Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Waggoner.
Angela, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a survivor of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Before these incidents occurred, I had not thought of counseling, much less owning my own practice and nonprofit. After receiving my Bachelor Degree in Human Studies I began working at a local women’s shelter. I enjoyed my work and talking with the ladies and their children. I also enjoyed answering the hotline and helping callers find hope in their despair. This led to me deciding to obtain my Masters in Professional Counseling. While working in the school system as a 5th-grade teacher, I completed my Masters at Liberty University. I also obtained my school counseling certification.
My first student that came into my office was suicidal. I spent those first two years as a school counselor helping her and her mom through a difficult time. I knew at that moment that I wanted to work with adults as much as I enjoyed working with my students. I began working on building my business name and framework with the state. I knew I wanted to start my practice, Safe Haven Counseling Center, in Pearland. I also knew that I had a desire to work specifically with those trapped in domestic violence, sexual abuse, and/or human trafficking.
For this reason, I also started my nonprofit, Safe Haven Refuge. At Safe Haven Counseling Center we work with clients from all different backgrounds and issues. At Safe Haven Refuge we raise funds to help our clients pay for services that they otherwise could not afford. We have a goal to one day have a place to house those that escape domestic violence, sexual abuse, and/or human trafficking.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I wish I could say it has been a smooth road. In any new venture, there are obstacles but I’ve found as I overcame the obstacles and challenges that I became a stronger person, a better supervisor for my interns, and also a better therapist for my clients. The main struggle was building the business and also building a nonprofit at the same time. For Safe Haven Counseling Center, I had to learn how to “market” myself. This meant a great deal of “cold calls” and visits with local schools.
I’m usually an introvert type in my personal life and so this process meant me getting out of my shell. Now I periodically visit locations and market Safe Haven Counseling Center and myself with little to no problems. This also spilled over into my personal life, which is a great thing. For Safe Haven Refuge my main struggle was public speaking and learning to share my vision with others verbally. This is still a process for me. But every time I am asked to share about Safe Haven Refuge and why we are asking for support, I grow as a public speaker.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Safe Haven Counseling Center and Safe Haven Refuge – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Safe Haven Counseling Center is a for profit private practice. I work with ages 10+ while some of my interns enjoy play therapy and working with the younger kids. I specialize in counseling those who are going through crisis or trauma. More specifically, I work with those who are in or just escaped domestic violence, victims of sexual abuse, human trafficking, suicidal ideation, and post-traumatic stress disorder. I also work with marriage and couples counseling.
I come from a Christian perspective but have worked with all religions and beliefs. I have also worked with agnostic/atheist clients. I guess I am known for my ability to work with anyone without judgment. I have also been told that I am known for the person to see for trauma counseling. I do have an intern, and I assist with some of these, that work with our immigration population.
This is a new process we offer since my intern is bilingual and is able to translate. I hope to see this area grow in our practice as much as the other topics with which we work. I am most proud that we have grown from just me to several interns, who want to stay on staff, and the ability to reach more people. My joy is seeing my clients go from a place of complete despair and pain to a place of peace and contentment. The fact that I get to be a part of this process still amazes me. I think what sets me apart from the others is that I am transparent with my clients.
Safe Haven Refuge is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. This organization specializes in working primarily with human trafficking victims. Safe Haven Refuge is only two and a half years old. So we are known for ministering to those enslaved and helping them see that they are enslaved. Safe Haven Refuge is a Christian based organization, so we look for volunteers who have asked Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior of their life. Our long-term goal for Safe Haven Refuge is to raise enough funds to provide housing for the ladies that leave their captors. In our housing, we plan to provide job skill training for the ladies as well as free counseling. We do hope to connect with a local church so if they ladies desire to know more about Jesus and ultimate freedom and healing, we can help with that as well.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Our future plans for Safe Haven Counseling Center will be multiple office locations. Currently, I find that some of my clients will drive from Katy, Baytown, Freeport, and Houston. With our immigration work, we have some that drive in from the Valley. I am keeping a close eye on our clientele and where the majority live. We will start there with our satellite offices. I am also hopeful for more bilingual therapist. I have found that some can explain how they are feeling when they are using their heart language, or better known as their primary language.
Our future plans for Safe Haven Refuge is to find a person who is fantastic at grant writing to write the grants we need in order to provide housing for these ladies. Human trafficking victims that leave have a hard time getting into many of our shelters, mainly because our shelters stay at capacity. We want our ladies to have a safe place to live and grow in safety… where they also receive specialized counseling.
Contact Info:
- Address: 9639 Scarsdale, Ste 103 Pearland, TX 77581
- Website: www.mysafehavenrefuge.org
- Phone: 281-946-0997
- Email: admin@mysafehavenrefuge.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysafehavenrefuge
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.
