Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Elder
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my mental health therapy practice in 2018 and closed it down after 6 months due to struggling to find clients to work with. I eventually opened up my therapy practice again in 2020 with a focus on working with couples and grew quickly. I am now the owner of a small group practice focused on serving couples in Washington State and have one employee on the team.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely been a bumpy road. I struggled in the beginning of entrepreneurship with imposter syndrome that was partially self-imposed and developed from the impression of more established therapists in the field. This resulted in closing my practice after 6 months and moving to work for a group practice because I thought I needed to be supported by more established therapists and have more time in the field as a therapist before going out on my own. That experience taught me a lot and ultimately helped provide the confidence in my skills for being an entrepreneur. I re-opened my practice after having my child and filled my schedule to full-time within 1 year. When I re-opened my practice, I was only open for a month before the pandemic began which led to quickly learning how to conduct virtual therapy. It became a huge blessing as it has allowed me to serve more clients across the state versus only serving those in the neighborhood I reside in.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are a mental health group practice serving couples and individuals living in Washington State. Our mission is to help couples grow old and grey together and have a lifetime of connection. I am proud of the business I have developed and how the team is focused on engaging in continuous development to provide the most impactful and supportive couples counseling. I am also proud of honoring part of our mission of creative realistic and sustainable change for couples and as a team. I focus intently on ensuring that the work we do as therapists is sustainable as the work of caring for the mental and emotional needs of others has weight to it. I came from roles that focused on serving as many clients as possible even if it was not realistic or sustainable and I believe I have an ethic to ensure I am caring for myself well so that we can care for clients well. The practice I have created centers on sustainability with our clients and ourselves.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Trial and error is essential to entrepreneurship. Not every effort, decision, marketing strategy or service is going to be a home run hit. If I stopped trying new things because they were not working, I know that I would not be where I am today. There have been so many trainings, products, services and strategies I have implemented over the past 7 years and even if they are not home-run hits, I learn something from the experience that I can take moving forward.
Pricing:
- Couples Therapy $150-250 for 60-minute sessions
- Individual Therapy $150-$180 for 60-minute sessions
- Bringing Baby Home Class $495 for 6-weeks/weekend workshop
- 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work Workshop $500 for weekend workshop
- Prepare/Enrich Training for Therapists and Coaches $250
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.connectedcouplescounseling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectedcouplescounseling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectedcouplescounseling
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ConnectedCouplesCounseling
Image Credits
Addison Blaise Photography