Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Bentz.
Hi Sarah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Counseling is my second career. I had been in early education before deciding to finish my bachelors degree and move on to a masters degree. I have always enjoyed meeting with people and “counseling”. It wasn’t until I started to look at my next steps that I saw how much I enjoyed guiding and encouraging others to learn and grow. Counseling was the natural next step. I went back to college in 2004 and finished the bachelors degree I had started in 1986, I graduated in 2007 with a bachelors degree in psychology with a minor in early education. I encourage individuals that it is never too late to start something great. After all, I was on the 20 year plan. I graduated with my masters degree in counseling in August of 2009. It didn’t take near as long as my bachelors degree. I loved every part of the masters program at Dallas Baptist University. I started counseling in private practice in November of 2009. I worked several years for a couple of different private practices before opening Hope and Growth Center in 2018. I started with just me and a couple of interns that worked very part time. My desire has always been that Hope and Growth Center provides an environment of peace, and acceptance. Today we have 20 counselors and two administrative staff. We have moved twice to make more room for counselors and clients. When I started back to school my goal and hearts passion was to own a private practice.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has not been bad. From the beginning I sought great council from those that have been successful in the business. AS well as those that are great in business. The business side of counseling is not taught in most counseling programs. While I was in grad school I worked for two different counseling offices in admin roles which gave me a great start in understanding the other side of running a private practice. The biggest struggle has been balancing bringing in money by counseling, and having time to run the business which is not a paid position.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Hope and Growth Center is a Professional Counseling private practice. We have fully licensed Clinical Social Workers, and Licensed Professional Counselors as well as master level social workers and Licensed professional Counselors Associates. Several years a go we began partnering with several different universities across the country to help counseling students get the experience as students to counsel, which has allowed us to offer an affordable option for clients. We are a trauma informed practice. Some of our counselors have also been EMDR trained, a specialized treatment for trauma.
Our desire has been to be a place that brings peace and hope. We want every person that walks in our doors to feel comfortable and welcomed.
Hope and Growth Center offers many workshops such as: Adults with ADHD, Parenting and ADHD, Knowing how to help your student get accommodations at school, and more. We also have groups for young teens, men, and women. We are always looking for topics that will be helpful to our clients and others.
I am most proud of the counselors at Hope and Growth Center. They each have their own special and unique qualities that draw individuals to see them. Their hearts and care not only for their clients but for each other is an honor to be a part of. They are such a great group of individuals. I did not go looking for any of them. They each sought out me to work for Hope and Growth Center. That might make us unique.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I have been blessed to have a brother that is a business consultant. He helped me develop a good business plan. Because he was my brother, he had the best intensions for me and my family which made the process more personal. He is a great resource to go to with questions about business, I also have some incredible friends that have been an inspiration and have mentored me even if they had no idea they were doing it. I would encourage anyone going into a counseling business to surround themselves with people that know more than they do and people that understand what it is like to sit with individuals on a daily basis during some of the hardest times in their lives. It is also important to spend time with other counselors. While it is an honor to be able to sit with individuals and help them walk the journey they are on. It is also challenging at times. Other counselors understand that and can be an encouragement.
Pricing:
- Most of our counselors accept the major insurances.
- LPC-Associates have a flat rate of $80 a session
- Students for a flat rate of $40 a session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hopeandgrowthcenter.com/
Image Credits
First photo Joel Nichols Unconscious Light Photography
