relationships.” In therapy, the relationship is a vehicle for change. It is always my hope as a therapist that the therapeutic relationship can be a springboard for deeper connections. And in the case of family therapy and couples counseling, we have the opportunity to work on those connections in vivo.

Being a therapist is a job, like any other. But it is unique in that we witness human change and the power of relationships, over and over. My clients take a risk in beginning therapy, because they’re choosing change. The risk I took of starting my own business made it possible for me to serve my clients as my best self.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My private practice, Witch Hazel Therapy PLLC, focuses on adults with ADHD, adult families, couples, and alternative spirituality. The DFW area offers a lot of options for Christians seeking therapy, but for individuals outside of that religion, it might be harder to find a provider. I love learning about different religions, belief systems, and atheisms. I have my Master’s in Spiritual Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. Spirituality and systems of meaning can make a big difference in a person’s mental health. Overall, I love working with young adults and adults who are trying to individuate while maintaining healthy romantic and familial relationships.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I lived in Dallas for about four years before moving closer to Fort Worth. My favorite spots in Dallas include White Rock Lake, the Botanical Gardens, Lower Greenville, looking at houses in the M Streets, and North Park. I am still exploring Fort Worth, but anyone who visits should go to the Stockyards and the Original Mexican Eats Cafe. I also love the museums in Fort Worth, like the Kimbell and the Amon Carter Museum.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to recognize my professors at Southern Methodist University for such great training, my supervisor Deborah Gardner LPC-S, LMFT-S, for all of her help in case consultation, and my husband Drew, for supporting my risk taking!

Website: https://www.witchhazeltherapy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/witchhazeltherapy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/witchhazeltherapy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/witchhazeltherapy

Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/lauren-crowley-taylor-north-richland-hills-tx/1012828

Image Credits
Lauren Crowley Taylor

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