Today we’d like to introduce you to Asha Creary.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Asha. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I began my journey into being a licensed professional counselor roughly seven years ago. I began teaching in 2013 and immediately knew that I would enjoy being a counselor, considering helping others was one of my strengths. Throughout my first three years of being a middle school math teacher, I spent many evenings on the campus of Dallas Baptist University pursuing my graduate degree in school counseling. I was to eventually graduate with my Master of Education in School Counseling with the additional required courses to also obtain my licensed professional counselor license in the future. After graduating, I taught an additional year and searched high and low all over Texas to gain a school counselor position. I was able to obtain a school counselor position in Austin ISD while continuing my required LPC Intern hours. After obtaining my unrestricted license, I was able to launch Crave Counseling in the summer of 2019. Since then, I have continued my employment at Austin ISD as a specialist at the district level while maintaining a full caseload in the evenings and engaging in various speaking engagements across Texas.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road to Crave Counseling was definitely a road filled with turns, bumps and halted stops. I remember when I was working towards my degree at Dallas Baptist University, I thought I was not going to be able to graduate. I failed my exit exam roughly eight times, different versions each time. I continued the classes required as if I knew I would graduate. It was hard to continue to push forward with my degree on the line in lieu of passing this exit exam. I took an incomplete for my exit exam and continued to study counseling exam materials related to school counseling from all over the US. I was then able to pass one of the exit level exams and then passed the second one and was on my way to graduation the following spring. This is just one of the many struggles I experienced along the way alongside personal sacrifices including sleepless nights, time away from family, driving back and forth to Dallas from Austin weekly after work at a full time job to finish additional classes and a reduced social and dating life but I persevered and we now have Crave Counseling.
Crave Counseling – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Crave Counseling is a mental health center that provides counseling services to individuals, couples and children. We emphasize in mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapy, client centered, Gottman, sand tray therapy, play therapy and other therapeutic techniques. We focus on issues surrounding anxiety, depression, grief/loss, childhood trauma, adoption/foster issues, stress, next of kin parenting, career counseling, PTSD, identity disorders, intimacy concerns, Veteran issues, relationship issues and other underlying issues not listed. We can also be booked or requested to be a part of panels, speaking engagements, workshops and team building activities for employers. As a company, I am most proud that I am able to support those battling mental health issues, increase awareness while breaking stigmas for communities still on the fence about counseling. What sets us apart from others is that not only do we offer in office appointments we offer online counseling for anyone residing in the state of Texas. We also have experience in various settings including schools, mental health hospitals, medical facilities and numerous volunteer hours supporting those in the community including Dallas, Ft. Worth, San Antonio and Austin. Not only that, we have been known for our ability to help minority populations break the stigma around seeking counseling and mental health services. We use research based approached to counseling to help clients with their needs. We are an inclusive practice and all individuals are welcome regardless of race, sex, age, identity and class.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is not defined by how much money you have; it’s defined by your legacy. My markers include giving back in the community, teaching others, supporting my fellow therapists and being able to keep moving in the direction of the vision no matter what. I am always working to be the version of me so that I can continue my goal of success.
Pricing:
- Individuals & Children $120 (50 mins)
- Couple’s $140 (50 mins)
Contact Info:
- Address: 13805 Ann Pl
Austin, TX 78728 - Website: www.cravecounselingpllc.com
- Phone: (512) 546-6798
- Instagram: instagram.com/CraveCounseling
- Facebook: facebook.com/CraveCounseling
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/
CraveCounseling
Image Credit:
Photos by Gio: https://www.instagram.com/giog.p/
https://www.instagram.com/giog.p/
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