I’m excited to share that I was recently featured on the Mastering Counseling podcast. It was such an engaging conversation, where I delved into my journey from studying psychology to becoming a leader in the mental health and consulting field. I offered insights that I hope will inspire therapists and practitioners at every stage of their career.
My Early Days: From Psychology to Social Work
My passion for mental health began during my undergraduate studies in psychology at Hampton University, a historically Black college. A pivotal moment came during an internship in Las Vegas, which led me to pursue a master’s degree in social work at the University of Maryland. Social work’s versatility opened many doors for me, allowing me to expand my expertise across various sectors and deepen my impact in the field.
Building Perfected Practice: A 20-Year Milestone
Perfected Practice was born out of my desire to not only provide mental health services but also create opportunities for other professionals. What began as a solo venture in 2005 quickly grew into a group practice. Early on, I embraced my role as an administrator, which allowed me to focus on business growth, secure government contracts, and provide comprehensive support to my team. This approach enabled me to offer full-time employment, benefits, and continuing education to other practitioners.
Coaching Beyond the Couch: “Hanging Your Shingle” and the 90-Day Sprint
In the podcast, I also shared my experience developing the "Hanging Your Shingle" program, which started as a three-hour training and eventually evolved into a comprehensive coaching program. Through this initiative, I guide therapists in building sustainable private practices, encouraging them to explore beyond the traditional 1:1 model.
My 90-Day Sprint program is designed for therapists who have reached what I call the "popping point"—when a full client roster feels overwhelming, but there's still a desire for professional growth. This program helps therapists create custom strategies to scale their practices while maintaining balance and passion.
Current Trends and the Future of Mental Health Practice
I also touched on some current trends in the mental health field, particularly the impact of COVID-19 and the rise of telehealth. I emphasized the importance of creating flexible, diversified offerings to help therapists avoid burnout while meeting the evolving needs of clients. I encourage fellow therapists to explore retreats, intensives, and online courses as ways to deliver value outside traditional sessions. Additionally, I see AI as a supportive tool in marketing and administrative tasks, helping therapists streamline operations and focus more on client care.
Listen Now!
If you’d like to hear more about my journey, experiences, and strategies for thriving in the mental health field, be sure to check out the full podcast episode here: https://mastersincounseling.org/episode/samara-stone-on-perfected-practice-and-the-90-day-sprint-ep-77/
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