We had the good fortune of connecting with Madeline Vaughn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Madeline, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
My journey through various work settings has significantly influenced my perspective on work-life balance. In the early stages of my career as a therapist, I immersed myself in acute clinical settings where long hours and a sizable caseload were the norm, often extending beyond the typical nine-to-five timeframe. Reflecting on that period, I recognize it as a time of intense focus on gaining clinical experience and training, surrounded by respected clinicians who supported my mission of becoming a well-trained and compassionate therapist. Despite the lack of balance, I continually assessed my situation, leading to shifts in roles and settings throughout my career.

Over time, my priorities shifted towards achieving a balance between professional fulfillment and personal roles such as partner, mother, friend, and creative. Transitioning into roles with more traditional hours allowed me to even more emphasize the client-centered importance of therapy, fostering a deeper connection with my clients. From working within a supportive community in a group practice to eventually establishing my own private practice, Anecdote Therapy, I found fulfillment in aligning my professional goals with my personal values. It allowed me to have the balance that I need in my life to perform my best as a therapist. When contemplating work-life balance, I approach it as an ongoing evaluation, acknowledging that perfection may be elusive at times. I consistently return to the question of “who and what matters to me?” as my guiding principle, enabling me to adapt as needed to achieve a sense of balance and peace.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Anecdote Therapy is a unique practice located in Houston, dedicated to empowering individuals with a growth mindset as they navigate through various challenges such as anxiety (including OCD), perfectionism, life transitions, and relationships. Alongside expertise in these specialized areas, the practice offers comprehensive support for issues related to body-focused repetitive behaviors (such as skin picking and hair pulling), addiction or addiction-like struggles, as well as exploration of family dynamics, attachment, and childhood experiences.

A particular focus of the practice is in assisting clients with navigating OCD or OCD-like experiences. Nurturing a practice with this as one of the primary focus areas is one thing that very much excited me about creating Anecdote. Much of my specialized training is in the area of anxiety, specifically OCD, including training in Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) through the International OCD Foundation’s Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI), recognized as the gold standard in OCD-related support. This specialized training has enabled me to build a practice able to meet client needs in a more comprehensive way.

In reflecting on what has brought me to the place I am today as a practice and business owner, it feels important to honor the wonderful community of mental health professionals that supported and guided me in the earliest days when opening the practice was just an idea and hope that I had been sitting with. Those same mentors, friends and wonderful humans remain in my life and are the people that I connect with most when things are going well, and when there is a bump in the road. — and everything in between. When things are tough, I remind myself to stay curious, be open, and connect. These are all lessons I have learned and relearned as a human on my journey and I have found them to be so valuable in my therapist seat.

Anecdote was very much born out of embracing the freedom inherent in honoring the journey that unfolds when our innermost thoughts and feelings are truly heard. It remains at the core of the practice. This perspective deeply influences my approach as a therapist, guiding me in facilitating authentic connections and empowering clients to explore their unique paths to healing and self-discovery.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Houston has loads to do, from great places to eat to cool things to check out and everything else in between. I love to show visitors and friends my favorites! Food holds a central place in my social gatherings, and I have my cherished go-to spots. For a perfect start to the day, nothing beats the cozy ambiance and delectable pastries at Koffeteria, accompanied by a steaming hot cup of coffee. For meaningful conversations over drinks, Sunday Press provides an inviting setting to sip on something delightful. When it comes to satisfying any craving, Cochinita & Co. never disappoints, as their dishes are crafted with love and care. For a quick bite on the move, El Rey Taqueria is a must-visit, offering delicious tacos and the most comforting tortilla soup. And for a memorable dining experience, Pinkerton’s for barbecue and El Tiempo for fajitas are absolute musts!

When entertaining friends in Houston, I love to showcase the city’s diverse attractions. Exploring Eastern Glades at Memorial Park offers a serene escape into nature. The Museum of Fine Arts never fails to impress with its stunning collections, while The Silos at Sawyer Yards provide a glimpse into the vibrant art scene of our community. When not sure what to do with friends, M-K-T Heights is a great place to explore, shop and grab a bite. For some active fun, the seasonal roller rink at Discovery Green is a favorite spot to put my balance and coordination skills to the test and have a laugh with friends!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I would like to dedicate my Shoutout to my grandmother, Lula, who epitomized the true essence of compassion and kindness. Her unwavering resilience and boundless love left an indelible mark of my life, shaping the values I hold dear as both a therapist and human being. I strive to emulate her example, honoring and living by these fundamental principles in all aspects of my journey.

Website: https://www.anecdotetherapy.com

Instagram: anecdote.therapy

Image Credits
Sarah Morris

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