Two months ago today, the day before my 35th birthday, my life took a turn into another new season. I accepted a position as a Therapist in the Sexual Abuse Treatment Program at the Child Protection Center. (-No, my photography business is not done. It will only be strengthened by this move.)
As many of you know, prior to my photography career, I was in the social services industry for six years. I started as a Youth Care Worker in a residential treatment facility for teens and then moved up to a Unit Coordinator position. Then I ventured into a community-based program as a Family Focus Specialist, bridging the transition for residential kids as they move into a home; and then I was an Intensive In-Home Specialist for two years working with children and families in crisis management for abuse and neglect cases. While working in residential treatment facilities, I had the opportunity to conduct two semesters of therapeutic photography classes with adjudicated youth -with awesome results! I never forgot about this, and the sparks it left in me and in those kids. After receiving my Masters in psychology in 2007, I took a break from everything and volunteered in Israel for three months; working in a house of prayer in Jerusalem and helping children and women in refugee camps in Jericho. I returned to America in March 2008 refreshed with a new vision. July 2nd 2008, I started a non-profit for kids, Star Shooter: phototherapy for kids, which provides photography as a therapeutic tool to help children express themselves. March 3rd 2009, Johnna Brynn Photography was birthed in a day. I have worked hard at building Johnna Brynn Photography in three different states (SC, MO, FL), and have really come to love and build roots in Sarasota, Florida. In December, I will have been here for three years now -and I have no plans of moving at this time. (this is the first ever, in my life. lol)
While my photography business is satisfying and is part of who I am and how I process my own thoughts and translations of the world around me (this is obvious from my instagram activity ; ) ), there is also a big part of me that is ready to be filled, activated, and give back -once again. I had no plans of re-entering the psychology field again, but literally out of the blue one afternoon -a wave of true desire to help children- washed over me and it could not be denied. So I casually scrolled opportunities online and came across the Child Protection Center downtown Sarasota. In a strange way, I knew I was going to work there before I ever even applied. After a few interviews, I was in. While it’s been a busy past two months, I know without a doubt I’m on the right track for my life in this season. Some things can’t be explained in words or fit into society’s little description box of “career”, but I know I am being and doing the best I can with the life I have to live once.
So what does this mean for Johnna Brynn Photography? It means an increase in quality and new endeavors. I will continue to shoot and take on clients that truly value me and my work. My therapist job is a contract position, so I make my own hours and see clients on my own time and schedule. So I have not lost my independence and flexibility. This is the best way that I work -I flow. My ebb and flow lifestyle accommodates this new change quite well. Yes, I am still a PhD (psychology) student as well -exactly half way done with the coursework. Hope to graduate in 2016. This leads to my “new endeavors” part I mentioned above for Johnna Brynn Photography. I also have a passion to help other people discover their full potential in life through photography, therefore I currently am working on a new idea called: PhotoPsychology; and if you have read this far down, I’ll let you peek in on my new website for this idea: www.photopsychology.us. It is my platform to launch both of my passions and expertise in photography and psychology. Intended for photographers and social service workers -check it out and let me know what you think, I’d appreciate it. Thanks : ) -It still is a work in progress.
All of this to say, I am in another new season of life -and I am very happy about it. It won’t be easy, but hey -I don’t have a husband or kids yet so I have all the time in the world, right? Well, this little girl does take up a bit of my time: http://iamasagrey.com.
On another note, I want to mention two people that I recently met in NYC just days before I was hired on at the Child Protection Center who have been an inspiration. Ellen Fisher Turk has been utilizing phototherapy for many years with women experiencing anorexia, bulimia, cancer, and sexual abuse. Check out her work on her website at: http://photographytherapy.com. Also, psychoanalyst Dr. Robert Irwin Wolf, whom I discovered through Judy Weiser of the PhotoTherapy Centre, has been using photography and sculpture in his work for over 30 years. Be sure to check his work out at http://www.robertirwinwolf.com, and if you are in the NYC area -go hear him teach at the Expressive Therapy Summit November 7, 2013.
*THANK YOU to all of my friends, family, fans, followers, and lovely clients -I appreciate all of your support and encouragement as I make this turn into a beautiful new season.
Dr. Robert Irwin Wolf and Ellen Fisher Turk in NYC pictured below:
