Audrey Schoen on Mental Health Awareness Month: Breaking Stigma, Healing Deeply, and Supporting Therapists from the Inside Out
- Tammy Reese
- May 8
- 8 min read
By Tammy Reese
May is Mental Health Awareness Month — a time to break the silence, challenge misconceptions, and prioritize emotional wellbeing. For Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Audrey Schoen, this mission is more than just professional — it’s deeply personal. With over a decade of experience helping individuals and couples transform their lives, Audrey is not only a healer but a guide for fellow therapists navigating burnout and building balance. From her private practice in Roseville, California, to virtual sessions across California and Texas, Audrey blends innovative techniques like Brainspotting and Accelerated Resolution Therapy with real-world empathy and insight. In this heartfelt conversation, Audrey opens up about the journey that led her to the therapy chair, why awareness months like this one are vital, and how we can all take simple, powerful steps toward better mental health.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what led you to become a mental health professional?
Audrey: Growing up I always said I wanted to be an artist. About a year into junior college, my mom asked me what career I was considering. I told her that I wanted to become a therapist. She casually responded “why would you want to listen to people’s problems all day? That sounds miserable.” So for the following two years I studied art and design. It’s funny how much weight a single comment from a parent can carry. When I transferred to state, the major I selected was impacted, so I took psychology classes to fill my schedule, and it became clear that this was my calling.
I also remember the first time I saw a client and all the nerves leading up to it. I went over the informed consent, I sat back and asked “what brings you?” I felt a warm light wash over me and I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I absolutely love being a therapist.
I also knew that I wanted a career that would allow me to be available for my kids, and give me the flexibility I needed for my own wellbeing. Being a therapist and having a private practice has done just that. I have been able to create a life and career that is balanced and supports my family.
Please tell us about your expertise and the services you provide.
Audrey: I am Certified in Brainspotting and Master Certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy, (ART) both incredibly fast working and transformational therapies that can resolve trauma in as little as one session. For couples I practice Relational Life Therapy. My spouse and I have participated in several methods of couples therapy, and this was the one that actually worked. I have also seen it change the course of clients’ marriages in just a few months.
Clients have the option of accessing services both in person and online. In addition to ongoing therapy services, I also offer intensives and adjunct services. Intensives provide concentrated results in just 1–3 days. For a retreat style experience, clients from anywhere can travel to beautiful northern CA to receive intensive therapy. While adjunct services like ART and brainspotting can accelerate the work someone is already doing with their existing therapist.
What populations do you typically work with, and what areas do you specialize in?
Audrey: I am dedicated to helping adults and couples create calm and congruent lives. I specialize in working with high achievers, entrepreneurs, struggling couples, and first responder spouses and couples.
My business coaching focuses on helping other therapists fight burnout and find balance by creating a sustainable and profitable private practice. So many therapists work long hours for low pay, not taking care of themselves and their wellbeing. While at the same time advocating that clients set boundaries and participate in self care. This might make for funny memes, but it’s a real problem, as the therapist’s well being is closely linked to client outcomes.'
Why is Mental Health Awareness Month so important in today’s world?
Audrey: Mental Health Awareness Month is crucial in today’s world because it breaks down stigma around experiences that affect us all. In my practice using approaches like brainspotting and accelerated resolution therapy, I see how mental health challenges aren’t just abstract concepts — they’re physical experiences our bodies hold onto.
In our hyper-connected yet often isolated society, everyone benefits from acknowledging what’s happening beneath the surface. This month creates opportunities for honest and open conversations, reminding us that seeking support isn’t weakness but courage, and that nobody is alone in their struggles. When we bring these issues into the light, we create possibilities for healing that simply can’t happen in silence.
What are some of the most common misconceptions you see around mental health?
Audrey: One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that mental health is separate from physical health. In my work with brainspotting and ART, I’ve seen firsthand how trauma and stress literally get stored in the body. When we treat the mind and body as separate systems, we miss crucial connections that impact healing.
Another damaging myth is that seeking therapy means you’re “broken” or “weak.” I work with plenty of high-functioning individuals, couples, and entrepreneurs who use therapy as a growth tool, not just crisis management. Mental health work is about building skills and awareness that everyone can benefit from.
Many people believe therapy has to be a long, painful process of rehashing childhood trauma. While we do connect past experiences to present challenges, approaches like accelerated resolution therapy can help process difficult experiences efficiently, often without needing to verbalize every detail.
I also see confusion around what good mental health actually looks like. It’s not about being happy all the time — it’s about having the capacity to feel the full range of emotions without being overwhelmed by them. Resilience isn’t avoiding difficult feelings; it’s having the tools to move through them.
Perhaps most concerning is the persistent idea that you should be able to “fix” mental health issues on your own. Just like you wouldn’t try to set your own broken bone, some challenges require professional guidance. Reaching out shows wisdom, not weakness.
What practical strategies or daily habits do you recommend for maintaining good mental health?
Audrey:
Prioritize meaningful connections: Build relationships where you can be authentic rather than performing, especially with partners, close friends, and family.
Establish clear boundaries: Learn to recognize your limits and communicate them directly to protect your wellbeing without sacrificing relationships.
Develop consistent self-care routines: Create structure through sleep hygiene, movement that feels good to your body, and mindfulness practices.
Balance productivity with presence: Especially for entrepreneurs and busy moms, create clear work/life boundaries and set aside time to simply be rather than constantly doing.
Engage in regular self-reflection: Use journaling or quiet time to check in with yourself, catching potential problems when they’re small.
Seek support proactively: View therapy as a growth tool rather than just crisis management — getting help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
How can people best support friends or family members who are struggling?
Audrey: Supporting someone who’s struggling isn’t about fixing their problems, about being present. First, listen without jumping straight to solutions. Most people need to feel heard before they’re ready for advice. Notice when you’re getting pulled into “fixing mode” and take a breath.
Be direct but gentle with your concern. Instead of “you seem off lately,” try “I’ve noticed you’ve been quieter than usual, and I’m wondering how you’re really doing.” Then create space for whatever comes up, even if it’s uncomfortable.
Set realistic expectations for yourself. You can be supportive without being someone’s therapist. Boundaries matter for both of you. Encourage professional help when appropriate, but don’t push. Sometimes the most powerful thing is simply saying “I’m here, I see you’re struggling, and I’m not going anywhere.”
Remember that connection heals. Invite them to do normal activities together that might give their mind a break, even something as simple as a walk or grabbing coffee. These ordinary moments often create the safety for deeper conversations to emerge naturally.
What changes would you love to see in how mental health is discussed or treated in schools, media, or healthcare?
Audrey: The mental health system needs to shift away from the crisis-only model. By the time someone’s in crisis, they’ve likely been struggling for months or years. We need more accessible entry points for care before someone hits rock bottom. Insurance reimbursement requires that clients be given a mental health disorder diagnosis. Providing mental health care as preventative care would revolutionize our approach to wellbeing and reduce long-term costs significantly. This means normalized check-ins with therapists, just like we do with dentists for preventative care.
In media, I wish we’d move past the harmful stereotypes — both the “dangerous mentally ill person” trope and the equally damaging “just think positive” oversimplification. Real mental health work happens in the messy middle ground, and we need more authentic representations of that journey.
Healthcare systems need to recognize that the mind and body aren’t separate entities. The fact that mental and physical healthcare are treated as completely different systems with different coverage, paperwork, and approaches reflects an outdated understanding of how trauma and stress literally live in our bodies.
As someone who helps others heal, how do you care for your own mental health?
Audrey: One of the most important things I have done to care for myself is holding strong boundaries in my therapy practice. I make sure that my fees support my families financial needs, and my schedule allows me to complete all work related tasks during working hours.
Other strategies include regular exercise and good sleep hygiene as top priorities. I also make a point to connect with friends, family, and colleagues on a daily basis, sometimes in small ways like a voice note, and sometimes in person. Lastly, I limit my screen time. It is too easy to get lost in the scroll, and it provides nothing in return. So I prioritize face to face contact with my husband and kids.
What advice would you give to someone afraid or hesitant to seek therapy?
Audrey: There are SO many approaches to therapy, and so many therapists out there. It’s not a one size fits all kind of thing. One of the most important factors for success in therapy is finding the right fit. Be willing to try different therapists, interview several before choosing, learn about different therapy approaches and see which one feels like the right one for you.
Going to therapy doesn’t mean you are broken. You take your car in for maintenance, you see a doctor for annual checkups, why not for your mental health as well? If you wouldn’t wait till your engine is on fire to take it to a mechanic, dont wait till your life’s a mess to get into therapy.
Where can people learn more about your work or connect with you?
Audrey: I currently have a private practice located in person in Roseville, CA and online throughout CA and TX. People can visit my website at www.AudreyLMFT.com
You can also find me on both Instagram @AudreyLMFT and TikTok @audrey_out_loud.
Fellow therapists can learn more about my business coaching and courses at www.balancedprivatepractice.com
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