We recently connected with Megan McDevitt and have shared our conversation below.

Megan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

I was sitting in the cafeteria of where I was working at the time, happy in life. I had just been approved for a mortgage loan and a man who is highly respected had asked me what my dreams were. Without thinking, I had said my dream as a kid was to move to Los Angeles, but I could never. He asked “did you change your life to just stay comfortable?” It really threw me, as I was 22 years old at the time and proud of how far I had gotten. That question really had me thinking. I went home that night and really gave it some thought, did I really want to just settle? Was I just going by the societal norm? Just checking the boxes, so that I could fit in with the rest of the world? You see, what that man had said – made me realize that buying a house, having a job and a life that I enjoyed, didn’t have to be the end of my story. I could rewrite my own narrative, and not have to look back on the bill of regret later in life.
I was 22, and still had so much life to live. I decided to pull out of the mortgage I was approved for, and within 3 weeks had packed everything I could fit into my car with my dog Gizmo, and we drove across the country to start my lifelong dream in Los Angeles, California. We stopped at national parks all along the way, from a pit stop in Chicago for their deep dish pizza, to taking in the views at Rocky Mount national park to Moab Utah. We were able to see it all and soak in every single moment.
It challenged me in every way, being far from my family, my friends and quite frankly everything I had ever known. I was able to prove to myself that at anytime or any moment. I am in control of what I do and it all starts with a thought followed by action. You don’t always need it all to know that it can’t be figured out with the right mindset and putting one foot in front of the other.

Megan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I got into my profession after finding recovery for myself. Once I found recovery I wanted to help others find their light after going through so much. CounselingUNLMTD isn’t a traditional counseling office—it’s a nationwide coaching and companion-based service designed to support individuals and families dealing with high-acuity mental health issues, addiction recovery, autism, and transitions between care. We provide therapeutic mentors, 24/7 companioning, transportation to and from treatment, family and parent coaching, executive functioning / Life skill building support, and monitoring. We work directly with clinical teams, hospitals, and private practitioners as an extension of care—bridging the gap between treatment and real life. Being their direct support through some of their toughest times.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I grew up just outside of Philadelphia in a household where resilience was more than just a word—it was a way of life. My mother was the heart of our family. She worked three or more jobs at a time to keep things afloat, showing me what it meant to push forward, even in the face of adversity. My father struggled with ongoing medical issues and was often in and out of the hospital, which only added to the weight my mother carried. My sister, who is four years older than me, and I learned early on that if we wanted something, we had to work for it.

One of the most lasting pieces of advice my mother ever gave me was, “Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” I held on to that, even when I wasn’t sure what I wanted to be. Watching her show up for our family, day in and day out, while also caring for my father, laid the foundation for how I would come to approach my own life—with hard work, faith, and determination.

At 13, I got my first job in Sea Isle City, New Jersey. We were lucky enough to spend our summers at the Jersey Shore, and while the days were filled with work, the nights were reserved for family, friends, and fun. That first job eventually led to a managerial role at a local ice cream shop. I biked to and from work every day, earning $6 an hour plus tips. I loved it—not just the job, but the people, the responsibility, the simple joy of making someone smile. It taught me early on what leadership looked like and what it felt like to be part of a team.

Despite that drive, school was always a challenge for me. I struggled with focus and often compared myself to my peers, which led to feelings of failure. By the time I reached high school, most of my friends had clear plans for college. I, on the other hand, had decided it wasn’t for me. I didn’t believe I was capable. My sister had always known she wanted to be a nurse and excelled in school, while I felt lost, unsure of who I was or where I was headed. That uncertainty led to trouble and a few too many wrong turns.

But then something changed. I found recovery—and with it, I found my purpose.

After going through treatment myself, I began working at the very same center that had helped save my life. I witnessed firsthand the power of recovery, not only in my own life, but in the lives of others. I also experienced profound loss. Far too often, I found myself attending more funerals than weddings, watching families grieve the unimaginable loss of a child or sibling to addiction or mental illness. Those moments solidified my commitment. I knew I wanted to help others—individuals and families—find their way out of darkness.

The last nine years have been transformative. There are still times when I stop and look around, overwhelmed by what I’ve been able to accomplish. It hasn’t been easy, but everything has been earned through action, community, and connection. I’ve learned I don’t have to do life alone.

Recovery has gifted me a life of meaning. It has connected me with strong women, supportive friends, and family members who never gave up on me—even when I had given up on myself. Their love and presence helped me show up for others, which in turn gave me purpose. That purpose kept me grounded. It kept me here.

Without recovery, I wouldn’t be here today. And without the people who walked alongside me—my family, my friends, and my community—I would not have found my way.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

f I had to choose again, I would still choose this path—any field that allows me to help others and contribute to improving people’s lives. Over the years, through both personal healing and professional development, I’ve been fortunate to gain valuable experience in a variety of roles. Each opportunity has deepened my passion and broadened my perspective.

I’ve had the privilege of working alongside remarkable professionals in the mental health and addiction recovery space, using my lived experience as a foundation to build meaningful connections and provide support. Two years ago, I expanded my work beyond substance use disorders to include executive function coaching for adults on the autism spectrum. This role focuses on helping individuals over the age of 18 develop life skills, achieve personal goals, and navigate key milestones toward independence.

I’m grateful for the diverse experiences that have shaped my journey. What continues to inspire me most is watching clients grow in self-awareness, take meaningful action, and build supportive communities around themselves. Witnessing that transformation—seeing individuals create lives of connection and independence—is, without question, the most rewarding part of the work I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.counselingunlmtd.com
• Instagram: CounselingUNLMTD
• Facebook: Meg McDevitt
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-mcdevitt-b778071a7/