We recently connected with Kassandra Decker and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kassandra, 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?

Starting my own practice was both an exciting and terrifying period after years of working for other organizations. I realized that to create the kind of safe, client-centered environment I envisioned, I would need to make that decision, which meant stepping into the unknown: signing a lease, buying furniture, navigating licensing and credentialing paperwork, and taking on every role at once.
The early days were full of challenges. I had to learn to balance the heart of my work, sitting with people in their pain, with the reality of running a business. I remember reconciling QuickBooks one moment and then jumping straight into a session with a client in crisis. There were months when I wasn’t sure how I would cover the bills and days when the weight of responsibility felt overwhelming. But each small step, every credential approved, every insurance and contract finalized, every client who trusted me, built momentum.
Looking back, I wouldn’t say I would do things differently, but I do wish I had trusted myself sooner. Fear made me second-guess my vision at the beginning. Now I know that clarity comes from action, not from waiting until everything feels perfect.
My advice is this: don’t wait until you have it all figured out. Start with the resources you have, ask questions, find mentors, and take it one step at a time. Expect challenges; they’re part of the process, but don’t let them convince you that you’re not capable. If your heart is in the right place and you’re willing to work hard, you can create something meaningful that truly helps people.

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?

My story began in some of the most difficult circumstances a child could face. I grew up in an abusive home, and by thirteen, I found myself living on the streets and cycling through a foster care system that failed me. I was placed in psychiatric units, not because I was sick but because I was misunderstood and labeled “too much.” On the day I was emancipated, I walked out of the courthouse utterly alone—no family, no safety net, no plan—just survival.
Life didn’t get easier. I dropped out of school in seventh grade, and for years, education seemed out of reach. But at twenty-five, I earned my GED and made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t stop there. I went on to complete a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and ultimately an Education Specialist degree. That journey shows that no matter what you’ve been through or where you start, you can build a future you’re proud of.
I also survived a devastating car accident that nearly took my life, endured months of rehabilitation, and faced long stretches of recovery with only a few friends who came into my life during that time. Those years were marked by pain, but they also built the foundation of resilience, grit, and deep empathy that now define my work.
From that story, I became a Licensed Professional Counselor and later the founder of Compass Counseling LLC, a practice dedicated to helping people navigate trauma, anxiety, grief, and life transitions. My clients know I don’t just speak from textbooks—I have walked through fire. That experience allows me to sit with others in their darkest places and help them find hope, healing, and a way forward.
What sets me apart isn’t just my training but my lived experience. I know what it feels like to be dismissed, abandoned, and misunderstood, and I’ve turned that pain into a purpose: to ensure no one else has to feel unseen in their suffering. My work combines evidence-based therapy with a deep compassion for the human spirit.
I’m proud that Compass Counseling has grown into more than just a practice; it’s a safe place where people feel they can take off the mask, speak their truth, and rebuild their lives. Beyond counseling, I’m creating consulting, writing, and speaking opportunities to expand that mission—helping others see that their story is not over, and that healing is possible no matter where they started.
If there’s one thing I want readers to know about me and my work, it’s this: pain doesn’t get the final word. Your story can change, and your future can be brighter than your past. My life proves that, and my mission is to walk alongside others until they believe it too.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience has been the thread running through my entire life, but one story stands out. Years ago, I was in a devastating car accident that left doctors unsure if I would survive. I spent weeks in the hospital and the following year in recovery, unable to work and stripped of the independence I had fought so hard for. At the time, I had no family support system, just a few friends, and there were many nights I lay awake wondering if life would ever feel normal again. What got me through wasn’t strength in the traditional sense; it was deciding over and over again not to give up. I learned to celebrate the smallest steps forward: standing on my own, walking without assistance, and returning to my life. That season taught me resilience is not about never falling down; it’s about finding the courage to rise even when the odds are stacked against you.
That same spirit carried over into my professional journey. Dropping out of school in the 7th grade and later earning my GED at 25, then pushing all the way through to advanced graduate degrees, was another act of resilience. It proved to me, and I hope to others, that where you begin doesn’t dictate where you go. I carry those lessons into my work with clients today. When I sit with someone who feels broken or hopeless, I can look them in the eye and honestly say I’ve been there, and I know there’s a way through. My resilience has become more than survival; it has become the foundation for the hope I get to offer others.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe I started building my reputation long before I ever thought about opening a business. For me, reputation has never been about looking perfect or pretending to have all the answers. It’s about honesty, humility, and follow-through. I’ve always been willing to admit when I failed, when I didn’t know something, or when I needed to learn. Strangely enough, those moments of vulnerability built more trust than trying to appear flawless ever could.
Another key factor has been congruency. In graduate school, we were taught the principle that consistent congruency is essential. Clients can sense when you’re not being genuine. I’ve carried that principle into every area of my life and work. Who I am in the therapy room, in business, and in my private life is the same person. I think people respect and remember that consistency.
Finally, I believe reputation is built on reliability. Do what you say you will do. If you can’t commit to something, it’s better not to promise it at all. Over time, being dependable matters just as much as being skilled. People may not always remember your credentials or every word you said, but they remember if they could count on you. At the end of the day, I think my reputation has grown because people know I’m real, I’m consistent, and I keep my word. That combination, more than anything else, has opened doors and allowed me to thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.compasscounselingcenter.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Compasscounseling17/