Taylor Barragan

LMFT, NP

Oh... this is tough. I'm going to break the rules and not just choose one. From an education perspective, it would be "Essential Psychodynamic Psychotherapy" by a mentor and professor of mine, Dr. Teri Quatman. Her courses and mentorship trained me in psychodynamic psychotherapy, meaning as a foundation I believe our past experiences shape the ways we unconsciously move through the world at the present moment. It focuses on the relationship between therapist and client as a healing modality in therapy, beyond any evidence-based interventions that we also include in treatment. From a personal standpoint, "A Man's Search for Meaning" has moved me deeply. My copy is tattered and worn and has informed the ways I look for meaning in my own life. It has helped guide me to shine a light on a client's own resilience. "The Center Cannot Hold" by Elyn Saks changed the way I viewed serious mental illness like schizophrenia; her firsthand account of her illness is extraordinary and important.

People often think they have to come to therapy when something is a crisis, or when something is "wrong." These are absolutely valid and important times to come to therapy because we often do need support in those situations. But, coming to therapy prior to it being a crisis means we may experience significantly less stress in that crisis. We can develop the tools and have time to implement them. I think people are hesitant to try therapy because there is still some stigma. It's decreasing for sure, but what I hear sometimes is, "it's not that bad" or, the crisis passes, and people start to feel a bit better, so they don't reach out... until something else happens. Mental health challenges re-emerge because we are the common denominator - we respond to stressors in patterned ways. So, if that crisis or stressor passes we feel better for a time but may respond and cope with the next one in the same way. This starts to snowball and stress compounds. If someone were considering therapy, I would say reach out. Come in for one session. You don't have to continue if you decide it is not for you! I always encourage people to give it a 2-3 session shot and then re-evaluate how they feel.

I was trained in psychodynamic therapy while in graduate school, which has informed the entire frame I work from with a client. I am focused on creating a frame in therapy, where a client can feel safe to let go of what they need during the course of the session. My focus is on helping a client gain insight into how past experiences influence their current behaviors, thoughts, feelings, and patterns. In my second masters degree in nursing, I spent time on the labor & delivery, and postpartum units. I shadowed a lactation consultant/RN one day and became so fascinated and in awe of the breastfeeding experience. I was also interested in the support new parents get in feeding their baby their meals in a number of different ways through bottles, pumping, and formula. All of this can impact and be influenced by postpartum mental health challenges. My studies and experiences encouraged me to become certified as a lactation counselor and am I currently pursuing certification as a perinatal mental health specialist. Each step I have taken in my education has influenced the way I practice, the interests that I have, and has pushed me to continue to learn and grow, so that I can best support my clients.