Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vanessa Nank and Maribel Mesina-Geib. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Vanessa Nank and Maribel Mesina-Geib thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
We can both agree leaving our 9-5 jobs and opening our own business was one of the biggest risks we’ve taken. We came to a point in our lives where our priorities shifted and our well being took the forefront. We walked into the unknown but in our hearts knew this was the best move for us. The one thing we knew entering this new business was that we wanted to create a different lifestyle for ourselves but still do the work we love. At the end of the day, we are clinicians and had very little experience in the business world. The beginning of this new venture was not easy and much of it has been based on trial and error. There were moments of frustration, anxiety, and stress. We were able to work through it and come up with solutions in moving forward through these trials and tribulations. Having to shift gears constantly continues to be an exhausting task for us, however, we’ve found comfort in having each other to lean on. Private practice for mental health providers can be a lonely place and quite isolating. Working as a team has helped us to learn together in this process, help build one another up during those tough moments, and really has helped us to grow on a personal/professional level.
Taking this risk of leaving our comfort zone and opening our own business allowed us to really trust ourselves and our abilities. Even though this has not been an easy journey, we love what we do and would risk it all over again if we had too. We have met such great people along the way and made meaningful connections within the community.
We are very proud of our business, the standard of care we provide, and the wonderful clients we get to work with everyday.
Vanessa Nank and Maribel Mesina-Geib, 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?
We are a private practice providing counseling services to individuals, couples, and families in the state of Florida. We use evidenced-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), behavioral interventions for children struggling with attention and behavior challenges, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Additionally, Maribel is certified in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) which helps to support individuals in processing trauma. We help to create a treatment plan with research-based approaches to best meet your goals and needs for therapy. Our hope is that you walk away from each session with new tools for your coping skills toolbox, a new perspective on your current challenges, and new skills in managing your day-to-day stressors. The therapeutic relationship is an important factor in this process, which is why Present Mind seeks to create a safe and comforting environment for our clients. We want to provide as much support and guidance as you move forward in the therapeutic process. Sessions are typically scheduled on a weekly basis to provide consistency, build rapport and trust, and most effectively facilitate change. Treatment frequency and duration will vary depending on your goals. We focus on a collaborative approach with our clients and ongoing communication is important to us.
How’d you meet your business partner?
Vanessa and I both met at our previous place of employment. We realized very quickly that our values, beliefs, and long-term goals were quite similar. We both grew tired of working in environments that didn’t serve our mental and emotional well-being in a positive way, so long story short, after leaving work one day and feeling depleted we stood outside the parking lot in the pouring rain and said to ourselves “we should just start something of our own and work together”. That one moment changed the trajectory of our lives in many ways, all for the greater good!
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
We are very proud of our brand and its sense of authenticity. We approached every step of this business with intention and believe it is reflected through our brand. We really wanted people to get a sense of who we were. Connection and relatability are key factors within our branding model. This has been both an exciting and meaningful journey. We joined forces to create a practice that encompasses professionalism, diversity, forward-thinking, and a high standard of care for our clients. This is more than just a job for us. We not only provide counseling services to our clients but also consider ourselves to be navigators of resources within the community. We strive to empower our clients by encouraging them to be their own advocates in getting the services they need. We believe in guiding our clients to discover their truest potential and self-worth through utilizing a client centered approach. 
Contact Info:
- Website: presentmindllc.com
- Instagram: @presentmind.llc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087713214863
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/present-mind-llc-73a0a6258/
- Other: Mindful Me https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Me-Vanessa-Rupchand/dp/1480854131/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PBIUWS6AKYTF&keywords=mindful+me+vanessa+rupchand&qid=1684337499&sprefix=mindful+me+vaness%2Caps%2C243&sr=8-1 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mindful-me-vanessa-rupchand/1127555641?ean=9781480854130
Image Credits
Jesi Cason Photography