Meet Courtney Dowdell | Licensed Therapist, Founder of Courtney Dowdell Therapy

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

Hi Courtney, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I believe that risk taking is fundamental to individual (and collective) growth.  It involves an embracing of discomfort with the unfamiliar and a grounding of swirling uncertainty. Risk often invites us to move into the liminal “the space between one destination and the next”; it calls us to open ourselves to the vulnerability of not knowing what is next. When we try something new, we may not be good at something. Risk-taking is humbling as we learn and practice a new skill, a new perspective, or possibly a new way of being. I love the questions risk taking can spring forth: What do you want? What is stopping you from moving toward it? What will help you move toward it? How safe/unsafe do you feel? What do you need? Can you resource other spaces of safety as you take a risk in this part of your life? We all have different lived experiences, in that what is a risk to one person may look widely different for another person. Risk-taking is hard! And, I believe that we are capable agents of change (when we are resourced and supported) to move in alignment with what we truly value.

In my life, risk-taking has been a fundamental element in my own growth as a therapist, business owner, artist, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. The experience of knowing myself and being able to come home to myself allows me to venture out and take risks. I leaned into my intuition as a grounding point in risk taking; it became a wise guide as I navigated (and continue to navigate!) unchartered territory. Each day, I engage in the practice of trusting myself, giving myself grace when I stumble, and allowing myself to stay open. I know I have the skills to adapt, to be flexible, and to resource support.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My business, Courtney Dowdell Therapy, is a private practice based in New York that was founded in May 2019. I specialize in the treatment of eating disorders, body image, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and trauma. I am a licensed creative arts therapist in New York State, a certified eating disorders specialist, and a registered/board certified drama therapist with over 12 years of clinical experience. In my private practice, I use a relational and psychodynamic approach within a creative frame to help clients set realistic goals and work toward behavioral change. I take an active role in treatment by engaging wholeheartedly, meeting individuals where they are at, and offering a steady presence as individuals grow.

My approach centers around building trust and safety in relationship, holding a non-judgmental space for self-inquiry and change, practicing social and cultural competency, and recognizing the diverse experience of the individuals I work with.

In addition to verbal psychotherapy, I am passionate about discovering and utilizing innovative and creative tools in my work—poetry, art, theater, story-telling, song, breath work, yoga, mindfulness, play techniques— to access new pathways toward discovery, acceptance, compassion, and expansion. I bring warmth, empathy, humor, creativity, and insight to the clinical space.

I believe that starting therapy is an act of bravery that requires risk. In that risk, I believe individuals deserve a therapist that facilitates a space for healing where all parts of the self are held. I am humbled by the individuals I work with and their willingness to trust me to witness, hold, and reflect back parts of their inner life.

What are some lessons you learned along the way?

-A well-defined sense of yourself is an invaluable source of strength
-Playfulness is the cornerstone of feeling safe, connected, energized, and alive
-Trauma can shut down the inner compass and disconnect you from your body and sense of knowing—therapy can be a safe space to support your body and nervous system

-improved connection to your body + increased awareness of subtle sensory body-based feelings = greater potential to know what you need and to be an agent of change in your life
-The desire to connect is a fundamental human drive rooted in biology and evolutionary history. It makes sense that you want (and seek!) connection with others
-Holding accountability with compassion is a practice; to be human is to make mistakes; mistakes + correction = learning
-There is tremendous power in relationships to both hurt and heal.

-Pain wants to be acknowledged. Healing can happen in repair
-Building new neural pathways in the brain is possible! The slow, steady, and repetitive work of building safety makes room for visioning, risk-taking, trying new things, possibility, flexibility, joy, play, adventure, exploration, integration, flow, ease, freedom, laughter, clarity, and autonomy
-Safe connections are fundamental to living a meaningful life

-There is so much to learn in staying in the present moment and being gently curious with the things that you don’t know.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have so much gratitude to my family, friends, and colleagues who have helped me grow as a person and as a clinician over the years. I want to shout out Erin Loughran. PsyD and Melainie Rogers, CEDRD for their support, guidance, and encouragement.

Website: courtneydowdelltherapy.com

Instagram: courtneydowdell

Image Credits
Bsquared photography