We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Q Porschatis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Q below.

Q, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Throughout our lives, we inevitably encounter moments where we must make choices—forks in the road that shape our paths. I’ve faced many such moments that altered my trajectory in various ways. While some decisions felt dictated to me, my journey ultimately led me to the mental health field, and in 2019, I founded Salty Counseling.

My journey began in high school when I dreamed of becoming a professional basketball player and earning a full scholarship to attend college. However, that dream ended abruptly when my coach pointed out that my left-sided layups were weak and I didn’t make the High School team. I realized I needed to pivot and find another way to pay for college. Attending a four-year college was my biggest goal then, but coming from a modest background without the emotional and financial support I needed, I had to carve my own path.

I also attempted to join the military, another dream of mine since childhood, but that path was cut short as well. I was denied entry, likely due to my sexuality.

I was crushed that things weren’t going the way I had hoped. Then, I saw a commercial on TV for a local culinary school that offered free courses to high school seniors. I thought that becoming a chef would provide me with job security. So, during my senior year of high school, I enrolled in the culinary school. The commercial also advertised job placements upon graduation. After completing the program, I reminded my chef instructor about the job placement guarantee. He had a good laugh but ended up calling in a favor at a country club, where my culinary career officially began.

At 18, I started my culinary career as a full-time prep cook at a country club. After two years of hard work and striving to advance, I returned to my goal of attending the University of Utah for my undergraduate studies. Gaining admission to the University of Utah opened many doors for me. While balancing full-time work as a line cook and saucier chef with part-time to full-time school was challenging, I managed to do so successfully.

During my undergraduate studies, I aimed to attend graduate school to become a sexuality researcher and university professor. However, before completing my degree, I received an opportunity to move to Boston. At 23, while working as a Sous Chef and attending UMass Boston, I discovered my interest in business as my chef mentor taught me how to open and operate a kitchen. Living on my own in the City of Champions at such a formative age promoted my growth in ways I could have never imagined and allowed me the space to explore myself as I began to step into my authentic self.

After moving back to Utah, I graduated with degrees in both Psychology and Gender Studies. I left my culinary career behind to work at a local mental health hospital. This transition was a significant culture shock for me. In the kitchen, I was accustomed to the chaos of dinner service, with people shouting to ensure everything ran smoothly while preparing beautifully crafted dishes. In contrast, working in the mental health field had a much slower pace, where my focus was on helping others regain their well-being.

Working with people during their most vulnerable times of need and suffering made me realize my desire to work more closely with individuals in a therapeutic setting. In 2015, I applied to and was accepted into the University of Utah’s Master of Social Work program, graduating with high honors in 2017. My graduate studies and internships helped refine my ambition to open a private practice and provide individual therapy as a trauma specialist, which culminated in the establishment of my practice, Salty Counseling, in 2019. While the forks in the road seemed unfair or confusing at times, as I reflect on my life’s different trajectories, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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 am Q Porschatis, a licensed mental health therapist based in Salt Lake City, Utah. As a specialist in trauma and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, I founded Salty Counseling, where I provide therapy services tailored to high-achieving Millennial women and queer individuals. My clients often experience anxiety, stress, disconnection, and feelings of being overwhelmed due to unresolved relational trauma and current life challenges. Together, we engage in deeper therapeutic work to explore how their past influences their present, allowing them to step into their true, authentic selves and live healthier, more peaceful lives.

At Salty Counseling, my focus is on helping clients address the root causes of stress, anxiety, and trauma. I aim to guide them in transforming their inner pain and stories into awareness and personal growth, allowing them to step into their confident, unapologetic selves. Many of my clients have gone to talk therapy in the past but felt that their issues remained unresolved, leading to the same problems resurfacing over time.

My dedication to achieving goal-driven, targeted, and long-lasting results sets me apart from other therapists. I believe that therapy should not be a lifelong requirement for symptom management. To help clients achieve lasting change, I use Polyvagal Theory and EMDR therapy.

Polyvagal Theory teaches clients how their nervous system works and provides strategies to improve the Vagus nerve functioning for better self-regulation. This foundational understanding is crucial, as it equips clients with the tools needed for deeper therapeutic work. Through EMDR, we identify the root causes of current-day issues and address the traumas or past events that continue to cause distress. This process allows for a total system upgrade of the brain and body. As a result, clients can free themselves from the daily triggers and emotional turmoil stemming from their past experiences. EMDR helps the brain reprocess the adverse impactful events, allowing both the brain and nervous system to finally settle and stop being in a state of constant alarm.

I take great pride in my clients who are committed to this work. It’s not an easy journey, but they consistently show up ready for therapy and apply what they’ve learned in their daily lives. Nothing is more rewarding than reflecting on how far a client has come, from the beginning of therapy to the day they graduate. Witnessing their transformation and seeing them become the best version of themselves is truly inspiring. Helping clients achieve lasting results is a significant part of my motivation as a therapist.

I want potential clients to know that I am not the type of therapist who simply listens while you talk about your week; I actively engage in the deeper work with you. Treatment is goal-oriented, which means we will create a plan together to help you achieve your ultimate goals.

I understand that working through trauma can be terrifying. That’s why I focus a lot on preparation before diving into the more challenging aspects of client’s experiences. My priority is to ensure that my clients feel safe and ready to work through their trauma. Although this work can be difficult, it is incredibly rewarding.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Books and resources that have significantly influenced my entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy began with several impactful podcasts: *The Money Sessions* by Tiffany McLain, *The Private Practice Pro* by Kelly Stevens, *Fried: The Burnout Podcast*, and *The Financial Feminist*. These women motivated me to create a business that works for me and allows me to live the life I desire, ultimately making me a better clinician in helping others.

I participated in Tiffany McLain’s “Lean In, Make Bank” academy several years ago. In this program, I explored my personal money stories that were hindering my ability to run a successful business. Thanks to her mindset modules and reflection exercises, I now have a healthy relationship with my business. I can wear both my business and therapist hats while still showing up genuinely for all my clients.

Although Rebeka Kase, LCSW of Trauma Therapist Institute, doesn’t have specific information on running a business, she truly impresses me. The way she has structured her business model aligns perfectly with my vision for growth. Her passion for EMDR and her commitment to training clinicians in a non-judgmental and supportive manner is remarkable. I have had the opportunity to work with Kase & Co. by taking several of their advanced courses, participating in their certificate program, and receiving one-on-one mentorship from their team.

I’ve also drawn inspiration from several impactful books:

1. **I Will Teach You to Be Rich** by Ramit Sethi: This book has helped shape my mindset around money and how I can create healthy financial habits for my personal and business life.

2. **Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win** by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin: The core principles in this book, such as taking extreme ownership, are ideals I strive for daily, both with my clients and in my own life.

3. **Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life** by Arnold Schwarzenegger: Arnold has always inspired me, and this book offers valuable insights. It reminds me to stay focused on my vision and celebrate my wins along the way. As I become more successful and expert in my skills, I can be more useful to my community.

4. **Mind Over Medicine** by Lissa Rankin, M.D.: Although this book is not specifically about building a healthy business, Rankin’s story about her experiences as a medical doctor and the burnout caused by the corporate medical structure resonates with me. Her journey to finding health and happiness serves as a reminder of the importance of self-care so I can show up 100% for every client every single day.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

At age 17, I came out as a lesbian. The Mormon church ostracized me, and I was forced to leave home because of my sexuality. A friend at the time let me move in with her, but I didn’t realize she was deeply involved in drugs. Determined to graduate High School, I traveled from Salt Lake to Kaysville. Eventually, my parents allowed me to move back home to complete my education, but with the understanding that I would leave again as soon as I graduated.

Once I graduated, I moved back to Salt Lake and began to associate with the wrong crowds—people who were partying, using drugs, and who were manipulative. Despite this, I managed to stay focused on my goals and worked hard to achieve them. It took years to get to where I am now, but I did it through my own resilience and determination. Looking back, I feel lucky and fortunate. I could have easily fallen into drugs or other destructive behaviors, but I was so determined to succeed that nothing could stop me.

In my 20s, my dreams seemed unattainable because of the constant roadblocks and challenges I faced, but I kept pushing forward. I embraced the saying, “Fall down seven times, get up eight.” Through my determination and strength, my resilience continued to grow, ultimately leading me to where I am today. My experiences have shaped me to be a better clinician, allowing me to better understand and relate to the struggles of others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.saltycounseling.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salty_counseling/?fbclid=IwAR2Uro-BX0xxJLOrSPgU9YDiX04hYDE3z9ZlE4ei6VGDEne_LqUaqgDy6jA
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556402828356
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/q-porschatis-lcsw-539b7473/