Today we’d like to introduce you to Meredith Azis.
Meredith, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Although I was born and raised in Southwest Florida, my passion for mental health truly developed when I relocated to San Francisco in 2009. The first few years in San Francisco, I enjoyed my life, and all that the West Coast had to offer but searched for a more intentional purpose. Day in and day out I saw the need for mental health services in the city and began my Masters in Psychology MFT program in the Fall of 2012. With this decision, I embarked on a journey that would change the way I see the world forever. Grad school lasted about two and a half years and I learned about psych theorists, therapeutic modalities, psychological disorders, relational rapport, medication, etc. It was a wonderful and stimulating experience.
In 2015, I began working with foster youth in the Bay Area. California provides services to youths within the foster care system until they are 21. This meant I worked with TAY (transitional aged youth) clients regularly. The Bay Area is tough when you’re high functioning, let alone when the world has been cruel and you’ve not known consistent or unconditional love. I would learn just how complex trauma truly is. This work was grueling but fulfilled my drive to provide emotional support and mental health services to those who struggle within the system. After some time, my partner and I decided San Diego would better fit our needs and we left San Francisco for a new and exciting adventure.
I went on to hold various positions, such as time spent with the San Diego Juvenile Drug Court, but ultimately found my passion in private practice, where I’ve been for the last 2+ years. The Therapeutic Center for Anxiety and Trauma, where I currently work, is a group practice where I see a myriad of different clients for a variety of psychological or personal reasons. I love the work and predict I’ll be at it for the foreseeable future!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road to where I am today has been very uncomfortable, to say the least. I believe that personal and professional growth is inherently uncomfortable. It’s supposed to be, otherwise they wouldn’t be called growing pains. In California, those who aspire to become therapists have a long arduous road ahead. It begins with two to three years of grad school then therapists are required to obtain 3,000 hours of clinical work to qualify for the licensing exam. This experience is much like a doctor’s residency, respectively.
Attaining 3,000 can take anywhere from two to six years, depending upon what type of internships you get. After therapists take the licensing exam, life becomes a little more straight forward and we can focus solely on the work but up until then the road is tough and you must be resilient. I am approximately 200 hours away from completing my 3,000 hours and am thrilled to embark in the work as a Licensed Therapist.
Please tell us about your practice. What should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Our group practice is led by the wonderful and talented, Jennifer Costanza. Jennifer has been a licensed therapist for ten years. She began the Therapeutic Center for Anxiety and Trauma five years ago in Banker’s Hill and opened the Escondido location, where I work, in 2017. Our group specializes in, as I’m sure you could guess, anxiety and trauma. I also work with people suffering from depression, bipolar, women’s issues, transitional life issues, and childhood abuse.
I am trained in EMDR, “a psychotherapy approach originally designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories” (Shapiro, 1989a, 1989b). EMDR is an INCREDIBLE tool for individuals suffering not only from PTSD but people with depression, anxiety, adverse life experiences, maladaptive life patterns, an inability to hold healthy boundaries, anger, etc. Being able to provide EMDR to my clients is one of my strongest and most effective tools as a therapist.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success, for me, is a feeling. Financial success is measurable, sure, but I look for emotional fulfillment to feel successful. When I provide special memories for those around me, that is success. When I show up for my family and friends in times of need, that is success. When I support a client through a difficult experience and they become a happier and more fulfilled version of themselves, that is success.
Pricing:
- $155 per 55 minute session
Contact Info:
- Address: 502 West El Norte Pkwy
Escondido, CA 92026 - Website: http://www.anxietytraumatherapy.com/meredith-azis
- Phone: 760-884-4929 ext 712
- Email: meredith@anxietytraumatherapy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meredith.azis_therapy/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/meredith-azis-therapeutic-center-for-anxiety-and-trauma-escondido?osq=therapist
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