We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Stacey Gedeon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Dr. Stacey thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights 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.

Not too long ago, I found myself in the 15th year of my role as Director of Behavioral Health and Integrated Primary Care at a rural Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). My 25+ year career in healthcare had always centered around helping people improve their emotional and physical well-being – as a health psychologist, clinical leader, and advocate for integrated care. Being part of multidisciplinary teams allowed me to contribute meaningfully to both patient care and the development of colleagues across medical and behavioral health fields.

But over time, I began to feel the impact of something that many professionals experience but rarely talk about openly: the toll of persistently unhealthy workplace cultures. Despite my deep commitment to serving underserved populations, I often found myself navigating environments marked by inconsistent leadership, poor communication, and organizational misalignment. Eventually, after years of staying for the mission, I was laid off unexpectedly during a “restructuring.” It was a jarring moment – but also a clarifying one.

In the aftermath, I faced a decision: return to the safety of another organizational role or take the leap into entrepreneurship. The first was familiar, but I knew in my gut it wasn’t aligned with what I needed most – health, purpose, and autonomy. The second option was risky and uncertain, but it held the potential for something greater. After reflecting deeply on my values – what truly matters to me – it became clear that I had an opportunity to create something new, not just for myself, but for others facing similar challenges.

That’s when I launched SRG Healthcare Consulting & Professional Coaching, PLLC. My mission is twofold:
1. To support professionals (within and beyond healthcare) as they navigate transitions, prevent burnout, and realign with what matters most to them.
2. To help leaders develop the skills and insight necessary to foster psychologically safe and thriving teams.

Building a business from the ground up is not for the faint of heart – the learning curve is steep, and there are no guarantees. But what I’ve gained in the process is a renewed sense of purpose, freedom, and alignment with my own well-being. I now get to help others in a different way—one that allows me to live out my values while modeling the very things I coach others to pursue.

Time will tell how this journey unfolds, but I can already say this: choosing the path of uncertainty in pursuit of authenticity has been one of the most rewarding risks I’ve ever taken. It’s not just about being your own boss – It’s about becoming your own best advocate.

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

When I had the opportunity to pivot in my career, I spent time reflecting on what truly mattered most. Helping others has always been my North Star, and I realized that by shifting from a traditional healthcare role to consulting and professional coaching, I could help others on an even broader scale – beyond one patient or one organization at a time.

Through SRG Healthcare Consulting & Professional Coaching, PLLC I now support individuals and organizations across a wide range of industries – with a special emphasis on healthcare. My work centers on preventing burnout, promoting work-life alignment, navigating professional and personal transitions, and helping people reconnect with their purpose. Whether I’m coaching an individual professional or consulting with an executive team, my goal is to create meaningful, sustainable change.

For example, in healthcare settings, when clinical and support staff receive coaching, they gain clarity, build resilience, and often rediscover why they entered the field in the first place. This not only benefits the individuals but also leads to better patient care, stronger teams, and more mission-driven organizations.

A significant part of my coaching practice involves working with leaders – both emerging and established. I often see what’s known as the Peter Principle in action: individuals promoted into leadership roles because they excelled in a previous role, but who then struggle because they haven’t been given the tools or support to succeed as leaders. Coaching helps them develop self-awareness, leadership identity, and the emotional intelligence needed to lead effectively and with intention.

On the consulting side, I provide customized solutions to address organizational challenges such as ineffective leadership, low engagement, toxic culture, and poor communication. My process typically begins with a deep dive into the organization’s goals and current pain points – this can include individual conversations, team assessments, or full organizational scans. From there, I develop tailored recommendations that may include team workshops, executive retreats, in-services, or coaching packages.

What sets me apart is my deep psychological expertise combined with real-world leadership experience. As a health psychologist and leader with over 25 years in the field, I understand how people think, what motivates them, and how to help them move forward. I use evidence-based strategies grounded in psychology to help people increase insight, shift mindsets, and get out of their own way.

I’m proud to have built a business that is deeply aligned with my values – especially the value of helping others live and work with greater clarity, purpose, and fulfillment. For anyone feeling stuck, burnt out, or ready to lead in a more meaningful way, I want them to know that change is possible and you don’t have to do it alone.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

Yes, I would absolutely choose the same path – both as a health psychologist and now as a coach, consultant, and founder of my own business. Each chapter of my career has given me the opportunity to help people improve their lives in deeply meaningful ways.

Being a psychologist allowed me to support individuals through some of their most vulnerable moments and witness their resilience and growth. Transitioning into leadership roles gave me insight into the systems and dynamics that impact employee well-being and organizational health. And now, as a solopreneur, I get to bring all of that experience together to help professionals and organizations create healthier, more intentional ways of working and living.

While I never could have predicted this exact trajectory, I’m grateful for every twist and turn. The challenges taught me what kind of impact I truly want to have, and the freedom to shape my own business has been incredibly rewarding. So yes – I’d choose this path again, with all its risks and rewards because it led me to work that feels aligned with both my values and my purpose.

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

Several years ago, I was navigating a particularly intense chapter of my life. Professionally, I was working as a psychologist in a demanding leadership role at a healthcare organization – managing a team, supporting patients and staff, and trying to advocate for meaningful systemic change in an environment that didn’t always welcome it. At the same time, my husband was facing serious medical issues, and life at home was filled with uncertainty and emotional weight.

In those moments, resilience wasn’t about powering through – it was about pausing to get clear on what truly mattered, setting boundaries I had long neglected, and learning to give myself the same compassion I offered to others. I had to balance being a steady presence for my team while also being a caregiver and partner at home. Some days that meant recharging in the car between roles or finding strength in a quick walk and a deep breath before the next meeting.

That period taught me that resilience isn’t some grand act of strength – it’s the quiet commitment to keep going, to ask for help, and to realign with your values one small decision at a time.

That lived experience continues to shape the way I show up in my work. Whether I’m consulting with organizations or coaching professionals through complex transitions, I bring not only clinical and leadership expertise – but also the deep understanding that true resilience is built in the messy, honest moments where we choose to move forward, even if it’s just one step at a time. If I can model anything through my story, I hope it’s this: resilience isn’t about being unbreakable. It’s about being rebuildable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.srghcc.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drstaceygedeon/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UndercomplicatedInfo

Image Credits

Allison Lynn Photography (headshots only)