Meet Morenike Olorunnisomo | Licensed Professional Counselor, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and Registered Yoga Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Morenike Olorunnisomo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Morenike, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
My work life balance has definitely changed over time! I used to go go go nonstop, especially in graduate school. The combination of perfectionism and imposter syndrome really had me in a bind for awhile. Once I became a therapist and was well into my own healing journey, I realized that “the hustle” or “the grind” was not sustainable long term. Specializing in complex trauma became an additional layer of complexity making it all the more important for intentional rest. I would not be able to carry the stories I hear every day without rest, play/recreation, and social engagement with loved ones.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I knew exactly what I wanted to do in life since high school, and even with that, younger me could never have imagined what my professional life looks like now. I think one thing that has sustained me throughout my career so far is my passion for the mental health field–and more specifically, complex trauma. Outside of seeing clients, I am always reading a book, listening to a podcast, or diving into some online article related to this topic. I am always wanted to learn more, especially since there is so much yet to be known on the impact of trauma on the body and the brain.
Has it been easy? Definitely not! Graduate school was pretty brutal, and now that I am practicing, I have to be a fierce protector of my self-care routine, otherwise this work isn’t sustainable. My biggest opponent is burnout, so doing whatever I can to mitigate that is just as important as the job itself.
I want people to know that intentional rest and self-care are so important. I heard a quote some time ago that said, “Rest is not a reward for hard work. It’s a prerequisite for working well.”

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.
What a loaded question! One thing about me is I am a big foodie, so I would take them to all my favorite restaurants. We would definitely need to go to Ellen’s Southern Kitchen, Jose, and Meddlesome Moth for brunch. For a nice midday hangout or happy hour, I would make sure we hit up Henry’s Majestic and Chelsea Corner. And, if we wanted to have a few fancy nights, we could check out The Charles, Town Hearth, and St. Martin’s. Reveler’s Hall is my go-to spot for live music and a nightcap. In terms of sightseeing and activities, I would make sure we visited as least one art museum like the Dallas Museum of Art or the Crow Museum and perhaps a round of miniature golf at Puttshack. We might do a morning or evening walk at White Rock Lake and then cool off with a swim at The Adolphus or The Statler hotel.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh my goodness, there are so many people and resources that deserve a shoutout from me! That said, one person that has literally been there from the beginning is my mother. She has been a constant source of support throughout my life and continues to do so. On my best days and worst days, she is one of my first phone calls, and she has a particular knack for knowing what to say at the right time. Thanks for everything, Mom!

Website: https://empoweredhealingdallas.com/

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