Today we’d like to introduce you to Rochelle Bridges.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I devoted many years to making my primary focus the job of raising my own children to be four confident, independent individuals who felt loved and valued. Out of necessity, I took side jobs that allowed me to work from home and helped me develop entrepreneurial skills that I continue to use in my private practice today. As my oldest child approached high school graduation and leaving our home, I realized that my days of “meaningful work” were slowly coming to an end. Feeling certain that I still had a lot to offer to others, I applied to the University of Houston Clear Lake’s graduate degree program in Marriage and Family Therapy. That began my journey to becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and opening my private practice, Friendswood Family Counseling in 2012. It is an honor for me to journey alongside others who want the best for their lives, who have tried doing all they know to do, and are searching for more ideas and ways to live wholeheartedly. My approach to therapy is highly interactive, practical and solution focused, helping clients to feel heard, valued and equipped to take next steps in their own lives.
Listening, validating, and then equipping clients is my strength and why clients continue coming to see me.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Starting a business requires constant attentiveness, sacrifice, determination and perseverance. Period. Early on in my career I struggled with fear and doubt about creating and then expanding a successful, relevant private practice. In order to push past that fear, I did a lot of research, gathered as much information as possible about other private practices in this area and learned what I could from my competitors. Then I focused on how to brand my practice in a way that would stand out from others.
Since finding clients is critical to my success, I found a website company that created an online presence for me that expanded my reach as well as streamlined my business practices. I started out fiscally conservative, subletting an office one day a week, then expanding the number of days per week that I leased as my client base grew. Friendswood Family Counseling continues to grow and expand and has now moved three times since 2012.
Friendswood Family Counseling – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Friendswood Family Counseling exists to bring hope, healing and wholeness to one individual, one couple or one family at a time. As a highly interactive therapist I want my clients to see results in their lives as a result of their work in therapy. Using a solution-focused approach combined with components of systems and attachment theories, clients understand how they can make positive changes within themselves that influence their experiences with others. My role in therapy is to help clients live the life they envision regardless of whether they are experiencing depression or anxiety, are needing to broaden their coping skills, wanting to develop stronger communication strategies, needing tools for moving toward conflict and its resolution, or are grieving. If a client wants to make improvements in his or her life situation, I am a dedicated listener who compassionately assists in that process. As a Certified Daring Way Facilitator I use research-based approaches to help clients identify obstacles to growth, discover their own resiliency and have a deeper understanding of their emotional landscape. This approach allows clients to identify and name emotions so they are enabled to “respond” rather than “react” in close, meaningful ways with others.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
When clients see change in their own lives, are celebrating that change and living the way they envisioned, I feel immense gratitude. For my clients this change process involves determination, perseverance and vulnerability. Trying out new ways to interact doesn’t feel natural or comfortable. But it’s this process that allows my clients to experience moments of pure JOY! And joy motivates and helps sustain the process. It’s an honor and a privilege for me to be part of another person’s journey toward wholeness and I my deepest desire is for my clients to live life fully engaged, following their longings and yearnings in a deliberate and sustainable way.
Pricing:
- $130 for 55 minute sessions for individual, couple or family therapy
- $75 for 60 minute premarital counseling sessions
Contact Info:
- Address: Located in the Uniplex Business Suites
1414 S Friendswood Dr
Building A, Suite 114B
Friendswood, TX 77546 - Website: www.Friendswoodfamilycounseling.com
- Phone: 281-819-0144
- Email: Rochelle@friendswoodfamilycounseling.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/www.FriendswoodFamilyCounseling/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/friendswoodfam
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/friendswood-family-counseling-friendswood
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