We were lucky to catch up with Dorathy Scott recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dorathy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
After years of being in corporate America, I decided to make a long life dream come true. I went back to school to earn my graduate degree, so I could pursue my dream of becoming a mental health therapist. This had been a dream since I was a young girl. I felt a lot of pressure to make sure that I succeeded in this career change. After graduating, I opened my own private practice which came with a lot of fear and worries in starting, and growing my practice. I originally rented office space from someone that I knew from my program. I was located in a space with several other therapist. Things were going fine for over a year until a building issue caused me to rethink my office location. I originally planned to rent another space somewhere, similar to what I was currently renting. After I began my office search, I realized my idea regarding my practice had grown and I wanted to fully branch out into my own space instead of a shared space with other renters. This decision to expand and look for a space on my own was the best decision I could have made for my practice. I was very nervous, because this meant higher cost for rent, pay utilities, and other responsibilities that I would not have incurred in a shared space. Thankfully I trusted myself and my future success. My new location has opened so many new doors for my therapy practice. I’ve continued to gain a steady stream of new clients, and continued to grow. The trajectory for my practice continues to have an upward trend.
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 am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in Olathe, KS. I opened my therapy practice in Septemer of 2022. I work with individuals, couples, and families ages 8 and up. I have in-person and virtual sessions available. Virtual sessions are only available at this time to persons physically located in the state of Kansas, where I hold my license. I work with clients with a range of mental diagnoses, including Dissociative Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Trauma, and Stress-Related Disorders. Some situations that can cause these symptoms include marital or family distress, childhood trauma, and work-related stress, to name a few. I want potential clients to know that your care is my main priority. I use Internal Family Systems Therapy model. This is a very specific modality that may feel a little different than traditional talk therapy. The best way I could describe this therapy would recommend you watch Inside Out 1 &/or 2. That wonderful animated film depicts the foundation of this model of therapy. The belief is that we all have parts. Sometimes, due to life’s circumstances our parts may take over just like the part “Anxiety” did in Riley in Inside Out 2. This model of therapy provides a healing atmosphere for trauma that have impacted a person, potentially for most of their lives. I am currently level 1 trained in this therapy and working towards my certification.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
As I mentioned previously I use a modality of therapy called Internal Family Systems (IFS). This form of therapy looks a little different than traditional talk therapy. It works well for clients dealing with anxiety, depression, dissociative disorders, addictive behaviors, other mood disorders, personality disorders, just to name a few. The beauty of this therapy provides a safe atmosphere to really become curious about yourself and the symptoms you may be suffering from, or situations in your life you would like changed. Instead of you coming to me, and I try to help you “deal” with your symptoms. This approach will actually allow you to lean into those symptoms and find out the why behind what you are experiencing. Through that process, I can also guide you to healing the vulnerable and hurt parts of you. This is such an empowering and freeing approach, that’s indescribable. Due to my utilization of this approach I have been known in my field as a go to person regarding this. This has also led to continued referrals which continues to grow my business.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has come from current or previous clients. My clients are my walking and talking advertisement. I believe this is due to my focus on doing quality work. Not only do I believe in the IFS model for my clients but for myself as well. As I continue to grow interpersonally, that allows for me to show up as a self led therapist, which is very important with this model of therapy that I use. Self leadership means I stay curious about my own parts. The more I am in relationship with my parts, and doing my own personal work, my clients will experience a better me in the therapy room. That creates an environment where my clients will experience, compassion, creativity, safety, patience, calmness, connection, curiosity, clarity, courage, and confidence.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.renewedhopetherapykc.com
