We recently connected with Amber Dumas and have shared our conversation below.

Amber, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

A defining moment in my professional career was the initial COVID-19 shutdown and social distancing restrictions. Mental health was a growing topic in general conversation before COVID, but it catapulted into the forefront of everyone’s collective conscious at that moment in time. The influx of individuals seeking counseling services was unprecedented. The amount of uncertainty, fear, anxiety and stress due to potential illness, financial stressors, employment and relational strain was constant. I had to reconsider what it meant to support others through a constantly shifting landscape, while showing up for myself and family. That time showed me how delicate the balance of life truly had been prior to the shutdown. It also made me aware that life, and clinical practice, was going to be forever different. I learned a lot about the importance of prioritizing self care and nurturing meaningful relationships. Finding pockets of gratitude and deepening my faith and restorative practices became an area of priority for me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervision Designation (LISW-S) in the State of Ohio. I have 15 years of clinical counseling practice working in a Federally Qualified Health Centers in Cleveland, Ohio. I am launching my private practice, ARROW Counseling Services, this year to continue the work of helping individuals through challenging life transitions, difficulties and stressful times, but from a faith-based perspective. I provide individual counseling sessions and am going to branch out to intensive weekend sessions and training programs.

I desired to provide mental health counseling to individuals from a young age. Growing up in an under resourced neighborhood always prompted me to think of “what would this person’s life look like if they had access to something different”. And that something different wasn’t always a material or tangible possession, but perhaps a concept, a skill, emotional regulation tool that could help them potentially make a life changing choice or decision. I wanted to be one conduit to help people discover that “something different” as it relates to how they approach their mental and emotional well-being.

I am most proud of the growth and progress of my clients. I am honored to have access and be trusted to walk this part of their journey with them. Seeing them make connections, gain understanding, take healthy risks, find peace, healing, love, and insight is a privilege that I am most proud to experience.

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

Word of mouth has been the most effective strategy for growing clientele in the counseling world. So by offering excellent customer service and ensuring a good client experience, clients spread the word. They are walking brand ambassadors without me having to do anything other than providing consistent, attentive and personalized service.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson that I had to unlearn (and am still unlearning) is the idea that I have to work myself to the point of exhaustion in order to be considered “productive”. I have always had a strong work ethic and high expectations for myself. And while that is wonderful for school projects, it can be draining and unrealistic in other settings. With adult work and personal responsibilities, a point is reached where nonstop work is unsustainable. I am actively working towards working smarter, not harder. What that looks like now is giving myself permission to rest both my mind and body; say no; set boundaries around my time and energy resources, change my mind and learn through my mistakes.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.arrowcounselingsvcs.com
• Instagram: arrow_counseling

Image Credits
Images in vest: Jason Garden