Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Dávila O’Toole, M.S., LPC-S, LMFT.
Lisa, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started in private practice with a group and then worked as a school counselor in a private school to better accommodate my young children’s schedule. As they were graduating out of that school, I began to think about going back into private practice and started to research possible focus area. I started to read a lot about the mind/body connection and the research supporting the importance in terms of mental health wellness. I was accepted to study under Dr. Weil’s integrative medicine program at the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine and learned about the importance of a person’s overall wellness, mind, body and spirit. During this time, two of my dearest friends were diving into the areas of yoga and nutrition which played into the vision of The Restorative Center and the rest is history. A boutique-type setting was created for individuals wanting to address their struggles holistically under one roof. Amy Bradley, owner of Feel Better with Yoga, provides yoga practice in a small, intimate setting which allows her to meet individual needs. It has been a tremendous help for my clients dealing with trauma, anxiety or depression to go from their therapy session into a yoga session that focuses on mindfulness and breathing. Denise Hulett, owner of Restorative Fitness and Nutrition, is versed in food and mental health and also provides personal fitness training to clients that have dealt with shame with other trainers or are intimidated by big fitness facilities. This has also proven valuable to my clients, especially those dealing with binge eating. I also integrated Eye-Movement Desensitization Therapy into my treatment modality and have found it to be extremely helpful in resolving traumatic experiences, as well as addressing anxiety, depression and binge eating.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I would have to say that for the most part, it really has been a smooth road. We often joke that it was as if the universe was paving the way for us. The biggest struggle was learning about the in’s and out’s of opening and running a small business. Unfortunately, when you study in the field of psychology, the missing component is business and marketing courses.
Please tell us about The Restorative Center for Mind, Body, Spirit.
The Restorative Center for mind, body, spirit is located in Sugar Land and offers a boutique-type setting for individuals wishing to address struggles in mental and physical health under one roof. Amy, with Feel Better with Yoga, specializes in pre-natal, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. Denise, with Restorative Fitness and Nutrition, specializes in chronic illness, mental health, gestational diabetes and weight management. Lisa, specializes in trauma, anxiety, depression, binge eating and life transitions. What makes The Restorative Center unique in our area is the overall wellness component we are able to offer our clients under one roof and the collaboration that goes along with this setting. Many of our clients utilize all three services offered here and others choose to just focus on one area. We also collaborate with other resources in the area focusing on the integrative model addressing overall wellbeing within and outside The Restorative Center.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
There is not much I would change about the process in our journey to achieve our goal. The only thing would be having more knowledge about all the small details in opening up your own location and business (permits, fire code, marketing, etc.).
Pricing:
- Individual Counseling is $125.00 per session. Health and Flexible savings accounts accepted.
- Yoga classes are $25.00 and private are $50.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 14015 Southwest Freeway Bld 6
Sugar Land, TX 77478 - Website: www.restorativecentermbs.com, www.restorativefitnessandnutrition.com, www.feelbetterwithyoga.com
- Phone: 832-987-4334
- Email: lisa@restorativecentermbs.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restorativecenter/
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