Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnna Harris.
Johnna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey to become a licensed counselor began when I was an eight-year-old girl cycling through counselors faster than last week’s underwear. I’ll never forget the moment I discovered my life’s purpose.
I was sitting across from a therapist in court-ordered treatment. This was my punishment for growing up in a home of domestic violence, at least that’s what I thought at the time.
The therapist told me to draw how I felt in the sand tray sitting in front of me.
I drew a track in the sand and found a figurine to represent myself, standing in the middle of the track.
“I feel like I am on a track,” I stated.
“It doesn’t matter if I slow down, speed up, or stop completely; I still can’t get off the track.”
The therapist stared at me.
She just stared.
Blank.
Not a word.
To this day I cannot believe her silence or unsee her blank expression, void of any empathy, compassion, or support. But this very moment is what determined my future career. I left that session feeling so yucky inside my little eight-year-old body. My next thought was, “I could do this job better.”
During the drive home after that therapy session, it was decided. I was going to become a counselor and “do it better.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For many years the road seemed to be anything BUT smooth. As I reflect on my life, it seems my desire to help people as a counselor is what saved me through a tumultuous childhood.
After every challenge, I would say the same thing to myself,
“I’m going to use this experience to help people one day.”
I could not make sense of anything happening at the time, but I clung to this belief that one day my suffering would transform into healing. This childhood belief turned into my life’s purpose. It got me through a domestic violence home, cancer, ongoing sexual abuse, neglect, rape, traumatic grief, and divorce. I turned a life of pain into a story of hope.
As you know, we’re big fans of Dear Self Trauma Therapy, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I created Dear Self Trauma Therapy for my younger self who felt alone, worthless, and hopeless. I never gave up on her, and I made it my mission to never give up on my clients.
At Dear Self Trauma Therapy, I provide heart-centered, individualized therapy to all hurting souls seeking healing.
I specialize in the treatment of:
• PTSD/ C-PTSD
• Childhood trauma
• Abuse
• Grief and Loss
• Depression
• Anxiety
I am passionate about long-lasting transformative change vs. treating symptoms. My unique approach to psychotherapy includes the body in the conversation. I help people to not only process past traumatic events, but also to regulate their nervous system and heal core emotional needs to reduce the impact of future trauma.
I am trained in EMDR therapy and Somatic Experiencing, two common modalities for treating trauma. I continue to learn the most effective treatments for trauma to best support my clients, but I often say, “I work with people, not protocols.” I care far more about the person in the room than any post-graduate training. I work collaboratively with my clients to find solutions that resonate with them. This applies to more than just trauma treatment; it is how I show up in the world and interact with anyone who is experiencing distress.
My office is a place where ALL parts of people are welcome- the pretty, not so pretty, and purely ugly. It is a place where shame is broken, and self-worth is restored.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
There’s a quote by Brene Brown that says,
“One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through and it will be someone else’s survival guide.”
I initially learned this lesson at age 8 when I committed my life to helping others overcome hard situations like myself. But I’ve re-learned it repeatedly throughout my journey when I wanted to quit, give up, and completely throw in the towel.
I did so many things wrong, but I never quit.
And if you don’t quit, you win.
Pricing:
- $175/session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dearselftraumatherapy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnna_harris24
- Other: https://mailchi.mp/dearselftraumatherapy/welcome
Image Credits
Abby
