We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Megan Meyerhoffer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Megan below.
Megan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
It all began at a time in my life when I felt a profound calling to grow my therapy practice and build on what I had created over the last nine years in solo private practice. Everything seemed to be aligning perfectly: my child had started school, my family and I had returned to the city where I was born and called home with no plans of moving again. I was leasing two therapy rooms in a beautiful old home turned business located in a diverse and eclectic area that I absolutely loved for its energy, diversity, and inclusiveness.
One day, I sent a brief text to my landlord, asking, “If any other rooms in the building become available in the next year or two, could you please let me know? I am beginning to explore the idea of building a group therapy practice.” I didn’t expect a swift response, but less than a month later, while on a yearly trip with my best friend, I received a text from my landlord stating that two rooms would be available immediately!
This opportunity didn’t fit within my 1-2 year timeframe, but this felt like a chance I couldn’t pass up. I spent time reflecting on the possibility, and discussing it with my partner and my primary support people. I ultimately decided to take the plunge!. I quickly began researching the necessary steps to hire contract mental health clinicians and reached out to my community for guidance. Several local group therapy practice owners generously shared their stories, knowledge, challenges, and insights with me.
Thus, in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky, nestled within the quirky, eccentric urban Highlands Neighborhood, Woven Nest Counseling and Coaching was born. As I pondered potential names for my practice, I was struck by how deeply my personal and professional journeys were interwoven. Each thread of my experience as a clinician and my roles as a human – a daughter, a mother, a partner, and a community member – contributed to the rich, complex fabric of my being.
The metaphor of a nest came to me in a moment of clarity. Much like our lives, a nest is meticulously crafted with an array of materials, each strand carefully selected and woven together to create a haven of safety, nurturing, and connectivity. We are all part of this great web of life, continually creating and interweaving our stories with those around us. With this realization, Woven Nest Counseling and Coaching emerged not just as a title, but as a philosophy. It encapsulated the essence of my practice: a collaborative journey of healing, connection, and resilience, where therapist and client together weave a tapestry of growth and understanding.
Now, growing this into a community of like-minded practitioners has become my heart’s intentions. Woven Nest now has four contract clinicians and is currently expanding. I now am leasing the entire building (except for one room), allowing us to serve even more individuals and families in need of our support and care.
Reflecting on this journey, I’ve learned that taking risks, even when they are daunting and outside of our planned timelines, can lead to incredible growth and opportunities. This experience has taught me the value of trusting my instincts, seeking support from my community, and embracing uncertainty as a part of the path to living fully. As Woven Nest continues to grow and thrive, I am reminded that the process of building something meaningful is ongoing. It requires continual learning, adaptation, and resilience. The story of Woven Nest is far from over, and I am excited to see how it will evolve as we sustain and expand our mission of healing and connection.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I feel incredibly lucky and deeply grateful to have found my calling in supporting individuals and families across all stages of life—children, teens, adults, and families—as they confront the various trials and tribulations life throws our way. As an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Consultant-In-Training and a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, I bring a wealth of experience and expertise to my practice. Additionally, I am an Advanced Practitioner and Facilitator of Being With™ – A Parent Course for Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors, a Guide for Syzygy Institute’s IFS Informed EMDR Training Program, and a Facilitator for Glow Worm Play Cafe’s Parent Support Groups, all of which further enrich my ability to support individuals and families facing unique challenges.
My journey into this field was somewhat serendipitous. While attending college for an unrelated field, I ended up with my first job in social services. I found myself looking forward to going to work and feeling like I had a deeper purpose. I discovered my true passion for helping and connecting with others. I decided to pause my current degree and shift to another university where I could get my Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work. I participated in the Public Child Welfare Certification Program, concentrating in child welfare and taking extra classes with this focus. In return, I committed to working for our local Department of Child Services for at least two years after graduation. I went on to complete a master’s degree from the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work. This was the beginning of a career-long path of working with children and families.
After working with the Department of Child Welfare, I felt a pull to pursue the clinical side of social work and began working as a child/adolescent and family therapist with local community mental health organizations. Here, I deepened my experience and passion for working with complex trauma, and with individuals and families who are vulnerable and oppressed in our society.
I deeply understand the power of therapy because I’ve experienced it firsthand. I come to this work with the lived experience of trauma and the process of mending that has included symptoms of depression and anxiety. My own life has been deeply impacted by complicated grief, which has inspired me to expand my knowledge and skill in this area. In 2023, I completed Megan Devine’s Grief Care Professional Certificate Program. Living with Type 1 diabetes, I also bring a unique perspective and expertise to supporting those navigating the challenges of recent diagnoses or chronic illnesses. I am currently on the path to becoming a certified Integrative Mental Health Practitioner, a role that marries the critical elements of nutrition, movement, and mindfulness with clinical practice.
So you see, I’ve done (and continue to do) the hard work of integration and self-growth and am firmly committed to a life of self-exploration and curiosity. I never ask clients to do something I haven’t done. The humility and reverence I hold for the therapy process fuels my passion for this work.
Based on these life experiences and professional training, I established Woven Nest Counseling and Coaching. Here we envision a community where every individual can explore their intricate webs of experiences, emotions, and relationships in a safe, supportive environment. We aspire to be a beacon of hope and healing in Louisville, embodying the power of connection and the resilience of the human spirit. With the support of a therapist, clients embark on a path of mending, joining the threads of their lives in new and meaningful ways. Here, clients are not just seen as individuals but as partners in the intricate dance of life, contributing to a shared nest — a space of safety, understanding, and collective growth. It is a place to settle, flourish, and fly.
Our mission is to support individuals and families across the lifespan in living more connected and regulated lives in our chaotic world. Through whole brain and body therapies, we help clients mend and join the threads of their lives in new and meaningful ways. We are committed partners in the process of healing and integration, working collaboratively with each client to foster understanding, resilience, and growth.
I deeply believe that each of us has a well of inner resources—innate wisdom and strength—to tap into when faced with life’s challenges, adversities, and chaos. The intention of Woven Nest Counseling, as I see it, is to facilitate and nurture individual’s access to these inner resources, guiding them through the challenges of life with compassion and understanding.
This holistic and integrative approach creates a supportive and safe environment for the clients of Woven Next. What sets us apart is our commitment to continuous learning and self-growth, our diverse expertise across various therapeutic modalities, and our unwavering belief in the resilience and potential of every individual. Our goal is to be with clients through collaboration as they feel their inner strength/wisdom, navigate life’s challenges, and achieve a sense of empowerment and fulfillment.
Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?
Absolutely, without a doubt, I would choose the same profession and specialty! The fulfillment I experience from helping individuals and families navigate their challenges and witnessing their growth and healing is unparalleled. Every day, I am reminded of the profound impact that truly being with others during their most challenging and difficult experiences can have on their lives. I am constantly humbled by the resilience of the human spirit and the incredible capacity for healing that our bodies and brains possess. My journey as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor and EMDR Consultant has been incredibly rewarding, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Building my reputation within the market has been a journey deeply rooted in the value of relationships. Slowly building relationships and connecting with other clinicians has been the cornerstone of my professional growth. Relationships sustain me personally and professionally. I believe they decrease the risk of burnout for clinicians, allowing us to feel seen and understood so that we can then offer that same level of care and empathy to our clients.
Networking and building connections and relationships with colleagues both within Woven Nest as well as the Louisville therapeutic community helps us feel less isolated in this work. By fostering a supportive community, we create a network of shared knowledge and experience, which enhances our professional capabilities and personal resilience. These connections have provided me with a wealth of resources, support, and collaboration opportunities that have significantly contributed to my reputation and success in the field.
In addition to the power of relationships in building our reputation, staying true to a practice and business model that is rooted in our values and mission has been essential. I hire contractors who are aligned with our core principles, which include understanding the brain-body connection, looking beyond behaviors to see the complexity of being human, being responsive to every contact, and recognizing that the client is the expert on themselves. We emphasize a collaborative process, ensuring that our approach is client-centered and holistic. This commitment to our values and mission has been fundamental in establishing trust and credibility within the community.
The most profound evidence of successful reputation building in my view is the significant number of referrals Woven Nest receives from other Louisville clinicians, including respected peers who refer their own family members and friends to our group practice.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wovennest.net
- Instagram: @wovennestcc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wovennestcounselingandcoaching/
