The story of how we got our name
I know you’re curious of how the name of our practice came to be. What’s the significance of its name and relevance? Well buckle up, because it’s a good story. It starts at my first job after graduating from college with my bachelor’s degree and an interesting office mate.
What’s plants got to do with it?
I worked in a small home that was turned into an office building. So the bedrooms were converted into offices. I shared a room with a coworker who was a plant lover. On her side of the office, she had plants all over. They varied in size, looks, and level of care needed. Now I was always very punctual, often being the first person in the building, so I would come into the office, turn on all the lights, start a pot of coffee for my coworkers and begin my day. Upon returning to work after weekends, I would start my morning routine as usual, and my coworker’s plants would not be in good condition when I turned those lights on. The plants would be drooping, leaves turned downward and wilted, it was a sad sight to see. I would tell my coworker when she arrived, “I think your plants are dying.” She never worried, she’d tell me they just needed some “tlc.” She would open the blinds to let some sunlight in. She would turn on the radio in our office to play music and then one by one she would tend to the plants. She’d talk to them, water them, move them closer to the window. And by lunchtime, something magical would happen (well it was magical to me), the plants would come back to life. Their leaves would unfold, the stems would be back standing up straight, and their colors vibrant.
Placed on plant duty
My coworker informed me one day that she was going on vacation, would be gone for a week, and asked if I would take care of her plants for her. I tried to protest, I told her “I don’t have a green thumb,” but she was confident in my potential abilities. I reluctantly agreed but grabbed a notebook so I could take notes on how to care for each one of her plants. To my surprise, they all needed different things, one plant needed to be close to the window for direct sunlight, where another needed to be further away from the sun, some needed to be watered daily, where others were watered every other day and the amount of water given varied as well. She emphasized that I had to talk to them, that plants were living objects and needed connection. My goal was to not fail my coworker and for her to return from her vacation with all her plants still living. You’ll be pleased to hear I was successful in this endeavor, but the experience left a lasting impression on me that would hold significance later in my career.
Graduate school internship
In graduate school, I completed my internship at a local hospital on the behavioral health unit. The patients I would see in the hospital had been admitted inpatient and were usually experiencing their rock bottom. I saw people who had experienced suicide attempts, psychotic breaks, and manic episodes. I completed their assessments, learning their histories and what led to their hospitalization. The unique thing about our hospital is that it also had an outpatient program designed for when patients were discharged from the hospital to lower readmission rates. The intensive outpatient program consisted of adult group therapy that was offered daily, they provided transportation to and from the groups and free breakfast to remove any barriers that would keep them from attending. As an intern, I got to sit in and observe these groups daily and eventually helped lead them. It ended up being one of the most transformative experiences I was fortunate enough to witness.
Witnessing a blossoming transformation
When patients first started attending the groups after they had been discharged from the hospital, they would show up to the group but not be engaged. They would often stay to themselves, not talking to others, their body language communicating “leave me alone” and did not participate in the group therapy discussions. Often their heads were down, their body posture slumped, looking angry, sad, withdrawn, and despondent. But as they continued to come, day after day, week after week; I would notice subtle changes. They would be more alert, maybe respond with a one-word answer to a question in group. As the time continued to progress, so would their engagement, they socialized more with group members and were active in group discussions. They would start making connections and forming relationships within the group and developed trust with the group facilitator. I noticed more smiles, laughter, and moments of vulnerability where tears could flow as their story was shared. Their outer appearance was the final piece of transformation I observed. Their grooming would improve, with them wearing brighter colored clothing, their hair done and make up on. It was a true transformation that reminded me of my coworker’s plants coming back to life after being properly cared for.
I can’t wait to see you bloom into your best self
As a clinician, it has been an honor and privilege to witness and be a part of my clients’ metamorphosis. When clients are seen, heard, validated, given the right tools, surrounded with loving support, invite more life giving light into their lives, placed into the rich soil of healthy environments; they not only thrive, but they bloom. I never tire of witnessing this miraculous work. That is my goal as a clinician at Beauty In Bloom Therapy, to help you bloom into your best self.
