Mayme Richie-Gillespie, BS, Counselor Intern, supervised by Amy Hutchinson, MA, LPC-S, RPT-S
I am excited to begin my second career at Olive Branch Counseling. I grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and received my BS in Psychology and MD from Vanderbilt University. After training in Dallas, I worked in Fort Worth treating children and adults with orthopaedic problems - including cancer - while raising three children. Over almost 40 years as a physician, I witnessed the mind-body connection, and how true healing requires caring for the whole person.
I hope to work with children and adults, as well as loved ones supporting them. I would like to help individuals manage physical pain by use of mindfulness-based skills, which research has shown are an effective alternative to pills or invasive procedures. My experience treating life-threatening illnesses has taught me the importance of providing emotional support for families and caregivers, and I welcome the opportunity to teach skills which studies show are helpful in managing emotional stress related to physical illness. I would be honored to counsel those facing end-of-life issues who are seeking peace during their final transition.
I also have special interest in how adverse childhood experiences can have lifelong effects and I believe that therapy can bring understanding, allowing rebuilding of connections with others. Recent research has shown that anxiety and depression may be caused by low self-esteem as a result of childhood events, so I am optimistic that helping people process critical memories can lead to emotional healing.
I would appreciate the privilege of working with you towards achieving wholeness and healing.