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

Dr. Jen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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.

I took a major risk when I started my psychotherapy private practice in 2016. This required me to leave a full-time, benefited, salaried hospital position and take a leap of faith out of my comfort zone. Although the hospital position was leading to burnout and high levels of stress, it was safe and dependable, quite the opposite of the ebbs and flows of private practice. I credit my husband as a factor in why I was willing to take the risk (and the initial financial hit), because he believed that I would excel on my own.

I crunched the numbers, and my husband and I trusted that we could financially manage while my practice got established. It was so scary at the time, as I didn’t know the first thing about being a business owner. I always viewed myself as an introvert and not a leader, yet here I was, stepping into a position that required ownership and confidence.

Looking back now, I’m so thankful that I took that risk. I was fortunate to join a respected group practice, which allowed me to run my own business within a business, but still have administrative support and colleagues to consult with. I gained immeasurable confidence in my ability to market, maintain a steady caseload, and create a schedule that could ebb and flow with the seasons of life as needed (part-time, full-time, teletherapy, maternity leave). I now have the freedom and financial means to prioritize my family and focus on what matters most while also providing excellent care to my wonderful clients.

I learned several important lessons from this experience:

Trust in Yourself: Stepping out of my comfort zone taught me to trust my abilities and judgment. Despite my initial doubts, I discovered that I could successfully manage and grow my own business.

Support Systems Are Crucial: My husband’s belief in me was instrumental in taking the leap. Having a supportive network can make all the difference when taking significant risks.

Adaptability and Resilience: I learned to adapt to the challenges and uncertainties of private practice. This experience strengthened my resilience and ability to navigate the unpredictable nature of running a business, which later gave me the confidence to start a secondary coaching business.

Continuous Learning and Growth: I gained new skills in marketing, business management, and leadership. I grew both personally and professionally.

Work-Life Harmony: Creating my own schedule allowed me to achieve a better life-work harmony, emphasizing the importance of aligning professional life with personal values and priorities.

Value of Taking Risks: This experience reinforced the idea that taking calculated risks can lead to significant personal and professional rewards. It taught me that stepping into the unknown can open doors to new opportunities and achievements.

These lessons have not only helped me grow as a professional but have also enriched my personal life, allowing me to pursue a fulfilling and balanced career while prioritizing my family and personal values.

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 both a licensed clinical psychologist and a women’s holistic wellness coach. As a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional (CIMHP), I help my coaching clients overcome mental obstacles, get unstuck, and transform their lives. I help my clients gain clarity on what they truly value and provide the tools they need to overcome their fears and achieve a vibrant, thriving life. Once clients establish holistic health habits and transform their mindsets, they are able to level up and tap into holistic wealth, health, and abundance.

I empower clients to take ownership of their health and overcome the blocks that prevent them from achieving optimal well-being, including physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual health. The majority of my coaching clients are successful business owners and other high-performers who struggle with burnout, stress, self-confidence issues, and the challenge of harmonizing life and work demands.

I offer my coaching clients a perspective that is integrative, psychologically sound, and evidence-based. While therapeutic tools are integrated into my coaching work to enhance effectiveness, coaching is NOT therapy. Instead, it provides a highly collaborative and personalized experience to accelerate growth and achieve significant goals.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

There is a clear correlation between the number of face-to-face conversations I have and the number of referrals I receive. Going to networking events or scheduling an individual meeting with a referral partner to nurture the relationship takes time and effort to fit in (especially for us working moms), but it really has had the highest pay-off for my time and energy when it comes to generating new business.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Working on your mindset, confidence, and general health is the most important foundation for being a successful business owner. This is why coaching is so powerful and important, and was instrumental in my own personal and business growth. Most business owners don’t believe they have the time or money to do coaching (or therapy, or self-care, etc.) and see it as a cost. Instead, we need to see it as an investment in ourselves that has great ROI potential. When you’re thriving, thinking clearly, and acting intentionally, your business will thrive as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://awakeningholistichealth.com
• Instagram: @awaken.holistic.health
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-mcwaters/
• Other: Podcast: Counterculture Health (found on all major podcast platforms)Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/show/3RKqgAvH65w642Ta7VaudB?si=fd446e9ace1b4b37

Image Credits

I don’t have a credit for the image of the napkin and cup, but I did purchase the photo as a stock photo for personal use.