Today we’d like to introduce you to Canaan Baker
Canaan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I relocated to the Dallas-Fort Worth area from Tampa, FL due to a layoff. Initially, I was hesitant because I didn’t have any family or friends here. But the department I was working for in Tampa was shutting down and this was the only door that opened. I’m a Christian and felt that this opportunity was God-ordained, so I took a leap of faith. Once I got here, I decided to finish my Master’s degree in Human Services Counseling. I believed that this was a fresh start and that I should work towards doing something I really wanted to do with my career. I finished in 2017 then launched a life coaching business and self-published a coaching book titled The Disciplined Dreamer, where I shared my experience of going back to college at a non-traditional age. This decision changed the trajectory of my life, so I wanted to use it to help others achieve their own dreams! I also began working towards licensure as a substance abuse counselor and mental health counselor. I currently work for a private practice called Piece by Peace counseling where I provide individual substance abuse, mental health and Christian counseling services.
Pursuing state licensure requires much of my time, so I’ve had to put my life coaching business on the back burner for now. In the meantime, I sell motivational t-shirts and coffee mugs along with my self-coaching books, which can be purchased on my website.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s definitely not been a smooth road. Some of the struggles I encountered were attempting to juggle graduate school while working full time and supporting my elderly family members. I also got discouraged after being told I’d have to complete a SECOND master’s degree in order to become a mental health counselor in Texas. This was frustrating because I already worked so hard to complete the first one. But eventually I decided to do the additional coursework that was necessary.
We’ve been impressed with Peace by Piece Counseling, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a therapist, life coach and self-published author that is passionate about mental health awareness, especially within the African-American community! I am a fully Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) for the state of Texas and a Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor (BCPCC) through the International Board of Christian Care. As a Christian counselor, I hope to help bridge the gap between faith and psychology. I utilize an individual treatment model from an Existential perspective. Individuals who respond to this type of treatment tend to find meaning and purpose in their lives and often experienced heightened self-awareness, self-understanding, self-respect and self-motivation. This is a philosophical approach used in conjunction with other treatment modalities.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
If you know anyone that is in need of Substance Abuse, Christian or Mental Health Counseling services, I’d love to connect with them! Please have them reach out to support@pbp-counseling.com
Pricing:
- 150 for Private Pay
- Insurance and HSA is also accepted
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pbp-counseling.com/canaan-baker
- Other: https://linktr.ee/canaanbaker?utm_source=linktree_admin_share
