Posted By Dr. Diane

Amazing Grace has always been a favorite hymn of mine, and that line “I was lost but now am found, was blind, but now I see” fits into my own redemption story.

Maybe you can see yourself in this tale of the downfall of the perfectionist, professional mom.

My achievement orientation began very young.  I was smart and school was the place I felt safe and rewarded for my hard work.

By the time I was in high school, I remember feeling like I had to figure everything out on my own.  Independent, perfectionistic, high-achieving with more than a few control issues. 

My push energy and shear grit got me though grad school, complete with a stomach ulcer and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.   (I had a lovely therapist who helped me avoid a complete melt down).

I got married.  I progressed in my career.  I worked way too many hours but felt like I was doing something important, helping others to heal.  I was 34 years old and had the big job of Clinical Director of a Drug and Alcohol Rehab Hospital.

Then I started having babies and by the time #2 entered the world, I knew 60-hour work weeks had to end. 

I switched to private practice, but was so afraid I would fail, that I developed a huge anxiety problem and had to go on medication and seek personal therapy once again.

Fortunately, my practice flourished and my anxiety lessened and I was grateful to have flexibility around family life.  I had a wonderful mentor who introduced me to spiritual and holistic practices and that kept me grounded.

I thought I was doing so well keeping all the many plates of responsibility spinning. 

From the outside, I looked like I had it all together.  I realize now that, despite all my good intentions, my self-care was still at the bottom of the priority list and my self-love was absent. 

Reflecting back now, I can admit that once the kids were in school fulltime, I quickly built up my practice and my perfectionism and push energy were back in full gear.  I was going to save the world, one client at a time.

Despite having a spouse who was very involved with the kids and household chores, a lovely group of friends, and a flourishing private practice, I would have intermittent periods of exhaustion, irritability, and low-grade depression.

Rather than seeing these symptoms as signs of the need for better self-care, I just pushed through them and carried on…until I couldn’t.

If you are feeling the call to find yourself, to create a new and fulfilling chapter in your life, I would love to have a chat.  So book a free coaching call with me.

We will discuss where you feel the most discontent in your life and what you would love to create.

I will help you identify a pathway, some straightforward strategies, to effectively begin your healing journey.  Then we'll explore if my programs may be a good fit for you.