Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Mitchell.
Hi Lindsey, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I feel like I was always born to be a therapist. My Mom jokes that I picked the color orange when I was a little girl because I felt sorry for it that nobody was choosing it! So my first empathetic statement was for a color. Haha.
In all seriousness – my grandmother complete suicide when I was in 8th grade. It has a profound impact on me. I didn’t even realize it at the time. I watched it impact my family in various ways, I watch my Dad close up and feel shame around the situation and I saw it break my family into pieces. The impact it had on so many people. And how much I wanted to shift the dialogue. She was not crazy, or insane. Yes she had her mental health challenges. But for her to be in that much pain with the live she appeared to have, just sent me on a path to know I wanted to help people.
I have worked at universities, traditional mental health clinics. Hospitals. Etc. and what I found was that I liked to help in untraditional ways. I wanted to be able to be creative in my treatments approaches and be able to meet my clients where they are at in that moment.
I also wanted to work with elite performances. Change the dialogue. You can be an elite performer and still struggle. You can be at the top of your game, have the job you want, be a D1 athlete – and still need help! The ability to help create a dialogue where vulnerability and genuine connection are prioritized made me want to create my business.
I took a chance on wanting to create the environment to be in this journey, the whole journey and not just the performer. Assist, listen and learn about the whole person.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wish it had been smooth but nothing worth having is easy. For me learning the business side was a challenge. Nobody in my family operated their own business. And everybody was in traditional roles – go to school to be a teacher become a teacher. Go to school to become an engineer be an engineer. So this was a new road for me.
Also I went to school for 15 years to help people. I know how to do that! To truly dive in and provide assistant. However, negotiations about price, or time or how to provide services was a challenge. If I could work for free I would. So it is has a process.
Also I was single when I opened my business. Then at 37 I got married. And then at 40 I had my first baby. 41 – a mere 11 months after had my second baby. So to say life got in the way is an understatement. Learning how to pour into my clients, my business, my children and my partner has been a work in progress. I am still learning balance. I have my own wonderful therapist and I try to practice what I preach with my clients in order to pour into myself.
Also as Covid and insurance changes – I am learning to adapt and adjust as well. It is about constantly evolving, meeting my population where they are at and being adaptable. Finding a way to hear and respect people as I am on this very personal journey with them. Navigating my life. Their life. And the financial component. Challenge to say the least.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a clinical mental health therapist turned sports performance coach. I have decided to merge the two specialties and do mental health counseling for elite athletes and performers.
I am proud of what I have built. I am not from this area and moved here following an accident and having to leave a sports psychology position. My Dad told me to use the time I was physically healing to start a business and see what I could build. I worked for other clinics while I build my business. Now The Pave Group is 100 percent of my income and sustains a living for me and my family (with the help of my partner of course) I didn’t know anybody and had to learn as I went. I had to create a reputation and a culture I could sustain. I am very proud of building something from nothing. And letting my work speak for itself.
I think what sets me apart is I don’t present as what you think a PhD / psychologist would present as! I was never an academic. I also failed out of school (in large part to grieving the loss of my grandmother which I mentioned). I only went to college because I was gifted on the softball field. College was a struggle and I was on academic probation for more semesters than I would care to admit. Then I walked into a psychology class (thank you Dr Pam Carter) and my life forever changed. But from having severe dyslexia and struggling in school to earn my PhD was something I had to earn. It was hard. And there times I wanted to quit.
What I think makes me different is because of that journey, I know that to truly help people it is not about being the smartest person in the room, or showing how educated I am. It is about being genuine. Being present. Helping me feel heard and understood. Or the courage to have conversations with people that didn’t think possible. I try to take concepts that are challenging – and just make them real! Be genuine. No judgement. And in an ever changing world I want to be an anchor. Show up when I say. Meet people where they are act. And allow for real conversations to evolve.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I love what I do! I struggle with being the best mother, wife and therapist. I want to leave a positive impact on people’s lives. I am so honored to be on this journey with people. I am humbled to hold stories and secrets and fears for people. It is hard to manage it all. But I am reminded every day and with every athelte that this work matters. And I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
Pricing:
- $100 intro sessions
- $125 – $200 for individual sessions
- $500 workshops
- $1500 speaking engagements
- Online courses to come soon
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thepavegroup.com
- Instagram: drmitchie
- Facebook: Mitch Boyer
- LinkedIn: Lindsey Mitchell
- Other: Tik Tok: drmitchie
Image Credits
eight16media
