So, why now? What is this? Who even am I?

I’ve always liked the idea of blogs, which is funny, because for the most part, my interactions with them are when I’m looking for a recipe and I’m just pissed off that I can’t find the ingredients list. I just scroll through everything the person thoughtfully wrote and shared. Over time, though, I’ve realized that most of the helpful information I’ve gathered online has been from someone sharing what they know. Maybe it’s a blog, maybe it’s instagram, maybe it’s youtube, or tiktok, and a lot of the time, it’s a podcast. But they’re really all the same. They all allow us to share information and experiences, and they allow us to connect in a unique way. I’ve always liked writing, and I’ve dabbled in vulnerable sharing on instagram and facebook, which my mom championed to be wildly valuable. I’ve been told I should write books and blogs and a few times, the idea of being a podcaster was tossed my way. 

Fast forward I don’t even know how many years (maybe 15?) to right now. Here I am. Doing the damn thing. So, why now? What is this? Who even am I?

Why now?

I will now embody the stereotypical therapist role by answering a question with another question- why not? Okay, for real. The answer is kind of simple: I’m sick of thinking about it. I’m sick of being scared to start (cue distraction of humming Michael Marcagi’s “scared to start”). I’m sick of living in idealism and waiting for this elusive “right time”. I think I just need this… It feels good to write, and it feels good to share. So even if no one ever reads this, it’s worth it. But, if by chance, one person does, and they learn something or feel like they can relate, or they feel validated, or it makes them smile, then cool. That’s a win, too.

What is this?

Who knows, man. Like much of life, I’m winging it. I just want to have a place to air things out. I want to share what I know about emotions, therapy, validation, OCD, trauma, anxiety, ADHD… I want to share what I’ve learned about living my life with ADHD. I want to help make therapy more accessible, and make therapists less intimidating. I want people to know they’re not alone. I want to feel not alone. This blog will fall together as time passes, and change as it grows. I won’t make empty promises about the kinds of things you’ll see here, but much like a therapy session with me, I will promise that we will figure it out together (if you want, obviously). 

Who am I?
Oh, yeah. My name is Marlana (pronounced Mar-lay-nuh). Take Root Counseling and Consulting is my therapy practice and I am SO proud to say that. My pronouns are she/her, I’m in my thirties, I have two babies (an actual baby and a toddler), and two fur-babies (a gray cat named Moose who’s half-blind, and a stubby-legged german shepherd named Romeo- both of which my clients are acquainted with). I freaking love plants and nature, if you couldn’t tell from the name Take Root. Maybe another time I’ll share how my practice name came to be. I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, and have always struggled with anxiety. I remember having a panic attack when I was very young. . maybe 6 or 7? It’s vivid in my memory.  Life hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been good.

When I finally went to college, I started by majoring in Photography. It didn’t line up (another story for another day). I took time away from school and worked for years. Eventually I went back, starting in Psychology and ending by earning my degrees in Social Work when I was in my late 20’s. First a bachelors, then masters, and naturally licensing followed. I’m now a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and am able to practice independently in both Pennsylvania, where I live, and Ohio.

My experience timeline starts in field work in a community mental health center in a small town, then moves to a therapy office offering generalist individual sessions and trauma groups. Following this, I facilitated intensive outpatient groups for women, primarily utilizing Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). From there I entered the world of private practice, treating primarily Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD). Life happens, as it does. Covid happened, I had my daughter, I lost my mom and life flipped upside down more times than I can count. Somewhere in there, I realized that I needed a change and started the process of making Take Root a reality. It took over a year for it to come to life, and now that it did, I get to work with amazing clients, learn more about the things I’m passionate about, and even have a home for my very own blog. 

So, here it is. Blog post #1. 

See you soon. 🤟🏻