The Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) marked Counseling Awareness Month this April by asking the center’s professional counselors to share why they became counselors and what they do to “burn bright, not out,” this year’s focus. The two submissions received are highlighted below. As part of the call for stories, YCSC Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Tara Davila, LCSW wrote, “Our masters level counselors burn brightly every day, as they provide excellent clinical care to the youth and families we serve. We are very fortunate to have counselors who are contributing to our clinical and training missions and serving as part of our clinical administrative team. Thank you to the Professional Counselors who bring their skills and talents to the center.”
Our masters level counselors burn brightly every day, as they provide excellent clinical care to the youth and families we serve. We are very fortunate to have counselors who are contributing to our clinical and training missions and serving as part of our clinical administrative team.
YCSC Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Tara Davila, LCSW
Stephanie Guerrier, MS, LPC
Why did you become a professional counselor?
I entered the counseling profession because I saw the value in mental health and early interventions for children. I was, and still am, motivated by the idea of making a positive impact on the lives of children, because the future of tomorrow rests in the hands of our youth. Through my life’s work, it is my mission to introduce therapeutic services to youth early on, so future generations may come to, I hope, destigmatize mental health issues on a macrocosmic level, and promote holistic wellness.
What do you do to burn bright not out?
My first line of defense for preventing burnout is surrounding myself with a trusted support system. Other times, I recharge by making sure I have some personal time for self-care. For me, this means freeing up my schedule to relax in a sauna, enjoy aromatherapy, exercise, or treat myself to a spa day. When taking time off, I am very intentional about not overwhelming myself with too many activities. By not making so many scheduling commitments, it allows me to be in control, so I can be spontaneous about how I choose to use my time for relaxation. It truly is freeing.
Kieran Maiorana, MA
Why did you become a professional counselor?
To provide support for others, because other counselors helped me.
What do you do to burn bright not out?
Engage in creative pursuits, a lot of exercise. Continue to learn about the craft of counseling. Engage in my own therapy.