We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Meghan Fawcett. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Meghan below.
Meghan, so great to have you sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our readers and so let’s jump right into one of our favorite topics – empathy. We think a lack of empathy is at the heart of so many issues the world is struggling with and so our hope is to contribute to an environment that fosters the development of empathy. Along those lines, we’d love to hear your thoughts around where your empathy comes from?
I am the youngest of three girls. The women in my family were taught at a young age that we had to work hard if we were going to achieve stability and happiness. I remember watching my mother struggling, in an abusive marriage, to cultivate a climate of health and happiness in our home. I spent time at friends houses, neighbors homes, and immersed myself in activities. I learned to watch people, draw from their experiences, and work to understand the intentions of others. Intuitive and observant, I learned that everyone, even my father, has “goodness” in them. The need to mask fear, overcompensate for insecurities, and self-protect to avoid continued hurt appeared to drive many people away from making true and meaningful connections with others. I remember feeling the need to overcompensate to belong, to stay in a room long enough to believe that people might let the “real” version of me in the room. It was exhausting.
As I grew older, I learned to shed this need and draw closer to people who made me feel safe, who felt deeply, and connect on a higher level. My ability to empathize with others resulted from a challenging childhood that led me to really be present with others and find a way to trust that there is good in all of us, despite how we may initially present to others.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My goal to become a counselor was established in 1999. Prior to this, I was a vocal performance major that walked into an elective Abnormal Psychology class with no idea where I was headed. This course, taught by Dr. Julie Thomas at Youngstown State University changed the trajectory of the next 25 years of my life. It was this experience that demonstrated to me that people with mental health concerns can have fulfilling lives, and that all people at one time or another in their life, will experience mental health challenges. This resonated with me, and I knew I wanted to learn more and move in the direction where I can help others.
The notion of becoming a counselor was short sighted. In the 25 years since “music student turned counselor” moment, I have had the opportunity to provide clinical counseling, administrative supervision, clinical supervision, become and educator, establish a knowledge base for consulting on accreditation and state certification, and obtain ongoing education to help me be a well-rounded professional. This knowledge and experience gained in the nonprofit and private sectors of behavioral health care have translated to the production of my own agency, Rustbelt Counseling and Consulting, LLC. I founded this company in 2023 in an effort to provide quality, affordable continuing education programs to new and experienced behavioral health professionals wanting more from their continued ed experiences. Keeping class instructor to student ratios low, I promote active discussion and engagement, allowing for the establishment relationships and individualized deliverables for the engaged learner. In addition, I offer agency centered consultation for the professional/agency that wants assistance in growing their team, obtaining certification and/or accreditation, or seeking support as a leader. Along with training and consultation, I offer clinical supervision to dependently licensed clinicians seeking advancement in licensure and I provide direct clinical services to a limited number of clients through a telehealth platform.
Though I have several “branches” to what is offered through Rustbelt, I find the diversity of my daily work to be energizing, accessing my strengths, and allowing me to be challenged to grow on an ongoing basis. I am never bored, always open to learn and find that I can work around my life, which allows me to always be the best version of myself when approaching all tasks.
The feedback received from clients, consulting customers, supervisees and CEU participants has been overwhelmingly positive. I consider it a gift to be self-employed, sharing the best parts of my experience/knowledge, and learning from everyone I encounter on a daily basis.
In addition to my own business, I have had the opportunity to teach as an adjunct professor at my alma mater, Youngstown State University, since 2008. The privilege to teach and supervise students is one I do not take for granted, and work to incorporate what I learn from students and higher education in my practice every day.
The future is bright for Rustbelt. A name I chose for the region of Ohio where my family and I reside. NEOhio is resilient, constantly striving to improve, and working to learn from its past. I feel like this is my story, and the story of so many of my clients…one that has an empowered and pointed journey.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Transparency – I have learned that holding secrets about perceived inadequacy only impowers the negative narrative. In sharing my story with others, I have been validated, supported, and normalized to where fear does not lead to apprehension. Fear prompts me to share, align with others and move forward.
Pacing – Learning to take a breath has been huge. Prompt replies, immediate reactions, and impulsivity have (more often than not) led to regret for me. I have learned that short of emergent issues, most things can wait until there is a time to think through a response, consequence, need, etc.
Self-Reflection – If I am having an internal reaction or experience an emotional “charge,” I ask myself why. I work to not project that reaction on others, but to sit with it and understand what is happening, how to manage it, and respond accordingly.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When experiencing overwhelm (sometimes it takes me a few minutes or hours to realize that this is what is going on), I try to take a few minutes and sense what is going on inside of me (thoughts, physical sensations, recent self-care) and what is going on outside of me (noise, temperature, energy of others in the room). In the work to become centered and manage this feeling, I often create tasks lists that outline what programs I have where work is to be done, as well as timelines. This usually helps; however, working from home can be isolating, so sometimes it is reaching out to a peer who also works at home and can connect. Consulting is so helpful and connection is unbelievably powerful. I value my peers and what they have to offer.
I have found that self-care, in all of its forms, have helped me to be a more centered, self-aware individual. I am always willing to try something new and examine its impact on my life and overall wellbeing. I started running at the age of 30 and have enjoyed the peace that the sport has to offer. I have never been, nor will I ever be, competitive, but the gift of challenging myself gave me increased mental strength and the capacity to understand that we do not have to win to be great…we just have to believe in ourselves. This has been my motto for the last 14 years. It has seen me through divorce, job changes, and many literal and figurative finish lines. My life now is the one that I have always wanted; a partner who loves me as I am and who I love as they are, a beautiful daughter that I had at the age of 37, a new business I started at the age of 42, and a work-life balance that will be maintained as long as I live. None of this happened over night, but certainly evolved out of the sense of being overwhelmed, taking the time to “tune-in” to myself and making needed adaptations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rustbeltcounselingandconsulting.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19W1kUXQM2/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Anima Davina Photography
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