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

William, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken has been starting my own therapy business. I am an LPC-A and it’s something that people say not to do while you are in that portion of your career but I felt I needed to and took the leap. It’s been a lot of highs and lows since I have started but I wouldn’t do it any other way. The care I can provide for others is what drives me to keep on this path and I am excited to see where it goes. I have also taken risks artistically as it’s solely a passion of mine rather than a career.. I was invited to produce art for a gallery in Greenville and had no idea that it would be as big as it was so I showed up and wanted to cry because I felt like I was out of my league but then ended up being the first artist to sell a piece. It taught me to not doubt myself and to be confident in my skills.

William, 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 got into therapy because I’ve had great therapists in my life and I have always been interested in psychology. I did not realize when I started that I would primarily be seeing young people with sexual trauma but that is a part of my story and I can’t believe how everything has aligned so I can help people through the same issues I had to work through. I think having personal experience with healing from that trauma as well as professional knowledge on next steps helps me to understand the process in a very real way and to provide encouragement in the darkest moments. My art is also an expression of many of the emotions I have felt (and the ones I am still working through) during that time in my life. I know it’s kind of a mish-mash of things but I believe everything is connected in some way!

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I was a server at restaurants (and still am on weekends) but I used my knowledge of psychology to make the best tips possible to support myself and my small business during that time.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

As a therapist I have strict boundaries in place to protect myself from burnout but I like to keep true line open with my clients as much as possible. They know they can reach out to me any time but I will not respond after 5pm. However I have a voicemail set up where they can talk through thoughts if needed and be assured that I will respond during designated hours. We also set up extensive safety plans so they feel supported during dark moments. I also like to work as hard as possible to get my clients to a pout where they do not feel that they need therapy anymore. The door is always open if anyone needs to come back but I try very hard to make sure everyone can get to a good place mentally. In regards to art I have been drawing people in my community who have passed away and making time lapse videos of the process to give to families who are grieving. This has been something I do with no cost attached, it’s just something I feel like is helpful and a good way to give back to my community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rootstherapy.net/
• Instagram: @willpaul_mcdonald
• Other: @pillwaul is my tiktok