Therapy Of Wellington’s Andrea Rusher Loves Giving Back To Her Community Completely Purposeful
Andrea Rusher is a lifelong resident of Wellington. Today, her work as a therapist helps her to give back to the community she cherishes.
“I love Wellington, as I am a true native, being born and raised here,” Rusher said. “It is beautiful, safe and comfortable, and truly is my home. I enjoy experiencing nature and healthy exercise, and Wellington is perfect for both.
Rusher is especially fond of the people in the community.
“There were several special people who have helped me during the course of my life, and I remember how extremely influential that was for me,” recalled Rusher, who experienced substance abuse challenges in her youth. “I am in recovery for 18 solid years now.”
That experience led her to a career as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
“During the first portion of my life, during my teens and early 20s, I struggled with addiction. I was lost for quite a number of years and became sober at the age of 22. It was after I turned my life around and began working on myself that I decided to become a therapist,” Rusher said. “I wanted to give back to people what was given to me to help me change the course of my life. I was 24 when I knew that becoming a therapist was my destiny, and I was given an opportunity to work at the Hanley Center, a drug and alcohol treatment facility in West Palm Beach. I knew within days of becoming employed at this facility that working with others was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
This inspired her to want to give back to people who had been instrumental in her recovery.
“Those who supported, guided and listened to me, helped me change the course of my life in a positive way,” Rusher explained. “I wanted to give back in the same capacity that was given to me. Therefore, I decided to follow my heart and become a therapist to help others.”
Rusher received her master’s degree in social work in 2010 from Florida Atlantic University and has been licensed with the State of Florida since May 2012. She has comprehensive experience in the treatment industry, with areas of focus in both clinical and management/leadership skills.
Providing psychotherapy to individuals, families, couples and groups in a variety of clinical settings, Rusher is also honored to have led both clinical and operational teams as the director in several leading treatment centers in the area. She is a certified clinical supervisor for social work interns and helps in developing new therapists to reach their potential with their therapeutic skills.
Working in the field for 16 years, Rusher believes that she has found her place in the world.
“I have been in the field of mental health since 2003. I am passionate about helping others and believe it is my true calling,” she said.
Rather than work, it is more of a calling.
“My profession does not feel like a job to me and feels completely purposeful,” said Rusher, who explained that she likes to treat each person who walks through her doors with the best possible regard. “Clients can see all of this and hence feel safe and comfortable in my office.”
Rusher noted that she has clients who are pre-teens, teenagers, adults and older adults. Her specialties include treatment for addictions, eating disorders and trauma resolution.
“With trauma resolution, I use EMDR and psychodrama to help resolve traumatic pasts, so the trauma no longer impacts the client in a negative manner,” she explained. “Although I have specialties in my practice, I treat a wide variety of issues that include, but are not limited to, grief and loss, relationship concerns, LGBTQ-related concerns, and mental health issues such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety.”
Married for three years, Rusher lives in a combined family with her husband Joel, daughter Paige, who is 23, and son Jake, who is 8.
For additional information, call Andrea Rusher at (561) 444-7230 or visit www.therapyofwellington.com. Rusher can also be found on Instagram and Facebook.
