What inspired you to become a counselor?
Like many others, I found my way into counseling on the other end of a very bad experience. I was left reeling, wondering what was going on. At the suggestion of several others, I finally enlisted the help of a counselor—and, oh, what a whirlwind I was in for. Through the counseling process I learned so much about myself. My formative experiences grew clearer, and my present circumstances took on new meaning. Through some deep insights and a few handy tools, my hardships started to lessen. In their place, I found a whole new world to explore. Therapy.
But anyone can have a life-changing experience with counseling (we hope!) and still feel called elsewhere. For me, something about therapy just felt right. Not only was it something I benefitted from, but therapy also became a gift I wished to share with others. One of the insights I gained from my early days with my counselor is this: my own healing journey is strangely tied to helping others heal. With that conviction as wind in my sails, I set out to become a counselor, which brings me here!
What is something you would like new clients to know about beginning the counseling process?
I’d like clients to know that amid the awkwardness of those first sessions, my goal, above all else, is to provide them a warm, safe place to be fully themselves. This type of relationship can be so exposing and hard. I hope to provide as much care as possible to lessen that. There is no timetable to feel safe in the counseling office (or virtual room), but I will try my best to make that place as comfortable as possible on the way there.
How would you describe your style or approach in counseling?
A friend of mine once described counseling as a process of untangling a ball of yarn. You can’t knit a scarf if all your yarn is tangled. Similarly, a tangled life can feel confusing, painful, and even purposeless. In my approach, I like to help clients untangle the problems in their lives. When our pieces are ordered and unknotted, it provides relief and clarity about who we are. Through compassionate questioning, insightful discussion, and some simple tools, we pull on strings together, trying to sort out what is tangled.
What self-care practices do you enjoy doing most?
From a young age, I’ve always been a fan of literature. A good story in a book —or on the screen—usually leaves me with some relief from the stresses of life. In recent years, I’ve found myself drawn to writing my own stories. Any act of creativity often fills me with newfound energy to take on the world (the real one, not the ones I make up, just to be clear). Lastly, over the last few years I started running regularly. Those long miles often create a space for introspection and meditation I crave. The endorphin rush is pretty nice, too.
How do I schedule an appointment with Tyler?
You can email me directly at
tbiggs@springtreecounseling.com. I see clients in our Evanston and Chicago offices as well as virtually. If you are interested in learning more about Tyler, you can read my full bio
here.
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