Hello
My name is Ayanna. I think this is a great way to get to me know and decide for yourself if I can help meet your mental health needs. I don't believe in telling you that I have no personal problems and I live a grand life, because realistically we all have family issues, personal struggles and maybe taking a long hiatus from this thing called life crosses our paths more often than we'd like.
One thing I can tell you, is that because of my personal struggles, and professional, educational and personal experiences, it has changed the way I view life, changed the way I cope with life's stressors but that is the beauty of helping others. "We learn the type of people that we want to be like and then you also learn the type of person you don't want to be like-but either way one learns a valuable lesson. What may have worked for me may not work for you and that's ok-I use a variety of modalities and therapeutic techniques that will be tailored just for you.
I use a person-centered approach that is unique to you because we all have a special kind of uniqueness that sets us apart from the rest.
I know life can be tough sometimes but you’re here, you made it this far. In life we go through so much, but something gets us up and moving forward, but what about the days you feel you can’t anymore? You are not alone, I got you.
My Story
So there I, a kid in Eastern Iowa with dreams bigger than the cornfields, pursuing my degrees in Psychology and Political Science at the University of Iowa. Everyone—from family and friends to the college admissions staff—was convinced I should go for a technical degree, insisting it would get me in and out of school so I could focus on the real job: wrangling my kids. But guess what? I decided to be the rebel in the family, and let me tell you, it was the best decision ever! Fast forward, I packed up the crew and headed to South Texas, where I applied to a graduate program at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley where I obtained my Master's of Science in Social Work. If I had listened to all that well-meaning but misguided advice, I’d probably be stuck in a corn maze instead of sharing this wild ride! -So, don't let other well-meaning people in life decide the trajectory of your life, dreams really do come true with hard work and perseverance the skies the limit right? I can promise that I will be walking right alongside of you with whatever choice or decisions you make in life- You got this! Con puro actitud "With pure attitude."
Mi Estoria
Ahí estaba yo, una niña del este de Iowa con sueños más grandes que los campos de maíz, estudiando Psicología y Ciencias Políticas en la Universidad de Iowa. Todos—desde la familia y los amigos hasta el personal de admisiones universitarias—estaban convencidos de que debía elegir una carrera técnica, insistiendo en que así terminaría rápido la escuela y podría enfocarme en el “verdadero trabajo”: criar a mis hijos. ¿Pero sabes qué? Decidí ser la rebelde de la familia, ¡y déjame decirte que fue la mejor decisión que pude haber tomado!
Avanzando en el tiempo, empaqué a toda la tropa y nos mudamos al sur de Texas, donde solicité ingreso a un programa de posgrado en la Universidad de Texas del Valle del Río Grande, donde obtuve mi Maestría en Trabajo Social. Si hubiera escuchado todos esos consejos bien intencionados pero equivocados, probablemente estaría atrapada en un laberinto de maíz en lugar de compartir esta aventura tan loca.