Parent Profile: Karrah Dickeson, LPC
Karrah Dickeson, LPC
Karrah Dickeson is married to Eric Dickeson. They have two beautiful children: Daines Adelle (5) and Townes Patrick (4).
When and why did you become a counselor?
I can remember as early as 9th or 10th grade thinking that I wanted to be a mental health therapist. We had a close family friend who was a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and I think she initially sparked my interest in the field. At different times throughout high school and college and even graduate school, I went to therapy to learn better ways to cope with stress and life and all the uncertainty that comes with growing up. It was so helpful for me to have an unbiased person listen, teach, and even confront me with issues that I was unable to see for myself. I became a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in October of 2006. It was then that I landed my first “grown-up” job with the Texarkana Children’s Advocacy Center working with children and families that were victims of violent crime. I loved it and stayed for almost ten years.
What are some of the reasons people seek out counselors for their children?
People seek out counseling for their kids for all kinds of reasons.The most common are stress, family conflict, anxiety, depression, trauma history, severe behavior problems, and self-harming behavior.
What are you currently reading?
Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
What does counseling with children entail?
Working with kids and adolescents requires creativity and patience and persistence.It is lots of listening and being present with the client.Most kids don’t want to talk or think about things that are difficult, so avoidance is a major factor in acknowledging and working through the issues.Teaching healthy coping mechanisms is what I spend lots of time on. Once kids learn how to cope effectively, then you can start to address the root of the problems.Trust is probably one of the most important factors when working with kids and adolescents.If they don’t trust you, they won’t let you in, and if they don’t let you in, you can’t help them heal.
What’s the favorite book you have read to your kids?
My new favorite is Dog Heaven by Cynthia Ryfant. We recently lost our 11-year-old pup Ellie, and this book was given to us as a gift from friends.The kids haven’t stopped talking about it!
When did you know you wanted to be a parent?
For as long as I can remember.
Parent gear you can’t live without?
Sadly, iPads and headphones when we are out to dinner [for the kids].I would have judged me five years ago, but now I see it as my own personal coping mechanism!Don’t worry; we don’t always take them!
Advice I offer to new parents:
Do what works for you.People tend to be experts in someone else’s life and want to tell you “the best way.” Listen or don’t listen. Try it or don’t. You do what makes you and your people happy and healthy.Oh, and being a parent is so much fun!People tend to leave that part out when talking to new parents.
Favorite thing to do with kids:
We love the lake and we love to visit Gruene, TX.It makes my heart smile to see my kids dancing and singing in Gruene Hall! (Gruene Hall is the oldest dancehall in Texas.)
I hope to teach my kids how to:
I hope to teach my littles how to create their own joy, to be kind to others and themselves, and to learn to effectively and gracefully deal with adversity.
What is your favorite time spent as a family?
Dinnertime at home. We make it a point to all sit down together at the table every time we are home for dinner. I love the conversation because we are all only engaged in each other (minus the arguing that is inevitable with four and five-year-old siblings).
