Q&A with HOPE Therapist Trainee, Natalie
Get to know our HOPE Therapists! Today we are featuring Natalie, Couples and Family Therapist Trainee:
Q. What is your name & job title? A. My name is Natalie Hahn. I received my B.A. in Psychology with Honors from Portland State University as well as a minor in Child and Family Studies. I am currently a M.A. student and Couples and Family Therapist trainee.
Q. What type of therapy do you specialize in? A. My style of therapy can best be described as client centered, collaborative, and holistic. I believe you are the expert on yourself and it is my honor to support you in finding your inner light. I enjoy using artistic, somatic, and holistic therapeutic experiences when applicable as well as narrative and strength based theories to rewrite the stories we tell ourselves, about ourselves. While I work with individuals, couples, and families, I have a passion for working with children, teens, and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Q. What inspired you to become a therapist? A. As a teen, I struggled deeply with mental health which is how I found myself on the couch of a therapist's office. It was through my experiences, the highs and the lows, that I learned the value of therapy. I believe that therapy works best when you find the right person, and for that reason, I began to see my identity, who I am as a person, and my experiences are not only unique to me, but can help others feel less alone in their experiences.
Q. What is the most rewarding part of being a therapist? A. Nothing beats the feeling of a text from a client that they had their first good day in months or the sight of a smile breaking after a long time in hiding.
Q. What is a common quote or piece of advice you like to give to clients? A. "Where you are is not who you are."
Q. What do you know now that you didn't know when you started your career as a therapist? A. That therapists are human, too!
Q. What are your favorite mental health books and/or resources you like to recommend to clients? A. I recommend anyone going through grief read The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion and I recommend every human dealing with human emotions read David Foster Wallace's essay, This is Water.
Read Natalie’s professional bio on our website here: https://www.hope-counselingcenter.org/meet-our-therapists