Meet Aimee Poleski | Clinical Psychologist & Business Owner

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

Hi Aimee, what’s your definition for success?

As a society, and on an individual basis, we often perceive success in terms of a standard template. Success equates to a large salary, an impressive home, or some other aspect of our lifestyle, and how our career supports that lifestyle or elevates our status. Not to say that I don’t fall into that same trap myself, but I often reframe my thoughts to reflect what I truly value when it comes to success. To me, success is in the struggle. It is defined by the worthy sacrifices a person makes and the personal growth they achieve when working toward a goal.

Success looks different for everyone. Not only is every person different, but we as individuals are different at various times in our lives. What is successful for me will look different than the next person, and it will also look different at ages 25 and 50. What I believe is the same for everyone, and throughout the lifespan, is that we become a success when we strive to achieve something that we value, and in our efforts, we relinquish aspects of our lives that don’t support our goals. Those are the worthy sacrifices. Withstanding the temporary discomfort, inconvenience, or burden of sacrifice en route to meeting a goal is the struggle, and success is ultimately reflected in persevering in pursuit of our goals despite that struggle.

One of my favorite quotes is from a founding father of psychology: Sigmund Freud is rumored to have said, “One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.” My definition of success also captures the value of the outcome relative to the path. We simply cannot fully appreciate the things that we work for without knowing a burdensome path and seeing it through. I maintain this view both for myself and for my clients.

Growth is not achieved through an easy path. It is often the more difficult, longer, and slower road. Taking the next best step, over and over, and persevering when encountered with the burden of our sacrifices is what leads us down that path, to see eventual success. The alternative is failing to draw upon our resiliency, and failing to try. My definition of success is not measured by the outcome. My definition of success is continuing in our efforts despite the struggle.

What should our readers know about your business?

I am a Clinical Psychologist and have established my own private practice to provide counseling services to people in the Southwest. I first became licensed in Arizona and later in Colorado, in order to expand my reach people in need of mental health services. My goal is to help others make their mental health a priority by contributing services that are accessible and convenient for any lifestyle. That is why I chose to deliver my services through telehealth. Clients can engage in counseling from the place they are most comfortable at a time that is most convenient, without adding more stressors to their lives when taking the step to attend counseling. I also want to reduce remaining stigma around counseling and help people understand and accept that therapy is truly for everyone.

In the past, I was not interested in establishing my own business. I thought it wasn’t for me, and I didn’t see myself as a business owner. As I continued in my career, however, I realized that there is a large need to fill. There simply aren’t enough mental health providers. With that, I decided to establish a business for people to have an option for counseling that would be both accessible and equitable. Through providing telehealth services across two states, I am able to offer therapy that is flexible and convenient, as well as provide services to underserved communities who have less access to mental health resources.

Now that I am several years into my career, my perception of my professional identity has changed over time. Looking back, I now realize I have held myself back in the past because I did not view myself as a certain “type” of person. I didn’t see myself as the business owner “type,” yet I went onto establish my own practice. Not only that, but I saw a need and I filled it. That is certainly a strength of mine. I am not afraid to dive into something new or intimidated by a challenge. That is one piece of me that has stayed very much the same. While the biggest challenge to carving out my place within the mental health field, and establishing my own business, may have been myself, it is my resiliency and grit that have propelled me forward.

Something unique about me personally and professionally is that I am not afraid to acknowledge my own growth, or areas where growth may be necessary. I practice what I preach, and I don’t pretend to be anything other than myself. I believe that I bring those aspects of myself into my professional life: My clients will have an authentic experience, where they too can show up as themselves. I believe there is something unique and valuable about my authentic approach to life and my work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had a friend visiting I would definitely hit nature first. Tucson’s nature scene is divine. Mt. Lemmon would be a must, and so would Saguaro National Park to provide a scenic desert experience. I recently hiked Agua Caliente hill and would absolutely recommend that to my friend; the scenery is amazing, and the hike is incredible, despite the soul crushing false summit. We would also need to stop by Tacos Apson for an outdoor lunch and visit El Berraco or Kingfisher for an amazing seafood dinner. Maynard’s would be a great stop for a drink, but we wouldn’t be able to over indulge because we would definitely need to hit the Heirloom Farmer’s market in the morning. At the market, I’d have to have them try the pupusas and leave with some goat cheese flan and Fire Cider. If they weren’t worn out by the desert sun, I’d also have them do some skating or bike riding around the loop, and if they have any energy left at dusk, depending on the time of year, I would take them to watch the bats fly out from under the bridge on the loop at sunset.

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?
I would like to dedicate my story to the friends and family who have celebrated my successes with me, the people that have truly been in my corner and shown their own investment in the pursuit of my goals.

Website: https://www.southwestpsychology.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southwestpsychology/

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