Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Faucher.
Hi Natasha, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I had been a stay-at-home for 15 years with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. When I sensed my marriage was ending, I decided to finally apply to graduate school for counseling. While taking the slow path (5 years) through graduate school, I was a middle school teacher raising my 5 kids largely alone. Upon completion of graduation, I anticipated being a school counselor with a small private practice on the side. However, after finishing my last year of teaching, God had different plans for me and guided me to start my own private practice. It was a leap of faith and a risky adventure but I’m so glad I made the leap. I love what I do!
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?
I’m not sure owning a business is ever a smooth road! Starting from the ground up with very few contacts in the area was an uphill battle. I put all of my savings and a lot of energy into building connections and creating a business that hopefully serves people well. Getting fully licensed and especially certified as a Registered Play Therapist™ while starting a business was a huge challenge. Even now some months are busier and some are slower. On the slower months, I have to really work on my anxiety about the future and finances, reminding myself that God will provide for me and will put the right people in my path.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Empower Counseling?
I am a private practice counseling business specializing in kids, teens and adult individuals dealing with narcissistic abuse or masked autism. I am intentional about being present with my clients giving them my full focus and attention in each session. I am highly trained in play therapy and offer evidence-based child-centered play therapy to kids. I am also trained in working with parents and offer parents tips and tools to enjoy their kids more and deal with disruptive behaviors better. I recently started a Youtube channel (@NatashaonParenting) to share parenting tips and tools with more parents. As a parent of 5 kids (who are all taller than me now), I have a lot of parenting experience to pull from both personally and professionally.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice to anyone just starting out would be to persevere and keep at it. There will be ups and downs in the process and times when you want to quit. I worked with a coaching group early on that helped me SO much. With the help of that group, I worked on creating and having a positive mindset as well as developing a great website. I got support in learning what other people have done to build and succeed at a private pay counseling practice. Don’t be afraid to get help and invest in resources that will help you fulfill your dreams!
Pricing:
- Individual Counseling Sessions – $155
Contact Info:
