Meet Kasey Connors!
Kasey is a licensed marriage and family therapist and RDI consultant-in-training who has been a part of the Family Guidance and Therapy team for two and a half years. Kasey specializes in working with children and pre-adolescents. She focuses on helping through transitions in early life by supporting young people in finding their voice and sense of self. At the Family Guidance and Therapy Center, each team member works from a set of personal values that drive client care. In the interview below, learn why Kasey decided to become a clinician, the values that she brings to the FGTC team, and what challenges her on a personal level.
We are such dynamic beings, we change day to day, moment to moment. It is awe inspiring to be able to spend time with someone and get to know who they truly are, find commonalities, and have a real heartfelt connection with another human being.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Born on the east coast. My dad was in the Navy, so we moved around a lot. As a kid I remember it being difficult moving every 2-5 years, but as an adult, looking back on those experiences, I think they made me a well-rounded individual. I enjoy being outdoors, gardening, painting, and spending time with friends, family and my sun conure.
What inspired you to work as a therapist?
My high school art teacher told me about Art Therapy. I used, and still use, art as a therapeutic medium. I also had a very positive adolescent experience in receiving therapy and felt the urge to want to help others in a similar manner.
Explain your personal value words and why they are important to you.
Learning: I believe that as human beings, we never stop learning. Whether that is learning a new skill, or learning about yourself. I continually learn something new everyday and strive to continue to learn.
Competence: This is a big one for me in both my personal and professional life, and I don't think I am alone in that want to be competent in things that I do. Aside from wanting to be competent, I also allow myself forgiveness around things that I may still be learning, and are therefore not yet competent in, but I am grateful for the ability to continue to strive.
What is unique about your work with clients?
That I generally bring in art as a therapeutic tool to engage with my clients or to help them express something that is difficult to talk about.
What’s the most challenging and rewarding part of your work?
Working with people. We are such dynamic beings, we change day to day, moment to moment. It is awe inspiring to be able to spend time with someone and get to know who they truly are, find commonalities, and have a real heartfelt connection with another human being.
After a long work week, how do you de-stress or unwind?
Garden, sleep-in, take the time to soak up nature.
Tell us a funny story about yourself!
In college, I had a small tank with two goldfish. One day the larger one was acting strange. Upon further investigation, noticed it had a pebble lodged in it's mouth, and it couldn't get it out. So, I scooped it up with the net and proceeded to pull the stone out of it's mouth using a pair of tweezers, and it lived for about a year after.
