About Twila Owens

What makes me different from other clinicians?

It’s my own story to mental wellness.

I have a bird’s eye view of what the healing process looks like personally and professionally. I understand the courage it takes to walk into a therapist’s office. Facing our worst fears, traumas, failures, and wanting to end it all is real and painful. Rarely, do any one of us make it to the other side of the healing process alone. There are times in our lives when we all need help and making that first step is critical. My own journey to mental health wellness was full of dark moments and paralyzing fears. The good news is that with the help of others who I trusted and aligned myself with I began to heal. This journey led me to where I am today. Becoming a therapist seemed as natural as taking a breath. I had always been told I was a good listener and understood how others felt. It is my passion and goal to help you to heal, thrive, and live the abundant life that is meant for each of us to have.

Hobbies, Interests, and Favs

Some of my hobbies are gardening, hiking, reading, puzzles, card and board games, traveling, and exercising. Many of my interests include being with my family and friends enjoying the great outdoors in Arkansas. I was born and raised in this great state except for seven years when I lived in Colorado. My husband and I enjoy camping and hiking on a cool day not really one for being hot and sweaty. I enjoy finishing home projects like painting and decorating. My music interests are broad from Lauren Daigel to Eminem, 60’s to present day. I’m more of a rock and roller but like some country. One of my favorite and inspirational songs is I Can See Clearly Now by Jimmy Cliff. This song motivated my choice for my business name. Some of my other favs are John 10:10, the Hobbits Trilogy, Lord of the Rings, and my most favorite is anything Harry Potter. I’ve read all the books over five times and numerous times watching the movies and experienced the World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios August, 2019!!
Here is a picture of me at the Three Broomsticks.

My Education, Training, and Skills

Northwest Arkansas Community College and University of Arkansas

After raising my children and working two to three part time jobs, I made the decision to attend college. Being a non-
traditional student had its pluses and minuses. I completed my first two years toward my bachelor's degree at the Community College, and then transferred to the University of Arkansas. I continued to major in Psychology and earned my Bachelor's of Arts Degree. At the University of Arkansas, I was a Research Assistant and completed an Honor’s Thesis. I chose the School of Social Work to complete my graduate training at the University of Arkansas. There I was a Graduate Assistant and completed a Thesis. I interned at a local Community Mental Health agency and worked with the adult population with chronic mental illness, and then working with adults in outpatient.

Inpatient and Outpatient

After earning my Master’s Degree in Social work, I applied for and was hired to work at an Inpatient facility. I began Clinical Supervision and my first placement was working with children and juvenile sex offenders who have been impacted by family members’ substance abuse and/or their own substance abuse problems. After completing this year, I moved to another position within the same facility and worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families. During this time, I completed my clinical supervision and sat for the Licensed Certified Social Worker exam. Also, I completed the lengthy certification for Trauma -Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy.

After working at the inpatient facility for six years, I pursued a position working outpatient. For the next seven years, I worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families. I began to focus on three areas; Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression. Connected with these three focal areas are grief work, attachment problems, anger management, and relationship building beginning with the self. I enjoyed working with each individual and family. This motivated me to pursue my own dream of having a Private Practice.

Sand-tray Therapy

About nine years ago, I attended a Play Therapy conference and heard about sand-tray therapy. What interested me the most was hearing that this effective technique was helpful for all ages not only children. I pursued this interest and three years ago invested in training to become a Registered Integrative Sand-tray Therapist or RIST. This intensive training taught me about the brain and the parts of the brain that is impacted by trauma, and how using ones hands can help movement to occur within the brain pathways that promotes integration between thoughts and emotions; past and present; and therefore, hope for the future. Sand-tray therapy is a way to increase insight, heal emotional wounds, enhance ability to calm, relax, and focus. Sand-tray directives are specific to what a client is working on. For instance, if I had a client who had familial problems, I would direct the client to build a sand-tray about his/her family using miniatures to place within the sand-tray. This provides an external family view from his/her perspective and clarifies the areas or problems to be addressed. One of my favorite quotes states, “Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in vain” by Carl Jung.

Obtained skills

My skill set is based on experience, education, and training. My Social Work training was based on Multi-Systems Life Course, which promotes a broad view of a client's life within the systems in which they interact throughout every phase of life. I tend to be eclectic in choosing the techniques based on each individual client. Part of my job is to find what works for you, the client, rather than you trying to fit into my rigid view of treatment. Along with Sand-tray therapy, I tend to use techniques from Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solutions-Focused, Reality Therapy, Positive Psychology, Mindfulness skills including breathing and relaxation techniques, Insight enhancing techniques, art, music, drama, humor and most of all getting to know you as a person.