Gay Lee Schumann LPC

As a former supervisor, I was given the opportunity to be trained in coaching and was encouraged to coach my employees, not for the sake of the organization, but for the sake of focusing on the growth that was important to them, even if that meant departing from the organization. As a therapist, I do not have a pre-set agenda. The goals for therapy are the goals of my clients. As a therapist, I am the navigation system. It is not my job to decide the destination, but it is my job to help you reach yours.

When I was growing up, there was a sitcom about Bob Newhart, a psychologist who was in an office with several other professionals, including a dentist. Bob's behavior was calm and predictable. He was funny without trying and was kind to those around him. My take-away from his methods of therapy was that he did what made sense. He was realistic, logical and encouraged people to use their strengths.

My strengths as a therapist include life and work experience, almost 30 years of marriage and my understanding that my clients are the experts of their own lives. I am able to draw from my own experience in order to better assist my clients with the challenges that they are facing. As a therapist, I help clients process emotion and navigate difficult issues. I also provide them with the information and with the tools that they need. I believe that clients need a balance in therapy of being able to express themselves in a nonjudgmental environment while also being given knowledge so that they can work on issues between sessions and, ultimately, past therapy.

• Texas, Licensed Professional Counselor, 86329

Prior to being a therapist, I spent twenty-seven years in the field of education as a teacher, an instructional coach, an assistant principal, a consultant and a program coordinator. I have been both employee and supervisor. I empathize with those who find themselves in challenging work environments in which they feel a lack of support, organizational toxicity, or the challenges of transitions. Although there have always been different generations in the workplace, the advent of technology and changes in culture have created unique challenges between generations in the workplace in terms of both management styles and team cohesiveness. In addition, company downsizing can take its toll on those who are still employed as their workload increases. Any life stressor that is faced upon arriving at home can be exacerbated by the work environment.