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

Shannon, 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 was really worried about my success. My sister, coworkers and boyfriend really supported me I’m building my business and working towards this goal. It took me less than a year to do!

Shannon, 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?

I’m a trauma and addictions counselor. I always knew I wanted to be a counselor after learning about suicide stats when I was pretty young in school. I’m also very proud to be a recovered addict which gives me an interesting perspective when treating clients with trauma and addictions. I’m really good at working with clients that identify as being on the fringes of society, that feel like outcasts, the LGBTQ community, which I am apart of as well. My strength is supporting people in identifying their difference and embracing this as a super power and helping them stand in their power to hold boundaries and support others like us.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My childhood trauma and addictions at a young age helped me to be successful. I made a lot of mistakes and thought I ruined my life but it is now these experiences that have shaped me to help others heal and grow. I’m living proof of how therapy does save lives and help people be successful. I don’t hide that from my clients. If I can go from that to having a successful business, family, friendships and helping others, anyone can be successful.

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

I had to unlearn that it’s my job to conform to make other people around me comfortable. That is not my job. My job is to be true to myself, be my best self, and if people are uncomfortable, that’s on them. I was taught growing up and in grad school that I need to change the way I talk and be more passive to be successful. I’m glad I didn’t listen to that. The more I am my genuine and authentic self, the more clients I get in my business and the better I relate to them. We connect on a way deeper level and progress is so much faster for them. And it teaches them that they can do this also and still be accepted by the people meant to be in their lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: Eclipsecounseling22.com