Dance Act: Browyn Penhaligon Explores Life, Job, and Mental Wellbeing
Freshened Interview with Bronwyn Penhaligon
Hey there! We had a chat with Bronwyn Penhaligon, the brains behind Penhaligons Applied Psychology. Bronwyn's life-changing journey from finance to a strategic psychotherapist is inspiring as heck.
Eager to make a real difference, Bronwyn now helps pros conquer the high-stress jungles of their careers. Balancing motherhood, advocacy, and mental health, she's been instrumental in supporting anxiety-ridden individuals, offering a breath of fresh air.
Bronwyn, what juiced you up to swap gears from finance to strategic psychotherapist with a focus on mental health?
Simple, I craved to genuinely make a dent in the universe. When we were all caged during the COVID pandemic, fears of catching the virus hovered over us. I found myself pondering about the legacy I'd leave behind if I ended up a virus statistic.
Turns out, I had plenty of time to ruminate!
I'd dabbled in psychology, personality types, and consumer behavior throughout my marketing career. But the thought of diving into someone's childhood trauma to hunt down the root cause didn't appeal. Instead, the strategic psychotherapeutic approach strikes a perfect balance—it's action-oriented, solution-focused, and speeds up the process of escaping problem-land.
It made sense to dive into finance since I'd seen firsthand the crushing pressure of the industry. From brokers to lenders, I've worked with them all. I got the lay of the land and couldn't wait to tackle the challenges head-on.
You've made some mean strides in your new gig. Care to spill the beans on a particularly gratifying experience while supporting industry vets with anxiety?
Every client who confides in me is a reward in itself. I've seen folks change careers, embark on new relationships, discover their inner public speaker, and rise to new heights in their workplaces. I've even saved lives. Every interaction is precious!
What common obstacles do you usually bump into when working with pros in high-stress environments, and how do you beat them?
Sometimes, what we think is a mental health problem might actually be a sane response to a toxic environment. Context is key, so I always start by assessing the client's current situation and identifying what levers we can tweak.
But most issues stem from poor boundaries, communication breakdowns, and ineffective coping strategies. My clients are usually on the edge of burnout, negatively impacting their relationships and resorting to food, drugs, and alcohol as comfort. I work with my clients to understand their priority matrix, learn to express their needs, and adopt sustainable changes.
In your quest to uplift others, what key lessons have you learned that have shaped your approach?
Running a service business means prioritizing my own well-being. Skipping my morning dog walk or yoga session makes my day a drag. If my diet's iffy or I'm catnapping because I binge-watched Grey's Anatomy, my energy levels plummet, and my effectiveness in the clinic suffers. Taking care of the basics equips me to show up in the right mindset.
Business-wise, I've discovered the value of coaching. Like many enthusiastic entrepreneurs, I once had an unrealistic business plan with soaring targets. A business coach helped me dial it back to reality and has since kept me accountable to my strategy. Having someone like this is a game-changer when you're running your own show.
Recognition can be a big deal. How did being shortlisted for the Better Business Awards as a Mental Health Advocate shift the gears for you?
I was a ball of excitement to be shortlisted for that award! It was a clear sign that the industry was ready to transition from talking about mental health problems to actively addressing them. Instead of hosting a cupcake day in September or offering gym subs to staff, we should concentrate on providing accessible therapeutic interventions.
Being shortlisted also provided more opportunities for speaking engagements, helping me spread the message that mental health matters. It gave me a platform to connect with folks committed to implementing mental health support programs, and this benefits the industry as a whole.
What exciting projects are brewing, and what impact do you hope they'll have moving forward?
I'm bent on breaking the stigma around mental health. I'm teaming up with industry friends for passion projects that will amplify the importance of mental wellness. We're on a mission to normalize struggles and provide clear, actionable solutions.
It's going to be a ride to see the impact on the industry!
Bronwyn shared that her passion for making a significant impact led her to shift from a career in finance to becoming a strategic psychotherapist with a focus on mental health. In her new role, she helps professionals overcome career-related anxiety and supports them in improving their mental health.
When asked about a gratifying experience in her work, Bronwyn mentioned the transformation she's witnessed in clients who've changed careers, started new relationships, and enhanced their work performance after receiving her support. In some cases, she's even credited with saving lives.
While working with professionals in high-stress environments, Bronwyn often encounters common obstacles like poor boundary setting, communication breakdowns, and unhealthy coping mechanisms. To overcome these challenges, she helped her clients understand their priorities, learn to express their needs, and adopt sustainable lifestyle changes.
