Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Walker.
Stephanie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I began my career as an elementary school teacher. Shortly into my career, I knew that I wanted to become a counselor. After 11 years, and some personal struggles, I made the decision to quit teaching and return to school full-time to get my master’s degree. During my last semester of school, I began working at a local alcohol and drug rehab as a recovery coach and once I received my license, I began working as a therapist. I have always known that I wanted to own my own practice but was unsure if it was an option in such a small town. It was during my time at the rehab that I met my current business partner who is a psychiatric nurse practitioner. She and I began talking and realized we both saw a large need for mental health services in the Cedar Creek Lake Area and over the course of 2 years, we discussed partnering together. After I was laid off from my position in January 2020, we decided it was time to move forward. we opened the doors of Cedar Creek Wellness Group in March of 2020 with just the two of us sharing 1 office. In September of 2020, we moved into our current location, and we were both full-time with the practice in October of 2020 with one additional therapist and an office assistant who worked remotely. In July of 2020, we acquired the space next door to us and added 4 additional offices. we currently have 3 full-time therapists, 2 LPC associates, a part-time psychiatric nurse practitioner, a part-time dietitian, a billing manager, medical assistant, and 2 office administrators.
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?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Right after we opened, COVID hit and we had to go to all virtual appointments. COVID also delayed us getting on insurance panels. We also both had to return to/continue full-time jobs. Another struggle we have faced has included finding therapists willing to drive to our office from surrounding areas.
We’ve been impressed with Cedar Creek Wellness Group, 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?
Cedar Creek Wellness Group is a practice that is focused on addressing mental health from a whole-body approach. We offer mental health counseling, psychiatric medication management, addiction management services, and dietary services with a licensed dietitian. We contract with a local wellness provider who uses yoga to address trauma and anxiety. She also provided life coaching services. We are also working closely with another program who is bringing in PHP/IOP services to better serve the addiction community and allow local citizens who struggle with addition to find services closer to home. We are the only practice in Cedar Creek Lake and surrounding areas that offers these services all within the same building. I am most proud of the team that we have put together that truly cares about the people we serve. Everyone from owner to office staff is dedicated to serving our community and desires to see people find healing from their struggles.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
There was a time in my life that I was terrified of taking risks. I was scared of change and would rather be unhappy than take a risk that could lead to improvement, of life, because of the thinking “What if I fail.” That is no longer true. Over the last 10 years, I have taken many risks that have gotten me to where I am today. From deciding to leave a teaching career to go to school full-time at the age of 35, to leaving a full-time salaried position with benefits to going headfirst into full-time private practice. None of these decisions made financial sense. I have learned that sometimes, the decision that make the least sense, lead us to the exact place we are meant to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cedarcreekwellnessgroup.com
Image Credits
DnT Photography
