Today we’d like to introduce you to Bina Bird.
Hi Bina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
After obtaining my master’s degree and license in Marriage and Family Therapy. I spent the first several years of my career working in nonprofit settings providing therapy and later supervision and training others in residential, day treatment and outpatient mental health. While I enjoyed the variety of experiences and learned so much working in these settings, I decided to start my own private practice on a part time basis while continuing with my full-time job at a Fort Worth nonprofit agency. I had no idea where to start, if I would even like it or if there was even a need for a therapy practice here in Haslet. This was 10 years ago when Haslet was a much smaller and less populated area and people were accustomed to driving out of Haslet most of their wellness and healthcare needs.
Within a few months, I discovered that yes absolutely there is a need for counseling and therapy here in Haslet and the surrounding areas so decided to make the leap to full time private practice. During this season I was also mom to three young children and being able to have more autonomy and flexibility over my work schedule and work close to home was not only appealing but felt necessary. Through my own experiences and journey to motherhood and as a mom I made an intentional decision that I wanted to take my practice in the direction of specializing in moms in all stages of motherhood. From those trying to conceive or struggling with infertility and loss, to those in pregnancy and postpartum or those parenting older children and empty nesters. It felt risky to “niche down” in this way and it took several years to transition from a generalist but similar to when I started my practice, I discovered that there was very much a need for therapists who specialized in this area. At the time I anticipated enjoying and feeling fulfilled by working with this population, but what I didn’t anticipate were all the wonderful connections I have made with other reproductive and perinatal therapists and birth professionals both locally, nationally and internationally. Along with getting my certification in Perinatal Mental Health my work has expanded to becoming certified in EMDR to be able to also provide trauma therapy. It has now been a decade since starting my practice and I currently still see a full-time client load but also carve out time to provide training with CEU, consultation and mentorship to other therapists wanting to specialize in this area. I’ve also been honored to present twice at the Postpartum Support International Conference.
Not only am I honored to support and help all the clients I see face to face in my office or online, but I feel a part of something bigger in wanting to educate and advocate for women’s mental health and my connection to the organizations and other professionals that do similar work.
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?
I have been fortunate enough to have had so much support from both my family, friends and other professionals that my journey has felt pretty smooth. I had friends and colleagues who were in private practice before me who generously shared their time and expertise with me and answered questions which was critical in helping me get started. I connected with a local therapist who helped me find an office which we shared during those early months and later moved to a bigger space so we each have our own offices. The biggest struggle has been navigating the world of health insurance. One of my values is being able to provide affordable care, and taking health insurance is one way to do this. Unfortunately, this does come with extra paperwork, administrative time and even loss of income at times. But as the years progressed, I learned from the struggles and have created systems that help make my practice more efficient so I can spend my time and energy on what matters most which is my time with my clients. Another struggle is that as a therapist we aren’t taught the business side of having a private practice so that was very much a learning curve and on the job learning process. It helps to remind myself that if I don’t have good business practices, I won’t have a practice, and if I don’t have a practice I won’t be able to help my clients or any future clients.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Haslet Counseling?
Haslet Counseling is my private therapy practice located in Haslet, Texas. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor and I specialize in women’s mental health and am Certified in Perinatal Mental Health and EMDR Certified. I specialize in reproductive and perinatal mental health–from trying to conceive, pregnancy loss, pregnancy and postpartum and parenting and life transitions. I offer both online therapy to those in the states of Florida and Texas and in office therapy. I am in network with most major insurances. I also offer private practice consultation to other professionals wishing to start their own practice, and trainings and consultations on topics relating to perinatal mental health.
What makes you happy?
I know it sounds cliche but spending time with my family and friends makes me happy. I very much enjoy social interactions and connections with others.
Pricing:
- $150 private pay rate
- In network with major insurances
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hasletcounseling.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HasletCounseling/
Image Credits
Merissa Sara Photography
