
Elite Performance Counseling
Robin Boggs Choquette, Psy.D., of Elite Performance Counseling, reflects on the journey which led her to open a psychological counseling practice in Naperville and Arlington Heights.
Elite Performance Counseling provides psychological services to preteens through older adults, including individual psychotherapy, family therapy (including parenting strategies), couple’s therapy and skill seminars. A specialty close to her heart is facilitating performance enhancement for athletes, performing artists, musicians, entertainers and executives.
Q: Why did you go into psychology?
A: During high school I knew I wanted to work in the psychological field, so when I entered college declaring my major was an easy choice. Back then, I wanted to work in research but as I matured, I recognized that I place a high value on relationships. I came to the realization that clinical work was my niche. It’s important my clients and patients and I view my work as helping people achieve their goals. I’m not “saving” someone.
Q: What led you to open your own practice?
A: I have always wanted to own my practice. I had a great mentor, Dr. Susan Andrews. She was instrumental in helping me to reach my goal. Taking the leap of faith is always the difficult part but with a little push from some personal experiences I decided at the end of 2014 to go for it.
Q: Tell us about your community involvement?
A: I hold community service as a core value. When I was a working mom with three children at home, it was much harder to find time and the right opportunity to volunteer, so often involvement was purchasing items for others or cooking dinners. Today, I am rich with many opportunities to serve. I am currently the President-Elect of Exchange Club of Naperville and involved with several committees of the Exchange Club. I serve on the Board of Director of I Support Community and am involved in several committees with the Chamber.
Q: What are the three top skills that women should have to lead an organization or business?
A: This is an interesting question and I am not sure how to answer. I believe my three top skills may not be what another needs to lead. Here goes: my top three skills . . .
1) I learned to ask for help. This seems to be difficult for many of us. Learning to ask for help takes practice.
2) I am secure in my decisions. I make a decision and MOVE FORWARD. If a decision is wrong, I am willing to recognize and acknowledge it, then find ways to continue to move forward.
3) I laugh. As often as possible. At myself. At life. With friends.
Q: What advice would you give for other women in business?
A: Surround yourself with a multitude of supports. I cannot stress enough the value in having a team who will not let you fail.
Q: Since you are always helping people, how do you maintain balance for yourself?
A: Well, to quote our good friend Rick Lochner, it is about alignment. I know at times my life is not balanced. It simply cannot be balanced all the time, given my practice, my community involvement and my far-flung family. I focus on living a life that speaks to my values. Using my values to guide my decision leads me to my balance. Having four grandchildren certainly helps me to remember what is really important. The coolest part of my profession? I get to grow alongside my clients. Again, where core values create the environment for balance.
Q: Whom do you most want to meet in the world?
A: Abraham Lincoln hailed from the beautiful bluegrass Commonwealth of Kentucky and married Lexington, Kentucky native, Mary Todd. He piqued my interest at an early age. I marvel at his timeless words: “He has the right to criticize who has the heart to help”.
Q: If you could wave a magic wand and change anything in our world, what would it be?
If I could get my Harry Potter on, I’d wave my wand made of tulip poplar (the state tree of Kentucky) and grant everyone just a bit of “floo” powder. (Floo powder, per Harry Potter, allows travel within seconds between two fireplaces). I could kiss my grandchildren goodnight and easily be at work early the next morning. No more scheduling travel time into my plans or finding the middle point for friends and family members to meet up. I could have impromptu gatherings with family and friends and have more time to enjoy relationships. Can you imagine how less stressful the holiday season would be? I’d like that for everyone!
Website http://eliteperformancecounseling.com/
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By: Faith Behr, Behr Communications
Behr Communications is a marketing PR firm that helps businesses find and build new audiences, raise awareness and connect with their customers. We offer a range of communications marketing capabilities: social media, digital marketing, direct mail, graphic design, public relations, website development and government relations. We know that successful marketing is built on three essential elements: sound strategy, thoughtful execution and genuine relationships.
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Photo by: Sabina Cavalli Photography, a boutique studio in south Naperville that specializes in creating photographic art with you or your favorite people in it. Sabina is a Certified Professional Photographer, has her Masters of Photography Degree and has received top accolades including the Top 10 Imager in Illinois by the North Central District of the Professional Photographer of America (PPA) and National Bronze Photographer of the Year by the PPA. She teaches lighting and posing techniques at PPA affiliates in the Midwest. Please visit her website at www.sabinacavalli.com or call 630-699-2072 for a visit to her studio.