As the first year of Vibrant Therapist Spotlight series comes to a close, I am so excited to be able to share my interview with Elizabeth Cush. Elizabeth is a therapist who knows her niche and owns it. Narrowing the focus of your practice to a niche can be anxiety-provoking for many therapists (including myself at times), so I thought it would be valuable to hear about Elizabeth’s experience. You can learn more about Elizabeth,her practice and the Woman Worriers Podcast by clicking here.
Please introduce yourself to the readers and tell us a little about the work that you do.
Hi, my name is Elizabeth Cush and I’m a licensed clinical professional counselor in Annapolis, MD. I specialize in helping men and women manage their anxiety more effectively. I’m also the creator and host of the Woman Worriers podcast, a blogger, expert contributor for Good Therapy and I’ve been quoted in pieces for Bustle, ThriveWorks, Teen Vogue, Tonic, Best Life, a guest contributor to the Happily Imperfect Blog on Psych Central. I was recently a featured guest on the Women In Depth podcast and Selling The Couch podcast. I’ve worked in the mental health field for over 10 years and I incorporate mindfulness and meditation into my psychotherapy work. I’m a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and have a Level II trauma certificate from the Ferentz Institute.
How did you decide to focus your practice on work with individuals who experience anxiety? Did you have any doubts about having a niche and if so, how did you overcome them?
I decided to focus and specialize on anxiety because I’ve struggled with anxiety throughout my life. Getting the help I needed inspired me to help others. I know how hard anxiety can be, and how hard it is to recognize so creating that niche was a good fit for my practice!
You are also the host of the Woman Worriers Podcast. How and why did you decide to host a podcast?
I love listening to podcasts and I had the idea of starting one myself for about a year before I launched. I’d written a blog post for Good Therapy about why women are twice as likely as men to have an anxiety disorder and I thought I could use that post as a starting point for my podcast. I do solo episodes and I interview therapists, mindfulness experts, and talk about social justice as well to create a fuller picture of the things that contribute to women’s anxiety and how to mange it more effectively.
What types of doubt and fears have you encountered in your career and how have you addressed them?
Imposter Syndrome pops up occasionally especially when I begin doing new things, like my podcast. There’s the worry that I might not be qualified enough, or have the expertise to grow beyond where I am now, or that anyone will think that what I have to say is relevant. These worries always create discomfort but I’ve learned that the discomfort means I am growing, and growth keeps me happy and engaged. Being mindful and tuning into and allowing the uncomfortable feelings make the discomfort more comfortable.
How do you personally manage overwhelm when working on multiple projects?
I make priority lists to help me focus on what needs to be done now, or later today. I try not to be too hard on myself if things don’t get done. Self-compassion for where I am now helps me feel less overwhelmed.
How do you approach your work and self care in order to avoid becoming burnt out or depleted?
I work hard to create time away from my business. I take vacations with my husband, family or friends a few times a year. I exercise regularly and meditate every day, even if it’s only for 5 minutes.
If you could go back in time, what tip or advice would you share with yourself at the beginning of your career?
I was a late bloomer. I didn’t get my masters degree in counseling psychology until I was 54. So my advice to my younger self would be, “Get started sooner, on whatever it is. Trust that you have passion, creativity and drive to make your goals a reality.”
Thank you, Elizabeth, for participating in the Vibrant Therapist Spotlight series!
As you read through my interview with Elizabeth, I am wondering if you felt inspired to take an action in your practice that would allow you to feel just a little more vibrant? If so, please feel free to share in the comments below.
Take Care,
Sarah