Today we’d like to introduce you to Cleo Browder.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Cleo. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I always knew that I wanted to pursue a career in a field where I could help others. As a child, my favorite television shows were ABC World News and Nightline. At that time, I viewed the news as an industry that exposed individuals who mistreated others. So, I decided to pursue an undergraduate degree in communication. I had hopes of becoming a news journalist/reporter. My hopes were quickly diminished after I interned at one of the local news stations in Houston, TX, summer of 1994. I was assigned to interview a woman whose grandfather, an Alzheimer’s patient, had been missing for a few days. He was found dead in a field, from an apparent heat stroke. As soon as we heard that he had been found, we raced over to his granddaughter’s home to interview her. Something just didn’t feel right about being there with a mic in her face, as she was mourning. I soon figured out that the news industry, is about the ratings and the sensationalism. I felt that there was something not genuine about it and I didn’t want to be a part of it. Therefore, after I graduated with my undergraduate degree, I decided to go into nursing, thinking that I could help others. So, between the University of Houston (main campus) and Houston Community College, I took all of the prerequisites required to get into nursing school. Unfortunately, I found out that at the time, there was no such thing as part-time nursing programs. I would have had to enroll in a full-time program and take out student loans, not only to pay for tuition, but pay for rent and car note as well. I was against taking out a student loan, because I didn’t want to incur any debt. I didn’t have to pay for my undergraduate tuition because I attended college on a track scholarship. The thought of incurring huge debt concerned me. So, from that point on, I found myself pursuing a career in the auto insurance industry. I started out as a claim’s adjuster at one of the major auto insurance companies. I eventually worked my way up to becoming a SIU Fraud Investigator. I often found myself deescalating the customer’s traumatic experience, which means I had to actively listen, possess empathy, communicate effectively and exercise patience. I would often hear from the customers that I helped them get through a difficult experience. I figured out my calling was counseling and soon found myself enrolled in a graduate program, at was then Georgia School of Professional Psychology, in Atlanta, GA. From that point on, I pursued my second career, in mental health and haven’t looked back since. I enjoy what I do immensely.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t all been smooth. However, I haven’t been faced with an obstacle, that I couldn’t overcome. There have indeed been obstacles along the way in setting up private practice. The biggest, initially, was getting onto the commercial health insurance panels. It was a challenge because I was getting non-acceptance due to the Houston, TX, area being over saturated with licensed professional counselors. Basically, the insurance companies had enough licensed professional counselors in the area and didn’t have a need for anymore during the time that I was requesting to participate. So, I had to become creative and set up office in Rosenberg, TX. During the time that I opened my office, Rosenberg was considered to be a rural area. There were psychotherapists in the area, but not many. I was quickly extended an invitation to participate in the provider network for most commercial health insurance panels. Soon thereafter, I was able to participate as a network provider in the Houston area as well. Another issue has been with receiving appropriate reimbursement from insurance companies in a timely fashion. A lot of colleagues don’t accept insurance. They only provide services for private pay clients because they don’t want the headache of having to deal with insurance companies.
Green Tree Behavioral Health & Consulting Services, LLC – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My company is a private practice that specializes in providing psychotherapeutic services to children, adolescents and adults; who have difficulty managing mental/behavioral health issues. I am a sole proprietor and the only clinician providing services in my practice. I provide supervision for LPC-Interns and nursing students studying to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. My practice includes speaking engagements and workshops/seminars. I added Critical Indent Stress Management to my practice in 2016, under which I provide critical debriefings.
My areas of clinical practice consist of various mental health disorders. The most common for my clients are depression and/or anxiety, that stems from various psychosocial stressors. I also work with individuals who have difficulty with anger management, grief/loss, conflict resolution, career development, decision making and parenting. My approach to providing psychotherapy is eclectic. The therapeutic modality used, is specific to the client’s experience/issue. I provide cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution focused therapy, client centered therapy, play therapy, parent child interaction therapy and nurturing parent.
One of the things that sets me apart from other psychotherapists is my fee for service and my evening and weekend availability. My services are affordable and accessible. I accept all health insurance, including Traditional Medicaid. Many of my colleagues, don’t accept Traditional Medicaid. Also, If I refer my clients for psychiatric hospitalization, I visit them (at the hospital), during their stay.
I’m most proud when my adult clients say to me “Thank you Cleo, for helping me,” and I have the opportunity to say, “You’re welcome,” but you did the work. Way to go for choosing to do the work!” I’m most proud when the children I work with gift me with a picture they drew or an item they made/built. Between the adults and the children, these words/gestures, assures me that my clients are benefiting from my services.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success as achieving attainable/measurable short-term and long-term goals. Not a day goes by that I don’t have a goal to work towards. I believe that as long as a person is living, he/she, should have attainable/measurable goals. Regarding success in my practice, I take into account, word of mouth referrals, client surveys/reviews and the client’s improved ability to cope with life stressors. My measure of success, is not based on the success of others. It’s based on my hard work, determination, work ethic and strive for excellence.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5100 Westheimer RD, STE 200
Houston, TX 77056 - Website: https://www.greentreebehavioralhealth.com
- Phone: 713-588-5390
- Email: cbrowder@greentreebehavioralhealth.com
Image Credit:
Cleo Browder
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