Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Galloway
Hi Megan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into the mental health field has been anything but linear. After college, I relocated to Los Angeles to work as a producer in the television and film industry. I spent my twenties immersed in television production, navigating the fast-paced and demanding environment of the industry. However, when I became a parent, everything changed.
The experience of motherhood stirred up unresolved trauma from my own childhood, prompting me to embark on a personal journey of healing through therapy. My desire to be fully present for my child and break free from the patterns of my upbringing led me to reevaluate my career. The demanding hours of the industry, coupled with an environment that wasn’t supportive of mothers—especially before the Me Too movement—prompted a shift.
I decided to channel my passion for physical health and wellness into becoming a Pilates instructor. This role afforded me the flexibility to set my own hours and be more present in my family’s life. As I worked with clients in my private studio, many of whom were navigating peri-natal and menopausal stages, I noticed a recurring theme: emotional issues often surfaced during our sessions. Clients frequently opened up about relational struggles, parenting challenges, and early childhood experiences, which piqued my interest in the connection between the body, emotional release through movement, and trauma.
Witnessing the profound impact of stored emotional pain with clients when releasing certain musculoskeletal groups played a big role in my going back to school for my master’s so that I could integrate somatic bodywork with mental health practices. My personal experiences with childhood trauma, secondary infertility struggles as an adult, and the complexities of parenting—have enriched my understanding and empathy in a profound way. They have allowed me to connect with and support clients on a deeper level, making the transition to a career in mental health feel like a natural evolution of my journey.
Today, I am dedicated to working with women’s health issues, combining my background in physical wellness with a deep commitment to mental health. My goal is to provide a holistic approach that honors both the physical and emotional aspects of healing, helping others navigate their own journeys with understanding and compassion.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has definitely not been smooth. One of the biggest obstacles has been overcoming self-doubt. Making a career change, especially later in life, is never easy. Deciding to pursue a new career and going back to school came with its own set of challenges. Balancing these professional aspirations with the demands of raising two children and running a household has been hard.
The journey required confronting my own insecurities and managing my own feelings of guilt as a mother. I often struggled with the sense that I wasn’t doing enough for my kids while trying to excel in my new career. Throughout the process, my therapist was instrumental in guiding me and helping me navigate these challenges. Her support was crucial in helping me build the resilience needed to persevere.
Ultimately, despite the difficulties, the experience has been positive. My children have witnessed my hard work and perseverance, and their pride in my accomplishments has been gratifying. It’s shown them that it’s never too late to pursue one’s goals and dreams and make a big change.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I take a culturally sensitive and holistic approach to therapy, blending techniques like EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and somatic therapies to help clients regulate their nervous systems and address deep-seated issues.
I specialize in supporting individuals who have faced complex developmental trauma and reproductive health challenges, such as birth trauma, infertility, and pregnancy loss. I’m passionate about guiding people through these difficult experiences and helping them find healing.
In addition to my work as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) at Her Space Therapy LA, I also work at a 12-step intensive outpatient recovery center. There, I lead a mental health group and provide individual therapy for people dealing with addiction, many of whom have a history of complex childhood trauma and abuse. This role has given me valuable insights into the intersection of trauma and addiction.
I’ve also worked with children and teens in school settings, adding another layer to my practice. What sets me apart is my diverse experience in the populations of maternal health, children and adolescents, and addiction.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Taking risks is an important part of personal growth. It’s really hard to step out of your comfort zone. Going back to school was a significant financial and emotional risk for me. It was a leap into the unknown, but it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
If I hadn’t taken that leap and entered graduate school, I wouldn’t be in the career that I am so passionate about today. I can honestly say that I love being a therapist; it fills me with energy and fulfillment. I didn’t know I would feel this way when I started school. This risk allowed me to start a meaningful career that has been incredibly rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://herspacela.com/about-megan
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megan.galloway.54
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/megan-galloway-pasadena-ca/1312643
