It all begins with an idea…….
Written by: Nicole
It all begins with an idea. That was the pre-filled title to the first blog in this template. So here we go. That will be the title of my first blog. If you are reading this……thank you for getting this far! I have never written a blog before, but I love to write so lets see how it goes!
When I was younger I remember writing something that we called “Zines”, does anyone else remember those? We would write about things we cared about, and then find snippets from magazines to copy and make a miniature magazine to pass around. Most of the topics were controversial and opinionated…..but they were educational (ok depends on who you ask) and meant to teach people about topics that are often uncomfortable, and that is probably why I liked to make them so much.
So welcome to the Desert Mind Space blog! I feel like I need to name this blog. Thoughts that come to mind are something like a liminal space, ellipsis……I am not sure yet. I guess I am defining those exact terms as I write this! So maybe it can just be the Mind Space Blog?
This private practice was not something we really planned to happen. After so many years seeing patients struggle to find mental health care, we just got tired. Irene and I both felt the same way about it and eventually just started to think “hey, what if we just did our own thing”…..and here we are. I really never imagined that I would have the patience to get all the administrative details going. Paperwork and organization is not something I typically seek out. I just took it as a challenge. Once I started to look into what it takes my brain just took off with it. All I can think of now is how we can get the word out and what the best plan is to grow. Not too fast, not too slow but still reach the people that need us.
The purpose of this practice is to provide a safe and accepting space that people look forward to coming into. An appointment that kids are excited to miss school for….. or even wake up early for (imagine that). We want to be the providers that are trusted, the ones that you know after a rough week or month it will just be a great thing to come in and let it all out. We also want to listen. I think listening and including you in your (or your child’s) treatment plan is probably the most important part of making change and ultimately believing in yourself. The plan is not to just be psychiatric prescribers. Yes, of course that is something we can and will do if it is indicated. But we want to do much more than that. We want to teach, advocate, coach, inspire, listen, play, end the stigma, and heal.
Is that too much to ask?
Ok, I truly could write all day. I will end with a quote I read today that is my new favorite………Hope to see you soon!
“Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the rain, but you are not the rain.” — Matt Haig
