We were lucky to catch up with Melissa Winkler recently and have shared our conversation below.

Melissa , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

The defining moment of my career was in May 2022 when I started my own private practice named Hyacinth Healing Center, PLLC. The moment that changed the trajectory of my career was when I was shockingly let go from a company, where I gave my heart and soul, only to be overworked (once again) with exhausting client/group hours with less than equitable compensation for my work.

During the time I was working my last job (oddly before I was let go) my personal therapist asked me a question? What’s holding you back from living the life you want? She asked me to lo make a list of all of the reasons that I would want to stay at my current employer and all of the reasons that I wanted to live my own dream of opening my own private practice. I contemplated on the assignment, procrastinating with the avoidance of my fears to actually write this down. The following work day, I was let go at the end of my work shift. I replied, thank you. My boss at the time looked at me as if I was being disrespectful. I explained that I was thanking her for helping me to make the decision to live my dreams. That’s the exact moment and day that I started putting my dreams and visions into reality.

Melissa , 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?

My name is Melissa Winkler, MSW, LMSW, I am a licensed Master’s Social Worker and the Owner of Hyacinth Healing Center, PLLC with a mission to promote mental health education/advocacy, counseling and treatment to children, adults and families suffering with mental health conditions. I provide individual, group, family and couples counseling from ages 4 to 70 + years of age. I am a certified trauma specialist, with an emphasis on PTSD and Complex-PTSD, childhood and generational trauma and the negative effects that it can have on one’s schema. I also specialize in treating children and adults with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

I believe what sets me apart from others is my complete authenticity and dedication to my work. I have built this business from every aspect of its creation to this point. When I started my business, it was during the end of Covid-19 and not many people had started going back to therapy in-person. I started seeing my clients in-home and via telehealth until I could secure an affordable office. I tell others, “It all started with a dream, computer and my car.” After 6 months of driving, and servicing 6 counties wide in my state (Michigan) I was able to secure my first office space located in my hometown of Tecumseh, MI. Shortly after securing my first office space, I was able to add a group/family/sensory room for my larger family/group needs. I have worked hard to set my office spaces apart from typical therapy/counseling office designs. I have designed each office space with sensory, meditation and creative designs that set me apart from most “stark” office spaces which just seem “too perfect” to me. I want my clients to feel safe, have fun and leave healthier when they come to see me.

When it comes to authenticity all of my clients are referred to as my “Hyacinth Healing Center Family.” I treat every one that I see as if they were a member of my own family. Every client has a direct number to my work cell phone via calls/text messaging (24/7). I am extremely attentive to my client’s needs and willing to advocate in any way I can to help strengthen their mental health treatment/needs.

Can you open up about how you managed the initial funding?

The funding of my business is an interesting story about accepting help from another person. After I was let go from my job, a friend of mine and I met for lunch. They had heard of me losing my job and said that they wanted to help me out. This friend handed me a round plastic container and he called it a “billet.” What’s interesting about this story is a billet is a container used to hold coins. He said, “it’s a billet of silver coins. Please take this and use it to start your business.” I replied, “No, I cannot accept this money.” He replied, “it’s not that, it’s an investment into your future and your dreams.” This is one of the first times that anyone openly offered me financial help to pursue my dream. I was shocked by this gesture and reluctantly accepted the coins, taking his direction on how to cash these into a coin shop for their much higher value than purchased. After turning the coins into cash, I was able to pay and sign for my contract with a billing/consulting agency and began to gain contracts with major insurance companies such as Blue Care Network, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan, Optum, United Health Care, McLaren, and Medicare/Medicaid plans (Blue Cross Complete, Meridian, McLaren, United Health Care). I learned 2 valuable lessons here. 1. Don’t be afraid to accept help from others who believe in your dreams!
2. The value in keeping assets for investments!

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy that I have for growing my clientele is being present in my local/state community by providing services, education, networking and marketing. The majority of my referrals have come from word-of-mouth, my local community Facebook page and educational posts made on my various social media links. I am intentional about posting daily inspirational messages and educational posts related to mental health. I believe that others see this and that it highlights the authenticity and dedication that I have to my clients and the passion that I still possess for my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hyacinth.services
• Facebook: Hyacinth Healing Center
• Other: Tik Tok: Hyacinth Healing Center

Image Credits
Samantha Downing and Melissa Winkler