We recently connected with Gracyn Bartelucci and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Gracyn, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Before one finds their purpose, I believe that one needs to find the courage to stand a part from others but possesses the vulnerability and humility necessary to maximize each experience that comes their way. While it feels like this does not typically come naturally, the words, “Great Power comes to those that listen to the whispers of their own heart, instead of the shouts of the world,’ ignited a drive in me that led me to begin searching for my purpose. After spending majority of my teenage years facing my own mental health challenges and seeking help during my toughest moments, I knew the my purpose should be encompassed in a commitment to facilitating healing and growth in individuals while providing a safe space to land. This did not fit the narrative that those around me held for my life, but that’s the funny thing about purpose. If we let go of other’s narratives and find a calmness within ourselves that allows space for the whispers in our soul to be heard, purpose tends to fall right into place.
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?
I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor specializing in the treatment of children through young adulthood by providing an environment where each individual can explore themselves freely to encourage growth and healing. I work to provide personalized support, by recognizing everyone as a unique individual and tailoring care to their specific needs. Centered around in-person therapy, I treat mood disorders, self-esteem issues, and life transitions with a holistic framework that employs various modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Narrative Therapy.
I also am the Counseling Director at a nonprofit, Cameron’s House of Hope, where we provide counseling, tutoring, and other services to children and families affected by substance abuse. We work to do all we can to change the trajectory of each child and give them hope rooted within their own experience and healing.
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?
One quality is adaptability. The ability to adjust to new ideas, learn from challenges, and remain flexible in the face of uncertainty is invaluable during any experience. Another quality, or I should say mindset, is continuous learning. Allowing myself to be commitment to lifelong learning has allowed me to remain curious and open-minded to evolving knowledge and skills. Lastly, creativity has been so impactful as it encourages me to approach challenges each client is facing from unique perspectives.
My advice for those who want to improve these skills is to first acknowledge any reservations they may have that are limiting them from embracing these, then challenge it.
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?
Definitely, The Gift of Therapy by Dr. Irvin D. Yalom. It’s one of those books that I would encourage any counseling student, new therapist, or even seasoned therapist to read. My supervisor reccommended it to me when I was fresh out of graduate school and I often find myself referring back to the text. It offers great insight, real examples, and encouragement to tune in and be the helper you want to be. A few of my favorite quotes are, “The good therapist creates a space of freedom so that knowing can occur,” “The power of listening cannot be underestimated; sometimes people just need to be heard,’ and “The therapist’s role is to be a witness to the client’s pain and a companion on their journey.”
