Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Taylor.
Hi Angela, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I graduated from Texas A&M in 2001 with a psychology degree with a plan to pursue counseling. However, I was recruited by the CIA based on my degree and my high level of involvement and leadership roles during school. I couldn’t turn that down, so I moved to DC and worked there for a couple of years. I still felt my heart pulled towards counseling and helping others in a deep and meaningful way, so I left and went to Texas Woman’s University. I graduated with a Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology in 2007. My early counseling experiences were at Friends of the Family (a nonprofit counseling center and shelter for sexual assault and domestic violence survivors) and the Collin College counseling center. From there, I worked for a prestigious private practice in Dallas. While there, I not only counseled individuals, couples, and business partners, but I handled marketing, advertising, accounting, and other business requirements. I met my current business partner, Charity Hagains, about halfway through my employment there. She was new to private practice, and we quickly realized we had a slightly different take on healing and wellness. We began seeing that people would get healthier (and stay healthier) when we encouraged them to work on their bodies as well as their minds instead of just relying on medications. We encouraged exercise, massage, acupuncture, and various other ways to jointly treat the whole being. At the time, this was a relatively new concept in the DFW area. We realized that there weren’t any other counseling centers discussing this kind of care. We worked diligently to set up a business plan that included this and started our own private practice in 2010. We now have a team of 10 therapists and 2 locations in Dallas and Fort Worth. We treat most mental health issues, and most of our clients are experiencing some level of depression, anxiety, and/or relationship issues. Trauma, addiction, ADHD/ADD, body image, grief, abuse, sexual assault, and sexual issues are also a primary focus for us. We see all ages from children to senior adults.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We feel pretty lucky in that we’ve continued to grow through the years. We always say that we are trying to work ourselves out of a job, but we are also fully aware that mental health issues continue to grow. We’re happy to see the new awareness and focus on these issues in our society which is helping people feel better about seeking help. Covid was intense, but we adjusted and people adjusted pretty quickly by using Telehealth. We were busier than ever during that time, which really pointed to how much people were struggling. Getting our name out there can be a little challenging sometimes with consistent changes in how people find us, but we’ve been able to adjust as things change.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I talked a lot about this in the initial question, so I’ll see if I can expand a little. One of the challenges of private practice is that we do not receive an education on how to run a business. The entrepreneurship of opening Noyau and running it through the years has been a learning curve – mostly fun but definitely challenging. From little things like how to establish an LLC and accounting to the bigger aspects of marketing and advertising, we’ve had to find ways to educate ourselves through the years. In addition, I’ve continued to find ways to grow as a therapist so I can provide the latest education, tools, and techniques to my clients. The research in mental health continues to evolve, so it’s incredibly important that I continue to evolve for my clients. Our therapists and myself continue to gain new skills and knowledge through consistent reading and research, continuing education, and new certifications. I’ve also gotten the chance to provide continuous expertise to various media outlets including NBC, ABC, FOX and the Daily Mail. My business partner and I have been featured on several panels including the latest opportunity with leading experts in the field and Riaz Patel on Digital Isolation and Loneliness.
I see a variety of issues, but I’m really known for my work with couples. I’ve been labeled a “relationship expert” by various media outlets. My clients report that I’m easy to talk to from day 1, and I’m very down to earth and relatable. I try to balance psychoeducation with very practical and realistic steps. I always remind couples that relationship counseling is a little more directive than individual work in that they need to be doing homework and working hard on the relationship in between sessions. Just working on things for an hour a week with me and leaving it there, won’t get them to where they want to be very quickly.
I’m also known for my work with Dallas high level professionals and professional athletes, offering solid business and executive coaching while providing therapeutic work. Many of my athletes are feeling stuck in their profession, looking for next steps, and/or seeking relationship help and intervention. My professionals may be looking to level up and/or they’ve reached the top and have not found the happiness and fulfillment they thought they’d find there.
Because of my early work, I have developed a deep skill level in working with trauma including sexual assault and domestic violence issues. I continue to educate myself in this arena, and I find this work incredibly rewarding.
I’m really proud of the relationship I build with my clients. I feel like most of my clients trust me and feel safe to be fully vulnerable with me, It’s not lost on me what a gift it is for someone to bring me fully into their world. I value that more than anything. I know my clients are opening up to me and discussing things they may have never said out loud, or even fully admitted to themselves.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Keep learning and adjusting – don’t get too invested in what has worked in the past. As therapists and in business, it’s absolutely necessary to keep evolving – this includes staying up to date on current research, new techniques, and discovering more. I always want to stay curious and encourage my therapists to do the same. Stay curious about your clients. Each person is unique, and there will never be a “one size fits all” approach. Shifting with clients and business is the name of the game.
Pricing:
- 165/session for me and my business partner
- 100-165 for all of our additional therapists depending on experience and skill level
- 50 per group session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.noyau.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noyauwellness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoyauWellness/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-s-taylor-ma-lpc-s-a264b844/
- Youtube: UC1jPPVAredcBmw-WimnOOyQ
