Meet Charis Gaston | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist & Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Charis Gaston and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charis, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
In the early stages of my career, work-life balance wasn’t even a term I considered. My sole focus was on becoming the best therapist possible, which, in my mind, translated to relentless dedication and constant availability for my clients. I hesitated to take time off or go on vacations, fearing that something might happen in my absence. However, this mindset inevitably led to burnout.

My perspective shifted significantly around my fifth year as a therapist, just over a year before the pandemic hit. Experiencing a layoff for the first time in my life forced me to reassess my priorities. Suddenly finding myself neither an employee nor a student prompted me to reevaluate how I approached my work and personal life.

As I transitioned to my next job, I made a conscious effort to cultivate more balance and space for myself. I came to understand that pushing myself to the limit and constantly being on-call didn’t make me a better therapist; it only depleted my energy and effectiveness. Taking time to recharge allowed me to be more present and impactful for my clients.

Today, I advocate for balance with my clients, emphasizing its importance and encouraging them to find what works for them. For example, for busy parents, even a brief hour or two of respite can make a difference. And if hitting the gym daily isn’t feasible, finding alternative ways to move their bodies several times a week can still contribute to their well-being.

It’s crucial to recognize that balance doesn’t have to be perfect or achieved every day. The key is finding a rhythm that allows for both work and play. Life will always be filled with complexities, but integrating balance into our lives is essential for realizing our aspirations and deriving fulfillment from our experiences.
 

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve always had a passion for helping others, and it has been the driving force in my life for the past 15 years. Becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist was neither an easy nor a short journey for me. My professional career began after college as a direct support professional, where I worked with neurodivergent adults in a day program. Initially, I had no intention of furthering my education after obtaining my bachelor’s degree. However, after five years of working with this population, I identified a significant gap in access to mental health support for individuals with intellectual disabilities. This realization led me to pursue a counseling education to bridge that gap.

One of the biggest challenges I encountered was not being selected for an internship in the final year of my program, which forced me to extend my studies for another year. At that time, it was disheartening to watch my peers graduate without me, leaving me feeling discouraged and disappointed in myself. I took a step back to reevaluate and recognized areas where I could have improved, such as conducting more thorough research on potential internship sites, presenting myself more professionally, and better preparing for interviews.

Returning the following year, I was offered two positions of my choice and became the first intern to be hired directly after completing the internship. Despite doubting myself initially, I put in the work to feel more prepared the second time around, and it paid off. I share this story to remind others that everyone’s journey is different, but it is possible to reach the same goal. Although I did not graduate with my peers, I ultimately obtained my license and established my own business. I firmly believe in the mantra that “there’s always another way” to achieve your goals, even if the path may not align with everyone else’s.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a week to show my best friend around. I would do a tour of all the major cities in the area ive enjoyed -long beach (food and culture)
-san pedro (beautiful views)
-griffith observatory (education and beauty)
-malibu (beaches)
-big sur (camping and california coast)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents and family have always been my biggest supporters throughout my life.

My great grandparents provided me with unconditional love, knowledge, and support.

My partner brought balance into my life and showed me endless love and support.

my friends who’ve always been willing to be my cheerleaders.

My tribe of women who pushed me to go farther and do more.

Website: goodkarmacommunity.com

Instagram: @good.karma.community

Linkedin: Charis Gaston

Facebook: goodkarmacommunityGKC

Image Credits
Tia Esther – Tia Esther Creative