Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Little.
Hi Lori, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always loved hearing people’s stories. I began my journey knowing I had to go to college to be able to take care of myself in life and not ever feel dependent on someone else that has always been a non negotiable, but trying to figuring out what that thing would be turned out to be a long and confusing journey. I changed my major about 5 times before psychology caught my attention and I found it fascinating. School was a struggle as I had ADHD before anyone really knew what it was and was placed in s special Ed class with non verbal kids with severe dx I remember one of the teachers asking me one day why I was in there and I remember thinking, i have no idea? I certainly was verbal and able to learn but concentration as with all kids wirh ADHD was a struggle and it continued to be into college, I was so determined to get a degree, but was convinced I wasnt intelligent enough to do anything very challenging, I ended up getting several associates degrees i believe just trying to figure it out and decided to become a sound engineer I still wonder why I have no musical affinity? But something lead me that way and im forever grateful it did. In this program ypu had to take a class that taught you study skills ar this point I was a surely 19 year old. Aand so insulted by this class. I gave that poor instructor the hardest time, I hated that class it felt above me, looking back now I don’t know why i i felt that way bc with my ADHD reading was a struggle. I would read paragraphs 5-10 times bc I would get lost and have to start again. This class forced me to stop and look up the definition of everybody I didn’t know and get asked reading comprehension questions on everything I read by the instructor. That poor man, I would get so irritated when he caught me not knowing what a word meant and make me start over, but after I finished this course my.ability to read and comprehend shifted dramatically. If was a game changer! I owe him an apology and a world of gratitude for his patience with me bc he changed everything. Needless to say I’ve never been a sound engineer, although I graduated with a certification, but my ability to take the “hard classes” allowed me to explore many options that I thought could never be options and after I took my first psychogy class I was hooked I couldn’t get enough? I fascinated me and the idea of being able to help others seated the deal for me. I became such a good student that I received a full ride scholarship to Wayne State University where I graduated with a master’s in child and family psychology and also received a full scholarship for my doctorate but decided at that point I was already doing what I loved and didn’t want to be in school for another 7-10 years and wanted to start a family, that i let that scholarship go after beginning the program and going through an arduous decision making process to do so bc who let’s a full ride to get a doctorate go? Seemed crazy to me, but so did another 10 years of schooling and having to earn another masters along tge way when I already had one, so I began my working journey as a therapist doing ADHD testing, DHS work, and substance abuse therapy, In the end I saw a need and a talent of mine to be able to help people through very traumatic events and thats when I began to really hone in in my specialties and become versed in some specialized techniques to help people heal from traumas ypu wouldn’t think people could heal from. Im very proud of yge work I do and the difficult hoyrney to get to whete I am today. Owning my own practice.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth journey working for DHS t wasnt called DHS then was an eye opening experience to how broken our system is and I have no idea how to fix it but what I do know is working in that environment was heartbreaking and it felt for me a bit hopeless, but helping teens and adults that are trying to recover from trauma rather than not being able to escape it was something I was good at.
We’ve been impressed with Full Circle Behavioral Health, PC dba Full Circle Wellness, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I specialize in trauma recovery, but what comes with that is also depression, anxiety and relationship issues. I utilize specialized therapeutic techniques that enable the brain to rewire reactive responses, thoughts, behaviors and beliefs that neutralizes one’s reactions to trauma and the maladaptive coping skills that people utilize to survive trauma but once the trauma is no longer occurring those coping skills can often look like maladaptive behaviors.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I think that people’s busy high paced lives will afford people more opportunity to seek therapy via telehealth as its a game changer in terms of convience and comfort for some as they can remain in their own environment while doing some of the deep trauma work, do sessions from work or even in their parked cars now that insurance covers it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Michigananxiety.com
- Instagram: Fullcirclebehavioralhealth
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fullcirclebehavioralhealth
