Guest: Stephanie Hanley
Her untold story reveals the levels of toxicity and bullying Stephanie experienced as she entered the workforce in a professional capacity, the way in which she tolerated workplace harassment, and how she eventually learned to handle the distress she endured. Stephanie shared that while her work role was at an established organization and she was not doing any physical labour, she found that the emotional and mental toll she experienced because of the workplace toxicity and negative environment was a great deal of physical impact. She describes feeling extreme fatigue and burnout, headaches, stomach discomfort, high and low emotions, crying spells, all while not knowing how she was being treated at work was harassment and toxic and also not being able to recognize that what she was experiencing was a cause for concern. She assumed this is what work life was supposed to be like. With all the suffering that Stephanie underwent, she ended up requiring a medical leave, later being let go from her position. During the peak of her distress, she was affected by imposter syndrome, and it chipped away at her confidence and her inner resiliency. She noticed that her personal interactions were impacted, she was not able to stay present for conversations and events, Stephanie described feeling so low that it was difficult for her to feel joy. Overall, she explained that she felt completely isolated, alone, didn’t think that anyone else would understand, even her close friends, and she ended up staying in a negative feedback loop for some time. Her key message to the listeners is that: pay attention to your gut and the signals your body gives you; put healthy boundaries in place for yourself and speak up when you experience that something is not okay; if you are experiencing burnout, this is a red flag – so it needs to be addressed at its earliest; don’t ignore your internal experiences, because if you do, it will be detrimental to your health or life circumstances, instead – take action.
Guest Bio: Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree, and a Graduate Certificate in Youth Justice and Interventions. Over her career thus far, she has worked with children and adolescents in education, custody, healthcare, and non-profits organizations while at the same time navigating her own journey with anxiety, toxic behaviours, boundary setting and mindfulness. She is an advocate for the importance of well-being and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, wellness, and treatments.
Stephanie currently practices social work at ‘Dare to Heal…Let’s Talk!’ and primarily works with children, tweens, and teens. Stephanie has always had a passion for working with children, particularly those with exceptionalities, those who are at-risk, and/or experiencing mental health challenges. She loves to incorporate innovative and fun ways to engage with and support her young clients during their time together.
Passionate about: Kids Help Phone – a universal resource for teens, utilizing technology and various mediums to suit young minds.
1-800-668-6868