When I step into work each morning, I am reminded that a short drive can take you into a completely different world. That contrast matters, and it has shaped who I am becoming as a therapist.

Stepping Into a Community That Holds Many Stories

I grew up in the countryside of Lancaster County. The pace is slower, the population is less diverse, and most people share similar backgrounds. Working in the Reading school district could not be more different. Even though it is only thirty five minutes from home, the cultural shift feels much larger.

Students bring languages, traditions, beliefs, and family structures that reflect a wide range of lived experiences. Instead of seeing this as a challenge, I have come to welcome it. It pushes me to stay present and open. It reminds me that my role is to understand the world each student comes from, not expect them to fit into mine.

How School Helped Me Arrive More Prepared

Graduate school exposed me to ideas, theories, and conversations that I had not encountered before. Courses focused on multicultural counseling, systemic dynamics, and advocacy gave me the tools to approach this work with respect and curiosity.

I am still learning every day, but school helped me start from a place of intentional awareness. It taught me that culture is not an accessory to therapy. It is the foundation for how people see themselves and the world around them. Entering a district like Reading without this awareness would leave far too much room for misunderstandings. I am grateful I did not have to start from scratch.

Holding Space for Generational Pain

Many of the kids I meet are navigating layers of stress that began long before they were born. Families face systemic barriers, economic strain, community violence, and histories of trauma that get passed down quietly and powerfully.

Part of my work is to help them recognize what they inherited, what they are carrying, and what they do not have to continue. These kids deserve to see themselves as more than their circumstances. They deserve support that helps them build skills, develop voice, and feel the possibility of a future that looks different from what came before.

This is why I am here. This is the work that matters to me.

Moving Toward Hope

Even with complexity, I see strength in every hallway. Kids show creativity, resilience, humor, and incredible insight. Being in this district has made me a more grounded clinician and a more human one. I am learning from them just as much as they are learning from me.

Try This Reflection
Think about the community you grew up in. What shaped you there, and what shifts when you enter a new environment? How do those pieces influence the way you connect with others?

If this stirred something for you, you don’t have to process it alone.

I’m currently accepting new clients and you can book a session here when you’re ready.