— by Jo A. Henry, MA, Intern
Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern #IMF 73203
1. How would your friends describe you?
My serious side: kind, forgiving, loving, caring, positive, giving, and compassionate
My casual side: gullible, fun / playful, silly, a lover of laughter, and a little spacy (at times)
2. Why did you want to become a therapist?
In my first years of marriage (it has now been 43 years), I went to a counselor whose wisdom helped and had a profound impact on my life. Since then I have sought out learning opportunities to become a people helper. The Lord used me for many years as a lay counselor: helping women in crisis pregnancies, helping teen girls struggling emotionally; and helping people in addiction toward recovery (even though I’m a “normy”). As a “late bloomer” God recently opened the door for continued education receiving my master’s degree in Marriage & Family Therapy. I consider being a therapist more than just a job; I consider being a therapist my calling from God with years of on the job training.
3. What's your favorite author and book?
“SOOOO many books & SOOOO little time” – I inherited my mother’s vast library of books. When people see them they ask if I’ve read them all. I usually say “they have all been read, just not all by me”. Suffice it to say; with such a rich collection I cannot narrow my preference down to one book or one author. Some of my favorite authors are: (Classic Authors) J. I. Packer, C. S. Lewis, J. Vernon McGee, A. W. Tozer, D. L. Moody, Andrew Murray, Paul Tournier, Adrian Rogers; (Contemporary Authors) Charles Swindoll, David Jeremiah, John Piper, Larry Crabb, Gary Collins, Henri Nouwen, and Philip Yancey; (IMPACTFUL BOOKS) Dietrich Bonhoeffer –The Cost of Discipleship; Charles Finney – Holy Spirit Revivals; Roy Hession – The Calvary Road; Brother Lawrence – The practice of the presence of God; Michael Yaconelli – Messy Spirituality; H. Norman Wright – Experiencing Grief; John Gottman – Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child; Irvin Yalom – The Gift of Therapy; and Robert McGee – The Search for Significance
4. Describe your perfect day.
On a perfect day I will wake up rested. I will spend time reading God’s Word and time in prayer. On a perfect day I will purposefully take time to eat, breathe deeply, and walk. On a perfect day I will accomplish the day’s plans including both tasks and something of eternal value. I will end my day reconnecting with my best friend (my husband – I don’t have a dog).
5. My favorite recreational activities are . . .
I love spending time with my family. No matter how busy I am, I will always stop and take time when one of my kids or grandkids wants to spend time with me. Other activities that excite and/or sooth my soul include reading; my love of photography – taking pictures while watching sunsets, sunrises, humming birds and bees; while sitting at the beach watching, listening to and photographing the waves. AND – I love going on spontaneous “dates” with my hubby. Oh, and did I say reading?