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

Alright, Braquelle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

I had been dreaming of my practice for a long time, but I had some doubts about my ability to open a thriving practice so early in my career. I had never really seen anyone open one right when they became fully licensed, so it felt like uncharted territory, a huge risk, and a whole lot of learning. I also have an ADHD brain so the executive functioning involved in planning and knowing what direction I wanted to go was overwhelming. I started my practice in April of 2024, the same month I became fully licensed. At the time, I was working at Tamia Barnes Tomasek, LLC. Tamia offered business mentorship to me as I was opening my practice. Her guidance was invaluable and beause I had her support, I gained the confidence to start by practice, Dazed Therapy.

For my website, I used a free template online, and then I hired another therapist, Noelle Benach, LCPC, to it edit for me. She was really supportive and offered a lot of valuable insight. It was really important to me to have a second set of eyes on my website since it was all so new to me. I really wanted my personality to shine through. Once I had my website built I could envision where I wanted to go. Now I edit my site often, tweking it to be more aligned with me and my practice with each edit. I love to day dream about the ways that I can continue to grow and support my community in the process.

If you’re a new clinician thinking about starting your practice, I advise you to seek support and guidance from other clinicians. You do not need to do it alone.

You can also edit as you go, overtime your practice can improve and become a better reflection of you- as you grow.

Braquelle , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Braquelle Murphy, MS, LCPC (she, her). I’m a multiracial psychotherapist born, raised, and based in Maryland. I currently reside and operate my practice in Silver Spring, Maryland, which is located on the traditional and ancestral homelands of the Piscataway and Nacotchtank people. I work with both individuals and couples utilizing trauma-informed care, ego state therapy, animal-assisted psychotherapy, EMDR, and more.

In addition to individual and relationship therapy services, I offer clinical liaison services at Tamia Barnes Tomasek Counseling LLC, EMDR intensives, consultation with EMDR-trained clinicians, and community- or practice-based presentations.

My journey to creating Dazed Therapy began in childhood as I watched my father live a life of service as a police officer. I watched him truly do something he believed in and cared about. I always knew I wanted to help people. I wanted to connect and hold space. I longed for a “job” that didn’t feel like a job- but it felt more like an endless road to knowing and understanding more about others and myself. Being a helper is the only way I imagined my life going and honestly helping, and holding space for healing, helps me, too.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

I would choose the same profession. I was pre-nursing in undergrad and changed majors after taking one human anatomy class. I quickly learned it was not for me.

I have always loved listening to people tell thier stories. I think I am naturally intuitive and attuned to others around me.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

During my practicum and internship portion of my degree, I was stationed in Germany with my partner. I had to advocate for myself in spaces so that I could continue my degree and finish my degree before we PCSd. when I was trying to find practicum and internship placement, I was told a million times “no”. Eventually, I was given the green light three days before my semester started. I worked full-time while completing my internship and practicum for 9 months. There was so much happening outside of my control during this time, but I persevered. I was so motivated to graduate and start my career as a therapist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dazedtherapy.com

Image Credits

Melissa Barrick