We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dr. Aly Savala . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dr. Aly below.

Dr. Aly, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

SO, as humans we are typically risk-adverse; we do not like to make changes to our day to day lives especially when it could result in feeling like we failed or made a mistake. I am no exception to this norm. I always knew that I wanted more for my life than working for someone else’s company but I wasn’t sure exactly how I would get there.

After I graduated from my PhD program in Counseling Psychology, I was offered a position at a group practice that appeared to be everything I was looking for in a first post-grad employment situation. However, when I arrived I quickly realized that things were not what they seemed to be during the interview process. I knew almost immediately that I wanted and needed to get out. I was terrified because I was unsure of what this process would or could look like. Should I join another group practice? Should I attempt to work at a hospital or at a local university? Could I start my own private practice; something I always dreamed of but didn’t quite feel prepared for???

When I tell you I was so anxious about leaving and going out on my own, that is a complete understatement. It was pure panic, it was the highest stress I had ever felt. I was so worried I would fail or not be able to support myself if I didn’t have someone else employing me.

Within a month I wrapped up my time at the group practice and started my own private practice, Sonder Psychotherapy & Wellness. I created my own website, a logo, joined multiple directories, opened business bank accounts, registered my business with the state, hired a CPA, trained myself on book-keeping, began to network with other therapists, and so much more. I was completely full within a month of being established and currently have a constant influx of clients looking to work with me for therapy services. I also quadrupled my income that I was making at my previous employment within the first few months and consistently reach new financial goals. It has been absolutely amazing and honestly wish that I could have taken this risk sooner. I am eternally grateful for my clients and the beautiful work I get to do with them. When I look back at how afraid I was, I wish that I could go back and tell myself where I am now, not even a year later.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Sure! So my name is Dr. Aly Savala and I am the owner of Sonder Psychotherapy & Wellness, an in person and virtual therapy practice serving clients in 37 states across the US. I am a licensed psychologist which means that I recited both my masters and doctoral degrees, passed a licensure exam, obtained thousands of hours of clinical experience, and continue to pursue more education in order to keep my license active. I currently specialize in trauma, relationship concerns, and family of origin issues. I also definitely do see clients that aren’t seeking therapy for my specialties but are rather are working on general well-being, anxiety, depression, and stress. I have a special training and certification called EMDR which is a really great trauma treatment that just replicates a process our body can naturally do when storing and processing memories from the day. I offer one on one individual therapy as well as couples counseling. Whew!

SO the main thing I think I would want people to know about me if they are searching for a therapist is how much I value the therapeutic relationship and for my clients to find the right fit. I always welcome and encourage any feedback my clients have and I refuse to believe there is a “one size fits all method” for therapy. I tailor my style to each individual I see because I believe humans are all unique and what works for someone may not be at ALL what someone else needs. I tell my clients upfront, I may not be the best fit for you as a therapist and I want them to feel empowered to let me know if they come to that conclusion. I will always help them get connected to whomever might be a better fit. I also never wanted to be a therapy robot, I am a human sitting with another human during our sessions. My clients describe me as warm, safe, authentic, and someone who takes the time to build our relationship and trust. I want my clients to feel truly seen and understood.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think the biggest thing that has contributed to building my reputation in this field is just fully being myself and bringing all of me into my sessions or networking. I do not try to portray myself as anything I am not or work with clients who I don’t truly believe I can help. Through this, I believe my clients and peers are able to know exactly what they are getting when they sit down to meet with me. We develop a genuine relationship that doesn’t feel so scripted or filtered. I think sometimes therapists are taught in school that we have to have the perfect intervention or constantly pause before we say anything to ensure we are using perfect phrasing and evaluating if it will evoke certain responses from clients and honestly sometimes that is just not what people are needing or wanting.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

I knew that I wanted to be a psychologist since I was 10 years old, seriously 10 years old. I used to go to the local library in the town I grew up in and just read books on therapy or the brain. I had been through enough at a young age that I knew I wanted to turn it into a purpose for my life instead of it being just a slew of bad things that happened to me. And to be completely transparent, I found myself in quite a few more situations throughout my life that really just confirmed that this is what I am meant to do. I don’t sit across from my clients. I sit with them.      

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mysondertherapy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonderpsychotherapywellness/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aly-savala-b88a21145/
• Other: https://goo.gl/maps/CddiDSeE2AgU4pYH6

Image Credits
Allison Ermon Photography