Brianna works with children through play therapy. She facilitates guided conversation between parents and children and collaborates with them to set their counseling goals. She earned her Master of Science in Counseling and Human Services from Indiana University.
Get to know Brianna Worland, M.S.
With whom do you work well?
I work with children and families. I work with children through play therapy. I find that doing activities together is a great way to engage a child and allow a conversation to flow naturally. Through conversation, I learn how the child views their world, and this helps me address the reason their parents brought them to counseling. I also facilitate conversation between the parents and child so that they can view things from different perspectives and understand each other better.
How do clients change in counseling? What is the mechanism of change? The motivation for change?
Clients change through action. As a counselor, I listen and offer feedback. I work collaboratively with the client to set goals and offer resources and suggestions to help accomplish those goals, but ultimately the client is the only one who can make the change.
What research, teachers, or mentors influenced your work the most? What difference did it make in your work?
One of my professors at IUSB was a huge influence. She modeled everything she taught effortlessly. As she was teaching something new, she would use counseling skills to facilitate discussion and respond to the student’s thoughts and observations. When she did this, the students would feel heard and understood. She taught counseling by example just as much as she taught it from the textbook. This taught me the importance of counseling skills that may often be underestimated. It also taught me the value of feeling heard which I hope to gift my clients with as a counselor.
What is the purpose of your professional work? In other words, why do you do what you do?
I care about people. I see value in families and I have always had a passion for working with children. I love hearing people’s stories and learning what made them who they are today. I love empowering others. I see beauty in noticing something different about someone and helping them see it as a strength or ‘superpower’ instead of an insecurity.
What values do you want to promote at Family Psychology of South Bend?
I appreciate genuine people. I find that there is a freedom that comes when someone embraces who they are and is the same person in every setting. I enjoy seeing people experience that freedom.
What values do you want to promote in the community?
I value kindness. If you can do something simple that is kind, do it. It takes very little effort to brighten someone’s day. I also value volunteering and caring for others. Life is hard and it is important to support each other through the good times and the bad. That support can look different for everyone but if you have the ability, do something, help someone.
Why did you choose to work at Family Psychology of South Bend?
When I interviewed at Family Psychology, it just felt right. I know that sounds silly but I had immediate peace which isn’t something I normally experience during an interview. As I learned more about John and Sharon and their hearts for clients, I knew I wanted to learn everything I possibly could from them. Through supervision, I have also learned that they are intentional about sharing things that they notice to provide encouragement, which I greatly appreciate.