Meet Marron Ramsey | Behaviroal Therapist

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

Hi Marron, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
When I think of a work-life balance, it brings me back to my own struggles with finding some sort of middle ground and the inherent guilt when I could not “make it all work.” As a young entrepreneur, I was somewhat deluded by the dream that being a business owner meant “control over your own time” While the saying isn’t wrong, I was blindsided by the reality of how much work it takes to create something out of nothing. I was stressed, overwhelmed, and that was before I even started with more serious goals of my creative endeavors. My life was already busy to begin with, and my intial intention for having a business was that I could gain more freedom and autonomy with my time. Since it was so hard to manage both aspects, I felt like I was failing as a person and as an entrepreneur because I didn’t reach the “freedom” I wanted.

Once I realized that it’s okay to get it wrong the first time and that growth is not always linear, my work-life balance certainly improved. It was definitely a learning lesson to realize our own strengths and weaknesses as an individual. I no longer become upset in my shortcomings and instead find new opportunities to branch out of my comfort zone.

We may not always be able to ‘conquer’ it all, but having the dedication to keep moving forward is what really shows the strength of an indivdual/business model.

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.
On paper, my title is; “Behavioral Therapist” but emotionally, this career feels more like a training ground for teaching empathy. And I mean that with the greatest sincerity in my heart.
For more context, I work with children on the Autism Spectrum during the school year/in the classroom. Everyday is almost different in its challenges and this field pushes educators to practice compassion and patience for one the nation’s most misunderstood communities. You work with students everyday, and somtimes their needs go beyond the curriculum of behavioral intervention. Being in this line of work, it’s important to remember that these children are….well, children. Despite having autism, children are still going to act and react in typical childlike behavior. And as a therapist, it has always been my goal to create a safe space where children are allowed to be themselves, espcecially those on the spectrum. Creating a field of trust is so crucial into caring for the youth and I chose to make this my personal mission so that all students have access to a safe and trusted school environment.

I started in this field only 3 years ago and it has changed my perspective tremendously. It feels like an honored privelege to work besides students whose mental focus and worlview differ so greatly from mine. This contrast is perspective helps me better understand the vast variety that humans are allowed to grow, and I want to protect that at all costs.

Now that isn’t to say these goals do not come with their own challenges. I find that personal views and lack of understanding both affect the student and the therapist on a communal level. The stigma surrounding the idea of autism leaves many questioning the effectivness of ABA Therapy (Applied Behavioral Analysis) and the general wellbeing of students who are diagnosed. Being ostracized for what you are born with, is not an uncommon mentality that plagues societal norms today, and the deep rooted practices of infantilization of autistic individuals only causes harm by spreading misinformation in the community.

Since finding myself in this field, my determination to fight for accessibility for all has become so clear to me. I originally started this line of work due to my interest in psychology and early childhood development. But now, I have found myself fascninated with the humanistic aspects in this line of work. I have never felt more sure of spending my life speaking up for others who do not have the ability or strength to do so. While I understand that there will be many hardships in life, these are the ones I will willingly choose, knowing that my actions may lead to even the smallest amount of change in this world. Everyone deserves the right to a life worth living, and I will spend the rest of my years fighting for it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Even though I grew up in the city, I find myself to be a naturistic,stay at home, introvert. When I do like to roam the city, it’s usually in the morning and smell of brunch cafe’s are in the air. I always love the small and quiet areas of LA where the teahouses are intimate and the coffee is not too strong. There is such an abundance and variety of restaurants that you could eat out everyday for every single meal and you still wouldn’t eat the same thing twice in one day.

I will say though, some of my favorite spots in the city are usually the places with ample parking, or free parking in general. LA is a driving city so having access to a car is crucial in getting around. If I really had to name an area, it would probably be the San Fernando Valley. It’s right in the middle between Northridge and Pasadena and essentially has access to most of the major freeways. I could get tasty Korean fried chicken in Northridge (check out BB.Q Chicken) or if I wanted to end the day with some ice cream, I could always head out to Salt & Straw in Studio City. I love food so I always keep a mental checklist of places I would come back to more than once just in case I wanna show how cool I am to my friends haha.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
If there is one person I would shout out, it would be one of my dearest friends, Allie Smith. She is a close friend who supported me in my own journey of self discovery. Most of my confidence comes from knowing that she is proud of me and watching me grow into a very respectable individual.

I met her through Nichiren Buddhism, a philosophy based religion that focuses on the inherent value of life and the power to overcome personal obstacles in our daily lives. My friend, Allie Smith, showed me support and patience even before she knew my own backstory. Her attention to kindness is what really changed my heart and how I treat myself as a person.

I know I would not have the honor today of being interviewed without recognizing the small amount of kindness that gave me the courage to be authentically me. I have an endless amount of gratitude to know that there are people out there who still believe in the value of human life.

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