Note from Chris: The Both/and experience
Hey Friends!
I am writing from our dining table again today, looking out the window at a beautiful 12 degree sunny day with many remnants of a recent spat of freezing rain and sleet across my back yard and the woods behind it. I am thankful today for the work we get to do, and the support and encouragement of so many friends, team members, clients, and former clients. Also, several weeks in to the new year and there’s all sorts of challenges going on around us.
We are faced with normal day to day challenges of living, healing, and growing- which are different for all of us.
We have also been faced with more global challenges of economic challenges, political division, and the struggles of marginalized populations.
Our work at Chris King counseling mirrors that “both/ and” experience of gratitude for the good stuff, and facing challenges of a growing practice.
Great news regarding our team and work:
We are now an established NHSC loan repayment program site which is very helpful in recruiting and retaining the best people. Thanks to Allie Davis for making this happen.
We are seeing more people than ever, with over 1300 visits last month alone at our collective offices.
We have secured leaders and speakers for our Spring Educational Retreat in Downtown Tulsa April 17-18. It’s going to be our best yet and is a part of our effort to offer our team free Educational offerings throughout the year. Others in the mental health community will join us as well.
We are entering our 2nd full year engaged with our Partners at Purpose and Performance Group who have helped us create much needed and stronger administrative and leadership processes. They are bringing a foundational strength to our group which is helping insure our future sustainability and growth. I expect this work to go on with our mission for decades to come.
Work is being done on securing a new and updated facility for our Tulsa flagship office- we plan to upgrade the experience for our team and clients this year.
P&PG has helped us secure regular and helpful data- which is guiding our choices. One thing we are seeing- our people love working here. Also, our clients are cared for. Reviews are excellent overall. The mission is being met.
Our periodic Oklahoma Department of Mental Health Certification review is almost complete, and this is an essential review of our work to make sure we maintain excellent standards and practices for our staff, clients, and community. Thanks again to Allie Davis for her work in making this happen.
Staff are obtaining certifications in Gottman Couples work, and EMDR Trauma work among other ongoing educational advances happening in our group. We continue to improve.
Challenges we face:
Upticks in general anxiety with our clients due to health, economic, and political concerns.
A collective struggle with communication notably with clients who are teens and young adults.
Changes in insurances, especially the revamping of the Medicaid system in Oklahoma. The upheaval of that system this year has led to many small practices closing who haven’t been able to navigate the changes. It’s not been easy.
Most notably- the “compassion fatigue” that our team faces daily. Our people have bene chosen because they have a heart to help clients and the competencies to make it happen. Those hearts can break and get stretched. We have to be purposeful in balancing our work, and creating healthy boundaries in our lives as professional helpers.
Finding great team members who are equipped personally and professionally to meet the needs of our clients is a challenge.
These things are the “both/and” that is a helpful reflection.
On one hand- Taking a moment to express gratitude for whats working can give us energy to keep going and to repeat successful processes. This is a personal call out, not just for our work here.
On the other hand, being honest about struggles, and things that don’t always work as well as we like- thats super important. It’s gives us an honest map to create healing and growth direction.
Please join us in gratitude for the continued good stuff, and join us in support of our work with the challenges we face. Your encouragements, referrals, good words in the community go so far. Let us be partners with your family, your work place, and your circle of relationships. We are here to help, and we appreciate yours so much!!
Lets go!!
Meet: Allie Davis - Clinical Director, Drug & Alcohol Counselor, LADC/MH
Allie Davis LADC/ MH is a long time therapist with us, and also serves as our Clinical Director which means shes’ in charge of things!
She supports the team, is an awesome sounding board for myself (Chris) and a phenomenal team player.
She is sold out the mission of providing healing and growth through relational mental health therapy.
Check out the youtube clip below.
Also, we are collecting more clips for our youtube channel with other team members. These can really be helpful when trying to match a potential client to a therapist, and it can also help people get an idea for the kind of folks we have on the team. They’re the best!
On the latest episode of Stuck in my Head…
Join us for a conversation about loving our kids through it all.
In our latest episode of "Stuck in My Head," Chris and Alison sit down with Paula Lau, author of Your Kid Did What? Strategies for Reclaiming Joy When Parenting Gets Tough.
Paula shares insights from her experience as a counselor, offering guidance on managing reactions, setting boundaries, and finding strength through faith.
You can purchase Paula's book on Amazon here.
For a 15% discount, visit getmynewbook.com and use the code PLB15OFF at checkout.
Post Traumatic Growth Collective
Post Traumatic Growth Collective is a collective of trauma therapists who recognize the need for increased competency and tools in the field of trauma treatment. There are many proven methodologies for treating trauma, but the cost of those trainings and certifications have led to the gatekeeping of knowledge in our field to those who can afford it.
We desire to provide accessible tools to a broad audience so together we can promote post traumatic growth on a larger scale. Through live trainings, on demand workshops, and shared resources the collective seeks to help the helpers master trauma treatment and recovery.
Learn more about their upcoming trainings and resources here.
Fun fact, Chris is a collective founder!
