Meet Relationship Expert, Bridgette Allen, LMFT!
The Impact of Therapy on Parenting
Bridget Allen, LMFT, is a therapist who brings positivity and extroversion to her work. She has a unique perspective on reassessing midlife and finding fulfillment. Megan asks Bridget about her favorite song that represents the day, and she mentions “Walking on Sunshine,” a song that often pops up for her. This choice reflects her positive outlook and serves as a reminder to find joy even on challenging days.
Bridget shares her background, growing up in Salmon, Idaho, and later moving to Pocatello. She mentions struggling in school due to difficulty maintaining attention, but also expresses her love for people and dancing. She recalls feeling limited by the idea of only meeting a small part of the population, which contrasts with her current profession as a therapist, where she gets to know and help numerous individuals.
Megan inquires about Bridget’s journey to becoming a therapist, and she reveals that she initially worked in retail management. It wasn’t until her son started experiencing difficulties in school that she sought therapy for him and realized that she identified with many of the issues he was facing. This experience opened her eyes to the field of therapy and ultimately led her to pursue it as a career. Bridget’s personal journey serves as an example of how unexpected events can lead to new paths and opportunities for growth and fulfillment.
Reassessing midlife for fulfillment is a normal and necessary process. Megan emphasizes the importance of taking the time to reflect, make changes, and seek joy and fulfillment in the second half of life. Bridget’s personal journey illustrates how unexpected experiences can lead to new opportunities and a sense of purpose.
Insightful therapy experiences shape careers.
Insightful therapy experiences can have a profound impact on individuals and shape their careers.
Bridget mentions working with a therapist who provided valuable insight, not only for her child but also for her as a parent. This experience highlights the transformative power of therapy in gaining a deeper understanding of oneself and others. It also emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and seeking guidance when navigating complex familial dynamics.
For Megan, her decision to pursue a master’s degree and become a therapist was influenced by their own struggles with focus and attention. Through therapy and medication, she discovered a love for reading and studying, which ultimately led her to pursue a career in therapy.
The women also touch on the importance of therapists seeking therapy themselves. While their programs did not require therapy as a part of their training, they acknowledge the value of having someone solely focused on them for 50 minutes. This experience provides a different level of insight and self-reflection, enabling therapists to better understand themselves and their clients.
When discussing the type of clients they enjoy working with, Megan and Bridget highlight the importance of helping individuals who have achieved success in various areas of their lives but struggle with specific aspects, such as relationships. These clients energize them because they are willing to examine their own parts and work towards growth.
Patterns in relationships, childhood dynamics.
One of the main things discussed is patterns in relationships and how they are influenced by childhood dynamics. They acknowledge that people often choose partners who are different from them, but also highlight the tendency to unconsciously seek out individuals who resemble certain aspects of their parents or caregivers.
Individuals may be drawn to partners who possess qualities that they either admire or wish to change in their own parents. This can lead to a repetition of certain dynamics or behaviors from childhood, as individuals unconsciously recreate familiar patterns in their adult relationships. For example, someone who grew up with a parent who was emotionally unavailable may find themselves attracted to partners who display similar traits.
They also emphasize the role of self-awareness in breaking these patterns. By recognizing the similarities between their current partner and their parents, individuals can gain insight into their own behaviors and reactions within the relationship. This self-awareness allows them to challenge and change these patterns, ultimately leading to healthier and more fulfilling relationships.
Childhood dynamics are seen as a significant factor in shaping relationship patterns. They acknowledge that the family dynamic in which individuals grow up is the only one they have to reference, which can limit their ability to envision and seek out healthier dynamics in their adult relationships. However, therapy can help individuals expand their understanding of what is possible in relationships and provide them with tools to create the relationships they desire.
Therapy is portrayed as a valuable resource for exploring and understanding these patterns. Bridget mentions that therapy can provide a safe space for individuals to reflect on their childhood experiences and how they may be influencing their current relationships. By gaining insight into these dynamics, individuals can work towards breaking negative patterns and developing healthier ways of relating to others.
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