Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Ball.
Pamela, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Before BYBC, I was doing accounting but I KNEW I was not doing what I was meant to be doing in life…my true purpose. I am not a religious person but I am spiritual and I took my question to prayer. Praying morning, night, and all throughout the day about what I should be doing with my life. I asked for guidance on where I would be of the utmost benefit. I had my degree in Psychology but had never used it and decided to start exploring different ways that I may be able to utilize it. I found that without too much effort, I would be able to become an LCDC intern. The path was easy and appeared to be the obvious one but would take 2 years/4000 hours of an internship and would require no pay or a low rate per hour. This would require me leaving a good paying job to become an intern for much less money.
However, I felt confident in my faith that I had done the work. My first few days as an intern were amazing and magical. I knew I was doing what I suppose to be doing. During that time, I was told to never work with adolescents because they were the most difficult population and so most of my early years as a counselor I did not work with that particular population. We had relocated to The Woodlands for my husband’s job and during that time I had started seeking employment. I was unable to land any interviews and so I was moved to apply for two positions working with adolescents. I was not excited but was anxious to get back to work. I was offered both positions but one was working long hours and the other appeared to be more flexible. I took the position that was more flexible and closer to home. Within the first week, I knew that this is where I was supposed to be.
I was excited but overwhelmed with regret because of all the time I had wasted and listened to others about this particular population. Within the first few months, it was clear that this was an underserved population. Starting BYBC went against all of my husbands schooling that he learned in his MBA but he believed in me and what I could do…..and so we jumped. We did not have a big savings or a million dollars to invest but we believed in the mission.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The BYBC path has not been easy. There has been lots of grit involved. My husband has helped establish the organization with the best business model but also have it merged with my passion and love for what I do. I have spent many a nights and evenings away from my husband and son. If I had known now what I knew then, I would still do it again. I am enamored with this mission and how the community comes together to help our youth. It is honestly one of the most magical things to watch.
Beyond Your Best Counseling – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
BYBC – Beyond Your Best Counseling is a State Licensed Outpatient and an APG – Alternative Peer Group.
We are a state licensed outpatient and offer intensive outpatient (3 days), general outpatient (2 days), and supportive outpatient (1 day).
Each treatment level is completed upon client completing assignments/treatment plan goals and exhibiting behaviors conducive to progress in their own recovery.
IOP, GOP, and SOP may cover any of the following:
Anger Management
Relaxation Techniques
Expressing Feelings
Recreational Activities
Life Skills
Behavior Modification
Coping Skills
Self Exploration
How to Compromise
Job Skills
Limit Setting
Stress Management
Self Esteem
Expressing Feelings
Asking for Help
Consequences
Spirituality
Addiction
CoDependency
Support Groups
12 Steps and 12 Step Groups
Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships
BYBC is an Alternative Peer Group (APG). An Alternative Peer Group (APG) is a community-based, family-centered, professionally staffed, positive peer support program that offers prosocial activities, counseling, and case management for people who struggle with substance use or self-destructive behaviors. Houston is one of the best cities in the country to recover if you are an adolescent. Generation Found is a documentary that touches on the Houston community and how we all connect and move mountains to help our youth recover.
BYBC partners up with Archway Academy and Cates Academy, which are the two sober schools in Houston.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success has come from knowing my personal limitations and leaning on my professional community when I am not able to progress or move in a positive direction with a client or a family. Below are some my most favorite people that I work with. What that looks like is not only referring them to these professionals or organizations but collaborating and working together to ‘move mountains’ for the client or family.
Psychiatry
Family Psychiatry of The Woodlands
Michael Graves, R.N./Dr Marshal Lucas
www.woodlandspsych.com
Craig Carson LPC LMFT
(281) 893-4111
Rebecca Whitson, LCSW
(832) 984-0129
Tammer Malaty, LPC
www.tammermalaty.com
Sober Schools
Archway Academy
www.archwayacademy.net
Cates Academy
www.threeoaksacademy.org
Other Alternative Peer Groups
Palmer Drug Abuse Program
www.pdaphouston.org
Teen and Family Services
www.teenandfamilyservices.org
Lifeway
www.lifewaycares.com
Additional Resources
The Council on Recovery
http://www.councilonrecovery.org/
Hope & Healing Center
http://hopeandhealingcenter.org
The Center for Success and Independence
http://tcsi.org/
Sundown Ranch
https://www.sundownranch.info/
Contact Info:
- Address: 26009 Budde Road, Suite B200 The Woodlands, Texas 77384
- Website: www.BeyondYourBestCounseling.com
- Phone: 936.900.8566
- Email: Pamela@BeyondYourBestCounseling.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BYBCtime/
Image Credit:
Shabby Jack Photography
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.
