Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Patton.
Hi Danielle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2018. It was through my own therapeutic journey that my life took a significant turn. I realized I wanted to do for others what my therapist had done for me. Therapy was so good to me that I became one! Significant trauma led me to go to therapy. It took me almost 10 years post-trauma to go, but I went. It changed the trajectory of my life.
In 2016, I worked as a School Counselor. I enjoyed working in public education, having done so since 2005. Then, different opportunities kept popping up out of nowhere that led me to become licensed. Things really solidified when I was asked by one of the teachers I worked with if I was interested in taking on student interns who were interested in becoming a School Counselor. Of course, I told her I would. Well, after the student intern went through the proper channels to do so, she began working with me to gather her required hours. Towards the end of the semester, her professor came to do a site visit, and in that meeting with her professor, my life changed! We spoke about the intern for most of the meeting, but then she asked if I was an LPC. I expressed interest, but I needed to go back to school to gather the remaining hours, which is what I did not want to do. I was tired of school. LOL! However, she encouraged me to do so. She asked for my transcript and began to look over it. She took notes, we chatted about the state requirements, exchanged information, and went our separate ways. The student intern successfully completed her hours, and it was a wrap. Summertime here I come! Honestly, I didn’t expect to hear from the professor again, but she emailed me a few weeks later. I was shocked to learn that she was the Dean of the department, and the courses I needed (4 graduate-level) were all offered that summer. She informed me that I would have 10 weeks to knock them out. I was not excited about that part at all. She told me that the state requirements were due to change the following calendar year, which would increase the hours from 12 to 24. It was now or never for me! I went for it! I completed the courses, took the Exam, and became licensed (provisionally).
I continued to work in the school setting as a School Counselor for a few more years. I was on campus from 7:30 am -4:30pm and in private practice from 5:30 pm- 8:30pm three days per week. I was exhausting!
It was in June of 2022 that I took a leap of faith and left public education after 17 years. I loved it! It was natural for me to connect with the kids and families I worked with. I was good at it. But.. I left… to open a business. What the hell was I doing? I didn’t know ANYTHING about business, but I know mental health. Again, my own therapeutic journey paved the way for me. So, I did the required things, and Impact Healthcare and Wellness was birthed. June of 2022 doors opened and have been since. Impact is a space where quality mental healthcare is provided. Mental health is so important. It truly impacts our quality of life- hence the name.
I am open and honest with others about my mental health journey. My life would not be where it is had it not been for therapy. I was in bad shape! But God gave me beauty for my ashes, because the very thing that took away my wanting to exist became the reason that I exist. Trauma is real…and so am I! It is through my trauma that I realized my purpose. I held on and worked through it. This is the message that my team and I express to our clients. Yes, trauma is hard, but let’s work through it. With the appropriate evidence-based mental health practices, it can be done.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been smooth! As I mentioned before, I know mental health, but not business. I had to learn quickly, though. Getting the required documents, insurances, credentialing, software, etc. It was a lot of trial and error. I lost a lot earlier on. Everyone has different processes, and you have to learn them all. I wasn’t making money, so I did everything- answered the phone, eligibility checks, billing, marketing, and saw my clients. I cried a lot in the beginning stages, lol! I doubted my choice to leave education to do this.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Impact Healthcare and Wellness?
Impact Healthcare and Well is a group practice of mental health professionals. We work with children, individuals, families, and couples. I have a diverse team that ranges from a veteran who is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, other Licensed Professional Counselors, and Licensed Master Social Workers. We all have different skill sets.
We offer counseling services for trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, major life changes, anger management, and crises.
We are currently a small business, but we are mighty! I am proud to say that we all love what we do. That is what makes us different. It is more of a calling than a career for us.
Any big plans?
Big changes are coming. We are working on credentialing to expand in mental health in a more community-based way. It is slowly coming together, but it is happening.
There is so much that I want to do, but it takes time.
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Adriane Owens
