FAMILY THERAPY CENTER OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, LLC
  • Us
    • Meet the Team >
      • What is an Intern?
      • What is a Resident?
    • Blog: Varied Topics by Our Clinicians
    • Blog: Lyme, PANDAS & Other Infections in Children & Adults
  • Adults & Teens
    • Individual Therapy
    • Couples Therapy
    • Family Therapy
    • In Crisis?
  • Child/Tween
    • Play Therapy Explained
    • Issues We Treat
    • Playful Tele-Health
    • In Crisis?
  • Meditation
    • 8 Week Stress Series
  • Admin & Contact Info
    • Paperwork for Chloe Cook Clients
  • For Other Therapists
    • Play Therapy Trainings >
      • Play Therapy Training
      • Play Training: Jan 22, 2021
      • Play Training: March 19, 2021
      • Grievances & Refunds
    • CE Trainings
    • Supervision: RPT

What Authenticity Means to Me By Tucker Landry, LCSW

10/28/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Authenticity is a core value of mine. What this means to me is that I strive to be true to myself. "True to yourself?! Sounds cliche, Who is this guy?" Well, let me explain...

Who Is This Guy?
I am a social worker, a therapist, a leader, a helper, a partner, a father to two dogs, a musician, a hiking and biking enthusiast, a baker, and a traveler. Before, during, and after I am any of these things I am Tucker. "Who the heck is Tucker?" Again, let me explain...

Youth is often a time where authenticity comes naturally. We have not yet developed filters. The societal pressures have not yet wreaked havoc on our sense of self. When I think about who I am and how to remain authentic, I think back to my youth. 

Who Was Tucker Landry As a Child?
I grew up surrounded by other families' children that my mother attempted to supervise. Growing up with constant playmates had its advantages and disadvantages. Being the first born child of my family with two younger siblings was hard as a kid. Throw 8-10 more children into the mix and little Tucker was often disgruntled by the lack of attention he received from his mother. This usually presented itself in some elaborate display of emotion that helped achieve the goal of getting Mom's attention, but ultimately led to little Tucker feeling embarrassed and weak for crying in front of his friends. 

Little Tucker's 7th Birthday Party
I can still remember my 7th birthday party like it was yesterday. Piñata was where it all went downhill. I remember the excitement as I was blindfolded and ready to swing the bat. As I made contact with the piñata, I felt the hard cardboard shell give way, and heard the candy as it spilled to the ground, followed by screaming children diving for treats. As I struggled to remove my blindfold, I panicked, "What if there's no candy left for me?!" When my eyes were free to see again I looked at the ground to see my fear realized. The tears started flowing, the embarrassment building, ending with me running for cover, to my room, where I could hide from the world. 

"Why Did He Tell Us That Weird Story About His Childhood?" 
I tell that story because it reminds me of who I am as a person. I am sensitive. I am selfish. I am good at breaking piñatas. Whenever I sense that I am being inauthentic, I remind myself that I am Tucker. The same Tucker that lived up to the song, "It's My Party" and I'll cry if I want to. The same Tucker that wanted attention. The same Tucker that was embarrassed to show emotion. When I get emotionally in touch with this same Tucker I feel a deep sense connectedness with my identity. I can see little Tucker in my mind and bring up another memory that helps shape my identity. Then, in order to be authentic, I own those experiences and memories as part of my self and I share them with the world as I am doing here. 

Here I Am
Authenticity is ownership of self. A colleague recently said to me, "We are all ourselves."  Who are you at your core if you are really honest? Are you in touch with the parts of you that really make you, you. AND, are you accepting of yourself, your strengths your vulnerabilities and all? I am Tucker and I will continue to strive to be Tucker in all that I do.

About the Author....
Tucker Landry, LCSW is a licensed social worker and a member of the Family Therapy Center team working with tweens, teens and adults. He is also currently working with Inova Hospital counseling individuals and families with chronic illnesses and conditions. If you would like an appointment with Tucker Landry, LCSW contact him directly here. 





0 Comments

    Author

    These blog entries are written by our very own clinicians. When inspiration hits, another entry will be logged. 


    Get Blog Updates

    RSS Feed

    What is an RSS FEEDER? If you click on the RSS Feeder, anytime a new blog entry is added to the website, you will be automatically notified of it. The only thing you need to do is get an RSS READER app. Chances are, if you click on the RSS Feeder, and you do not have a reader, it will take you directly to the app store so you can install one. It takes 60 seconds to get set up for auto notifications of new blogs sent directly to you!

    Archives

    May 2021
    October 2018
    November 2017
    June 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

    Categories

    All
    About Or For Children
    Author: Chelsey Brooks
    Author: Gabrielle Anderson
    Author: Katie Wells
    Author: Tracey Powell
    Author: Tucker Landry
    Author: Valerie Tunks
    Divorce
    Emotional Balance & Wellbeing
    Health & Nutrition
    Lyme Or PANDAS
    Parenting Topics
    Play/Art Therapy Examples
    Relationships
    Trauma

Get Help for Yourself or a Loved One Today! 


Hours

M-F: 8am - 9pm
Sat: 8am -2pm

Telephone

571-733-9736

Center's Owner Contact Info:        Practice Address:

Gabrielle@FamilyTherapyNova.com.                       19420 Golf Vista Plaza #330
Owner/Licensed Therapist                                     Lansdowne, VA 20176
  • Us
    • Meet the Team >
      • What is an Intern?
      • What is a Resident?
    • Blog: Varied Topics by Our Clinicians
    • Blog: Lyme, PANDAS & Other Infections in Children & Adults
  • Adults & Teens
    • Individual Therapy
    • Couples Therapy
    • Family Therapy
    • In Crisis?
  • Child/Tween
    • Play Therapy Explained
    • Issues We Treat
    • Playful Tele-Health
    • In Crisis?
  • Meditation
    • 8 Week Stress Series
  • Admin & Contact Info
    • Paperwork for Chloe Cook Clients
  • For Other Therapists
    • Play Therapy Trainings >
      • Play Therapy Training
      • Play Training: Jan 22, 2021
      • Play Training: March 19, 2021
      • Grievances & Refunds
    • CE Trainings
    • Supervision: RPT