Today we’d like to introduce you to Bella Rockman.
Hi Bella, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Detroit, Michigan, went to school in Ann Arbor, Michigan at the University of Michigan. Going to the University of Michigan was an amazing experience. It was everything it was sold to be from the Admissions Department, campus tours and Alumni “hype”.
From having a Rose bowl football year while I was there, a well-rounded athletic department, to the academic experiences and studying abroad. When I was in middle school, I decided that I wanted to travel the world and learn about other cultures. I put together a little vision board with cut outs from countries I longed to visit. By the time I was about 25 or so I had visited about 18 different countries and felt that I could start “adulting” my with no regrets so to speak.
Since I was about five years old, I wanted to become a psychologist or therapist. In fact, I would stay outside and play with friends and pretend they were entering my imaginary therapy office where they were talk to me about their problems with their siblings or parents. I was always incredibly intrigued by human behavior. I grew up in an environment where addiction and abuse were very much normalized and minimized. These dysfunctional behaviors were often covered up with good looks, charm, charisma, education, religion and high functioning career success. It made me curious about the pathology and behavioral patterns and generational factors that create these kinds of environments and ways in which people can change intergenerational patterns and heal.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been far from smooth. Although I think those around me might argue that I make it look easy in some way. I think that might be a result of building resiliency and growing up in an environment where there are many opportunities to work through complex trauma.
One of the more challenging things about breaking negative generational patterns is that you often have to do much of it on your own. So learning to rely on myself, trust my instincts, and then build a sense of community definitely took some time. I’m still a work in progress but I have made some great strides.
From a career standpoint, when I was a young as first grade, I used to listen to radio and TV interviews in imagine myself and what I would say. I’m very grateful to be a regular mental health media contributor at CBS Austin, NPR radio, Spectrum News and others. I deeply enjoy my work as a Psychotherapist and feel excited to tackle the day with each new sunrise. That is truly a gift.
We’ve been impressed with B-rocktherapy, 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?
B-rocktherapy is of course a play on words with my name Bella Rockman. I specialize in trauma recovery, inter-generational healing and nutritional psychology. One of the things that set my practice apart from others, I think is that before I started working as a therapist, I was certified in life and career coaching. So I integrate a wellness model into my work with clients. It’s more than crisis management or working from a sick model, it’s about maintenance and building a long-term wellness plan to achieve a sense of fullness in your overall life. My practice work is very much solution-focused and I’ve recently started work on a behavioral health Academy providing curriculum for schools and organizations to make behavioral health conversations mainstream.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Yes. I think mentorship is so important. For every phase of my life, I’ve had several mentors. It’s important to have someone who’s already walked in the steps that you are wanting to go in your personal and professional life. There’s a sense of certainty that comes with having a round table or circle of mentors.
Don’t be afraid to ask someone out for coffee or lunch. Often times people are happy to pour and reach back. I think it’s also important to invest in having a good coach and good therapist for each phase of your life. Sometimes the right one will be able to stick with you for the entire journey. The main thing to remember is that you don’t have to figure it all out alone.
None of us get to choose or write our beginning, but we can all choose to write a new ending. We don’t get to choose our trauma, but we do get to choose our healing. Every day the sun rises as a new appointment and a new opportunity to write a new chapter!
Pricing:
- $250 per session
- Sliding Scale and Frontline worker discounts offered
Contact Info:
- Email: brocktherapypllc@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/bella-j-rockman-neuropsychotherapist-round-rock-tx/428630
- Instagram: Brocktherapy
- Facebook: Brock Behavioral Health Academy
- Twitter: @brocktherapy101
- Youtube: Brocktherapy Academy
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brocktherapy-podcast/id1461282043
Image Credits:
Gabriel Perez, KUT photographer, Austin Texas (picture with glasses)
