An Inspired Chat with Athen Fisher of Chandler- East Valley

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Athen Fisher. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Athen, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
Almost everyone’s behaviors, thoughts, emotions make sense once I understand their story. We are all humans trying to imperfectly make our way through this life and intimate, close relationships seem to matter most to most people. More than money or success or anything else.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Yes, I’m Athen and I am the owner and a therapist at Love Story Therapy in Chandler. We’re a small team of therapists who love helping couples and individuals feel more connected, work through challenges, and build the kind of relationships and life they really want. Think of us as guides for your life and love story — helping you rewrite/organize/edit the tough chapters and create a stronger, happier ending.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The need to be 110% all the time. Over the past few years, I’ve been embracing the power of slowing down, rest and play, and having compassion for my humanness, which includes its imperfections and limitations.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I almost gave up on being a therapist a few years post grad school after many years of working in a community mental health agency. At the time I had an enormous and unsustainable caseload of very high needs clients with low resources and minimal support from my agency. I was usually working in crisis mode, not on long lasting change, which was initially what I went to school for and imagined myself doing. I would daydream and fantasize about quitting my job and becoming a barista or bartender, so I could make people happy but not carry the heavy load I was carrying. The game changer was when I went into private practice and began working with clients on higher level change and growth and my work/life balance was much better. I had a smaller caseload that was manageable and more support and clinical supervision. I love private practice and have began my own five years ago!

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I’m thinking more in terms of clients that are parents, but many successful individuals grew up struggling in some way in earlier years, either emotionally or financially, and have worked really hard with grit and resilience and thus become successful. Often they now see their success as a means to take away any amount of adversity or obstacles for their children. They want to give them the world, which is a good intention, but can end up hurting them in the long run because it’s not giving them the experience of failing or doing hard things and struggling at times- the very thing that gave my clients grit and confidence over time by making it through it. Some struggle and figuring it out and making it thorough is essential for true confidence and self worth. Of course I think there’s a balance here, and the goal isn’t to give our children a hard life, but knowing that there is value in letting them have responsibilities and face challenges and not make everything so easy for them all the time is important, especially while they have us as a secure base.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
My family, my relationships, my marriage – the most important things in my life. Love.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.lovestorytherapy.com
• Instagram: @lovestorytherapy
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/lovestorytherapy

Image Credits
Shea Brie Photography