In Session with Anne

Anne Tyler - Founder & Therapist, LPCC-S of In Session

By: Woman Up Cleveland

Anne founded In Session in 2019 and prioritizes autonomy, empowerment collaboration, respect, and compassion.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we knew the best way to highlight this was by not only collaborating, but by listening and learning more about what it means to provide support within the community. Mental health professionals are such a key part of a thriving community and Anne Tyler is no exception.

Anne, founder and therapist at In Session Therapy Studio is a licensed professional clinical counselor providing care to the Cleveland community. Since 2014, she has grown and expanded her practice to include other professionals. In her career, she has also gained extensive experience working with individuals impacted by trauma related to intimate partner violence and sexual assault as well as abuse and neglect. 

After graduating from Cleveland State University, Anne found herself experiencing burnout quickly and ultimately opened her own practice with In Session. Now, with a team of five other professionals, In Session supports its many clients by being an inclusive, feminist therapy studio. Located in Old Brooklyn, In Session also offers a boutique store in its lobby, From the Lobby, that contributes 5% of sales to the affordable therapy fund at the studio. The fund is primarily supported through merchandise sales as well, in which 100% of proceeds from In Session merch go directly to the fund.

In Session’s Affordable Therapy Fund acknowledges that finding support can be hard, and paring for it can be even more difficult. “At In Session, we believe no one should have to choose between their mental health and financial stability. That’s why we created the Affordable Therapy Fund, to offer discounted or fully covered therapy for those who need it,” reads their website.

With thoughtful support like the affordable therapy fund and an environment welcoming to all, In Session truly set’s itself apart in its efforts to make mental health resources accessible and inclusive. The value lies in modernizing therapy and removing outdated practices in order to end the continued shame and stigma in seeking mental health services. Anne describes this best saying, “The core of my work uses feminist theory to explore how systems of oppression as well as socialization impact our emotional health and explore how one can move toward empowerment and autonomy.”

In Session centers on creating a safe, non-judgemental, and empowering space for those seeking mental health treatment.

For Anne, this was a natural choice once she entered the workforce and began to see the disparities and exhaustive practices first hand. Throughout grad school and into her first roles as a therapist, she found herself easily drawn to working at organizations that were pro-choice, anti-racist and anti-oppressive. This quickly became the foundation of her work and a core part of her practice as it continues to expand.

Like many, Anne found herself at a dead end fueled by burnout and was eager to make a change in her career. Starting out as a shared art studio space, In Session quickly became a flourishing space for clients and therapists alike to feel a sense of peace and calm while addressing their health. “I knew I wanted to prioritize my feminist therapy background into a more thoughtful space and practice,” Anne said of her priorities when founding In Session.

It is easy to assume that community goes hand in hand with this line of work since support and connection are such a common thread between the two. However, it is widely understood that the professionals providing this care to those who need it most, can sometimes need support themselves. Banding together in practice and professionalism remains important to Anne and the team at In Session as well as keeping a hold on the lighter aspects of the connections that are formed.

Anne told us, “What a lot of people already know about the therapeutic experience is that it can be pretty difficult and vulnerable at times but I think what a lot of people don’t realize is that it can also be uplifting, fun and lighthearted as well.” Maintaining this positive outlook and relationship based communication goes a long way and shows Anne’s clients that they are not only being seen as clients, but as people. Mentioning how highly she values quality time, Anne told us that the most rewarding part of her work is the connections formed with the people that she works with. 

In a career that naturally carries so much weight, especially from others, it can be hard to prioritize yourself. Women too often find themselves carrying the emotional weight of themselves and others and can quickly be reduced to burnout and overwhelm. We asked Anne how she combats this result in a field that all but requires her to support others so frequently.

Old Brooklyn is a roughly 13 minute drive south from Downtown Cleveland.

In no particular order, she listed getting outside, connecting with others, seeking her own support system, and staying true to herself and her values. As a echo of her own line of work, Anne proves that community and relationships are what keeps us moving forward, especially when it becomes difficult to do so. She is an embodiment of the importance of connection and the effects it can have on someone’s mental health.

“Daily walks at Edgewater, leaning on my amazing colleagues (looking at you Katie, Rachel, Kate, Lindsay & Justine), seeing my own therapist to process both personal things as well as professional, knowing my values so that I can be a confident therapist but also run a business that I am proud of, and surrounding myself with the best support system ever,” she said of how she takes care of herself and her own mental health.

Unsurprisingly, this collective support of the community applies to her business and work as an entrepreneur as well. Anne see’s first hand not just the mental and emotional aid that these bonds can create, but the good that a community can do for those who engage positively with their neighbors. Old Brooklyn has always been a community dedicated to small business success and she knows that her luck at settling there has been a benefit to the studio. Anne said, “I feel incredibly lucky that In Session ended up in Old Brooklyn because this is a proud community that cares about each other and wants to see the neighborhood thrive.”

In a particularly unique situation, Anne also partners closely with Ann Marie, the owner and operator of From the Lobby. She mentioned so many ways that their collaboration has been amazing but is particularly fond of getting to be more involved in the events and gatherings going on in the community and meeting so many people. 

With a large part of their mission being to contribute to the affordable therapy fund, From the Lobby has hosted many events at the boutique to support shopping small, highlight local business, and continue to engage the community. In Session has truly become a welcoming and inviting space for all by providing not only a safe place for individuals to explore their mental health resources, but to give back to both the neighborhood economy and small business network.

Anne has seen success with From the Lobby’s efforts in reaching its community and providing In Session with a network to connect those who seek support with a program that can help them receive it, regardless of finances. “Because of the partnership with From the Lobby, In Session has also been able to provide assistance to clients who experience some sort of financial hardship which is a service that directly benefits the community and is something we have not been able to do in the past,” she said.

From the Lobby celebrates affordable therapy and little treats each and every day.

It has only been a year that the two businesses have been working alongside each other and Anne knows this is just the start of a long and beneficial relationship between not just the organizations themselves, but all those who interact with either entity. Walking through the doors of In Session provides all who enter with a cozy, understanding, and serene space to explore their mental health options all while greeting them in the lobby with a joyful and beautifully dedicated place to unwind and support each other.

Though the space has perfectly mastered the art of a warm welcome, there is more under the surface that ensures all who cross the threshold receive the care they seek out for themselves. Anne deeply understands that any support can be difficult to ask for saying, “We trust that you are the expert of your life and work in collaboration with you to figure out what you want to see for yourself by coming to therapy. You are not a problem to fix and we will take every opportunity to celebrate you as you are and as you grow.”

Although stigma and misunderstanding has shifted over the years, it is undeniable that there are many barriers to entry for people who are considering therapy, especially for the first time. Anne is no stranger to the beginners who are seeking support for the first time, or those with a negative experience who are venturing to find a more inclusive option for their healthcare. 

She knows that it can be tough to see therapy as a positive experience instead of a call for help. To combat this, Anne often encourages people who are unsure if they can even benefit from mental health care to simply give it a try. As for advice to newcomers and returning clients alike, Anne shared, “If there are things you want to see be different in your life and you have an openness to learning about yourself and your patterns then there is absolutely a chance that you would gain new insights and knowledge from therapy.”

Deeply and meaningfully in touch with her own values, as well as those of the community she so admittedly supports, Anne Tyler is a shining example of a mental health professional that sees past her role and understands the impact of connection. Providing an understanding and uplifting environment with In Session, she has built a studio that gives clients, guests, and community members alike a safe space to explore their own neighborhoods and own feelings simultaneously. Seamlessly blending professionalism and compassion, Anne continues to foster growth and support for herself, her team, and her client. She is truly a beacon of light in the Cleveland community and we are honored to be partnering with her, Ann Marie, and the whole team at In Session & From the Lobby for our May fundraising event benefiting the studio’s very own affordable therapy fund.