We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Susan Gonzales. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Susan below.
Susan, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
There was no hesitation given to this question! My grandmother. My grandmother was born and raised in Mexico. She had 11 children and raised them alone. She crossed the border twice with her 11 children! She knew that this would provide a better life. However, being in the states was challenging, too. She did not speak English, and she and her 11 children worked on a farm “picking.” This entailed very long hours and labor intensive work with little pay. My mom started working at age 8, and the eldest child dropped out of school to work full-time. Regardless of the many obstacles that my grandmother faced in life, she never questioned her faith. Instead, she became more devoted to God and to her family. I never heard her complain, and she had the biggest heart out of anyone that I have ever known. She was void of judgement and loved immensely. She taught me resilience.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I have been a Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice for 15 years. At this season of my career, I am mainly focused on training clinicians. I am passionate about promoting quality therapy; and therefore, I am a supervisor, offer various trainings for clinicians and own a group practice called, “Susan Gonzales and Associates Counseling.” I also own “Wingspan,” which offers various trainings and consultation groups for supervisors and clinicians needing to take the 40-hour course to become a supervisor. I firmly believe that providing quality supervision is the essence of quality therapy. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the counseling profession, post graduate students are required to complete 3,000 hours related to counseling post graduation in order to become a fully licensed clinician. Prior to completion of these hours, they are referred to as an “associate,” and must meet weekly with their supervisor. Additionally, I currently have 5 contractors who work in my practice. They are exceptional therapists, well skilled, hard workers and passionate about the services that they provide. They just want to see more clients and work more! I am most proud of the solid reputation that we uphold at Susan Gonzales and Associates Counseling. If you or someone else you know, is looking for quality therapy at an affordable rate, please send them our way! Our website is susangonzalescounseling.com. Our clinicians provide services to couples, families, adults and adolescents.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I was young and fearless. I had a dream since age 13, and nothing was going to stop me from pursuing this dream! As Lightning McQueen says (in the movie “Cars 3″),”I just never thought that I couldn’t.”
I was motivated and resilient. Also from Car’s 3, Cruz Ramirez says to Lightning McQueen, “Don’t fear failure, fear not having the chance. You have the chance. I used to watch you on TV, flying through the air. You seemed so fearless. I wish I knew what that felt like. It’s all about motivation, Mr. McQueen. You can use anything negative as fuel to push through to the positive!”
I make mistakes and learn from them (v. defeat me). I often say, ” I make the mess, clean it up, and then teach
others NOT to make the same mess.” My mistakes eventually evolve into lucrative business opportunities.
On the flip side, I let people’s opinions and negativity get the best of me. I took their words as the “truth,” which deterred me from my “truth,” that I was meant to do what I love and make lots of money doing it. My advice would be to believe in yourself more than anyone else and rely on your intuition and inner knowing. Focus your time and energy on people and relationships that fill your cup versus deplete it.
You cannot do this alone! If you try to do it alone, you will create a bigger mess. Ask for help! Take it from someone who created the bigger mess.
Lastly, let go of control! Trust the universe, listen, and receive it’s many gifts. The universe will not make good things happen, but it will offer you many “gifts,” and it is up to you to receive the gift. Control will reject the gift.
When self-doubt creeps in, meditate!
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
I am going to name two books. The first book is called, “You are a Badass at Making Money,” by Jen Sincero. In this book, she talks openly about the notion of making money and recounts the many blessings that money can provide for you and others. Her definition of “rich” resonated with me, “Having the ability to afford the things and experiences that allow you to live your most authentic life.” This book challenged me to dispel my negative beliefs about money (because they would only hinder me) and encouraged me to make more money, so that I could adequately support my family and give back to others.
The other book is called, “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle. The line in the book that changed my life says, “You are a goddamn cheetah!” This quote can mean many things to different people. Personally speaking, it gave me permission to be fierce, fearless and go for what I want in this world.” Additionally, it reminded me that when I hold myself “captive,” I am only standing in the way of seeing an abundant future. My inner knowing assures me that I am meant for abundance, and I can only see scarcity in captivity.
The authors of these books are written by successful women who encourage and inspire other women that they can be successful, too, and they live it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://susangonzalescounseling.com
- Instagram: sga_counseling
- Facebook: Susan Gonzales Counseling
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