Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cheryl Groskopf. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Cheryl, thanks for taking the time to share your stories 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.

When I first decided to open my own therapy practice, I knew I wanted a space where people could feel safe sharing the parts of themselves they usually hide. It felt so exciting and a little scary at the same time. My focus was always on helping clients work through anxiety, trauma, and attachment challenges in a holistic way, so I made sure to bring in elements of mind-body work (like somatic therapy), right from the start.

One of the biggest hurdles was figuring out all the behind-the-scenes details—like setting up my website, managing finances, and even choosing the right electronic health record system. It’s a lot when you’re doing it all yourself, and I definitely had moments where I was like, “Should I just go work for someone else?” But then I remembered why I wanted my own practice: to have the freedom to blend traditional talk therapy with deeper, body-based approaches for healing things like anxiety and trauma.

If I could do anything differently, I’d probably give myself permission to ask for help sooner. Whether it was hiring an assistant or consulting with other therapists who had been doing private practice for a while, I learned how important it is to lean on others instead of trying to do everything perfectly on my own (a trait I often see in the people pleasers I work with!).
For anyone thinking about starting their own practice, my biggest piece of advice is to stay true to what lights you up. If you’re passionate about a certain modality, like how trauma therapy and attachment therapy light me up, let that guide you. Your enthusiasm will come through in your work and help draw the right clients to you. And remember, it’s okay to feel a little nervous in the beginning—nerves usually mean you’re doing something that matters.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a therapist who’s always been fascinated by how our minds, bodies, and relationships all tie together. Growing up, I was that friend people turned to when they felt overwhelmed, and I discovered that my genuine interest in understanding people’s stories was a powerful way to help them feel seen. Today, in my private practice, I focus on anxiety, trauma, and attachment with a somatic therapy lens because I’ve seen firsthand how life-changing it can be to treat issues from the inside out—body and mind working in harmony.

I help people who feel stuck in the same old patterns—like people-pleasers who can’t say “no” or adults with a history of childhood trauma who still carry invisible scars. By taking a holistic approach that blends talk therapy with body-based awareness, we uncover the “why” behind these feelings. Together, we figure out how past experiences may be fueling anxiety, strained relationships, or self-doubt.
What sets my work apart is how active and collaborative our sessions are. I’m not just sitting quietly and nodding…I’m asking questions, offering insights, and guiding you to tap into your body’s natural wisdom. It might mean exploring how tension in your shoulders links to that knot in your stomach before a tough conversation, or figuring out why certain triggers still send your nervous system into overdrive. My goal is to provide tools that empower you—so you’re better equipped to handle whatever life tosses your way.

I’m proud of how my clients transform stress and fear into confidence and resilience. Watching them discover their own strength and voice is honestly the best part of my job. Ultimately, I want people to know I’m here as a real, down-to-earth partner on their journey. Whether you’re looking to heal old wounds, manage anxiety, or build stronger relationships, I believe true change is possible when we take the time to understand the mind-body connection and approach therapy as a supportive, collaborative process.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

I believe that beyond formal education and clinical skills, the most important factor for success in this field is genuine presence. Training can teach you techniques like attachment therapy, inner child work, or somatic methods, but if you’re not fully there with your client—listening without judgment and showing real compassion—those tools won’t land as effectively.

For me, presence means slowing down enough to truly hear what someone’s feeling, even if they can’t fully describe it yet. It’s about understanding that people carry old wounds—like unmet attachment needs from childhood or the lingering effects of trauma—and those wounds can show up in the body, as well as the mind. Being fully present helps you notice when a client’s shoulders tense or their breath quickens. That’s a signal to gently explore what might be happening on a deeper level. This blend of curiosity, empathy, and attunement is what helps people feel safe enough to reveal the parts of themselves that need healing.

It also helps to do your own inner work. If I’m talking about the inner child or how past family dynamics can shape our adult relationships, I need to be aware of my own triggers, too. This self-awareness lets me stay centered when my client is experiencing big emotions—like intense anxiety or painful memories—so I can be a steady support. When we, as therapists, model openness and compassion toward ourselves, it creates an environment where clients feel it’s okay for them to do the same.

Lastly, humility and collaboration are huge. Whether I’m offering anxiety therapy or trauma therapy, I work best when I see therapy as a partnership. Yes, I have expertise, but the client is the expert in their own life. By staying humble and open to their insights, together we can uncover what patterns are holding them back—and how to release them.

In my own practice at Evolution to Healing Psychotherapy in Los Angeles, I’ve noticed that combining straightforward talk therapy with body-based (somatic) approaches, plus paying close attention to attachment wounds, really helps people break free from old cycles. At the end of the day, it’s our ability to connect deeply, stay present, and remain genuine that makes all the difference in supporting a client’s growth and transformation.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I’d say the most powerful way I’ve grown my clientele is by creating real, honest relationships with the people I help. When clients sense I’m all-in—genuinely present, actively listening, and offering personalized tools for things like anxiety, trauma, or attachment healing—it sparks the kind of trust that leads them to share their experience with friends or family. It might sound simple, but good word-of-mouth comes from people feeling truly seen and understood in therapy.

My ideal clients are the folks who’ve tried to “just get over it” on their own—like people-pleasers who can’t seem to stop putting everyone else first, or adults who grew up feeling unseen by emotionally unavailable or narcissistic parents and are ready to tackle that inner child work. They often show up in sessions feeling stuck, anxious, or weighed down by old patterns they can’t break on their own. By integrating somatic therapy techniques into our sessions—paying attention to how the body reacts to stress and past hurts— we uncover those deep-rooted blocks that keep them from living the life they want.

Another big part of my growth has been staying true to who I am as a therapist. I’m an active, directive collaborator—I’ll gently challenge you when needed, celebrate your wins, and give you practical tools to use outside the therapy room. People pick up on that authenticity. They know I’m not just going to nod and say, “Go on.” I’m going to roll up my sleeves alongside them so we can rewrite old stories, heal anxious attachments, and learn healthier ways to connect.

So, yes, things like referrals and a well-designed website help. But in my experience, the best marketing is doing therapy that genuinely helps people transform. If they feel better and see real shifts in their relationships or self-esteem, they’re going to talk about it—and that’s how I keep meeting new clients who are ready for the same kind of healing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.evolutiontohealing.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Cheryl-Groskopf-LMFT-LPCC-Evolution-to-Healing-Psychotherapy-61552394821040/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylgroskopflmft
• Other: I am taking an active break from social media, but you can check out some of my interviews and partnerships I have done with Well+Good, Time Magazine, Verywell Mind, Cosmopolitan, and Parade.

Image Credits

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