Alex's Story

From fear of leaving a stable school counseling environment to launching a holistic art therapy center for teens and adolescents

  • What was your initial motivation for coaching?

    "I could see the vision for Creative Connections so clearly in my head, but I didn’t know how to put it into words or structure it in a way that could actually happen. I wanted support in narrowing my focus, prioritizing my steps, and figuring out how to move beyond the school setting so I could create more freedom, purpose, and belonging for kids and families."

  • What was holding you back from going out on your own?

    "Honestly, fear and control. I overanalyze everything and wanted it all in a neat little package before I took the leap. I worried about finances, taxes, caseload, even whether my family would accept this transition. And on top of that, I cared too much about what others would think if I left the school."

  • And what do you think was the biggest sticking point we had to overcome?

    "Perfectionism. The biggest challenge was letting go of the need to have every detail figured out before moving forward. I had to learn to trust the process, to accept that setbacks are part of the journey, and that building a practice isn’t linear. Releasing control and leaning into trust, joy, and love was the shift I needed."

  • What was the most impactful session we had?

    "For me, the most impactful session was when we worked through the loss of two LPC supervisees. I felt deflated and confused, but coaching helped me reframe it as part of the bigger picture. That session reminded me that growth is not a straight line and that even setbacks can bring new opportunities. It helped me see how far I’d already come."

  • What do you feel like you've gained through the coaching process?

    "I’ve gained a clearer sense of who I am as a professional—blending counseling with holistic healing in a way that feels authentic to me. I now have practical tools for my business plan, more confidence to experiment without having all the answers, and a stronger ability to trust myself and lean on my support network. Coaching gave me the foundation for multiple income streams and reminded me that what I’m building is possible."

  • And what was your biggest coaching win?

    "My biggest win has been trusting myself enough to officially launch Creative Connections. I secured a space, started building community interest, developed partnerships, and began creating real momentum. Instead of letting fear hold me back, I embraced the freedom to do this in a way that feels true to me and my values."

  • Finally, what would your advice be to others who were in your position?

    "Don’t wait for everything to be perfect—just start. Trust yourself and your vision, even when it feels scary. Surround yourself with people who support you, focus on what feels authentic, and allow the process to unfold instead of trying to control every detail. And most importantly, remember that your family and your own joy come first; your work can grow around that."