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

Feliss, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?

I received my first job in the field by first being connected to the company by my professor for an internship opportunity. I loved watching and shadowing clinicians work with individuals who were diagnosed with severe mental illness. This was my first on-the-job, hands-on experience in the field of counseling. The internship was a semester long and I immediately applied for a position near the conclusion of the agreement, but I was sadly not the chosen candidate. Luckily, I refused to give up and kept the connections I had made while completing the internship and a few short months later, I was hired at another location doing the exact job I had shadowed. This position played a major role in my career as I received plenty of experience and was able to hold more than one position in the three years I was employed there, all the while I was completing my master’s degree in counseling so I was also able to apply and see some of the things I was learning simultaneously. Upon graduating with my master’s degree, I went into post-graduate employment with so much knowledge and appreciation for the field that others did not have the opportunity of receiving.

Feliss, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Feliss Goree, I am licensed professional counselor – associate in the state of Texas. Along with being a therapist, I am also a certified rehabilitation counselor which allows me to deemed as an expert in working with individuals with disabilities. I am currently a rehabilitation counselor for the federal government where I assist veterans with disabilities obtain and maintain employment. I am also a licensed therapist in private practice as an associate of iWin Counseling, PLLC, where I offer therapeutic interventions to assist everyday people in coping with things such as depression, anxiety, grief, life stressors, etc. I got into the world of counseling and therapy honestly by connecting and networking while pursuing my undergraduate degree in psychology. I knew I wanted my career to be within the psychology realm, but not specifically in psychology, I just could not put my finger on what exactly it was I was trying to do other than the commonly stated, “help people.” After speaking with a few older friends I made while in college, along with professors I had during courses for my minor (rehabilitation services), I learned that the field of counseling would be perfect for me.
What sets me apart from others is the wide range of experience and expertise I have within the field of counseling. I am not just a therapist or mental health counselor, but also a rehabilitation counselor which the different approaches often work well with each other when working with clients I work with. I can understand and see best approaches for someone who may be struggling with depression and/or anxiety, and how their symptoms effect them differently from work, school, to being at home. I can also address concerns with someone who just recently acquired a physical disability, and assist them with how their mental health has been effected and their quality of life in different settings to address those needs. I like to see myself as “a one-stop shop” for quite a bit counseling needs. I have a great passion for helping individuals navigate through what ever life has thrown at them, especially people of color and other minority groups.
I am most proud of what I have accomplished so far in the short time since being in the field of counseling. I look back and feel that I made a great decision while pursuing my master’s degree in the concentration of rehabilitation counseling, as it has given me the tools and opportunities to be very versatile within the field. The main thing I want potential clients to know is that, you are not alone… In what ever you may be feeling or going through. If not myself, allow a therapist to help! We are people too. Your world does not have to be in shambles to seek therapy, we are here for all your mental health needs! For potential fans/therapists, don’t give up!! There is a light at the end, even if it seems microscopic, I promise it is there and the work is worth it! Make friends and network with other therapists (upcoming and currently licensed. And lastly, therapists need therapists too! We often are so consumed in our clients’ and family mental health/well-being that we forget to take care of our own.

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

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been social media. I know a lot of professionals who avoid and despise the idea, but social media platforms can really be utilized as a great tool in reaching potential clients are your target audience. I was sure to pay attention to trends, specifically different audio, sounds, and music that was becoming or already popular on certain platforms. I used my creativity in how I could use some of them in relation to the image I wanted for my business and saw great results in a short timeframe. Some of the content to minimal effort and time, it was just about devoting the time and commitment to it consistently to receive the outcome I desired.

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

Networking and making great professional relationships beginning in college has been most helpful in succeeding in my career other than my training itself. I began building bonds as soon as I was admitted into the graduate program at my alma mater. I not only built professional relationships with my colleagues, but also my professors. I never hesitated to appear in office hours or sending an email, and after class, I’d ask if others wanted to study together or if I was the only one confused after a lecture/reading material. I began the professional counseling master’s program at Stephen F. Austin State University in Summer 2018, and graduated in December 2021. Almost 2 years later, and I still have great contacts with my colleagues that graduated before, with, and after me. I am also still in contact with most of the professors I had as well, one of them is now at another university and just recently provided me with a letter of recommendation for a Ph. D program I plan to apply for. Networking with these individuals have allowed me job and internship opportunities, even if I was not able to benefit from them, I was able to share with someone else that I know could. Without the relationships I built, I cannot confidently say that I would have the same opportunities that I have gratefully taken a part of.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.iwincounseling.com
• Instagram: @Feliss.StateOfMind
• Facebook: Feliss Goree, MA, LPC-A, CRC
• Linkedin: Feliss Goree, MA, LPC-A, NCC, CRC