Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Pace
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey toward becoming a therapist has felt very natural albeit surprising at times. From a young age, I enjoyed hearing and caring for peoples’ stories and what they were going through in their lives. After a few self-induced detours and lack of direction in my undergraduate studies, I got more serious about my future but did not know what I wanted to do with my professional life. The only counseling type role I was familiar with at the time was psychologist. I looked into a couple of different psychology programs, but they did not feel like a fit nor did becoming a psychologist. Expressing my discouragement to a friend led to a conversation about counseling and counseling programs that she was familiar with. Quickly after that, I arranged a campus visit and had an interview with one of the programs she had shared about. The people I spoke with in that counseling department were warm, inviting, and encouraging. It immediately felt like a fit. After two and half years in the Masters’ program, my value and passion for the field of counseling grew and led me to pursue my doctorate degree in Counselor Education. Obtaining my doctorate degree was a LONG and rewarding journey as my husband and I started a family and had three kids. As my priorities shifted to include being a mom, I desired professional flexibility which led to me starting a small private practice that I still own today. Private practice has been challenging and so rewarding. Working along side of people in their pursuit of mental health, personal growth, and healing is one of the greatest joys and privileges of my life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As a counselor, my strengths are qualities like empathy, compassion, and listening to others. They are NOT business skills. Owning a private practice has made me put on my business person hat, and that can be very challenging for me at times. Marketing, administrative duties, paperwork, not my favorite. However, as my practice is growing, I have started to enjoy business ownership, especially in a field that I am very passionate about. As I step into those business minded roles, I find myself feeling excited about what that means for the future of my practice and the potential to reach more people.
We’ve been impressed with Connections 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?
Connections Counseling is a small mental health counseling practice in Richardson, Texas that started over 10 years ago. At Connections, we see a variety of presenting concerns in our clients including anxiety, depression, and self-worth struggles. The practice is made up of counselors with specific specialties in eating disorder recovery and healing from trauma. We have clients of all ages and varying demographics.
I think I am most proud of the genuine care that our counselors demonstrate with each client. Every issue brought to us matters and is worth talking about. At times, I have debated whether or not to narrow my focus with just one specialty, but that would limit the clients I take on to my caseload. I find so much joy and satisfaction in serving all types of people with different backgrounds, stories, and struggles so, maintaining a broader base of presenting issues in addition to my specialties brings me lots of joy.
More than promoting my business, I hope that anyone who reads this will walk away with a better understanding of the value of mental health counseling and how much counselors care about what they do. I know in recent years, mental health care has become less stigmatized, however, I still think people are hesitant to reach out for help in this capacity. Let’s face it, sharing your deepest struggles and hardest life experiences with a stranger can feel, well, weird. But I have seen this process work to improve people’s lives over and over again. Like I said, I really love what I do and think it is a privilege to walk with people through life’s hard parts, but I also believe in the efficacy of counseling because of what I have witnessed it do for my (and my colleagues’) clients.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
It is very important to me to practice gratitude and maintain perspective in my life. I am fully aware that pursuing higher education is a privilege not possible for many. I am so thankful to and for the people that have championed me along the way. My husband, Calen, has been a nonstop supporter and cheerleader of my personal and professional pursuits in our almost 20 years of marriage, and I could not do any of the things that matter most to me without him. My parents and in-laws have shown up with endless days and nights of childcare, kid pickups and drop-offs, and helping with whatever else is needed. Thank you all for helping me do my dream job!
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