Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Romo.
Hi Gina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I first knew I wanted to be in the mental health field after taking a psychology course during my senior year of high school. I was so intrigued by the concepts and looked forward to each class so much that it immediately gave me the clarity of what area I would pursue in college, but it also took me a good amount of time to finally land on counseling! I started off college thinking I would go to medical school for psychiatry then switched to a general psychology major after a few very difficult chemistry courses (chemistry was NOT for me I found out) with no idea what I wanted to do with that degree. I figured I would just find out after graduating! This led me through a career journey that included crisis hotline work, interning for a psychiatrist, customer service for an EAP (employee assistance program) company, and becoming a neurofeedback technician.
It was my work as a neurofeedback technician that finally gave me the direction I was looking for. At the time, I was working on taking some courses to go back to school for nursing but, as I was taking those courses and working that job, I realized what I truly enjoyed was being able to work with people on more of a personal and emotional level. The connections I made with clients during my time providing neurofeedback therapy were so special to me and I felt extremely honored to be trusted with their vulnerability. It meant so much to me that I changed my whole career path and ended up completing my master’s degree in counseling!
Since completing my degree, I had done some work as an employee for a group practice and, after about a year, I took the leap into starting my own practice. I had known throughout my time in school, and even before, that I wanted to own my own business at some point in my life and found that there was no time like the present! I had the time, motivation, and support of family and colleagues and decided to give it a shot despite feeling a lot of uncertainty, worry, and fear that I might fail. While my private practice is still new, I am so happy I decided to do it! It’s been a major challenge in various ways, but it’s also been exciting to work for myself and be able to have control over my work with clients.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have definitely been struggles along the way!
As I’m sure many can relate to, it was really hard for me going through my 20’s and trying to find fulfillment, build confidence in myself, and develop my identity. While I knew I was capable of succeeding in life, I couldn’t help but to compare myself to others around me (or to what I saw on social media!) who seem to have it all together while I felt like I was still in the trenches. I was sold the idea that poof! – everything will come together and be fine once you complete a higher degree and get hired at a good job. So, it was hard to achieve those things and still not feel secure and confident. That’s something that still comes up for me and I’m learning to accept that life is never going to be perfect, there’s always going to be some sort of challenges to face. The best I can do is be as present as I can in my day-to-day life and remind myself that I’m not just living for the future.
I will say, my biggest challenge getting to this point was my own mental health journey that really kicked into gear after starting my counseling degree. Wow, I had NO idea what I was in for when I started it! Throughout my entire life, I was always the person to support and focus on others, and I did (and still do) really value being there for the people around me in that way but it wasn’t until engaging in my program, and starting my own therapy, that I realized how much I was truly neglecting myself. I had never been so directly challenged to turn inward the way I was during my time in school that, for a while, it was like so much of what I thought I knew was turned upside down. It was overwhelming, vulnerable, scary, exciting, confusing, and completely exhausting but I am extremely grateful for it. Through school and my own therapy, I was able to slowly bring down so many protective layers I didn’t even know I had up and ultimately get diagnosed with ADHD.
Never once was ADHD something that I ever had on my radar, but as I learned more about how it presents itself, particularly for women, so many things in my life finally made sense. It allowed me to learn how to take care of myself in a new way that worked with my brain, rather than against it, and I have felt so much more grounded and confident as a result. That’s not to say I don’t still struggle! I will always have hard days, or even weeks, but having the clarity and tools surrounding it help me to be kinder to myself and recognize it doesn’t reflect who I am as a person. This has also allowed me to understand my clients on a much more personal level!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Willow Peak Counseling LLC?
Through my counseling practice, I focus on working with adults who struggle with past traumatic experiences, ADHD, anxiety, and/or depression through both virtual and in-office sessions. All of these concerns can affect how we show up in our day to day lives and, often times, our own sense of identity. It can be hard to feel fulfilled, at ease, and grounded in our lives when something is keeping us disconnected, and so I help clients reconnect with who they are, build skills to cope, and feel confident in making decisions that support a life they want to live.
Whether someone is first starting therapy or maybe starting with a new therapist, it can often bring on some anxiety! For most of us, we don’t know exactly what to expect or we may feel nervous to talk about some really hard things, so I make it a point to be my own authentic self in sessions. We can joke, laugh, and celebrate wins while also sit in discomfort and pain, and I’ll be right there in it with you. Therapy, through my perspective, is about connection and I do my best to make sure my clients feel that in our work together.
Overall, I’m just really proud of what I do! I truly enjoy the work and greatly value having a role in their growth.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Throughout this, I learned that it’s ok to ask for and accept help!! I didn’t, and don’t, have to go through things alone and, maybe surprisingly to some, that was a huge epiphany for me during my own mental health journey. I am incredibly blessed for the support I have from my friends, family, colleagues, and my own therapist! My fiancé in particular has been my calm in the storm. His support, patience, understanding, and unconditional love has helped me profoundly throughout this whole journey and I am so thankful.
Pricing:
- Insurance (Aetna, Cigna, Kaiser, United, Anthem)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.willowpeakcounseling.com/
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/gina-romo-greenwood-village-co/1246542
Image Credits:
Gina Romo
