We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Meagan McBride. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Meagan below.
Alright, Meagan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.
One of the scariest things I experienced professionally was going out into private practice on my own. The fear of not having an income and risking not being able to manage my own practice was high. Initially, I started my practice while working a full time job, establishing a case load after hours and weekends. When I finally realized that I was ready to go out on my own I was fearful that I would not be able to fill my days with clients. The best thing that I did was set boundaries and committed to my work ours rather than allow myself to be available at all hours. With confidence and experience it is important to remember that you are in charge and your clientele can work with your schedule. A large reason managing my own practice is achievable is because the passion to do what I love is high and motivating. Being able to work with families, couples, and individual’s as a marriage and family therapist if highly rewarding work so it makes the challenges easier to manage. I would recommend getting familiar with billing and realizing that organization is key, however that works for you. I think that it is important to set the hours that you want to work and commit to your boundaries. Connecting and networking with other professionals in your area is also helpful, learn what works for others and create how to make it work for you.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I have always been interested in people and how the brain works. In my undergraduate studies I had different ideas of where I wanted to go professionally, until I sat down with my school counselor and realized that I had enough psychology courses to graduate, clearly I had a passion for this field. I think that understanding trauma in individuals and in ourselves is imperative to functioning and connecting. I have worked with some individual who have experienced serve trauma as well to those struggling with daily anxiety and I am privileged to connect with them and assist in helping them succeed. To gain an understanding into our own experience, family of origin, and how our brain functions we can understand how to work through some of the hardest struggles. Human beings are resilient and powerful beings. With mindfulness and awareness we are able to make tremendous change in our lives. I enjoy working with couples to help reconnect and work thought the difficulties that effect our every day life’s and strengthen relationships so that we can feel connected and supportive again. As a wife and parent of two beautiful children I understand the challenging of managing a family and a marriage and enjoy support others through the journey as well.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
I like this question, in graduate school there were many individuals who wear in getting their masters as a second career, I have always felt grateful and happy that I choose this career the first time around, and I would choose it again and again. I am so honored to be an intimate part of people and couples life in my work daily. To be able to connect with people and help them gain strength and feel good about themselves and their relationships is a true gift. I could not see myself doing another career, at this point I couldn’t see myself using my degree differently, as I enjoy the flexibility to manage my schedule. In later years as my children get older and depend on my less I may consider teaching or supervising, however I would imagine I would still maintain my practice in some form.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I have found the most helpful way to build a reputation is by word of mouth, the more client’s that have success seem to give referrals and that has been the biggest source of marketing for me personally. It is also helpful to connect with professional organizations thought outside groups and social media.
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Meagan McBride
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 83209