Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Seketa Bing-Nelson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Seketa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?
I received my Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling in 2008 from South University. After receiving my degree I worked for various mental health facilities and organizations in Savannah and the Atlanta area (via work from home). After years of being a dedicated employee, I decided that there was an organization within me and started my own practice. Seketa Bing-Nelson, Inc formally Nelson’s Counseling and Wellness, Inc was founded and started in February 2017. The practice was initially started as a part-time private practice while I continued to work full-time for a Medicaid CMO company. I remember working over 60 hours a week between my full-time job and part-time practice. At the start of COVID in 2020, I suffered an ankle injury which caused me to go on leave for two months from my full-time job. During my time off from work, I continued to work my Private Practice via Telehealth. It was at that moment that I realized that I was worth more to myself than any organization. December of 2020, I took a huge leap of faith and invested in myself. That was the best decision that I could I have ever made in my life.
Some of the challenges that I experienced setting up my office was not having 100 % confidence in myself. I spent the first three years taking huge financial losses for not understanding the full extent of being a business owner and that it definitely takes money to make money. I went through challenges trusting people to assist me in ensuring that I was getting paid for services rendered and due to my lack of knowledge of the business side of being a Mental Health Therapist, I was paying out more than I was receiving. At year two, I was forced with the challenges of remaining open or closing my practicing and only continuing working for my full-time employer. After doing research on my own, connecting myself to the right people; I found the support necessary to become a thriving business owner. Within the first year of committing myself to my practice full-time I over exceeded my goal of becoming a 6 figure earner.
To anyone considering starting their own practice, I would encourage you to gain as much knowledge as you can about the business side of being a private practice owner. Ensure that you are 100% passionate about your craft so that you will have longevity within the field. Gather as many certifications as you can from your full-time employer before starting your practice (certifications can be expensive) so that you can have some skin in the game. Remember you can spend your whole life working for someone or you can spend the rest of your life investing in yourself. Stay the course, pray daily and always bet on you.
Seketa, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Seketa Bing-Nelson. I am a native of Savannah, Ga. and 1998 graduate of Sol C Johnson High School. After graduating from high school, I took a few months to decide if I wanted to attend college. I sat out one semester and started Paine College in January of 1999 majoring in Psychology. I graduated from Paine College May of 2003 and immediately returned to Savannah. I worked for various social service agencies after graduation including juvenile probation and foster care/adoptions. After giving birth to my first child in 2005, I decided to further my career by attending graduate school to become a Professional Counselor. I attended South University in Savannah, Georgia receiving a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling June of 2008. I continued working in the field of Foster Care and Adoptions before becoming a Mental Health Therapist. The course of my career following receiving my MA, I began working as a therapist for many different agencies to include in home therapy, psychiatric residential facilities and Higher Education. I pride myself on the ability to gain knowledge from each of my employers in efforts of creating the ambitious individual I am today. Carrying many certifications including Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Counseling Professional Supervisor, National Certified Counselor and Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Georgia of Florida and Arizona.
Being a mental health professional requires a lot of discipline, balance, patience, self-care and love. My specialities include but are not limited to Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Personality Disorders, Gender Identity Issues, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, ADD and ADHD, Substance Abuse, PTSD, Grief, Perinatal and Postpartum Depression, Behavioral Issues and so much more. I offer individual, family, group and marriage counseling. Treatment modalities used in therapy are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Brief Solution Focus Therapy, Exposure Response Prevention, Multisystemic therapy, Strategic Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
What sets me apart from others is that I am always looking for ways to become innovative in the field of Mental Health. In addition to being the owner and clinician of Seketa Bing-Nelson, Inc; I also have launched a self-care line of clothing, Mental Health T-shirts and Thera-teas which is an herbal tea line for individuals suffering from Anxiety, fatigue and Mood Disorders. I am committed to giving back to my community by aiding in ending the mental health disparities of the African American Community. With over 20 years of experience in the field of Mental Health, I pride myself in ensuring top tier care for my clients by connecting them to resources that may be beneficial to their wholistic self.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start?
The story behind funding my business is a significant one. I consider my business my passion and sometimes we have to use a hustle to fund our passion. Prior to opening my private practice, I was the owner of a Plus size Boutique which proceeds from the boutique were used to rent space to start my Private Practice. I would sell clothes online and in the office space designated for therapy. Once I gained a significant clientele through therapy, I decreased my sales in the boutique. Eventually, I learned how to incorporate the two by adding and coining Fashion Therapy. I utilized Fashion Therapy as a way to increase the self-esteem of women suffering from low-self confidence and Depression. Currently, my business is Debt free.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the lessons that I had to unlearn is that everyone is not accepting of your help. Being self-less and free hearted has been a huge barrier for me. I tend to see the good in people before seeing the bad. Over the years, I have learned to evaluate and observe everyone before being so free to give information, resources and/or support. I remember wanting to help everyone only to be taken advantage of by those who I genuinely cared for. I have learned to limit my access and protect my heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.seketabingnelson.org
- Instagram: seketa_b_nelson
- Facebook: Seketa Bing-Nelson, Inc
- Youtube: TrapTherapist