Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Baker.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am married to a teacher/coach, and we have two dog-children. My husband and I love to exercise together, share our faith, spend time on the coast, and listen to live music. I love spending time with my family, and I have the great gift of being an aunt to three nieces and a nephew. Living between Astros games and sandy beaches has been a dream fulfilled that I didn’t know I had.
I was born and raised in Waco, TX to a teacher and an engineer. My two older brothers watched over me while also “toughening me up.” I loved competing in sports, finding things to do outside, and watching comedies that were probably not appropriate for my age. My family was both broken and wonderful. As most families do, we experienced a lot of joy, and also a lot of heartbreak.
Through our struggles, I developed a strong compassion for others and a desire to know them deeply. The strength that I felt and witnessed in the midst of challenges was breathtaking. I watched in awe as others would go through dark seasons and rise up, stronger than before. It was amazing for me to watch, and it still is. Guiding people as they weather the storm and find strengths within themselves is an absolute gift. Nothing could be more rewarding than the space I now share with people. I am truly grateful for the individuals, couples, and families who have allowed me to be a part of their healing, and I am excited and invigorated for those who are just beginning.
Has it been a smooth road?
Graduating from my graduate program and figuring out “what’s next,” was probably the toughest part so far. I was graduating, looking for a job, getting married, and buying my first home all at the same time. The stress brought on some pretty significant anxiety that felt out of control at times. Through learning to treat and manage my own anxiety, I had a new compassion for what my clients may be going through, and I found some unique ways of being helpful for them.
As far as owning my own business, I have always felt comfortable interacting with people and coming up with creative ideas; however, in accounting, marketing, and legal areas, I felt pretty inadequate. I have had to learn along the way and find confidence in developing these new skills. I’m having to push myself daily to get out of my comfort zone so that I can interact with people in the way that I want and make my creative ideas come to life. I have a lot of colleagues, friends, and family who really encourage me and my skill set. My faith in God also helps me to find strength, confidence, and endurance where I feel lacking.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Baker Behavioral Health – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am self-employed through Baker Behavioral Health, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). I contract out with a group counseling practice, South Shore Center for Couples and Families. I also contract out with League City Family Clinic, a private practice family medicine clinic.
OUR MISSION:
WE GUIDE INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES, AND FAMILIES TO DISCOVER STRENGTHS WITHIN THEMSELVES AND FIND BALANCE IN PHYSICAL, RELATIONAL, MENTAL, AND SPIRITUAL WELLNESS.
The following are services I offer for clients and local businesses:
For clients:
1. Heath Coaching
–Wellness assessment and recommendations for physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual areas of life
–Focused coaching for life-balance and improving overall health and wellness
2. Counseling for individuals, couples, and families
–Coping with chronic illness
–Building wellness & stress resiliency
–Addiction outpatient treatment
–Weight management
–LGBT-Q support
–Mood disorders, such as depression & anxiety
–Relationship stress
3. Faith-based counseling
–Integrates prayer and biblical Christian truth into counseling
4. Walk and Talk Therapy
–Walk Local nature walks together while doing talk-therapy
–Develop mindfulness skills
–Practice gratitude
–Get your body moving
For local businesses:
1. Health and wellness workshops for employers
2. Employee Assistance Programs
3. Integrative care opportunities with a behavioral health specialist
My flexibility and variety of services sets me apart from a general Marriage and Family Therapist. I try and de-stigmatize counseling by offering options that are different from sitting on a couch and talking for an hour together. I love my Walk and Talk Therapy for several reasons: it gets me moving (personally) instead of sitting all day, it gets my clients moving instead of talking about wanting to exercise “but there’s just no time to do it,” as well as all of the cognitive, emotional, and physical benefits to walking. I am also 7 months pregnant, so walking has been wonderful for me while also encouraging other women who are pregnant to keep moving.
I also collaborate well with local physicians to merge physical and emotional wellness. For example, a patient may walk into a family medicine clinic with abdominal pain, the physical workup comes out just fine and healthy, then we discover that some stress and diet could be causing the abdominal discomfort. I love being available to help patients inside physicians’ offices at the point of care. Having to refer out for counseling just affirms the perspective that mental health and separate from physical health, when really, they are so interconnected.
When I offer services for the patient and physician at the point of care, I’m letting them know that their overall wellness is important, and we can take care of all of their needs in one place, with one team of physician/counselor.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the cultural diversity. Houston is the perfect place for my practice style, since I DO NOT use the “one size fits all” model. I love working with people from all different backgrounds and walks of life. It keeps my job interesting! I love going to concerts, sporting events, and being active outdoors, and Houston offers so many options for these hobbies. It’s the perfect fit for me!
Of course, I enjoy the traffic and construction the least, but I’m learning to be patient in it.
I’ve found a new love for audio books through commuting and sitting in traffic!
Pricing:
- $135 for a 45-50 minute counseling session or Walk and Talk Therapy at the South Shore Center for Couples and Families or surrounding nature trails.
- Sliding scale fee of $65-$115 for health coaching and collaborative care visits with Dr. Hussein at the League City Family Clinic.
Contact Info:
- Address: South Shore Center for Couples and Families
1100 E. Nasa Parkway
#101, Houston, TX 77058League City Family Clinic
1507 W. League City Parkway
#200
League City, TX 77573 - Website: bakerbehavioralhealth.com
- Phone: 832-930-6115
- Email: alyssa.baker@bakerbehavioralhealth.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/alyssa.baker.therapy
Image Credit:
Matt Baker (husband) and Elliot Lewis (niece), and I’m pregnant with my son, Lucas.
Alyssa Baker– I am pregnant with my first baby, Lucas William Baker.
Erika Labuzan-Lopez, also a LMFT– This was in preparation for a pregnancy support workshop we developed and facilitated together in July
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
