We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chris Conley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chris below.
Chris, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)?
When I think back to my time as a counseling resident, it reminds me of just how challenging and transformative those years were. A lot of people don’t realize that becoming a licensed professional counselor isn’t just about earning a master’s degree. After graduation, you also have to complete a residency, which is essentially two or more years working under the supervision of a licensed counselor. It’s an intense time because you’re often doing some of the most demanding work in the field, all while earning very little. Add any personal struggles into the mix, and it can feel overwhelming.
That was exactly where I found myself during my residency. I hit a rough patch with some personal challenges, including relationship issues and my own mental health struggles. I started questioning if I even belonged in the field—how could I help others when I was struggling so much myself? I was hesitant, but I finally opened up to my supervisor about what I was going through. Her response was filled with grace and encouragement. Not only that, she also connected me with resources to help me heal.
One of those connections was with a medication provider. I’ll admit, I was nervous about meeting her. I didn’t know how I’d afford the appointments, let alone any medication. But as I shared my story with her, including my financial concerns, she said something that has stuck with me ever since: “This is a time when you need help, and I’m in a position to help you. Please let me. In the work we do, it’s so important that we take care of ourselves and each other.”
She followed through on those words, never charging me for appointments and ensuring I had access to the medication I needed at no cost. Her generosity and compassion made such an impact on me—not just personally but professionally. It allowed me to find my footing, and since then, I’ve thrived in this career. I’ve had the privilege of supervising residents and leading mental health teams, and that lesson—that we must care for ourselves and each other to better care for our clients—has been at the heart of how I teach, train, and lead in this field.
Chris, 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?
Mental health work is actually my second career—though you could say it was always a part of my first. I started out as an ordained pastor in a non-denominational church, where I worked with the family ministry team and handled music for the church. Over time, I realized my favorite part of that work was connecting with people who were struggling—whether it was family challenges, troubled kids, or mental health issues. I decided to pursue a master’s degree, originally just to add to my pastoral toolkit, but along the way, I felt a clear shift. Mental health work became my true calling, even more so than pastoral ministry.
Now, as my career has grown, I’ve found a niche working with people who have experienced struggles with their personal faith, including those who have gone through religious or spiritual trauma. I personally believe that good mental health and a meaningful faith can both play an incredible role in a person’s overall well-being, so my work is focused on helping people heal and grow in ways that honor both.
I’m fortunate to do this in a few different ways. In private practice, I work directly with clients, but I also get to teach and train other counselors and partner with other organizations and non-profits in the community who want to gain a fuller grasp on this topic. On top of that, I’ve been pursuing my doctorate, with my research focusing on religious and spiritual trauma. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m proud of the work I get to do to support both individuals and the counseling profession as a whole.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
My biggest piece of advice for managing a team and keeping morale high is to remember that your team members are people first. It might sound simple, but it’s easy to forget when you’re focused on goals and outcomes. Your team isn’t just a means to an end—they’re individuals with their own lives, goals, challenges, and frustrations. The more you can be mindful of this (within reason and with appropriate boundaries), the better leader you’ll be, and the more likely your team will thrive.
Of course, there will always be challenges—conflicts to navigate and tough conversations to have—but keeping that focus on humanity makes all the difference. At the practice I help manage, the founder and I make it a priority to build the kind of workplace we wish we had when we were just starting out in the field. That vision wouldn’t be possible if we didn’t take the time to see and support our team as people first.
Thankfully, we’ve seen the results of this approach firsthand. Our team is happy, motivated, and thriving—and that’s the kind of workplace culture I believe every leader should strive for.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
It feels a little odd to brag on myself, but I think my reputation in the community comes down to a couple of key things. First, I genuinely care about what I do, and that passion fuels my work. Whether it’s the big, visible projects or the smaller, behind-the-scenes tasks, I approach everything with the mindset that it matters. I think that shows in how I show up for my clients and my team—it’s not just about doing the work, but doing it with purpose.
Second, I’m intentional about being present in my community and offering support where I can. Whether it’s volunteering or collaborating with others, I believe that being consistent, reliable, and acting with integrity are essential—not just in this field but in life. Those qualities build trust over time, and in this line of work, trust is everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.openharborconsulting.com
- Instagram: iamconley
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamconley
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-conley-4755023a/
