Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katy London And Sam Sitarik. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Katy London and Sam Sitarik, thanks for joining 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.

Before we opened our own business, we were both working for a small practice in Colorado. We had always talked about making our own personal mark in the therapy world, but knew doing so would be a massive risk and time investment. As our passion and knowledge of therapy and creative methods grew, so did our desire to operate in a setting that would foster deeper exploration and a place for people to feel fully understood and accepted. As therapists and lifelong therapy clients ourselves, we both understood how important it was to have a space to feel validated and supported without judgement.

In September of 2023, we decided to take the plunge after much deliberation and found a cozy space in Lakewood for our first office. The thought of owning a private practice, being entirely financially responsible for the business, and needing to build your own caseload from scratch can be very overwhelming. It took some trial and error for us to find a workflow and learn how to attract our ideal client in the most authentic way possible, but we now feel confident and comfortable in our work. It is incredibly fulfilling to specialize in sex therapy and LGBTQ+ issues, but these topics can be very sensitive to talk about and it is so important to read the client’s readiness before diving into the deep end.

Flower of Life Counseling is now entering its second year of business, with a robust network of like-minded clinicians and clients. Like all small businesses, it can take some time to find your market and ideal clients.

Katy London and Sam Sitarik, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Our inclusive therapy private practice is dedicated to providing a safe, non-judgmental, and affirming space for individuals and couples to explore themselves and what is means to be human. Flower of Life Counseling welcomes folks of all genders and sexual orientations because we believe that everyone is deserving of happiness and inner peace. We are committed to helping clients find their voice so they can advocate for their needs and desires! Our goal is to help individuals and couples move towards feeling empowered and comfortable in their own skin. Whether someone is struggling with anxiety, depression, sexual intimacy, or difficult life transitions, we are here for them! We offer a wide range of therapeutic techniques and modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Sex Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Often times, being a private practice therapist and a small business owner can be at odds with one another. One of the biggest lessons we both had to learn is that not every potential client will find us to be the right fit for therapy. It can be incredibly tempting, especially as a newer private practice owner, to want to make yourself the “perfect fit” for every client who sends you a referral. The truth is that therapy is so personal that no therapist could be the right fit for everyone. Our brand of therapy is very candid and personal, and we both share authentic parts of ourselves with our clients. This therapeutic style is far from the traditional “blank slate” approach of previous generations – we show up fully for our clients so they can have an authentic, human experience in therapy. Some individuals may prefer a more formal style of therapy and that is okay! There is so much diversity in the field of psychology, and we think that lends well to clients. It allows them a moment to think “What does work for me? What do I want in a helping relationship?” A big lesson is understanding that we do not need to be the right fit for everyone. There are so many incredible counselors in the Denver area and we are happy to refer out as needed so clients always receive the best care possible!

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

Fostering genuine connection and making an effort to truly integrate ourselves into the wellness community in our area has been a large step in helping us build our reputation. The act of searching for a therapist can be scary, vulnerable, and overwhelming. We like to make sure that our presence clearly outlines who we are, what we believe in, and showcases what aspects of our personality we bring into session. Being authentic both with clients and colleagues has been a huge help in finding our niche – as a therapist, it is incredibly important to practice in a way that feels true to you and your beliefs on change.

We pride ourselves on creating meaningful relationships and partnerships with other professionals. We have worked to network with not only fellow mental health clinicians but also sexual educators, specialized psychedelic psychiatric professionals, pelvic floor therapists, and urologists. We strive to be a resource in the community as well as provide excellent referral sources for our clients. We view wellness from a holistic perspective and are dedicated to helping clients find their peace, whether it is through mental health therapy, pelvic floor therapy, psychedelic interventions, or a combination!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.floweroflifeco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/floweroflifecounseling/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Flower-of-Life-Counseling/61550559842253/

Image Credits

Katy London