We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Diana Beltran a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Diana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Starting a private practice was definitely intimidating. Making the leap from a steady paycheck to working for myself was a big shift, but I believe everyone needs that push to take risks. I had been working for someone else since I was 13, always relying on my employer for support. As a clinician, I always dreamed of having my own practice, so I gradually gained experience in different areas. In 2022, I took the plunge and joined a group practice. After a year and a half, though, I realized that working for someone else was becoming too draining, so I decided to leave.

My dad always told me that if I’m going to do something, I should fully commit to it. So, I started by reaching out to someone to help design a logo and create a website, which helped me define my niche. Having guidance on the marketing side and learning how to build a brand was invaluable. Now, I’m taking another risk by hiring an employee and expanding my practice. I’m excited for this new chapter in my journey.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Diana Beltran, and I was born in Park Ridge, Illinois, to Mexican immigrants. When I was about four years old, my family moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, after my dad received a job opportunity with Deluxe Media. We settled in a suburb called Maumelle, where I spent most of my childhood. I graduated from Mount St. Mary Academy in 2012 and went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in social work, at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville.

Initially, I had plans to become a doctor, but everything changed after I took my first psychology class. I fell in love with studying human behavior and the complexity of the mind. Around the same time, my best friend, Jessica Villegas, who I’ve known since I was 15, introduced me to social work. At first, I was hesitant, thinking it was mainly about removing children from their families, but I quickly learned that social work encompassed so much more—advocacy, systems theory, and how they impact mental health. I graduated in 2016 and returned to Little Rock to begin my master’s in social work at UALR.

It wasn’t until my internship at the Arkansas State Hospital that I knew I was in the right field. I loved working with adolescents, collaborating with teams to help patients, and supporting families in improving their lives. After graduating in 2018, I joined the Centers for Youth and Families, where Jessica and I were the only bilingual clinicians offering counseling services in Spanish in Central Arkansas. Working alongside my best friend was an incredible experience, as we each carried a 60+ caseload and became trained in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), offering bilingual services in Spanish—the only two in the state of Arkansas.

We were passionate about advocating for bilingual services, often volunteering on weekends to promote mental health awareness in Southwest Little Rock. We spoke at churches, attended community meetings, and met with stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of mental health in the Latino community.

In 2020, I moved to Dallas, Texas, and started working at The Family Place in 2021, helping survivors of domestic violence. This experience taught me about the unique challenges faced by Latino survivors and how to navigate complex systems with them. I provided testimony at hearings, attended court with clients, and offered support as they faced their abusers. It was an incredibly humbling and impactful experience.

In May 2022, I began my private practice journey and became the Clinical Director at Therapy Works Counseling Services, PLLC. I continued to build connections in the Dallas area, speaking at events and supervising interns and staff. In 2023, I co-founded the BIPOC Network with Adriana “Adry” Sanders, MS, LPC-S, a space for clinicians of color to connect and support one another. Every second Friday of the month, we host networking events at Valley of Hope in Grapevine, where clinicians from all backgrounds come together to learn and grow.

On February 5, 2024, I transitioned full-time into my solo virtual private practice. I’m a fully licensed clinical social worker in both Texas and Arkansas and a board-approved supervisor in Texas. My practice focuses on supporting women and first-generation Latinas who struggle with anxiety disorders, OCD, and trauma. I’m trained in EMDR and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and have been conducting immigration evaluations for six years.

I’m deeply passionate about mental health, especially within the Latino community in both Texas and Arkansas, and I’m excited to see how my practice continues to grow and evolve.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I believe the most effective approach is to become an expert in my niche. I’ve also put in a lot of effort to network with other clinicians and actively promote their services whenever possible. As a social worker, it’s crucial to build strong relationships with stakeholders in the community and have a trusted network of providers to refer clients to. This not only supports clients in getting the best care but also ensures they are satisfied with the services they receive.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe the way I carry myself has been key to building my reputation. I have a genuine love for my fellow clinicians and truly want to see them succeed. I like to think of myself as someone’s number-one cheerleader! Being authentic, generous with my support, and sharing resources is important to me, and I think that kindness has played a big role in shaping my reputation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.happyautumncounseling.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyautumncounseling/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093331817943
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/happy-autumn-counseling-supervision-pllc/?viewAsMember=true

Image Credits

Mallory Green Photography