Today we’d like to introduce you to MaDonna Land.
Hi MaDonna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
With the ultimate plan to become an attorney, I attended Sam Houston State University, joined a pre-law fraternity, and threw myself into all things criminal justice. I worked in the prison system for 4 years (while in school) and upon graduating started employment with juvenile probation and then adult probation. I bounced between the two populations for 12 years. During that time I obtained my first master’s in Public Administration and joined the United States Airforce National Guard.
I quickly realized that in all the systems I encountered, there was a revolving door of risk factors and unresolved traumas. I had the desire to put a dent in the healing process overall which launched my therapeutic journey. I obtained my second master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor.
I am currently employed at Serenity Light Recovery, an addiction treatment center as a residential therapist, at Tony’s Place, a drop in center for LGBTQ+ youth and allies who are unstably housed or at risk for homelessness as the Program Director and the proud owner of Do The Work Counseling Services, PLLC.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
If I had to hone in on a specific struggle, it would be a lack of knowledge and resources for underserved and at risk communities. To quote Martin Luther King Jr “It’s all right to tell a man to lift himself by his own bootstraps, but it is cruel jest to say to a bootless man that he ought to lift himself by his own bootstraps.” For many of my clients, not only do they not have boots, many lack insight into the need for them.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a therapist-My counseling style is open and interactive, with a strength-based, goal-oriented, solution-focused approach. My goal is to provide a safe, non-judgmental, supportive environment for all clients. The focus of Do The Work Counseling Services, PLLC is to empower and support individuals who are ready to do the work to become the best version of themselves. I believe that while no one else can heal or do your inner work for you doesn’t mean you can, should, or need to do it alone.
As a provider for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Health- I am part of an initiative created to develop services and solutions for all persons associated with the game of football, and extending these efforts to impact our communities. Hall of Fame Health seeks to play an integral role in shaping healthcare services and benefits, pioneering innovative new business ventures, partnering with market leaders in various go-to-market strategies, coordinating game-changing research, raising funds for those in need of financial assistance or services, and advocating for better healthcare for all.
As Program Director at Tony’s Place- I work with a team that promotes respect, physical safety, security and development for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies up to age 25 who are unstably housed, couch-surfing, or experiencing homelessness. We help the youth survive on a day-to-day basis by providing services to meet their immediate, basic needs. When needed or desired, we also provide referrals to services that will help the youth develop and thrive in the long term through education, health and wellness, and cultural development. By accomplishing our mission, we want to help equip our members with skills to manage and avoid the challenges and barriers they face. These include exposure to drugs and alcohol, victimization, involvement in the criminal justice system, being s*xually trafficked or engaging in survival s*x.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
One of the most unfortunate and fortunate things about the behavioral health profession is that there is no “one size fits all” approach and the nuances of learning to run a business with a range of options for someone just starting out can be overwhelming. With that, my advice would be to get a solid mentor and spend some time working for or alongside a thriving practice.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://madonna-land.clientsecure.me/
- Instagram: dotheworkcounselingservices
- Facebook: dotheworkcounselingservices
