Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Culbertson.
Hi Samantha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in a once small town in North Texas. My mom died when I was 9 years old after being sick most of my childhood. I have a few but fond memories of her and recall how she loved yellow roses. her laughter radiated throughout the house at times, and her sense of humor was full of wit! My dad accepted the generous and gentle offer from his mom, “Granny” to leave her entire life in Virginia to help raise my older sister and me. She packed up a small U-haul of belongings to fill one of our spare rooms, yet her presence sustained us. She truly embodied light, love, kindness, compassion, and agape that surpasses all understanding. I hope to bring honor to those who raised me!
There were pivotal and long-lasting life lessons I walked through from an early age that molded me into much of who I am today. Because I have an understanding of life’s uncertainties, my faith guides me to live my purpose to the best of my ability and help everyone I can within my reach have an easier go of it.
I found an escape in running and eventually my joy in helping grow young athletes through a career in public education. As a teacher and coach, I saw the challenges kids were facing at home and with peers. Within my first year of teaching, after a. quick conversation with the school counselor in my building, she urged me to pursue studies in counseling. She noted that there was something about how easily kids and adults connected with me and that it might be a place I could have an impact. I appreciated the vote of confidence, but believed my skills were best served coaching and teaching,
However, one Sunday while sitting on a pew, I felt a ‘call’ of sorts to pursue my degree in counseling. I shook it off at first, but my then husband received the same message for my life and on the car ride home, we agreed I’d enroll in school. With a 3 year old little girl, teaching, coaching, and a full list of life to be lived, I wasn’t sure how it would work out, but it did! I loved growing and learning from my professors, and classmates. I had a deep connection with existentialism, person-centered, and narrative modalities of therapy. I waddled across the stage to receive my diploma, 7 months pregnant with my 2nd daughter! Through my learning, I grew tremendously in my self-understanding, and little did I know how much this pursuit would not only help me professionally, but personally! This also reminded me of how powerful the spoken word is! To share a thought of encouragement, the gifts you see in another, and to cheer them on into believing in themselves is priceless!
Through my work in public schools, I was tremendously blessed to serve alongside some of the most amazing professionals, students, and community. When I was presented with the once in a lifetime opportunity to pursue my PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision through ETAMU, I jumped in with both feet! I was once again reignited with my passion for teaching and helping develop growing counselors! At this point in my life, career, and lived-experiences, I have so much joy in helping others succeed and reach their goals and dreams! I am now so honored to work as a professor and help grow confident counselors-in-training! When I look back in the rearview mirror, I am in awe of the goodness and mercy extended to me throughout my personal and professional journey.
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?
The dream of becoming a full time therapist was planted on my heart within the first few courses of my Master’s program at TWU. Although I could adapt and grow into a job, this role seemed to embody who I was as a person! I had a dream TWENTY years ago that was planted on my heart, to be a professor and practice owner. I was so thankful to complete my program and begin my career as a school counselor, before life offered a complete curveball. My world shifted and I swiftly realized that it would be my girls and me against the world! As a single mom, with a 4 year old and a 5 month old, stability, routine, and consistency prioritized the risk of private practice. There are certain goals that become less important when you look into the sparkly hopeful eyes of your little girls. I enjoyed being a soccer mom, uber mom, and helping my girls navigate their own goals and dreams. Together we’ve built a strong team who cheers loudly for one another!
I’ve had to rebuild my life a few times and thankfully through faith, I’m gritty enough to carry out the plans within my heart despite obstacles. I’ve joked that I am a linebacker at times, barreling my way through, pushing away obstacles that try to block my vision or goals! Really the metaphor aligning with running is how I push through the days, trusting the next first step and putting one foot in front of the other, letting the lamp guide me and the light unto my feet provides courage.
The gentle nudge was still there and I decided when the girls were a little older to pursue part time private practice a few evenings a week in addition to my full time role in the schools. This allowed me to tip-toe into individual client work and my passion and purpose was reignited. Suddenly, the world shut down in 2020 and the quick adaptation for teletherapy became the goto modality for client care. While the quick pivot was an obstacle, it also opened my eyes to the potential of helping people through greater accessibility. Teletherapy tended to be a win-win for both clients and counselors and allowed for me to pursue the dream of opening my own practice in 2022.
Through my work, I realized that there were some hesitancies in sharing from clients and decided to open a ‘real’ office for clients to come in person! I had no idea what I was doing, just had them in mind and hoped for the best! I looked at little offices, asked a bazillion questions, and found that the requests for counseling services increased because people were ready for face to face connection. I brought on a few colleagues I had worked with through the schools and we found that we kept growing! We had to play hopscotch out of a tiny 8 x 10 office in hopes of not double booking! We would lurch awaiting closed sessions, so the other could jump in and start their sessions!
With absolute faith, trying to overcome my fears, we moved into a new building. We now have 3 full offices, a play room, and a nice reception area. While we were expected to occupy the space in June, it was September 1st before the space was Fire Marshall approved for occupancy! I cried that day, while also squealing with excitement. The wait was worth it, and my heart explodes when we have 4 clinicians working in the evenings, families in the reception area and I know that people are served and helped with wholehearted care and consideration. The greatest obstacle was overcoming any doubt and leaning into the trust and surrender of fulfilling the calling over my life and those I’m entrusted to guide.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Yellow Rose Counseling Associates was named in honor of my mom. I believe that nothing in life is ever wasted and it is up to each one of us to choose to respond in way that brings meaning and purpose to what we walk through. While I didn’t understand the reason for her death, I could choose to keep a piece of her with me as I represent a part of her legacy. I named our practice with the ‘Associates” title, because I didn’t want to put limitations on any partnerships for best client care. I am not sure what will unfold and wanted to create a welcoming business name for all future partners, too!
As far as branding, I just went to a logo creating website, found one I liked and paid for the rights. From
there, I created a theme that is as neutral and powerful as a yellow rose can be! It’s more about what the yellow rose represents for my life and purpose, and those we serve. The reminder that nothing we endure is ever wasted, we just need help to see it sometimes.
We hope to serve anyone who can benefit from our services, and continuously train, grow and consult to provide the best care. A unique fact about our team is 6 of the 8 members of our team are former or current public school educators. We understand the demands on educators today and are honored to help them! 3 of the 8 members of our team are a part of the First Responder Family! I actually pursued advanced training for this precious population and am proud to say I am a Nationally Certified First Responder Clinician. Educators and First responders and their families are the heart of our communities and are worthy of culturally competent care
and support. They live on the premise of resilience in serving others, pushing their needs aside time and time again.
We treat mental health with compassionate care. We believe that each client is so much more than their diagnoses and deserve the best evidence-based care for navigating an abundant and full life beyond their struggle.
We welcome elementary-aged kids through 99+ years of age! We accept most major insurance and offer care on a sliding scale if needed. We aim to eliminate any outside obstacles to care! We are conveniently located in McKinney, TX off of 75 and Eldorado and also offer virtual therapy to all Texans! We provide faith-based counseling upon request!
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
This is one of the most important existential ‘why’ questions of my entire life. People matter. Every person has a heart, a mind and a purpose. The MOST important thing on the planet is to show unconditional love and support for those that are within our reach. We know that life isn’t easy, and we need one another to help navigate. Through advanced clinical training, we provide more than just coffee talk and counseling, we aim to help provide relief, hope, and renewal for those entrusted to us! I have the most amazing team that has like-minded hearts for the mission of The Yellow Rose Counseling Associates! We are so honored to walk alongside our clients. Clients matter, we are the lucky ones who get to serve them!
Pricing:
- 100 (60 minute – Associate Rate)
- 125 (60 minute – Fully licensed Rate)
- 150 (60 minute – PhD, fully licensed rate)
Contact Info:
