As I sit down to reflect on this journey, I think back to the video I recorded in my sunroom before relaunching Healing Practice Counseling (HPC). That moment represented a significant shift for me and my practice—moving from the comfort of virtual sessions in my home to the challenge of reopening in person. It was a time of uncertainty and growth, and that video captured the raw emotion of what it means to answer the call.
The Call and the Struggle
Answering the call to relaunch HPC hasn’t been easy. There have been many moments when I’ve wanted to give up. As a therapist, I’ve navigated the complexities of clinical work, but being a business owner has brought its own set of challenges. My manager parts have been in overdrive, constantly aware of potential threats—especially the looming fear of shame when we had to borrow money from our in-laws to close on our loan.
Humility has been my companion, reminding me that being a good therapist doesn’t always mean instant business success. I’ve learned so much as a Clinical Director—not just about business operations but about my own values, what I stand for, and how to protect the counseling profession ethically. It has been painful at times, and I’ve had to confront parts of myself that fear disapproval, fear making mistakes, and grapple with self-doubt.
Telehealth and the Changing Landscape
As therapists, we are not talking enough about how telehealth has fundamentally changed our work. It has impacted the way we interact with clients, our self-care, patient care, and the overall quality of therapeutic interventions we provide. For me, I have realized that virtual therapy is not my ministry. I am good at being present, in person, in time and space with people—and that is where I feel I make the most meaningful connections.
The market has shifted, and direct services have become more challenging to manage, especially when balancing telehealth with in-person work. In my role at HPC, I’ve seen how these shifts affect not only therapists but also our clients, who often miss out on the depth of in-person sessions.
The Journey of Growth and Grant Applications
In 2023, we moved HPC out of our home-based setting and into a commercial office in Takoma Park, Maryland. It’s our first time operating as a startup wellness clinic in a professional business building, and while that’s exciting, it has also brought new challenges. We’re navigating the process of finding therapists to rent office space and hiring staff to support our growth. Juggling my roles as clinical director, administrator, and marketing coordinator while also providing direct services to clients has been an ongoing challenge.
Recently, we submitted an application for a grant to help with this very challenge. The grant would provide the resources we need to hire qualified staff, like an in-person executive assistant, and expand our ability to offer in-person mental health services to the community. It’s a crucial step in continuing to answer the call and bring HPC out of the aches and into growth.
The Hero’s Journey
As I reflect on my journey, I keep coming back to Joseph Campbell's metaphor of the Hero’s Journey. There’s something deeply resonant in the idea that we all have to answer the call, face obstacles, and ultimately emerge transformed. For me, this journey has been about answering the call not just as a therapist, but as a leader, a business owner, and someone committed to providing quality mental health care.
Finding that old video feels like a full-circle moment. It represents the beginning of this phase, and I’m proud to share it as part of my journey. I hope it will serve as an inspiration not only for my fellow therapists but for anyone navigating their own struggles and answering their own calls.
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