Client Spotlight: West Texas Anew Counseling
Did you know that “over 50% of youth in the U.S. don’t receive the specialized care that they need for mental health struggles” ?* Well, we would love to introduce you to someone who is working to change this statistic! Meet Susan Garcia who owns and operates West Texas Anew Counseling. She is a licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist who saw a need in her community and sought to fill it by taking her own leap of faith. Keep reading to learn about this amazing practice that prioritizes making therapy affordable and effective for as many people as possible.
What makes West Texas Anew Counseling unique?
I saw how difficult it could be for people to get affordable therapy in the private sector when they had to pay completely out of pocket. I have worked to accept as many insurance policies as I can so that more people have access to receiving therapy. In addition, having worked in the school system for over a decade- I saw how school counselors rarely have the time to meet all the mental therapeutic needs of the children. I earned my certification as a registered play therapist so I could offer myself and my practice as a resource for kids that needed more than what they could get during the school day.
What are some of your proudest moments from your practice?
I love when I hear from a client or a client’s parents that they “don’t need me anymore”! I find joy when I see that the work we are doing to help someone, provides them with the right tools and confidence to continue a healthy life independently.
I’m also proud to provide a safe place where others can feel supported and encouraged to pursue a service based career. I invite up-and-coming therapists to work under me to earn the hours needed for their own license. I don’t believe there is a competition over who gets what client. There is such a big need for therapy, that the more people are able to become licensed- the more people will get help.
What advice would you give to other new business owners?
It is true that going “out on your own” is really scary because not only are you responsible for making your own money but there are legal issues to consider as well. Additionally, many people would tell me that “I wouldn’t be that busy” or “it’s going to be a slow start”. I know they were just trying to help and get me in the right perspective, but I had to quiet their voices and listen to the One I believed was right. I had prayed for a year prior and took the leap of faith, trusting God and his will for me. When you feel called to do something- you have to just trust the process and go for it.
How did Paige Financial Services help you solve a challenge in your business?
It quickly became overwhelming to me how much is on the back end of operating a business. I wanted to focus on serving my community, yet there was so much else to manage like tracking income, recording expenses, and trying to effectively plan for tax season. I was recommended to start working with Jeff and PFS to help us prevent owing a lot to the IRS since we are self employed. Jeff is absolutely amazing. He is always willing to meet and answer questions. It felt so good knowing someone was there to support us as we were trying to support others. Jeff is also very real and willing to talk about his own experiences in life and business. He shared about how counseling has made a difference in his own life. I was so encouraged to see how the work I’m a part of is so healing for others.