Today we’d like to introduce you to Könül Surofchy.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Könül. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there
I moved to America from Azerbaijan at the age of eight. This international move was emotionally taxing and arduous because I had to learn to assimilate to new cultural standards while upholding the traditional environment that I grew up in. I did not speak English, which proved quite a challenge for me when trying to make friends at school. I would describe the middle school as a pivotal time in my life because I consciously began processing my experiences. I recall facing intense emotions of discomfort when I was bullied at school, and I did not feel understood, supported, or acknowledged. This was a time that I both lost and also found aspects of who I was. This was also a time that I discovered my passion for connecting with people who had a difficult time navigating their own experiences. As an adolescent, I knew that on some level I was destined to work with and help others understand themselves, sit with their feelings, navigate their experiences, and heal in their unique way. I was so drawn to this as I was simultaneously learning to navigate and explore my own story and feelings. I pursued therapy because I am, and have been, on my journey of healing.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I would not describe it as a smooth road. I believe that there will always be some hurdles to face in our endeavors. Self doubt, imposter syndrome, and ultimately fear of the unknown were (at times still are) some of the challenges that I faced. My greatest progress took place when I acknowledged the existence of these feelings. I created space for them without allowing them to dominate my vision. I learned that the more I resisted my feelings, the more they steered. It was only when I learned to accept them as human experiences, that they no longer controlled me.
Normalizing these feelings connected me to the collective humanity. We all experience similar emotions when attempting something new. So when it came to confronting my challenges, I was willing to take the risk into the unknown. My passion for healing and supporting others in their healing process greatly outweighed the risk of not trying at all. Lastly, shifting my outlook towards viewing these challenging experiences as more of an opportunity, rather than a daunting set-back, has allowed me to learn and make room for growth.
Tell us more about your work.
I created Therapology a few years back and oscillated between what I envisioned for this brand. Ultimately, Therapology is “the study of healing,” in whatever shape or form fits your unique dynamic. I don’t prescribe to linearity and strongly hold on to the belief that we humans are incredibly multifaceted so no single approach or method could fully capture our complexity. I genuinely believe that we hold the capacity for our healing and our truth. However, we can get lost along the way given life’s inevitable difficulties, habitual patterns, and feelings of stagnancy. This is where I come in as the guide, the fellow on the journey to help shed light and support my clients in their unique healing process.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Behind any kind of luck lies perception, the story we create about what is happening to us. Anybody could have “good luck” or “bad luck,” it is how we perceive the encounter that defines our truth. Instead of viewing my life in terms of luck, I strive to recognize the lessons and opportunities within each experience. Creating space for reflection and growth. Therefore, as corny as it sounds, every experience has shaped me to be who I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.therapology.org
- Phone: 619-719-1758
- Email: konul@therapology.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapology/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therapology/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/KonulTherapy/
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