This morning I was joined by The Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, other local business owners, and community members for the official ribbon cutting of my Old Saybrook office. While I've been a practicing therapist for the better part of a decade -- and my new office has been open since September -- this ribbon cutting marked a milestone in my career. I am so grateful to inaugurate this very special space; a space that I have intentionally designed to be tranquil, beautiful, and inspiring; a space where I am honored to hold the experiences and journeys of my incredible clients.
This morning was the culmination of my own journey. I have wanted to be a therapist since I was a kid. And ever since I became a therapist I've wanted to have my own women's private practice.
As a child I'd imagine my life as an adult and think, "I'd like to either be an Editor or a Psychotherapist!" (more on the editor thing later...) At age ten I used my own money to purchase a giant textbook on the "Psychology of the Human Condition". I tried to understand that book as hard as I could. None of it made sense then. I still have that book, and even now it still only marginally makes sense, so we'll blame it on the book. Also, given that history it's a miracle I've turned out only intermittently socially awkward.
Flash forward to college, where I was graduating with a degree in Psychology AND Creative Writing. What discipline would win the race? I moved to NYC and began working in Publishing. My time at two major publishing houses honed my scrupulous writing and editing skills... but, it also helped me realize that a long term gig in Editing wasn't the career for me. I'd sit at my desk poring over copy and think, "wait, I really want to be sitting with another person understanding and helping them."
After loads of inner arguing, I finally let go of the idea of an MFA (Master of Fine Arts) and went for my graduate degree in Counseling. This decision forever changed me.
I'll never forget my first graduate school class. Every. single. word. out of my professor's mouth sounded like music. I felt full. I was overwhelmed with having arrived in the right place. I was absolutely in love with everything about counseling, and that love has only gotten stronger... perhaps I can even say it's an 'all consuming love' of the best kind.
But, since I became a therapist years ago, it has always been my ultimate dream to open a private practice that is completely and fully dedicated to improving the lives, experiences, and emotional realities of women. In all of my time as a therapist, this was always my ultimate vision.
Founding and growing Lauren Drago Therapy is my dream come true. Building this practice has been loads of hard work, but it's a labor of real love. It's where work doesn't feel like work... and every minute with each of my clients feels like a gift. And when I sit in my Old Saybrook office, I feel like I am exactly where I'm supposed to be.
Most days, I pinch myself. I am incredibly fortunate to be able to dedicate my life to helping to change the lives of other women and young adult girls.
Thank you to The Chamber for creating a community for every endeavor, and to my amazing husband, Matt, and our daughter, Stella, for their unending support and love....
And to each of my clients... you know who you are. It's all for you.
Lauren L. Drago, MSEd, LMHC, LPC is the founder of Lauren Drago Therapy in Old Saybrook, CT and in greater CT, NY & PA. She specializes in working with smart, insightful and capable women to overcome stress, anxiety, loss of identity, self-limiting beliefs, perfectionism, marriage strain, and the pressure of "trying to do it all." Lauren has a passion for helping others to achieve the happy, fulfilling, productive, and meaningful life they deserve by changing how they experience and understand their world. She believes that every woman can and should live out her personal definition of her own best life. Follow Lauren on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Call (860) 339-6515 or email laurendragotherapy@gmail.com to set up your complimentary initial consultation.