Emily Beaudry says she became a therapist to help those who need support, and her recent work takes that to the next level.
Every Thursday, the Rogers therapist heads to Lake Area Free Clinic in Oconomowoc to offer sessions at no cost for individuals who are uninsured or below a certain level of income.
“You can tell many of them just need someone to listen to them,” Emily says. “When I leave, I always feel super proud of them for taking the step to come to therapy, because for some of them, this is brand new.”
Since she volunteered to do this work about a year ago in April 2024, Emily says she’s met with about 18 people.
“When I see them reach big milestones, I’m really happy for them,” she says. “It makes me feel like, ‘OK, like this is working. I’m helping.’”
Emily says her work with Lake Area Free Clinic helps her, too.
“This clinic has helped me really go past my comfort zone and grow,” she says. “I’m meeting new people, learning about different cultures, and getting new perspectives.”
From Emily’s perspective, work at the clinic puts her right where she’s meant to be.
“Being that support person for someone when they may not have that otherwise fills my cup,” Emily says. “This has taken the ‘why’ behind my work to a completely new level I didn’t realize it could.”
