Today we’d like to introduce you to Connie McSherry Reader.
Hi Connie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I opened my own therapy practice, A Full Life Counseling, after working in a high school for 20 years. I was initially a school counselor and then the full-time mental health counselor. It was very hard to leave because I loved the high school setting and how it let me be involved in so many areas – coaching sports, going on retreats, running programs like Freshman Orientation and Peer Leadership. I worked with SO many amazing students and staff, so it felt scary to go out on my own.
Although I’m very open to working with adults, most of my clients are middle, high school, and college students. Some of my students followed me to my practice but word of mouth works well in a small town like Haddonfield too. When I see students in town for anxiety and OCD, they tell families who are struggling with similar issues. I still miss working at Paul VI High School A LOT but I feel very blessed to do what I do now. I am a person of faith and feel gratitude that I was led to this profession because of how much I care for my young clients and how incredibly fulfulling it is to work with them. I had some very tough times growing up and I want to be the person to them that I needed when I was their age.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting a Full Life Counseling was fairly smooth but it was also incredibly scary. I worked for a paycheck since I was 16 years-old and didn’t know how I would pay the bills if I didn’t get clients. I also had zero business background and had to learn everything on my own, step by step. It was overwhelming at first but also a great learning experience. In my first month, I only had two or three clients but it built steadily each month and now in year three, I can barely keep up! In fact, I just added someone I’m supervising as she completes her hours towards licensure as an LPC and she’s starting to see clients at A Full Life Counseling too so we’re very busy.
One thing that was wonderful was the amount of support the counseling community offered. Many therapists helped by spreading the word, explaining parts of the business that were new to me, and they were basically cheerleaders for me. It’s one of the reasons I decided to supervise a new counselor. I wanted to give back what others gave to me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in treating anxiety and OCD and have done intensive training in those areas. It is very rewarding to see young people go from being very anxious and their world feeling very small to people with true confidence whose worlds are so much bigger and freer.
What might set me apart from others, although I believe there are many fantastic therapists out there, is my experience working in schools. I have a good understanding of what middle and high school life is like and how kids feel and behave during those times in their lives. I worked at an elementary/middle school and in the high school, I taught classes, ran Freshman Orientation, coached, and worked with all of the athletes through a program called Play Like A Champion Program.
Two other fun facts – I played sports growing up and am OBSESSED with Philly sports so I love working with young athletes who are anxious because I understand it from my own experience. The other is that I LOVE all animals, especially my dog (photos included) and I’ve met lots of my patient’s pets so it’s a real way we’ve connected.
Lastly, I just love and adore middle and high school kids. They are so much fun to work with!
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I was so scared when I started and had the worst case of imposter syndrome. I put off going out on my own out of fear and felt like I had to take one more training, read one more book, or get one more certification before I started and although those things help, you eventually have to jump in and actually do the work to be successful.
I think it was very important for me that I came from a high school setting because lots of students followed me to the practice and they’d recommend me to friends, cousins or teammates. I went straight into private practice full-time, and I’m happy I did that. I would encourage people thinking about opening a practice to seek out other therapists for guidance and support. You really have to be willing to put yourself out there!
Pricing:
- $165 per 50 minute session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.afulllifecounselingnj.com/
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/constance-mcsherry-reader-haddonfield-nj/1143174
