We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Glenda Demas, PsyD. a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Glenda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?
Making the decision to become a Mental Health Practitioner has been the most rewarding and impactful transition of my life. As a young college student, I knew I wanted to be a Computer Analyst. I loved working on computers and their functionalities. Once realizing that was a male-dominated industry, I quickly shifted and explored other options which ended in my B.A. In Communication Studies from the University of Houston. My ultimate goal was to attend Thurgood Marshall School of Law and become a Corporate Attorney. Instead, I chose to pursue my M.B.A. in Management from LeTourneau University. While in pursuit of my M.B.A. I decided to become a classroom teacher in a nearby school district which then identified my passion for counseling and impacting others. I worked as a Middle School Teacher and then transitioned into a High School Counselor for a span of 13 years. In 2019, I opened the doors of Pearls of Change Wellness, LLC servicing the Katy area as a Mental Health Practitioner, Licensed in three states, and to date have serviced over 1100 clients spanning from Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana. My key challenge starting out was trusting that the service that I provide is truly one needed within the communities I served. Once I placed trust in my gift, everything else became so easy. I met so many other entrepreneurs that were willing to provide me insight on my journey, and I finally got a chance to put my M.B.A. to use. Starting out I wish I would have trusted myself a lot sooner instead of listening to the voice of doubt. My advice to young professionals in my field looking to start their own private practice would be to trust yourself and go for it.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, an Advanced Clinical Trauma Practitioner, and in 2023 I will become a Health Psychologist. I focused on Trauma Informed Care and how patients respond and handle illnesses. I provide counseling to children, teens, young adults, adults, and geriatrics. I help provide a fresh perspective on challenging topics faced by many. I am most proud to have serviced such a diverse population of clientele and have become such a positive inspiration for many.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
If I could go back and choose the same profession, I would do so. It is extremely rewarding and has provided me with a great deal of gratification. Seeing my patients become the best version of themselves is extremely rewarded.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
I feel that my past experiences have allowed me to be an amazing Therapist. I am extremely relatable and have the ability to connect life experiences to a patient’s current mental health challenge to show that change can happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pearlsofchange.com
- Instagram: the_evettedemas
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PearlsofChange1
- Linkedin: Glenda Demas
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/pearlsofchange_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUI7Vjq9KouqCHzpCRorExw