You Be You Counseling (YBYC) was inspired by and is centered on a quote from Fritz Perls that emphasizes the importance of honoring the authentic identities of individuals and relationships in the counseling and supervision processes. As with any process where change and growth are the intended outcomes, taking the first step can be challenging. However, more often than not, the end result is one in which individuals experience growth toward a more authentic version of themselves.
I do my thing and you do your thing.
I am not in this world to live up to your expectations,
And you are not in this world to live up to mine.
You are you, and I am I,
and if by chance we find each other, it's beautiful.
If not, it can't be helped.
- Fritz Perls
One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.
- Abraham Maslow
ABOUT THE PRACTICE
You Be You Counseling is focused on the belief that individuals are striving to become the most authentic versions of themselves, and that they are seeking out opportunities to grow. Services are aimed at providing knowledge and training to clients, counselors, supervisors, and organizations with an overarching emphasis on helping them move forward toward their most ideal selves.
The practice originated from 15 years of experience in counseling clients and providing supervision. Individuals often shared common themes and experiences around feeling as though they were expected to adhere to social/cultural norms and values imposed upon them. These often resulted in internalized messages around constructs of "success" and "being good enough". Further, many shared a feeling that they had to present a version of themselves in various contexts that felt inauthentic, or in some cases, had to conceal aspects of themselves. This was further exacerbated by the fact that many have and continue to navigate systems of oppression and marginalization throughout their lives and as such, they feel an added pressure to “prove their worth”. That continuous cycle resulted in feelings of exhaustion and burnout. Often times in the counseling and supervisory relationship, this theme was referred to as "fracturing" or having to splinter oneself to "fit in" or "make it work".
You Be You Counseling seeks to deconstruct those notions of "fitting in" and "fracturing oneself" and instead operates from a liberatory framework in which the unique personalities and various identities of clients, counselors, and supervisees are honored. Consistent with constructivist frameworks, the counseling, supervision, and training relationships are built in collaboration and are continuously assessed for opportunities of further growth.
