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

Danielle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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 worked for a mental health counseling center that I loved. I loved my job so much that I worked long days and weekends and didn’t mind it one bit because not only was I helping people, but I also enjoyed what I did for a living and when you enjoy what you do, it is not “work.” I eventually hired my now business partner. We worked very well together and eventually knew each other’s thoughts.

A few years later, we learned the business was to be sold to another organization. However, we quickly learned the new organization was not in the spirit of helping clients but getting as many people in the door as possible. This was not the type of company we wanted to be associated with as our hearts were not in it. It was hard to continue a positive outlook in this type of environment.

One of us joked about starting a counseling center that focuses on healing clients and providing a work/life balance for counselors, life coaches and out nurse practitioners. Then our giggle became our passion, and this passion became our reality, and our reality is now Sunflower Counseling Center.

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

Sunflower Counseling Center exists so that people seeking the highest quality of mental health services, at an affordable rate, can be counseled by professionals who train and specialize in multiple areas of mental health healing.
Sunflower Counseling is a non-profit organization that is committed to strengthening every individual, couple, child, and family in our community by providing care and therapeutic services to break the chains of mental and behavioral health stigmas.

Sunflower Counseling Center works hard to add a personal impact on each and every one of our clients. We truly know every client by name, and we want them to know that. When you call you will hear a familiar voice who is also familiar with your unique situation. We are not so big that our clients are forgotten and will never be “just a number” to us.

We are so proud of the work we do here. As a non-profit we are in our community. We hold toy, turkey, back to school drives. We visit assisted living homes. We have a special grant we are working on call Mother’s Blue Monday. It is a grant that will help single parents and grandparents raising grandchildren to receive the mental health care they need without the worry of cancelling due to not having childcare. We are raising funds for this program as we believe it will help so many parents/grandparents in our community. If you would like to donate to Sunflower Counseling Center, please visit our website: sfcouseling.org. No gift is too small.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

To be honest, my resilience comes and goes. I believe having a business partner is one of the greatest gifts throughout the process of starting a business, a non-profit organization at that. There were many times I thought, this just is not what we are meant to do right now. However, my business partner stepped in with words of encouragement and we did the dang thang! And I am there when she is frustrated. Hell, this could have all ended with the attempt to get the business license. But after we vent, cry, and yell we hold each other up and adjust each other’s crown.

It is especially hard for a non-profit because we are not able to obtain loans easily, not any in our case. We must rely on grants, fundraising and donations. We offer a sliding scale to our client based on household income. It is hard sometimes, but we are still here and do not plan to go anywhere because again, this is our passion, and we get to change lives while doing it.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I actually watch or listen to, “The Secret,” at least twice a week, usually on my way to the office. I also listen to a YouTube video I found with different statements of Oprah giving her greatest advice. I listen to one or the other everyday and it keeps me encouraged. I did not plan to start a new business, again, I was happy with where I was working and where I was in life. I was an office manager of a mental health counseling center that brough me joy. Now I am the Executive Director of Sunflower Counseling Center. This means I must lead a team of highly intelligent therapists along with the administrative staff.

I lead with love. I am a naturally happy person, and I am not afraid to share that with the Sunflower Counseling family (team). We have “Coffee and Camaraderie” on Wednesdays when anyone one in the Sunflower family is welcome to come (virtually) and we talk about ANYTHING. Not necessarily work, but books, movies, family, or whatever is on our mind. The one thing that is consistent in the meeting is laughter.

Yet, there is a balance. I must maintain the respect of the team. By listening to the Oprah video a few times, a week, I learned how to manage with confidence and make tough decisions sometimes. I learned money, and faith. Of course, I knew most of this information prior to, but hearing it from a woman I have respected from the age of eleven reiterates and encourages. And do not judge me, I know everyone loves Oprah. (Joke). I have also taken multiple business courses, read multiple books regarding non-profit business, and have become a certified Project Manager as this is a very large, detailed and compassionate ongoing project.

Contact Info:

• Website: sfcounseling.org
• Instagram: instagram/sunflowercounseling
• Facebook: facebook/sunflowercounseling