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

Alright, Trachelle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?

I am an educator by nature. I started off as a Math teacher and I knew my goal in life was to help people. As I continued in my career, I realized I had more to give. I decided to become a professional counselor; however, I accidentally became a school counselor. After being a school counselor for some time, I decided it was time to open my own professional private practice. In doing so, I began to understand my purpose in helping people. One day I opened my email and received a message from a young woman. She was looking for a therapist. Nonetheless, it would become a very vital and God connecting experience. She was a former student in my math class of my first year of teaching. She stated that she was looking for a therapist and the night before she asked God to make it so that she had no more excuses for getting help. The first therapist that popped up during her search was me. She said that she hadn’t been happy for a long time, but having me respond to her made her day. She was happy to have found someone she could trust. She needed me to help her with her life now just as I had helped her in 7th grade Math back then. This moment was a movement for me. It was a way of God continuing to tell me yes. It was affirmation that I was on assignment and that I am headed in the right direction.

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 a Houstonian born and raised. I grew up in the area we all call Acres Home. Not so fancy of flashy with lots of learning experiences. I had always known I was supposed to be a teacher. In school, my teachers were always great. I excelled and often helped in class. It was second nature. I loved Math so I knew my strong suit. After teaching for a while, I knew that I needed to do more. It was more for me to give. I went to school and accidentally became a school counselor. My intentions were to get my license to be a professional counselor in Texas. God made it so that I could do both. I opened my own practice called Progressing on Purpose Counseling, PLLC. This was my opportunity to help my community. To bring awareness to my culture of breaking generational curses and bondage. To put a focus on women, low income clients, adolescents, personal growth and healing, and growing a business that my lineage could be proud of. I wanted to push myself beyond my boundaries. I offer individual, group, couples, and family counseling. I also perform speaking engagements and events to promote mental health awareness and growth.

My practice uses a lot of approaches such as solution focused brief therapy, acceptance and commitment, person centered, and strength based. The goal is to get the client to do the work in their own lives. I think that I am set apart from other therapists because I never forget that I too am a client. I attend therapy myself. I do not judge my clients and I actually learn from them. I lead with my heart and use my skills and knowledge to take me the rest of the way. I teach my clients to depend on themselves and use what they have to get them where they are going. I do not allow cost or time to hinder my current or potential clients from being helped. I remove my biases to fully engage in treatment planning and therapy. This allows my clients to be comfortable and open. They grow to enjoy sessions. I love to see their “light bulb” go off. I want every one to know that I am a growing therapist and business. I am fully committed to myself and them. It is time to become unafraid to take that first step in life. It is necessary to take that first step toward therapy. I am here to be a beacon of light and force of faith that healing is possible. Progressing on Purpose Counseling is just that…progressing.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I believe that the heart’s intent matters. Therapy is vulnerable, tough, and hard work. Succeeding in this field means to be relatable, client focused, committed, understanding, and a life-long learner. Clients need to feel that you are there for them and focused on the matters that matter most. I have a few clients that say that I am their friend. Although we’ve never been to lunch or a social outing together, they have become that comfortable with therapy that they trust me that much. With your friends you share, cry, consult, depend, confide. etc. That is how therapy should be. You should become a willing vessel. Helping people must be pure and heart felt. When you do what you do with a pure heart and clean hands, the outcome will be astounding. The clients will come. The company will grow.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I remember started off in college as a nursing major. I had never failed in school until college. I took Anatomy and Physiology my first year. I failed horribly. I took it again with the same professor because he said he believed in me. I did. The 2nd time I passed. I was excited, but I knew that this was not my calling. I struggled, failed, doubted, and almost gave up because I was not aligned with my purpose. I believed from then on that purpose is the key. I changed my major to education and it was A’s and ease from then on. I am not saying that you’re doing the right thing only when things are easy. I am saying that if you align yourself with your purpose that you will find ease and joy in the journey. That is even when things get tough. I have had to deal with loses such as positions, jobs, relationships, and finances since then, but my early stages of learning the importance of purpose helped me through. I find my purpose in everything I do or go through. That is why my business is name Progressing on Purpose. We must be intentional about what we do. We must have vision with that purpose. In life I have had to pivot and go another direction. I had to take an alternate route. However, I know that if I stay aligned with my purpose that all will work together for my good in the end.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.popcounseling.com
• Instagram: @p.o.p.counseling
• Facebook: Pop Counseling
• Twitter: @POP_Counseling
• Other: Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/trachelle-d-thomas-houston-tx/712504