Sometimes it can feel like a mystery when searching for a therapist.
You read and scroll all of the websites, profiles, and clinical information, but you don’t usually get to hear from the therapist in their own words.
Bright Light Counseling Center decided to lift the veil and introduce our therapists, in their own words. Learn more about them both personally and professionally.
This month we are interviewing Megan Bryk, LCSW.
Megan is a therapist in our Chicago, IL office. She provides therapy in person as well as online to residents of Illinois.
(Nancy): What do you like to do in your free time/for fun?
(Megan): I like to fill my free time with a variety of activities because I am not very good at sitting still for long periods of time. When the weather is nice, I love being outside and enjoying the sun and the lake. I recently completed the Chicago Triathlon; training for it kept me busy. I also really value slowing down sometimes and enjoying a cup of tea with a friend or trying out new restaurants or coffee shops.
(Nancy): Are you currently binge watching any shows?
(Megan): I am the kind of person who likes to rewatch the same series over and over. I am in a constant loop of Friends and New Girl because these shows can always make me laugh and put me in a good mood. Two shows I got into and binged semi recently were White Lotus and The Bear.
(Nancy): What music is on your playlist?
(Megan): If you ask my boyfriend this question, he would say I listen to only Taylor Swift all the time. I do listen to other artists, but currently Taylor Swift is my top. The music I listen to really depends on my mood.
(Nancy): Are you currently reading any books?
(Megan): Reading is something I’ve really tried to get into this past year. I am working on reading more before bed instead of watching tv or being on my phone (which is really hard!). One of my friends recommended Mad Honey to me and I loved that book! She also recommended Fourth Wing which I just finished reading the first one and am about to start the second book in the series. I am excited that reading is a new hobby of mine and I keep adding to my list of books I want to read (or listen to on audiobook).
(Nancy): What is your favorite dish to eat?
(Megan): I am a huge breakfast person and would eat breakfast food for any meal. I often find myself making pancakes or avocado toast with eggs for dinner. I also really enjoy pizza, tacos and sushi.
(Nancy): Where is one place you would like to travel to and why?
(Megan): Italy is somewhere I have always wanted to visit. I was in Europe for the first time last year and one thing that surprised me was how different the pace of life was. I love seeing how people live and what other cultures value in different places around the world. Not to mention, all the beautiful water views and pasta in Italy.
(Nancy): What helps you to relax and calm your mind??
(Megan): Long walks (preferably along water) are a way I can sort through my thoughts and clear my mind. If I ever need to make a big decision or feel really overwhelmed, a walk outside always helps me.
(Nancy): What is your ideal way to spend a day off?
(Megan): I would start with a slow morning making breakfast and drinking tea. Then in the afternoon have a beach day with some friends. We could spend the day swimming, relaxing and enjoying each other's company.
(Nancy): What is your favorite place?
(Megan): I think my favorite place has to be on a beach. The sound of the waves always has a calming effect on me. I also love swimming and spending a day in the sun. My mom calls me mermaid Megan whenever we go to the beach because I spend most of my time in the water.
I remember when I was starting therapy for myself I was so nervous and put it off for a long time because I didn’t think I was ready, and once I got started I realized it’s not scary and I wished I had started sooner.
(Nancy): What was your first job?
(Megan): Both of my parents are accountants so I spent a lot of my teenage years working in a tax office filing and shredding papers and putting together tax returns. I also did some babysitting and I taught swim lessons as well.
(Nancy): What made you choose counseling as a career?
(Megan): I went into undergrad undecided and had a hard time knowing what I wanted to do. I knew that I wanted to do something to help people and I wanted a career that I would enjoy. I always felt behind in some way because I didn’t know what I wanted to do right away. I have learned that a lot of people have a unique path to get to where they are. I worked as a school social worker for 8 years before private practice and that is when I really knew I loved counseling and wanted to continue on this path.
(Nancy): What do you enjoy most about being a therapist?
(Megan): The relationships are what I enjoy most about being a therapist. I love getting to know my clients and when we finally build trust and seeing their growth over time. It’s honestly such a privilege to be let into the intimate moments of my clients lives and I value the relationship that comes with that.
(Nancy): What do you think makes you stand out as a therapist?
(Megan): I think my ability to stay calm and relate to my clients are what makes me stand out. No matter how big or small the problem is, I always take a deep breath and approach each problem in a calm way and in turn help my clients feel a sense of calm when they leave our session.
I also like to be real and humanize myself with my clients. I am in therapy myself and I remember being very nervous for my first appointment as the client.
Now as the therapist, I can tell you that I am about 10 times more nervous for that first session because I want to make sure we are building a relationship and I am serving what your needs are. I like to let my clients know that I am nervous too and we can do this together.
(Nancy): What is your specialty or niche? And why?
(Megan): I am still figuring this out, but I have a special interest in working with those who experience chronic illness, such as autoimmune disease. Having personal experience with this, I see how chronic illness affects you both physically and mentally and not many people talk about some of the anxiety and other mental health concerns that go along with chronic illnesses. I believe that supporting the mental health aspect of chronic illness is just as important as supporting the physical aspect.
(Nancy): What would you want someone who has never been to therapy to know about therapy?
(Megan): If you are on the edge and feeling too nervous to start therapy, just start. Therapy is what you make it and you are in control in therapy. I remember when I was starting therapy for myself I was so nervous and put it off for a long time because I didn’t think I was ready, and once I got started I realized it’s not scary and I wished I had started sooner.
I want people to know that you are in charge of your therapy sessions. We focus our goals and sessions based on what YOU want. You can set boundaries and if something is too painful to talk about, that’s okay and your therapist will respect your boundary. Just start, and you will thank yourself.
(Nancy): What is rewarding about working with your clients?
(Megan): There are so many things that are rewarding when working with my clients. I love to see when my clients notice improvement in themselves and celebrate their successes. I often notice growth in my clients before they notice it in themselves, but when they start to see positive changes within themselves, I love seeing them smile and that moment of pride.
(Nancy): What have you felt most challenged by as a therapist?
(Megan): I think it would be wanting to be liked by all my clients. At first, I felt like I was failing if I wasn’t connecting with a client or I could not help them. I have had to learn that I might not be a good fit to everyone and that it’s okay because there is another therapist who might fit their needs better.
To get the most out of therapy, you have to be willing to put the work in and your therapist is there to support you each step of the way.
(Nancy): What makes being a therapist worthwhile?
(Megan): Honestly the clients. Even if I just help one person, that one person’s day is going to be better.
(Nancy): How have current events impacted how you approach therapy?
(Megan): I feel like as a therapist it is important to stay up to date on current events because it can really impact clients in many different ways. The world we live in today has become very politically charged and with the addition of social media, it is always there and in your face, which can be extremely hard to navigate. I always approach clients from a place of compassion and understanding to give them an open space to sort through their feelings and experiences of current events as they come.
(Nancy): How do you feel about technology and its impact on therapy?
(Megan): Technology has many pros and cons. The pros are that it has made therapy more accessible to many people who might not have had the opportunity or means to access it before which is really amazing. For some clients, it can also feel more comfortable to be in the space of your own home which eases anxiety. Some of the cons are that I feel like as a society we have lost a bit of human connection. I think some clients would benefit from in person therapy more, but the ease and comfortability of online appointments has kept people from coming in person. Human connection is so important and I worry as a society what that will look like in years to come. There are also some things as a therapist that are easier to assess in person. Every client is different and that is something I speak with my clients about in the beginning to see what works best to them and the implications of both.
(Nancy): What is one common misconception about therapy that you would change, if you could? Why?
(Megan): I think one misconception is that therapists have a magic wand and we will fix all your problems. Change does not take place overnight. It takes time to see progress. To get the most out of therapy, you have to be willing to put the work in and your therapist is there to support you each step of the way. Although I sometimes wish I did have that magic wand and could solve everyone's problems, that is not how it works. And although the process is not always easy, it is definitely worth it once you start to see the change you are hoping for.
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