Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Mulheron.
Hi Megan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I was young I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I envied friends who seemed to know so clearly where they were headed. That wasn’t me. I studied Public Relations during my undergrad program, mostly because I liked public speaking and I connected with one of the professors in the Communications Department. I started doing PR work at a local non-profit called Mother’s Refuge, and within my first year was pulled into direct care work at the shelter due to a staff shortage. I realized pretty quickly that I wanted to help people, but also knew I needed more training. I went on to work for a few other local non-profits while I attended graduate school for Marriage and Family Therapy at Friends University in Lenexa. The program changed my life. I attended a Business class towards the end of the Master’s Program where the instructor dove into the ins and outs of running a therapy business. For the first time I considered owning a business a possibility for me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The process of starting a therapy business has come with challenges. It took about five years to build a caseload so that I could focus full time on Therapy work. I’ve been lucky to have a partner who has been employed full-time and fully supported the process.
After working for a few group practices, I opened Westport Therapy in 2018. I started my business in Westport and planned to stay there indefinitely. In 2020, Covid changed the world. Ahead of the pandemic I had never held a virtual meeting with a client. Suddenly in March everything moved to virtual. I packed up my things and went to work from my basement. I was also newly pregnant at the time and was unsure what risks the virus held for pregnant women. I spent that year working remotely and then rented an office space in Lee’s Summit following the birth of our daughter.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a human first, then a Therapist. I know what struggle feels like. I’m not here to judge. My work matters a lot to me. I feel grateful to be doing this work and realize the privilege that I hold in this role.
As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I am trained to look at the system first – even with Individual clients. How did the systems you were raised in impact how you see the world? How do they impact you now? What systems are you a part of now and what role do you play in them? The goal is to look at interpersonal dynamics that contribute to painful patterns, and work to gain awareness around those in order to show up differently.
During my time as a therapist I have pursued a few different training opportunities. While graduate school provided a foundation for therapy practice, there is a lot of opportunity to build on that training. I successfully completed Brené Brown’s Daring Way Certification Training in June of 2017. The Daring Way™ is a highly experiential methodology based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown and focuses on shame resilience skills and developing daily practices that transform the way we live, love, parent, and lead (https://brenebrown.com/thedaringway/).
In November of 2019 I completed Level 1 & 2 training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a trauma focused therapy used to target traumatic events and reduce the related disturbance and shift the negative message connected to self (https://www.emdria.org).
I’m currently a Beginning Student in the three year Somatic Experiencing Training program (https://traumahealing.org). Within this program the focus is about bringing the nervous system into the conversation around healing, which is often forgotten.
Therapy isn’t a one size fits all approach. The relationship between client and therapist is one of the biggest indicators for success. Fit matters. I’m not the best fit for all clients who come to me, and that’s okay. I’m happy to help any client find a therapist that works well for them.
I try to practice what I preach. I know the value that personal work holds and I do my own work. Relationships are hard. I like to remind my clients that they don’t have to navigate them alone.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
There is so much to love in Kansas City. The people, the sports, the food.
My partner and I lived in the Crossroads district from 2009-2013, and one Saturday morning we woke up to the sound of ringing bicycle bells. We opened a window and there were at least 100 bicyclists riding down 18th street yelling “Good Morning” and waving.
We lived within walking distance of Kauffman Stadium when the Royals won the world series in 2015, and we could hear the roar of the crowd before the TV showed the latest play. We would sit with our patio door open and run to the TV to watch the game.
I grew up a Chiefs fan. How fun it has been getting to celebrate with friends and family as they have climbed to the top.
Kansas City is an incredible place to call home. My only complaint is that there is no beach. However, we do enjoy the area lakes!
Pricing:
- Free 15 minute phone consultation
- $140 – 50 minute Individual Therapy Session
- $170 – 50 minute Couple’s or Family Therapy Session
- Reduced Fee Options Available as needed
Contact Info:
- Website: WestportTherapyKC.com
- Other: Email: [email protected]
Image Credits
Family photo: Shelby Lynn Office photos: Photos by www.coreybrownphoto.com
