We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jill Lewis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jill below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Jill with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
My parents, hands down. They have both been working parents since I was born. I admire how hard they work and balance family at the same time. They instilled, especially my mom, on earning my own money, standing on my own two feet and being able to provide for myself and my family. I am very grateful for this lesson, because my drive and work ethic is something I am unbelievably proud of.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My passion has evolved over the 15 + years of doing this work. I still feel deeply passionate about helping those struggling with eating disorders, but I come at it from a different lens. I really enjoy working with clients 40+ and mainly those living in larger bodies. For those who live in marginalized bodies, I want to ensure a safe therapeutic space. I want to allow my clients to feel seen and deeply understood since their experience of living in a larger body has often been a source of shame and pain. I also love running interpersonal process groups. The therapeutic journey is all about relationships, watching clients connect, understand their patterns, connect in ways they never have before all in the context of a group is awe inspiring. Our suite caters to those in larger bodies, it is an inclusive space and I want anyone who walks in to feel like they are home.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Being attune, open and willing. Being a therapist in private practice and running a group practice takes a multitude of skills. First off I know I am a good therapist. I am attune with my clients needs, challenging, I listen, I engage, I am active. I am also human in my sessions. Being attune to different people’s needs is key in this process. Simultaneously in order to be a good entrepreneur and manager, you must be open to feedback, making mistakes, a huge learning curve and a willingness to adjust and roll with all of the nuances that get thrown our way. There are always new laws, rules, ethics changes, which can be so frustrating and its simply apart of the gig. I feel that my openness and having patience, has helped my willingness to grow this incredible business, support new clinicians and ultimately be successful at something I deeply love.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
Truthfully, burnout. I LOVE what I do, I love that I am good at my career, and it can be completely depleting. I am always paying attention to my schedule, which clients I take on and being very protective of my down time. I want to continue doing this incredible work, until I simply can’t anymore and to give me that longevity, I have to be aware of my potential burnout. I also ensure that I move in some capacity daily. Whether its a rigorous workout, a slow walk, a simple stretch, but for my mind to stay calm, my body has to be aligned. I just took a glorious 2 week vacation, which has helped tremendously. I encourage everyone to take time off, even if its a staycation. We all need to be kind to ourselves, nourish our minds and bodies, outside of taking care of others.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jlewistherapy.com
- Instagram: J Lewis Therapy
- Facebook: J Lewis therapy
- Yelp: Jill Lewis
Image Credits
Amber Smith (headshot)
