I cannot tell you what will happen, but I can tell you it will be different when the light pours in
- Morgan Harper Nichols
Cassidy Conway, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Professional Profile
Cassidy Conway is a Licensed Professional Counselor and an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor in the state of Texas. She is also a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist in the state of North Carolina.
Cassidy received her Masters in Professional Counseling with an Addictions Concentration at UNC Charlotte. Her time in Charlotte led her to working in collegiate recovery where she began to focus her professional work around substance use and mental health support for the individual and the family. Cassidy’s experience includes co-occurring treatment in various settings including residential treatment, collegiate recovery, transitional living, and IOP for young adults and adults.
Cassidy is a passionate Philadelphia sports fan and enjoys engaging in creative outlets such as photography and flower art along with spending time with family.
Specialties
ADHD
Anxiety
Attachment
Substance Use,
Supporting Loved One with Addiction
Depression
Grief/Loss
Life Transitions
PTSD
Self Esteem
Relationships
Process Addictions
LGBTQ+
Trauma
Stress Management
Insurance
Aetna, Oscar, Optum, Oxford, United, Private Pay / Self Pay
Welcome
Welcome to counseling, a process that takes courage and vulnerability as you help yourself in the moments of today. Thank you for seeking my services and inviting me to join you on your journey. I see the therapeutic relationship as us working together in assisting you towards your desired outcomes. Our time together is for you, it is important that we are on the same page throughout the entirety of this process through collaboration and honesty. I hope to provide perspective, transparency, and challenge you compassionately to foster growth into one’s true self.
How I Work
Let’s work hard and play hard. We are able to work hard together in session when there is also balance in being present in the moment to appreciate moments of joy, laughter, and fun. I hope your experience in working with me is finding that we will have serious hard working moments with also authentic fun filled moments.
As a clinician, I utilize many modalities so we can identify what approaches best suit your current needs. It is important that we take a mind, heart, and body approach. The beginning will focus on getting to know one another and gain a better understanding on what you wish to focus on. Working together and assessing your goals and current challenges will help us identify how we want to move forward and work together. Therefore, I will take an eclectic approach and bring in ACT, CBT, DBT, and mindfulness based approaches.
Ultimately, we as humans develop belief systems that influence how we operate in relationships and situations. Now, you may be noticing some of the ways you operate are no longer serving you purpose and desire a change. Thus, our time together sparks new ways of thinking and responding to these situations. In reality, a majority of the work from therapy happens outside of our sessions, think about it, we only are together one hour a week! The opportunity to live your change then follows suit. To help support you applying what you learn, we will work together on realistic action steps week by week.
The last thing I wish to share is that this process brings adult growing pains, emotionally and mentally. With respecting your time and your care, I will take a compassionate challenging approach. I will provide transparent communication that may be difficult to hear in moments. I value honestly in the therapeutic relationship because the change process is difficult. Being transparent with you through accountability and empathy stems from a compassionate place to assist in continuing to pursue your goals.
We as humans develop belief systems that influence how we operate in relationships and situations. You may be noticing some of the ways you operate are no longer serving you purpose and desire a change. Our time together sparks new ways of thinking and responding to these situations.
Therapist Spotlight
What made you decide to become a counselor?
I decided to become a counselor in high school. Towards my senior year, I began building much more vulnerable relationships with my peers and learned how each person had their own struggles and need for support, just like myself from my own life experience. Unfortunately, the stigma around mental health and substance use was incredibly high so the ability to seek help from counselors didn't feel safe. I wanted to become a counselor to be a safe space for folks and normalize the challenges that we face in life.
If you could teach the world one skill or technique to improve their lives, what would it be?
One skill I have found helpful in my own life is to try and find the beauty in everything, either person, interaction, or situation. This comes with truly being present. Practicing gratitude and finding beauty in each moment helps me to stay grounded and reduces negative energy in my own mind space.
Have you personally been in counseling and if so, what did you learn about yourself?
Yes! One thing I have learned about myself is that I will never get over grief, as it will evolve over time and come in waves. So, I can give myself grace with that understanding and practice self-compassion rather than set unrealistic expectations around my emotions.
If you could recommend one book to all your clients, what would it be?
The Anatomy of Peace. It is a great framework to teach new ways in approaching challenging conversations and relationships in any type of setting (home, work, friends, romantic, family, etc.). It provides the opportunity to mitigate conflict, within our own control, and helps us approach a situation from an open-minded space.
What inspires you to help others?
Seeing others engage in their own change process inspires me. We all have the opportunity to grow and evolve and often times I work with individuals who don't believe they are capable or worthy of that. When I work with someone who begins to acknowledge their own growth and personal change, and truly believes in it, that to me is so powerful.
Who is your ideal client?
My ideal client is one who is honest and is willing. Some people think they have to show up to counseling highly emotional or moderately okay. The truth is it can be both and then some! I want someone to share and express themselves truthfully whether that is overjoyed, tearful, embarrassed, excited, frustrated, uncertain, etc. And, even if you haven't tapped into your emotions before or struggled to be honest with others in the past, that is okay. As long as you are willing to explore it together, that is all I can ask. And, if you share that you aren't ready to do that, that is you being honest and we can start there.
How do you personally practice self-care?
I am a sucker for crappy reality TV. That helps me escape and provides entertainment that is not connected to me whatsoever. I also enjoy being outside with my family, enjoying sports like football and UFC, practicing yoga, and taking pictures in nature. Since I recently moved I also have enjoyed getting into house projects!
Your favorite quote
I like all Morgan Harper Nichols, she has some beautiful poetry that applies to various seasons of life. I do love the quote from Winnie the Pooh "nothing to do, nothing to do, what a happy thought." Sometimes life gets so chaotic and there is a sense of peace when there are no plans, no to-dos, and no commitments for a moment. And I make sure to enjoy those moments when they happen to be created.
If you’re hosting a dinner party. Who are the 3 people, living or dead, who you would invite and why?
When I think of this question, I think of music icons. Music is another outlet I tap into for self-care. With that in mind, I would invite Freddie Mercury, Beyonce, and Adele. Freddie Mercury is an icon that I grew up listening to, Beyonce is my all-time favorite artist, and Adele has so much character humor.
How do you relate to Mindfulness? Give an example of how you incorporate it in your sessions.
Mindfulness has become a big part of my life to help tap into what is truly within my control. Something that has tremendously helped me over the past few years is truly tapping into my breath and using it to help me through pain, discomfort, distress, and peace. As a result, I will offer some breathwork at the beginning and end of the session, depending on your preference. I will also check in with you around your mind, body, and heart. It is important to acknowledge that we have mental, physical, and emotional responses that are connected while also different unique experiences. Being able to tap into these three areas of yourself provide grounding, a greater understanding of self, and a framework for what tools you wish to develop in your day-to-day.