We had the good fortune of connecting with Aleksandra Drecun and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aleksandra, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was varied. First and foremost, I wanted a private practice that would be reflective of who I am as a professional. I find psychology to be deeply meaningful and rewarding. My work as a psychologist is incredibly gratifying. Hence, I wanted to create a brand that mirrored a holistic approach that is centered around personal growth and transformation while also being evidence based. I was aware that I would not be able to accomplish that working for someone else. Also, creating a private practice is a labor of love. There is a tremendous amount of learning in developing a business. I am fortunate that I can do work that I love and am passionate about. It is truly a calling, and I am always honored to be able to bear witness to each client’s journey. In addition, I enjoy working within various domains of psychology. I wanted the freedom to pursue various interests within the field of psychology. I wanted the experience of expansion within my own career growth that include other opportunities such as teaching at the college level, conducting consultations for large firms, psychological evaluations, forensic competency evaluations and evaluations for Veterans. I wanted the ability to expand my knowledge base in any direction that called to me and allows me to continue to develop as a professional. Also, I knew that I would be raising a family. I wanted to have autonomy over my work so that I could ensure a personal-professional-work-life balance that allows me to be present as a daughter, wife and mother.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart is my therapeutic approach and style. Unlike the “medical-model” or “disease model” that the majority of mental health clinicians and medical doctors adhere to; I utilize a personal growth and brain-based model in working with clients. The medical model supports the idea that a person with social or mental problems is “ill” (hence individuals are referred to as “patients”) and limits their understanding of their patients through a “diagnosis” which is too confining to understand the complexity of human beings. Medical “treatment” targets symptoms and clinicians determine what to do with their “patients” based on “medical necessity.”

In contrast to the medical model, the personal growth model that I work from strives to remove pathology from the human condition. Psychotherapy deals with the social, mental, and emotional aspects of individuals, couples and families. Within the personal growth model, the individual is referred to as a client because the individual is perceived to have areas of strength and resources that need to be cultivated to address their areas of self-improvement.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is a difficult one because there are so many beautiful places in San Diego. We are so fortunate to live here. I would take my best friend to Snooze for breakfast. Then we would spend the day at La Jolla Shores Beach and grab lunch at Duke’s La Jolla. In the evening, we would visit Balboa Park. The following day would be similar except, I would take my friend to the Self-Realization Temple in Encinitas. We would then go to either the Zoo or Safari Park. Dinner would be at Bay Park’s Fish Company for some delicious seafood. Somewhere within this weekend we would need to fit in Boto Sushi of course!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There have been many sources of support and inspiration in my success. Too many to mention here. However, the most pivotal that is deserving of recognition is the enduring support of my loving parents who have consistently been by my side encouraging me to follow my dreams and passions.

Website: www.a4ct.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksandra-drecun-5161b8143

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/aleksandradrecun

Image Credits
Andrew Middleton

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.