I was recently interviewed for a blog by Pauleanna Reid.  I actually had a lot of fun answering the questions, and I thought it would be nice to post the interview questions on my own blog as well.

I found that answering the questions helped me to reflect on my life, where I’ve come from, some of the things I’ve been through as well as things I am striving towards in the future.  It is always nice to reflect on where I’ve been, and for me, it is VERY important to always be thinking about where I’m headed in my future.

Perhaps some of what I have shared will cause you to reflect and think about how YOU might answer these questions, and help encourage you to continue pressing forward toward your future goals.

Enjoy!

• How old are you? 20s/30s/40s?
  • I’m 35 years old
• What is your zodiac sign?
  • Sagittarius (don’t really follow/know much about my zodiac sign though)
• What is your educational background?
  • I did an undergraduate at York University, then a Master’s degree specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy at Tyndale University
• Where were you born? Raised? Live now?
  • I was born in Montreal, grew up in Ottawa and moved to Brampton at 17 and have lived here ever since
• Single or Taken?
  • Taken (happily married for 6 ½ years)
• First job ever?
  • Babysitting (I miss those days!!)
• First “real” job?
  • I can hardly remember I believe it was at the Sears portrait studio at Bramalea City Centre.  My parents started chatting with the manager and somehow convinced her that their daughter would be a great employee and she actually hired meJ
• Your 5 “must haves” of the moment?

1. My Bible
2. My hubby/very bestest friend
3. My 2 little boys (they keep me smiling every day)
4. My sweet treats (just about anything sweet usually will do)
5. My hair done… at all times (well at least when I’m leaving the house)

• How would you describe your personal style?
  • Classy, Warm, Bubbly, Attractive & Very Welcoming
• What is your favourite book?
  • The Road Less Traveled
• What are you currently listening to?
  • Ummmm that’s a tough one… I love music, but don’t always have it playing (learning to enjoy silence).  I am usually always in the mood to hear my favorite Hillsongs tunes
• So what do you do?
  • I am a Psychotherapist
• Take us along the path (personal & professional) that took you where you are today.
  • I have always known that I was going to be a counsellor/family therapist, ever since I was very young.  I was always that friend that people went to, to talk about their ‘issues’.  I found that I never tired of listening and talking through problems with people, and as I got older I realized that I have an innate nature inside that wants to encourage people who come into my life.
  • Because I knew this was the path that I wanted to take it was easy to figure out what academic path I would take, so it was a no brainer to start my post-secondary studies with Psychology.  As I matured I realized that my faith was as important in helping me understand people, the world I live in, and a solid understanding of how to help people find hope, so for my graduate studies I went to a Theological Seminary that would help me deepen my clinical skills as well as help me grasp the theological and spiritual foundations for my future work in Family Therapy.
• What’s the toughest thing you’ve been faced with thus far?
  • Healing from my abortion 10 years ago.  I kept it a secret from my family for 2 years and suffered in silence, feeling like I had a ‘mask’ on not allowing myself to be seen.  After having a spiritual encounter at a conference I was at for work I realized that God could do so much through me if I would be courageous enough to break my silence and talk about how I was able to find healing.  After taking the difficult step and sharing with those closest to me I actually experienced a GREATER level of healing and restoration that I continue to see grow and flourish each and every day.  God took a complete and total mess that I created for myself and turned it into a beautiful life that I now feel so blessed to have today!!!
• What did your parents want you to be?
  • My mother wanted me to be a nurse (I think she still secretly hopes I will change my mind one day…. LOL)
  • My father wanted me to be whatever I felt I was supposed to be.  Surprisingly I ended up doing what he had ‘planned’ to do with his life (professional counselling), he began going down that track academically and coincidentally I ended up completing it! Funny how life goes eh?!?
• What’s the best piece of advice you were ever given?
  • To believe in myself, and trust God and His plan for my life
• What advice do you have for women who want to follow in your footsteps?
  • I would encourage anyone wanting to pursue a career in professional counselling/psychotherapy to start first with doing their own personal work of understanding who they are, and never stop continually doing this work, as this is the BEST gift you can offer your clients.  I would also encourage them to adapt a ‘life long learning’ approach, as there is so much to learn in this field you can’t ever think a ‘degree’ is enough to help you attain the knowledge you need to be the very best you can be for your clients.
•  Is it possible for a woman to successfully balance both love and career? Why or why not?
  • It IS possible, but it’s NOT easy, and it is a constant juggling act that requires you be honest with yourself and continually growing in self-awareness, so you are able to do what you need to do to take good care of yourself and the ones you love.
• What’s next for you?
  • My goal is to continue to grow my business, and build a stronger presence within my community as a therapist who is capable and caring of the clients she is blessed to work with
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years… 10 years?
  • Personally being stronger in my faith, and a more dedicated wife and mother with teenagers (yikes…)
  • Professionally: continuing to engage in my community, doing more speaking, teaching and writing that will positively impact the people around me.
•  And last but not least, where can readers find you? Facebook, Twitter, Website, etc.
  • I can be found on facebook: Colleen Blake-Miller and my website is www.colleenblakemiller.com