Q&A with HOPE Therapist Trainee, Desmond Harvey
Q: What is your name & job title/license/certifications?
A: Desmond Harvey, Marriage and Family Therapist, Trainee.
Q: What type of therapy do you specialize in?
A: I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and incorporate other cognitive models such as CT, DBT & ACT. I feel a person’s thoughts are very impactful on the way that person feels and behaves.
Q: What inspired you to become a therapist?
A: I have always had a passion for helping others, however, I was in the trucking industry, and was not feeling fulfilled and thought there must be more to life. I decided on going back to school but was unsure on what to do. While signing up for school and going over the degree programs I came across the counseling psychology, which after much research, was perfectly suited to what I needed to do.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of being a therapist?
A: Seeing a client who when they first came to therapy has been having great difficulties maintaining an effective life, then the client tells you the great impact you have made in his/her life, and you also see the change and growth happening before your eyes; it is very humbling. Additionally, I have personally grown immensely resulting from seeing clients.
Q: What is a common quote or piece of advice you like to give to clients?
A: "Nothing changes if nothing changes."
Q: What do you know now that you didn't know when you started your career as a therapist?
A: That being a good listener would be so vital to the therapeutic process.
Q: What is the biggest myth or misconception about therapy?
A: That only weak people or people with serious issues seek therapy.
Q: What are your favorite mental health books and/or resources you like to recommend to clients?
A: Clients who have been adopted and having attachment issues:
“The primal wound” by Nancy Newton Verrier.
Clients who find it difficult to accept themselves and be vulnerable and constantly chasing the image of who they are trying to be:
“The gift of imperfection” by Brenè Brown.
Read Desmond's full professional bio here.