“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them”
-Maya Angelou
~Kay’s Story~
Karen Wright, also known as “ Kay”, knows how hard it can be to talk about personal challenges. Her childhood was filled with many ups and downs: moving frequently (e.g., living in cars, hotels, trailer, relative’s homes), and witnessing domestic and community violence.
She developed anxiety at a young age due to these experiences, and she didn’t have anyone who could explain what she was going through. All she knew is that it was a very scary experience and she didn’t want to scare anyone else with “her problems”. She also didn’t have the words to describe what she was going through. Sometimes it was shown through her behavior that others could see (e.g., blank stares, isolating in her room, shaky hands/feet) and other times it wasn’t visible (e.g., stomach aches, headaches, rapid heart beat).
Kay had other siblings to take care of since her mother worked a lot. Because of this responsibility, she felt she couldn’t “break down” no matter how hard it may have gotten. Reflecting on her experience as an adult and mental health professional, she knows that doing well in school and being involved in extracurricular activities (band, choir, student government, etc) helped her to have some sense of security and control over her life.
This helped to manage her symptoms, but sometimes it was too much that she would cry all night and have bad dreams. But still, she couldn’t talk to anyone about it.
Kay’s mother played a crucial role in her life by instilling certain core values regarding education and working hard as “a way out” of poverty. Being involved in school activities as an adolescent gave Kay the opportunity to take trips, create positive experiences, and see the world from a different view besides the “chaos”.
Despite adversity, Kay remained optimistic about her future thanks to the guidance and support of positive adults in her life. She knew she wanted to attend college after high school and help other people in some way. She had no idea her passion for psychology would flourish.
She attended college at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and received her Bachelors degree for Psychology in 2007.
She continued her journey into graduate school at the Argosy University-Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Kay completed her internship at the Lake County Health Department: Child & Adolescent Behavioral Services, and obtained her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology in 2009.
One of the best days of my life!
After graduating, she was invited to remain at her internship as a contract crisis worker. While pregnant, Kay moved from contract to part-time, and ultimately secured a full-time therapist position.
From 2008 to 2020, Kay committed her efforts to supporting youth and their families in the community who were struggling with their mental health in various roles. She managed a significant caseload of adolescents needing crisis intervention, individual/family/group therapy, facilitating trauma-informed parenting groups, and supporting/creating community health events/workshops.
In 2013, she assisted with developing the Trauma Treatment Program. This specialized program required intense trauma-focused therapy certification and knowledge to adequately support youth and their families, schools, and communities impacted by traumatic events. Kay also provided on-site trauma support for several local schools following unexpected, distressing events.
In 2017, she completed a five-day Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor training in Atlanta, GA. Returning home, she felt nervous, but eager to overcome her fear of public speaking. She soon discovered the impact of raising awareness and went on to train hundreds of community members and professionals throughout Lake County.
During the 2020 pandemic, she pursued her long-held goal of opening a private therapy practice. Building on years of clinical experience and further training, she expanded her focus to include adults.
Kay is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, trauma-informed therapist, Certified Sound Healer & Breathwork Facilitator, Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT300), nervous system educator, and consultant.