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

Dr. Shama, appreciate you joining us today. 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 began my journey of starting my practice in May of 2019 after leaving a job that was no longer making me happy. Initially, I thought about the name, the location, the type of population I would serve as well as marketing tools I would use to get started. I was also in my PhD program at the time so although I began developing the vision in the summer of 2019, it did not come into fruition until spring 2022. When I really began establishing my counseling practice in 2022, I used the name I had already developed SoHolisticEnergy Counseling and Consultation and registered it as a LLC. Once I set up the proper accounts, emails, found an EHR software for this virtual practice, I started working on building a website: soholisticenergy.com. Now, I am working on marketing through social media, word of mouth, other professional referrals, and counseling platforms to build my clientele. One of the biggest challenge was making sure to complete all the steps of building a virtual private practice before starting to seeing clients for counseling to make the process easy for them as well as me. Another challenge was working full-time as a professor while focusing on my vision of building this practice. One thing I would have done differently was to launch the practice at the end of the summer as opposed to the end of spring. In the counseling field, summers can be challenging for new businesses since many people travel or are out of school, etc. My advice to young professionals who might be considering starting their own practice is to make sure they have a complete idea of their vision as well as the steps of building a practice written out before they put it into action.

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 have a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision with a specialization in Cross-Cultural Psychology and Leadership. I am a National Certified Counselor, a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as an Approved Clinical Supervisor in the state of Georgia. My research interests include, but are not limited to: reducing mental health stigma, immigration and acculturation issues, social justice and advocacy issues, multicultural issues in counseling, as well as pedagogical approaches used to increase cross-cultural awareness and leadership skills, and mindfulness meditation techniques as well as holistic wellness.

My desire to help others gain insight to work through their problems and provide them with support and tools is the primary reason I became a mental health counselor. I have been working in the mental health field since 2015 and have worked in a variety of mental health settings: community mental health, outpatient, crisis and hospital settings, and in private practice settings and have experience working with adolescents, young adults, and adults, individuals and couples. I have experience in treating clients with depression, anxiety, stress, domestic violence, substance abuse, anger management, mood disorders, trauma, grief, cultural and immigration issues, and relationship/marital issues. I also work with culturally diverse and LGBTQ+ populations and I am also currently an Assistant Professor of counseling at a university in Atlanta.

What makes me standout is that I use a holistic approach and incorporate various forms of mindfulness and meditations in working with my clients to help them find a true balance in life and align their chakras. I believe when individuals experience issues in one area of their life, the other areas can also suffer. I believe that each individual has the potential to overcome pain and suffering but sometimes need a little guidance and support. With the right support and the right tools, people would be able to overcome any challenges they may be facing in their lives and live their life more authentically. They can get closer to their goals, have a better quality of life, and heal by gaining a deeper insight and self-awareness.

I use authenticity, empathy, and compassion to guide my practice. Creating a safe environment where people feel comfortable to share and be vulnerable so that they can process their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors is important. I use a person-centered approach to first lay the foundation. After which, I use a combination of techniques from various forms of therapies including but not limited to: cognitive behavioral, solution focused, positive psychology, mindfulness, and narrative. I use a holistic approach of mind, body, and spirit, while acknowledging and respecting any religious and spiritual values the clients may have.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Although I am at the beginning stages of growing my clientele, there are a few things that have been helpful in terms of strategy. First strategy is networking. It is important for me to collaborate with other mental health professionals as well as doctors and lawyers to create awareness of my skills and services. Referrals are a big part of growing my clientele. I also network with leaders within the religious communities who may come across individuals in need. Second strategy is promoting my niche of holistic wellness and cultural responsiveness. I pride myself in working with culturally diverse individuals who others may not feel comfortable or competent working with. I also focus on the mind and body connection in my sessions as we discuss self-care and coping skills. Third strategy is making an impact on the existing clients who will share my information with others in need. Word of mouth is still an effective marketing tool. Last but not least, offering affordable pricing options where I will consider providing services at a sliding scale or discounted rate based on financial issues.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

As an immigrant in the US, it has not been easy to get to this point where I have a PhD and my own practice. The immigration challenges made it difficult to even financially afford going to different universities for my degrees or even imagine working in this field as a counselor and counselor educator. In addition to being an immigrant, being a minoritized woman added obstacles within my journey. The stress and anxiety of whether I will even be able to work after graduating existed but did not stop me from pursuing my degrees. I chose to believe in my purpose and focused on my goals. Many of the holistic tools and skills focused on the mind and the body that I share with my clients are also things I implement in my own life. During the 2nd semester of my doctorate program I was hit with depression due to different stressors in my life but because learning and gaining knowledge as well as being in a school setting was always a resiliency factor for me, I sought counseling and worked my way through that. My own trauma and challenges of belonging to different cultural groups have allowed me to find ways to better empathize with people and my clients and know that it is possible to work towards your destination and be content with the quality of your life. Its just the matter of knowing what works for you and what doesn’t.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.soholisticenergy.com
• Instagram: @soholisticenergy
• Facebook: soholisticenergy
• Linkedin: Shama Panjwani PhD, LPC, ACS, NCC, CCMHC