Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Bemis.
Kristin, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas right out of college in the Child Life Department. Working in the Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders, I worked to facilitate distraction and coping activities in the outpatient clinic for kids awaiting their regular chemotherapy appointments or various procedures. I worked on my Master’s while at CMC and after taking a brief hiatus to finish my degree (MEd in Counseling), I returned for my graduate internship on the Psychiatry Consult Liaison Team. I was then lucky to be hired on for my post-graduate internship time as well. I remained on the team after I became fully licensed and certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). My specialty areas were obviously chronic illness as well medical trauma and stress. I provided inpatient and outpatient consultation and therapy services, working mainly with the youngest of our patients aged 3-10 years of age. I began to dip my toes into the world of private practice in 2012, but it wasn’t until shortly after the birth of my daughter, that with a heavy heart, I left CMC after 11 years. I worked with a group private practice providing psychotherapy services at Therapy Dallas for 5 years. Last summer (July 2017), I made the big leap to open my own practice. I have 2 employees and am blessed to have kept all my clients during the move. I love being closer to home and the work-life balance the private practice life provides for my family. I’m a better therapist if I practice good self-care!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My job at Children’s was my first job out of college. Leaving there created almost an existential crisis for me as it had been such a part of my professional, and quite frankly, personal identity for so long. I was worried about the shift from a non-profit organization to private pay as well and wondered about the mix of cases I would encounter. CMC allowed me to also focus on the academic side of my degree, mentoring/supervising students, writing scholarly articles, and being part of a professional team. I was worried if I would maintain as up-to-date on research and maintain being a quality practitioner!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about East Dallas Counseling – what should we know?
We are a private practice specializing in psychotherapy services for children and adolescents. We provide play and activity therapy along with a great deal of parent consultation as well. We treat a variety of anxiety, depressive, mood and adjustment disorders. We have a unique niche in chronic illness, grief, and medical trauma as I have been able to bring on my old supervisor from the hospital to join us. We are very client-centered and many of our clients return years later as different developmental concerns arise as their kid’s age.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
So many people come to mind! First, I’d have to give massive credit to my current colleagues. Lesley Lingnell was my supervisor at CMC throughout my years and my mentor. She was in Child Life as well when I first came on board at CMC and who I first learned anything about play therapy from. Then, I attended a workshop at UNT where Garry Landreth was presenting, and I was hooked. I knew play therapy was what I wanted to dedicate my professional life to. I would be lucky enough to then be taught by Landreth during my Master’s who founded the Center for Play Therapy at UNT and is considered the guru of child-centered play therapy. I’ve had other mentors in the play therapy world, Brandy Schumann especially, who continued to encourage me with their advice, wisdom, and patience. I wouldn’t have made the final leap without my other colleague, Ashley Igo who took a huge leap of faith with me, and joined a company that didn’t even have a physical location when I hired her! On top of that, my family, my husband, and my colleagues at Therapy Dallas were my cheerleaders throughout the process. And then, of course, my clients, who embraced the change and move with gusto and were so kind in their praise and support.
Contact Info:
- Address: East Dallas Counseling
7557 Rambler Road, Suite 1015
Dallas, TX 75231 - Website: www.eastdallascounselors.com
- Phone: 214-295-4885
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.
