3 minute read
Board Member Spotlight
Hannah Reynolds is a licensed professional counselor whose passion is supporting women's wellness, healing, and personal growth. She provides evidence-based psychotherapy to help women heal their hearts, inhabit their bodies, and create lives that bring them joy. She is fortunate to work part-time in private practice, and full-time as a mother to her owl-obsessed toddler, Jay. We asked Hannah to tell us a little about herself!
I joined NPI in 2017 as I was opening my private practice. I had been working in a residential addictions treatment center and knew that I would deeply miss the camaraderie, consultation, and continuing education that was baked into agency life. Colleagues told me that NPI was a rich source of professional community, and I am so very grateful I joined when I did. NPI has been a lifeline in so many ways -- from expanding my professional network to constantly challenging the way I think about psychotherapy. I am a better therapist because I am part of NPI, without a doubt.
My first year on the NPI Board was 2019, and my term started two weeks after my son was born. Needless to say, my first year on the Board was a bit of a blur. Now that everyone in my house sleeps through the night, I’m honored to co-chair the Social Justice Committee with Linda Manning. I’ve also been involved in the Fall Workshop, Membership, and Pandemic Response Committees. In my service to the Board, my favorite contributions have been:
• Creating a virtual consult group in April 2020
As part of the pandemic response committee, I recognized that NPI members needed support, community, and professional consultation more than ever before, as we found ourselves in the same crisis as our clients. We were also practicing psychotherapy virtually, which for most of us was a totally new way of being with clients. In response to these needs, I started the first NPI virtual consult group with four members in April of 2020. I can proudly say that our group now boasts six members, meets bimonthly, and has been everything I hoped it would be and so much more. We laugh, we cry, we talk through our cases. We trust each other. It’s awesome.
• Planning and hosting the NPI Happy Holiday Happy Hour 2020
As a part of the membership committee, I was honored to help plan and execute the NPI Happy Holiday Happy Hour 2020. We knew the virtual format would be a challenge, but we were committed to making it a source of much needed connection and FUN for our members. We sent goody boxes to members before the party, raffled thrilling prizes, and refereed a lighting round of holiday trivia that prompted members to scavenge their houses for holiday memorabilia. I had a lovely time, and I think everyone else did, too. The holiday party reminded me that though the ways we connect now are different, connection is still possible (and can be wonderfully surprising).
• Hosting and moderating a virtual viewing party and discussion for The Social Dilemma documentary
After watching The Social Dilemma, a documentary about the dangers of social media produced by tech experts, I knew that my NPI community needed to see it, too. I wanted to consult with my colleagues about the impact of these platforms on mental health for ourselves and our clients, and discuss strategies to mitigate the damage now and in the future. In February 2021, the Social Justice Committee hosted a viewing party and lively discussion for the documentary. We agreed that every member of NPI needs to see the documentary, and we look forward to working together as a professional community to raise awareness about the profound and devastating impact that these platforms will have if they continue to be unchecked and unregulated.