Today we’d like to introduce you to Micaela Krusemark.
Micaela, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor born and raised in Dallas, TX. I hold a Masters degree in Counseling with a specialization in Affirmative Therapy for LGBT clients.
I would like to say that I have always known I wanted to be a counselor but that is not the case.
I have always wanted to be everyone’s friend. I like listening to people share their stores and was consistently told that I am a good listener. I actually had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. Somewhere in my mind, I knew that I wanted to help others, to be a source of support or simply someone to listen and be present. I changed my mind several times throughout my schooling and upon entering college was an ‘undecided’ major up until I ran out of core classes to take. After bouncing around from a university out of town to a local community college then back to a traditional university, I decided to pursue my love of art and earn my Bachelor’s in Arts & Humanities at the University of Texas at Dallas. Around the time of my junior year, I began to realize I had no idea how or where I was going to use my art degree. After what I like to call a ‘quarter life crisis’ which was a lot of venting to my Mom (who is also a counselor), she gave me some sage advice that I use to this day, “trust the process.” My slight life crisis was a part of my process in figuring out who I am and how I can reach my goal of helping others. After a lengthy conversation, she suggested I look into being a counselor. I had met several of the students she worked with over the years as a crisis counselor at two high schools and heard time and time again how she influenced their lives for the better. She was a living example of the help and change I wanted to bring to others.
Now, I am in the career I worked long and hard for. I have had the privilege to have worked in schools with students from pre-school to high school and adults of different ages, coming from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds, faiths, socioeconomic statuses, gender identities/expressions, and sexual orientations. I have been fortunate enough to have students, parents and teacher share with me how I was right where I was needed most and meant to be. It is an incredibly validating and humbling experience to hear how you positively impact a person.
Has it been a smooth road?
The journey to where I am now was long and winding, cue my quarter life crisis. While the ups were positively blissful and the downs were rough and seemed to drag on, I was always fortunate enough to have family and friends around me that were always so supportive. I was never wanting for compassion, empathy or just a shoulder to lean. As I mentioned earlier, my Mom has been a constant for me. She is my rock. Her support has been paramount.
Professionally, I work with colleagues who are incredibly supportive and constantly helping me grow in my work. They have modeled what a healthy work-life balance looks like, encourage me to honor my boundaries and know my limits. They are a sounding board when I need to bounce ideas around or ask about best practices. I consider myself very blessed to have found not only wonderful colleagues but friends.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Mindful Journey Counseling & Wellness, PLLC – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Mindful Journey Counseling & Wellness, PLLC works to provide client-focused counseling that integrates the mind-body connection with mental health. I am fortunate to work with therapists with high levels of experience in mental health who have been my supporters and mentors as I continue to grow as a clinician. We have partnered with a Registered Play Therapist and Diagnostician and provide trauma-informed yoga classes each week which is huge in fostering a healthy mind-body connection. Offering multiple specialized services is unique as we can support a wide range of client needs.
I have a specialization in Affirmative Therapy for LGBT Clients which I am incredibly proud of. I was a part of the first group to earn this specialization and one of the first of its kind to be offered in a graduate program in the country. As a queer woman, I know the inherent struggles the LGBTQ+ community faces. While I was shown love and understanding from family and friends when I came out, I know far too many people who have experienced hate, being disowned and even subjected to violence for being their truest self, all of which is born out of ignorance. It is my hope that my position as a counselor along with my education, training and professional experience will allow me the opportunity to be of support to those in my LGBTQ+ community who feel they have none.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
At the risk of sounding bias, since I am a Dallas native, I like how eclectic it is. You want something, you can find it here. Whether that’s food, music, drinks, dancing, art, Dallas has no shortage of new and unique experiences. I think one of my favorite things is also the State Fair. I have gone every year as far back as I can remember. It was a part of my childhood, adolescence and now my adult life and is something I look forward to every year. And it definitely has no shortage of new and interesting foods!
I am definitely not a fan of the traffic and constant construction.
Pricing:
- Initial session-$115
- Subsequent sessions-$95
Contact Info:
- Address: 5509 Pleasant Valley Rd., Suite 70
Plano, TX 75023 - Website: https://mindfuljourneycounselingandwellness.com
- Email: micaela@mindfuljourneydfw.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/147382085893378/
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
