Hi. I’m Renee’. I live in suburbia, TX. I grew up in a small town around people with big hearts. Growing up, family was a very important part of my experience. I have 27 aunts and uncles and 28 cousins and I lived less than 100 miles from all of them. My family is great at many things. They are loving, inclusive and non-judgmental. Handling stress and conflict? Still working on that one.
I ended up going to college in a bigger small town and there I met my future husband, Brent. Fast forward a few years, we have been married 22 years. We have two awesome kids (at least their mother thinks so), one spunky dog and a few fish. I have been in the counseling profession for 20 years. I enjoy my therapeutic work with individuals, couples and groups. I also appreciate opportunities to speak to larger audiences on subjects I am particularly passionate about.
A few of my favorite things:
- laughing (I almost always have the loudest laugh in the room. I love that I have a sense of humor about most things. In my opinion, it is a great tool for life.)
- chocolate….need I explain?
- running (Too bad running wasn’t listed above chocolate!)
- reading
- traveling (near or far)
- friends (I am blessed with such great ones!)
- family (both my extended and my created family)
- clients (I truly appreciate that my clients trust me with some of the most fragile parts of their lives…their emotions, self-esteem, negative thoughts, relationships, etc. I feel honored to walk with them on a journey that isn’t always easy but is worth it.)
- Jesus (I am humbled by knowing I live a life of grace made possible by the sacrifice that is my Lord and Saviour.)
Things I am learning:
- how to be authentically my self (Unfortunately, I have a people pleasing past and am sensitive to other people’s thoughts and feelings. This is good and bad. I am trying to learn to live an authentic life with little regrets.)
- how to take responsibility for all of me (I am a responsible person in general, but sometimes I find myself hoping someone else will rescue me from my negative thoughts. I am learning to live life truly responsible for all that I do, think and feel.)
- how to be in close relationships while I am being my authentic self (It is much easier to be myself when away from others. I am learning how to communicate better, work through conflict and be in close relationships, while being myself. It’s harder than it sounds!)
- to trust in God…always (I can mostly convince myself that I trust in God. Catch me in a moment of anxiety and you might see me relying a lot on myself and others and little on God.)
- to love others better
- self-compassion and grace
