We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elena White a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Elena, thanks for joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I think most of the time, yes, I am happy as a business owner. It’s weird, I don’t think of myself that way, probably because it’s really scary to me to think that I own my own corporation. It’s a huge responsibility, right? I don’t even have employees- it’s just me! But I conceptualize it more as a vehicle for me to work with people in the way that I know how, in the way that gives me the most freedom, and therefore be the most healing and helpful. I did have a regular job, for a long time. Even when I became a therapist, I worked in community mental health and therefore worked for agencies that were beholden to city and county money. It was at times rewarding, but I definitely did not have the freedom I needed to do really deep and sometimes spiritual/energetic work. I had to justify every single session in order for the agency to get paid, which was soul-crushing. Once I got free of that, I felt like I could do work with people that I was put here on this planet to help, in the way that I felt was the most beneficial to them (and not the system). As a business owner and as a woman, I also get to meet other wonderful therapists and healers who are also trying to make their way as business owners. We help one another, share information and best practices, and hold each other up. So when I get overwhelmed, overloaded, or realize that I don’t know how to do something logistical or business-related, I have a team of people I can call on. The moments where I feel it would be easier to have a “normal” job, I’m able to remind myself that I get to work in the way that feels most true to me, which then attracts the clients that I’m here to help. That also means that I choose who I work with, refer clients to, and share resources with. Working in a crafted community also means more freedom and therefore space to learn and be better in my business and chosen craft.

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?

I am a psychotherapist, and I incorporate astrology into my practice for those who are curious and interested. I draw from psychodynamic theory, which mostly means that I believe that a subconscious exists, and is often the reason why we do/say/choose what we do, who we have relationships with, and why. A therapeutic relationship is one like no other- I am trained to listen in a very particular way, and can help individuals identify long-standing patterns and blindspots that cause distress and harm, usually stemming from earlier trauma. I love using astrology natal charts as a tool, because it can actually provide a blueprint for a client, without the pathology or shaming. Planets can serve as archetypes or symbols for real people or problems/opportunities in our lives, and I enjoy helping people figure out their own map and journey on this planet.
I am mixed-race woman, and grew up feeling like I wasn’t quite part of one group or the other. I was always curious about feelings, why people acted the way they did, and where this originated. I was in my head about this a lot, even as a kid! This was not normal or accepted in my family of origin, so I understand when others are scared or worried about starting therapy. It is incredibly brave to begin a journey of healing, especially when it is stigmatized in communities or families. My knowledge of this firsthand sets me apart from other therapists. My passion for healing while using more unusual tools (astrology, tarot) also sets me apart from more standard, traditional therapy.

I am proud of creating a unique container for people to examine their patterns and trauma without pathologizing or guilt. I believe our healing is our right, and I am honored to walk with people on their paths to a more joyful and fulfilling life.

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

Therapy (both practicing and receiving) has been a long journey. My family life growing up was not embracing of this- in a Mexican-American and Caucasian household, problems were not to be shared outside of the house. The problem was, I didn’t have any help from inside the house either. I was always a deeply sensitive, empathic, and observant kid. I wanted to know how to help others, and as a result, I put myself last. Becoming a therapist and continuing to work on my own growth through personal work is indicative of my resilience. I truly believe that our stories can be rewritten and retold in a way that emphasizes our strength and growth, and this has been a long lesson to learn for me.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The main lesson I have had to continually unlearn is that I can’t do both: be an empathetic, present listener and healer, AND run a business. Learning the less interesting side of things (starting an S Corp, hiring a payroll company, learning about more detailed tax regulations) has been a struggle, and I think it also relates to the feeling that it’s not something I can do. That backstory mainly connects to feelings of low self-esteem (and honestly, problems with math) as a kid. I wrote a lot of “adulting” things off as too hard, or not something I can understand. Wrong! If I take things slowly, one step at a time, it’s really not that hard to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elenawhitemft.com
• Instagram: @elenawhitepsychotherapy

Image Credits
first photo: Erin Witta second photo: me!