Meet Caitlin Rudgear of Orange Tree Psychotherapy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlin Rudgear.

Hi Caitlin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I did not plan to become a therapist – I really didn’t have any inkling as to what I wanted to do for a career. It wasn’t until I took an Abnormal Psychology class while attending community college that I felt I had more clarity about what path I’d like to take in life. After graduating with my Bachelor’s degree in psychology, I started looking more into field-specific jobs and found that I was often drawn to the clinician role, but didn’t have the education requirements necessary to get the job. From there, I went to graduate school in Colorado, graduated, and moved back to Arizona. I’ve been working in the mental health field since, and have worked as a clinician in several different settings. With time, I realized that starting a private practice felt like the decision that was most able to provide me with the autonomy and flexibility that I wanted.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has absolutely not been a smooth road. I truly love what I do, and at the same time, working in the mental health field is inherently difficult and draining. It took me many years of working and burning myself out to learn how to set boundaries, find more balance, and leave work at work.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Orange Tree Psychotherapy is a small group therapy practice that is owned by myself and my husband, Nicholas, who is also a licensed therapist. Our goal is to create the practice that we always wanted to work at. In doing so, we are able to be our best selves and show up for our clients and employees wholeheartedly. Orange Tree Psychotherapy has been a labor of love and an amazing adventure to get to do with my husband and now business partner.

Orange Tree Psychotherapy is by humans, for humans. We show up authentically and value connection with our clients above all else – we’re not perfect and we don’t pretend to be. We feel that helps clients be more comfortable in their appointments, and ultimately makes for more effective therapy. We provide in-network therapy services for those needing support with trauma / PTSD, anxiety, depression, LGBTQIA+, and more.

We are known for caring for our employees in the best way we can. Most therapy practices utilize therapists that are early in their careers and hire them as independent contractors. We hire as W-2s with the goal of offering as many benefits as possible.

Most of all, we want everyone to win. Clients, employees, the practice, and the community alike.

What makes you happy?
To me, happiness comes in many different mediums in my life. It is a gift to spend time with my husband and closest friends; feeling known and loved makes me very happy. Art and creativity are vehicles for me to find happiness by learning something new and connecting with myself. Cuddling my dogs on the couch makes me very happy because of the companionship and simplicity dogs embody – all they want is to love and be loved.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.orangetreepsychotherapy.com