Susan Stormer

I’m a high achiever and work really hard at what I set my mind to do. I’ve struggled with perfectionism and was an anxious kid, although I didn’t know how to describe my experiences at the time to ask for help. I learned in my second career as a professional trail builder that focusing primarily on work and taking care of everybody else to the exclusion of my own rest, play, and self-care is a recipe for burnout. Now that I’m back in the mental healthcare field, I still work hard and love what I do. I’m also grateful to have learned how to create space for myself in addition to connecting with those who matter most to me. When I am focusing on the personal part of the work-life balance equation, you’re likely to find me enjoying the trails in our beautiful Pacific Northwest by foot, bike, or horse; spending time with friends and enjoying great food and conversations; or reading by the fireplace along with my husband and our retired racing greyhound Vincent.