We recently connected with Sarah Rees and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

I first started my practice independently and have now grown to expand space and hire counselors to work with me. In the beginning, I did some market research on where to locate my practice and began the search for an office lease. I was lucky enough to tour just one space that was a perfect fit and jumped right in. While incredibly terrifying at that moment, looking back it was the best decision I ever made. Some risks are worth it! Once I had a space secured, I had to work out the logistics of the day-to-day business. The biggest challenge was spending money upfront without having a steady stream of income, especially in paying for legal consultation. While this is the most expensive, it is absolutely necessary. Knowing your business entity is set up correctly and any legal documents you need are sound, gives the peace of mind to operate without worrying about repercussions later. Be bold and take risks, but do so with legal backing!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Brave Space was founded to provide our community mental health support for children, teens, parents, and their families. Our approach to counseling focuses on establishing an environment where a person feels safe, accepted, and genuinely cared about to better resolve problems.

We specialize in and are most known for Play Therapy. This treatment modality is evidenced-based, effective for children ages 3 to 12. Play Therapy allows children to use play as their natural way of communicating to process the traumas, stressors, and challenges they have experienced. In addition to Play Therapy, we also utilize expressive art therapy, activity therapy, and sand tray therapy with teens, parents, and individual adults.

The most important piece to our treatment process at Brave Space is the collaborative approach we use with caregivers, schools, doctors, and other helping professionals. We provide support for parents, alongside their child’s individual therapy, to help parents increase their confidence in parenting, understanding their child, and decreasing overall stress.

At Brave Space, we focus on tailoring our approach to each unique family, treating the child as a whole, not just the problem. While we help manage unwanted behaviors driven by intense emotions, we also increase confidence, self-esteem, responsibility, and appropriate communication. We take pride in our quality of care for each of our families.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Colleague support is the most valuable, not only for clinical consultations, but also as a business owner. Without a foundation of connections and support, everything would be immensely difficult! I am grateful for those who are supportive of me as a person and my practice.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Providing quality services, communication, and exceptional customer service are key. It is important to not only build trust with your clients with the services you provide, but also to maintain a professional network of referral sources. Building relationships in the community by taking time to get to know one another both personally and professionally helps maintain the brand you create. It’s not only your time in the office, but outside of the office where you strengthen your relationships with both clients and professionals.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bravespacecounseling.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/bravespacecounseling
• Email: [email protected]