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

Alright, Shannalei thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

I was raised by a single mother and one of the things she did right was instilling a strong sense of faith in me. At a young age I didn’t understand why we always had to be in church or why we’d spend time during the week reading/studying the Bible. As an adult- I get it and thank her for it. My faith in Jesus Christ has carried me through many personal and professional seasons. In times when having my own business has been difficult, my mom’s reminder of the power of prayer and leaning on God has always prevailed.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I am an Afro Latina, wife, mom, leader, author, and Therapeutic Coach. Born and raised in Stamford, CT while currently living in SoFlo where I run my telehealth therapeutic coaching private practice, In Your Corner LLC.
I received my MSW from Hunter College and moved to FL working as an outpatient therapist providing therapy for people of all ages and with all kinds of issues in their homes. I later transitioned to work as a school counselor, school social worker, therapist in a shelter, and behavioral health professional at a High school. At that time there was a a switch in me and I began to move into private practice. Private practice was never my initial goal when I was pursuing my education but it is truly a pleasure serving clients in this way.
With In Your Corner LLC, I combine therapy and life coaching. Essentially I help identify the root of your issue, provide skills to manage and cope, and assist you in creating goals and actionable steps for your personal and professional goals. I work with clients that are navigating change and help them adapt to that change; whether professional, relationship, loss, etc.
In Your Corner LLC a safe space with a Therapeutic Coach that tailors your therapeutic plan specifically for you and not based off of a specific modality.
I’m most proud of the client’s that have graduated from In Your Corner and have successfully reached their goals and continue to use the skills that they acquired in their sessions.
I want clients to know that In Your Corner isn’t just a name, brand, or catch phrase- it’s exactly what you will experience when you work with me. You will experience what it is to truly have someone walking with you through your healing journey and have the tools to reach your personal and professional goals.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

I began working with BetterHelp as I was working my full time job as a Behavioral Health Professional. To be honest, the thought of private practice terrified me and imposter syndrome had definitely taken the driver seat.
As I worked for BetterHelp, my confidence grew and I began to see the impact I was making in client’s lives.
See private practice doesn’t just represent autonomy for me- I take this work very seriously. Everyday that I work with a client, I am the clinician that is responsible for this client’s mental health. In many cases it can be a matter of life and death. In my opinion it is nothing to play with.
As my clientele began to grow with BetterHelp, it was time to move into my own space and from there In Your Corner was recreated.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

‘An off season doesn’t mean you have failed’ and ‘your way isn’t wrong because it’s different.’

‘An off season doesn’t mean you have failed’
I had seasons of increase in my business with increasing clientele, social media engagement, and cash flow. I’ve also experienced a decline in new clientele as clients successfully graduated from therapy, lack of inspiration to engage in social media, and all of this leading to a decrease in cash flow coming from therapy. As I rebuild In Your Corner I’m reminded that my purpose is not defined by the off season but defined by the space created for client’s and its positive impact.

‘your way isn’t wrong because it’s different’
I spent so much time feeling that because I didn’t identify with any specific modality and didn’t provide therapy the way other clinicians did- that I was doing it ‘wrong’ and couldn’t be successful. After speaking about my fears with mentors and loved ones. I learned that my way wasn’t wrong and it was exactly what my clients needed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.iycorner.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pocketfulloffeisty?igsh=MTZqMG51dHJsOHMyNA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18tTcaRzsU/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_inyourcorner?_r=1&_t=ZP-96hSFyhicSl

Image Credits

Photo credit: Amanda Rose and Brian Jenkins