We were lucky to catch up with Susan Stork recently and have shared our conversation below.
Susan, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
How my farming heritage shaped my work ethic? Before I start – know – I love exploring backgrounds of my therapy clients. However, today I am exploring the ways in which my own backgrounds and family histories shaped my own work ethic and approach to life. The connection I have drawn between my family’s history of dairy farming and my own work ethic is a wonderful example of the interplay between heritage and personal growth.
Growing up in an environment rooted in dairy farming has likely instilled within me a strong sense of responsibility, dedication, and hard work. The demanding nature of farming, with its early mornings, long hours, and the constant need to care for animals and for maintaining the land, has likely contributed to my deep-rooted commitment to business owning and as a leader for my therapy team.
The values passed down through generations often form the foundation of our own beliefs and behaviors. In my case, the principles of perseverance, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to tasks at hand might be direct results of the generations before my arrival to the world in the 1970’s.
Just as the land must be tended to with care and consistency, so too must our pursuits in life. My connections to my family’s dairy farming legacy serves as a metaphorical reminder of the importance of nurturing our goals and ambitions. Just as farming requires constant attention and nurturing, your approach to your work reflects a deep understanding of the need for consistent effort and dedication.
However, it’s also important to consider how to balance this strong work ethic with self-care and a sense of fulfillment. Sometimes, we can become so engrossed in our tasks that we forget to pause and reflect on our personal well-being and overall life satisfaction. As you continue to build upon your family’s legacy, take moments to celebrate your accomplishments, acknowledge our efforts, and ensure that our work is aligned with your personal values and aspirations.
As a gentle reminder for self discribed “workaholics” , your work ethic is just one facet of your multifaceted identity, shaped by both your heritage and your individual journey. By embracing the strengths and values you’ve inherited from my families rural setting and farming background, allows room for personal growth and self-care along the way. My story is a testament to the beautiful interplay between heritage and personal development, and it’s an honor to reflect on this journey from a rural Pennsylvania farm to my urban Maryland roles as a Sex Therapist.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
For those that know my “city” parts of my personality – one might be shocked to realize I grew up in a family of self-starters: farmers, tinkerers, and caretakers of cows (hence, the grainy photo of a young me and a few cows).
My family all taught me about hard work and how to thrive in the natural landscape, but I didn’t necessarily learn how to tend to my own emotional landscape in those years.
Often, I felt like I was the only one struggling with big feelings. I thought I knew exactly what it meant to be alone “in the muck of stuff.”
When I was old enough to trade in my muddy farm boots for the shoes of a soul seeker, a world traveler, a college student, and a teacher, I thought I would leave the muck behind.
However, in all my years living in a city as an educator, wife, mother, mentor, and a sex therapist, I’ve learned something essential: no matter how clean or littered the sidewalk, we’re all just mucking through.
Which is why, I started a business to support the Space(s) Between our identities, worlds, relationships, and deeper purposes in life. I know that mental health, sexual health, relational health is what all keeps us well.
Have you ever been curious about the meaning behind our logo? The nine rays of the abstract sun are representative of the nine areas of work, and therapy types, that our team is committed to as a practice. Over E I G H T years of deep human connection have helped us determine what the different types of therapy are that we’re most focused on. If you find yourself within any of these nine rays, we may be an ideal fit practice for you. We also use the term “work” intentionally – because therapy is hard work. Because of this reality, we want our clients to be intentional about who they work with, and when they do their therapeutic “heavy lifting”.
Therapy should fit into your existing life, and serve as a supplement, rather than a source of further chaos or conflict. Consider this a modern version of our vision and mission as a practice.
The nine areas of work are:
Urban Professionals
Type A’s
Trauma-Informed Work
Space Between
Sexual Health & Wellness
Modern Relationships + Neurodiverse Couples
LGBTQIA+ Affirmation + Competency
Cuspers
Creatives
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Qualities of Modern Therapist
Running a therapy business in the modern world requires not only strong therapeutic skills but also effective leadership qualities to succeed. Here are three important qualities that make a leader in the therapy field:
Empathy and Compassion:
A modern therapist and business owner must possess a deep sense of empathy and compassion. Clients seek therapy to address their emotional and psychological struggles, and a leader in therapy must be able to genuinely understand and connect with their clients’ experiences. Empathy enables therapists to create a safe and supportive environment, fostering trust and a strong therapeutic alliance. Compassion ensures that therapists approach their clients with kindness and nonjudgmental understanding, which is crucial for building rapport and helping clients feel valued and heard.
Adaptability and Continuous Learning:
The field of therapy is constantly evolving due to new research, therapeutic modalities, and changing societal dynamics. A leader in therapy needs to be adaptable and open to learning. They should be willing to update their skills, integrate new evidence-based practices, and adapt their approach to meet the unique needs of their clients. Continuous learning also involves staying informed about ethical guidelines and legal considerations in the field, ensuring the safety and well-being of clients. A modern therapist’s ability to embrace change and remain curious about advancements in the field contributes to their long-term success.
Business Acumen and Communication Skills:
Running a therapy business requires strong business acumen and effective communication skills. Therapists need to manage administrative tasks, handle financial matters, and make strategic decisions to maintain a successful practice. Strong communication skills are vital for engaging with clients, colleagues, and other professionals in the healthcare industry. A leader in therapy should be able to clearly articulate their therapeutic approach, set expectations, and maintain healthy boundaries with clients. Additionally, effective communication extends to marketing efforts, networking, and collaborating with other professionals to build a strong referral network.
In summary, a modern therapist running a business needs to be empathetic, adaptable, and possess strong business and communication skills. These qualities not only enhance their effectiveness as a therapist but also enable them to lead their practice with integrity and professionalism in an ever-evolving field.
How would you describe your ideal client?
To name a few of my ideal clients:
Entrepreneurs:
Ideal therapy clients among entrepreneurs could be those who are open to exploring the emotional and psychological aspects of their professional journey. In session, we would discuss the challenges they face in balancing work and personal life, managing stress, coping with uncertainty, and maintaining healthy relationships while pursuing their business goals.
Urban Change Makers in Baltimore:
For urban change makers in Baltimore, an ideal therapy client might possess a strong commitment to community improvement and social justice. They should be open to discussing their experiences dealing with systemic issues, burnout, and the emotional toll of advocating for change. They would benefit from a therapist who understands the unique challenges of their work and can provide guidance on self-care and sustaining motivation.
Rural New Mexicans:
Ideal therapy clients from rural New Mexico might be individuals who are seeking support in navigating the unique challenges of rural living. In session, we discuss concerns related to isolation, limited access to resources, cultural preservation, and the impact of geographical remoteness on mental health. As a therapist who understands the cultural context and rural lifestyle could be especially helpful.
Highly Educated Individuals:
For highly educated individuals, an ideal therapy client would be someone who is open to examining how their academic achievements and intellectual pursuits intersect with their emotional well-being. They might explore issues like imposter syndrome, perfectionism, work-life balance, and the pressure to constantly excel. As a therapist who can address these specific dynamics makes these collaborations can be very insightful/life-changing.
ADHD Types:
Someone that has the awareness to know when their neurotypes pertaining to ADHD brings forward hurdles and pitfalls. This ideal client would be open to direct feedback and brainstorming to help them with elective functioning and within challenging times. In session, we would explore strategies to manage their symptoms and develop coping mechanisms. These clients should be willing to engage in discussions about time management, organization, impulsivity, and potential self-esteem issues related to their condition. As a therapist that works well with these neurotype due targeted supports and personal understanding of how the mind works around ADHD challenges.
Individuals Looking to Improve Relationships:
Ideal therapy clients aiming to improve their relationships with themselves and others should be ready to delve into introspection and personal growth. They should be open to exploring communication patterns, attachment styles, emotional vulnerabilities, and past experiences that may be influencing their current relationships. As a therapist skilled in relational dynamics by working together, healthier connections can be formed and reflected on.
Remember, an ideal therapy client is one who is open, willing to engage in the therapeutic process, and motivated to work on their personal growth and well-being. Therapy is a collaborative effort, and the effectiveness of the therapeutic relationship plays a significant role in achieving positive outcomes. Due to my trainings in trauma, sexual health, mental health, family systems, and within the spectrums of neurotypes and within gender / identity and culture – I have broad and deep specialties that could be fitting for a wide-range of clients. Most of my work is short-term however, I also do some long term work – however, as I have developed into my craft – I prefer short term work.
Therapy is like a nest – as in a place that clients are meant to outgrow and fly on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.spacebetweencounselingservices.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/space_between_counseling
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spacebetweencounseling
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK0CQ5hkI2TyUenahWvQI8w
- Other: https://www.aasect.org/find-professional/listing/1/8545
Image Credits
Susan Morgan Stork + Mayrí V. Pérez T. Portfolio: maydesigns.co
