Individual Therapy for Extended Illness,
“Military Brats”, Creative Artists, Burnout

I’m Marie Turley. I have a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. During my internship at Vanderbilt University I worked with clients who were dealing with depression, anxiety, adjustment issues, career questions, and eating disorders. I have also worked with children with behavior problems in school. For over a decade, I worked with Better Decisions, a program that went into the women’s prison, CCA jail, and Woodland Hills, teaching decision-making. Participants in this program had opportunities to gain control of their lives by becoming aware of destructive life patterns and learning new ways to solve problems. I also work as a part-time facilitator with Adventureworks, a company that uses experiential learning to build better teams, improve communication, and foster personal growth. In experiential learning, participants solve problems while working together in creative and fun ways. We use activities such as ropes courses, games, and other interactive events as tools to address issues relevant to each group. Productive work and laughter can go together.

Sometimes life seems unmanageable, confusing, or just plain difficult. Coming to counseling can be a positive step in bringing about change in your life. Because you are unique, I want to learn what’s important to you. You are the expert on you.

I help people find solutions that are best for them so I use different therapy techniques depending on what clients need. In addition to working with people who have general issues, such as depression and anxiety, I work with people who have the following specific issues.

Extended illnesses affect all spheres of life. The adjustments people make due to pain and limitations make it difficult to function in previously healthy ways. My own experience with a long-term illness caused me to reevaluate my life, values, relationships, and work. Working with other people who are dealing with health issues is important to me. I help people find ways of processing and coping with medical/physical symptoms.

Raised as a “military brat”, I was exposed to various cultural experiences. I learned how location and moving affect personal identity. I like to work with clients whose backgrounds include various types of transitions. I understand that many factors influence growth or distress. We are also affected by exposure to different cultures (within families and outside families) that alter who we are. Finally, I know that loss and inevitable changes in relationships require us to make adjustments that are difficult.

As a musician, singer, and professional actor, who is married to a professional musician, I have first-hand knowledge of the creative world. Often creative people struggle within themselves and with others about their work as well as their perceived successes and failures. Their passions sometimes become their pain. Creative individuals face intense challenges. In counseling, I help creative people see beyond their problems to find new solutions.

Burnout. When it’s you, it’s an overwhelming reality instead of just being a word. Every profession has its drawbacks and joys. Sometimes, the drawbacks seem more intense than the joys. Feeling burned out indicates a need to reevaluate where we are on life’s journey. After working in the Metro school system for several years, I understand the issues facing teachers and administrators who feel overwhelmed. Continuing stresses from students, parents, and educational systems, including changing standards and requirements, are tough even for dedicated educators. I work with people who are burned out or who are beginning to feel burned out, no matter what their profession might be.

The process of therapy is as individual as you are. You and I will explore your concerns and work together to find ways for you to experience positive changes. It is possible to live a peaceful, joyful existence. I’d like to help you find ways to do that. Please call me at 298-2329 to schedule an appointment or I’ll be glad to answer questions you have.