Today we’d like to introduce you to DeAnn Fleming.
Hi DeAnn. Can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
When I was 19, my mother died by suicide. She was the second of three of her 12 siblings who have died by suicide in my family. I became fascinated by the implications of intergenerational and complex trauma and changed my major to psychology. In 1997, I discovered a type of therapy called Dialectical Behavior Therapy, created by Dr. Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., for people who experience chronic and severe suicidal ideation. I read study after study showing DBT’s effectiveness with those with high lethality thoughts and urges. My husband had joined the Marine Corps, and we were stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. In my undergraduate program at Campbell University, I learned how difficult working with individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder is. It became my mission from there forward to help others do all they can to create a life worth living. I began my work with women, advocating for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence as a Victim’s Advocate in the hospital’s Emergency Department in Onslow County. I also completed certification as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor and began to work with Marines after an active tour of duty with substance abuse issues.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
By no means has this been a smooth road. I obtained custody of my younger sister after our mother died in 1996. In 2001, I was working to finish my master’s degree when my husband and I unexpectedly and excitedly became pregnant with our first son after many years of infertility. Adding to the challenges of being a military wife and new mother, 9/11/01 was particularly pivotal. With the extreme stress brought on by a depressive episode exacerbated by my pregnancy and the terrorist attack, I had a psychotic break after my oldest son was born, which brought my journey with my own biology, complex, and shock trauma to a head. To know what I know now about trauma and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders would have been a true gift back then. Despite struggling so severely with mental illness, I moved back to Kansas City to create a better life for myself and my son. Fast forward a few years, I had married a second time, had a second son, and again experienced postpartum psychosis, this time which had me spending time inpatient at a psychiatric facility. Through treatment, I became well enough to finish my master’s degree in counseling psychology from Avila University in December 2006.
I worked for a local community mental health facility in Cass County as an in-home therapist and case manager and, with the direction of my clinical supervisor, Constance Pasley, was able to bring my love for this field to life with those living below the poverty line that suffered from severe and persistent mental health issues such as Schizophrenia, Psychosis, Major Depressive Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Autism Spectrum to name a few. Since we were a multidisciplinary team, I could attend psychiatry appointments and learn about the neurobiology of mental health diagnoses and medications to manage symptoms. This sparked my interest in psychopharmacology to supplement what I was learning. The work was so fulfilling.
In 2007, I was invited to work in a private practice that utilized Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and eventually transitioned into my practice. I became a comprehensive DBT team leader, coaching, teaching, and providing treatment for all ages dealing with intense suicidal ideation, & self-harming behavior, BPD, and what is now being called complex trauma.
As you know, we’re big fans of Dragonfly Health & Wellness. What can you tell our readers who might not be as familiar with the brand?
Dragonfly Health & Wellness was formed in 2018. With my business partner and our team, we have grown a niche practice and work specifically with complex trauma and chronic suicidal ideation. Drawing from one of the most resilient creatures on the planet, the Dragonfly, we offer therapy to individuals, families, and couples from all walks of life. We are specially oriented to LGBTQIA, gender nonconforming, consensual non monogamy, complex trauma, shock trauma, and helping heal families through DBT, EMDR, SE, and NARM. My business partner, Jenna, is a great gift for me, offering tremendous support, amazing business sense, and a true lifelong friend.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Since the pandemic, how therapy is provided has grown and changed. At Dragonfly, we want to provide more people with access to distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, mindfulness, and emotion regulation skills in the comfort of their own homes. We moved our physical classroom to an online platform for our long-standing DBT program. We now offer support and skills training on our website with 24/7 access. Click on our ONLINE DBT COURSE on our website www.dragonflykc.com, and obtain the training and information in a helpful 24-week course. Each week, you will learn NEW skills to help decrease negative symptoms and increase the ability to tolerate stress and regulate overwhelm. We are very excited to offer this as it aligns with our core mission of teaching others to build an authentic life worth living.
Pricing:
- DBT ONLINE COURSE $199/month
- INDIVIDUAL THERAPY $225/session 60 minutes
- COUPLES/FAMILY THERAPY $275 session for 90 minutes
- Consulting $225/session for 60 minutes
- Coaching $225/session
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dragonflykansascity/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dragonflyhw/
Image Credits
Annie Wagar, AW Photography
