Substance use and overdoses have skyrocketed in both El Paso County and Teller County, Colorado. Those struggling can enroll in Khesed’s pro bono program to receive 16 free sessions.
Mental Health in Marginalized Communities
The Importance of Access to Addiction Therapy
Recruitment Manager Amanda Zetah shares her personal story of a loved one struggling with addiction and how Khesed is addressing access to addiction therapy and promoting diversity among addiction therapists.
Graduation Interview
We are so pleased to announce that Megan Steedman, MA and Brittany Duncan, MA will be continuing their clinical career with us after graduating in May 2020. We sat down (virtually) to interview these new grads so that you all could get a closer look at who they are as clinicians and the amazing people they are.
Megan Steedman, MA
Khesed Interviewer:
What draws you to work with clients?
Megan:
I feel drawn to work with clients because I believe in the power of connection. I think in a safe relationship, people's experiences of pain and their developed patterns that follow can be explored. It's beautiful to be able to provide people one realm of safety to deeply explore themselves. I feel drawn to the deep healing that can happen in therapy.
Khesed Interviewer:
How does kindness play out in therapy?
Megan:
One way kindness plays out in therapy is by bringing my full self-- my experiences, my personality, and my strengths-- generously to therapy. Showing up whole heartedly allows for deep connection, deep belief in my clients, and deep space for clients to explore themselves. I think having unwavering belief in therapy, amidst challenging days and weeks, is a kind way to approach my work. Having confidence in humanity's ability to heal, though it is oftentimes slow and painful, allows me to continue to show up. It's kind to keep showing up.
Khesed Interviewer:
When clients come into your office what can they expect?
Megan:
Clients can expect to experience a human-- someone with their own story and passion for healing. They can expect for my passion to intersect with my clients. They can expect to feel known for me to want to encourage them to explore themselves. I hope my clients feel a sense of belief in me-- belief in the therapeutic process and belief in my clients to further live into themselves and into health.
Khesed Interviewer:
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why?
Megan:
I would want to fly into southern France and rent a car to drive through the Alps, seeing Switzerland, Italy, and Austria in the summertime. I would want to stop in little towns, go camping, appreciate nature, and get to see and experience a variety of different cultures. Something about the grandness of the Alps feels exciting to me-- I would love to see them up close.
Brittany Duncan, MA
Khesed Interviewer:
What draws you to work with clients?
Brittany:
Throughout my life I always knew that I wanted to work in a role that was both personal and relational. I have continuously felt a deep compassion and desire to understand those around me and assist them in feeling valued because I believe every story is unique and worth telling. To be able to hear the narrative of my client’s lives is an honor that I cherish. Not only is witnessing one’s story a privilege but getting to walk alongside my clients through moments of struggle and joy is an incredible opportunity. I believe the power of relationship has the potential to stretch, grow, and heal each and every one of us.
Khesed Interviewer:
What are the most important qualities that you feel a therapist should have?
Brittany:
Three that come to my mind are authenticity, acceptance, and empathy. I believe in the transformative opportunity provided by a therapeutic relationship. A relationship is healthiest and most beneficial when both parties are their true, authentic selves. Modeling authenticity for clients encourages them to live out congruence in their own life and within relationships. However, acceptance of one’s true self is necessary for therapy to be effective. It takes an incredible amount of vulnerability to show the tender parts of our self. If these parts are not warmly embraced and acknowledged our growth is inhibited. Lastly, empathy provides space for clients, which communicates worth and belonging. As client vulnerably expose themselves, they need to not only be accepted, but reminded of their worth and value.
Khesed Interviewer:
When clients come into your office what can they expect?
Brittany:
When clients come into my office they can expect to be warmly accepted without fear of judgement. My priority is to understand, empathize, and assist them in working towards who they want to be. I am honest and at times direct, but always with an undertone of compassion. Often, we can feel alone in our pain. Others are either unable or unwilling to understand. I aim to provide an opportunity where my clients can feel support and encouragement, while simultaneously getting permission to feel their pain and take up space. I will not rush my client towards growth or tell them how to get there. I believe that my clients are the experts of their own life and that each individual grows at their own speed and pace. Most of all, I will be there to hold hope for my clients even in the moments they feel utmost despair. I hold hope because each and every person that walks into my counseling office is worthy of love and capable of growth.
Khesed Interviewer:
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why?
Brittany:
Traveling is one of my greatest passions and experiences abroad hold some of my fondest memories. Exploring new cultures has been incredibly stretching during my development in understanding myself and expanding my empathy for others. If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would choose Norway. Norway is known for their amazing fjords. These natural waterways formed by glaciers are immense and beautiful. To be given the opportunity to experience such a sight is something I have been hoping to see for quite some time.
About Megan & Brittany:
Megan Steedman (sher/her), MA holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Denver Seminary. Megan has experience working with children and adolescents, is passionate about helping young adults pursue a holistic sense of wellness, and is committed to engaging her clients with compassion and attentiveness. Megan spends her free time hiking, skiing, and exploring Denver—she loves bringing a good book or friend along to check out the newest coffee or ice cream shop.
Brittany Duncan (she/her), MA, LPCC has her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She enjoys working with clients navigating relational grief or dissatisfaction, transitional difficulties, attachment, trauma, and identity formation. Through a holistic and integrative approach, Brittany assists clients in exploring their innermost needs and patterns of relating in order to break the cycles they feel stuck in.
Khesed-Like Businesses: Sound Advice Consulting Services
Upcoming College Application Prep Group for High School Seniors
Are you, or a senior high school student you know, struggling to make sense of the college application process? Do questions such as “what major do I pick?”; “what is the Common App?”; or “what school do I apply to?” come up in your mind? How do you pick a school amongst the hundreds across the country and know it’s a good fit?
These questions and more will be answered in our new College Planning group. With more than two decades of combined experience of working with students, we are excited to introduce the student group starting this fall on September 7th. The group will expose students to the process of college applications as well as help them think critically about their future. We will also provide the students with resources so that they may be able to confidently proceed through college applications. We also will do individual check-ins with the students prior to the group starting and once during the month to ensure that questions are answered and students are confident about the process.
The group will meet at Elevation Christian Church in Aurora, CO on September 7, 14, 21, and 28th from 9-11:30am. Registration can be completed online here. Please note slots are limited to first come, first served.
We are excited to start the group and look forward to meeting you students soon!
About the Authors:
Alex Song, RP, Apprentice, is pursuing an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Denver Seminary. Alex is passionate about helping people become their most authentic and true selves. She loves helping people navigate their life pursuits, identity formation, and career aspirations. She feels honored to walk alongside clients as they share their story with her, inviting her into that sacred space. Alex is a Colorado native and enjoys exploring new coffee spots, watching movies, and catching up with friends.
Megan Steedman, RP, Apprentice, is pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Denver Seminary. Megan has experience working with children and adolescents, is passionate about helping young adults pursue a holistic sense of wellness, and is committed to engaging her clients with compassion and attentiveness. Megan spends her free time hiking, skiing, and exploring Denver—she loves bringing a good book or friend along to check out the newest coffee or ice cream shop.
Future Planning for High School Students
Which high school student do you relate to more:
A student who has a ten year plan. Every detail of their life is mapped out from what courses to take in high school to what major to study in college. From there they know exactly which internships to apply for and which company they want to land their first job;
OR
A student who is worried about passing the next quiz tomorrow and is struggling to think past this first semester. They’re not sure about what to pursue since school is hard but they know that college is something they want to do after high school?
Although these two stories are extremely different, there’s a likelihood that many of you resonate with these stories, and perhaps, are a mix of both. I went into high school determined to become a primary care pediatrician. I had my courses mapped out and a detailed plan of how to be on the best track to medical school. Somewhere along the way, plans changed and I ended up with a second, and different, bachelor’s from a different college. Now, I’m completing my master’s in an unrelated field at a third school.
As someone who has worked closely with students for over 15 years, a common struggle they encounter is life pursuits. With student loans at an all time high along with college students switching, on average, majors at least once, preparing and trying to discover their talents and directions future plans becomes more precious and necessary.
Whether you are a student or know a student, engaging in discussions about what the future may look like and allowing room for dreaming is important. So, I leave you with this, when you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? How does that dream compare to where you are now and the path you’re on?
Stay tuned for exciting news on how Khesed hopes to help students in their journey of future dreaming and planning.
About the Author:
Alex Song, RP, Apprentice, is pursuing an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Denver Seminary. Alex is passionate about helping people become their most authentic and true selves. She loves helping people navigate their life pursuits, identity formation, and career aspirations. She feels honored to walk alongside clients as they share their story with her, inviting her into that sacred space. She desires her clients to live life purposefully and well through evaluating their physical, spiritual, mental, social, and emotional health. As clients navigate meaning making, she works with clients to equip them with the tools to live their best life. Alex desires to connect with the Asian population to help them advocate for their voices as they pursue what wellness looks like. Alex is a Colorado native and enjoys exploring new coffee spots, watching movies, and catching up with friends.
