Today we’d like to introduce you to Christie Brown, owner of Gathering House.
Christie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My story is unique in its own right. After graduating from Texas A&M University-Commerce I was accepted into the Emmett J. Conrad Internship Program here in Dallas. During this time I was offered a full-time position as a Parole Officer with the Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice. As a Parole Officer, I was able to engage with various individuals from all walks of life, ethnicities, races and religion. I often found myself spending time with my clients attempting to assist them with changing the course of their life through the use of a variety of measures. I realized that the majority of the individuals I was working with had not attended counseling and had very taboo thoughts about how psychotherapy could assist them in transitioning their lives. For the African American community, this belief came from the school of “Whatever happens in this house stays in this house.” This distorted way of thinking has trapped and held so many captive, broken, bitter and unhealed. It was at this time, I decided to obtain a Masters of Education in Counseling from the University of North Texas at Dallas.
My main goal for obtaining this degree was to assist the families in my community and those I worked with, to break generational curses, heal and become whole. After completing my degree, I became a psychotherapist at a local mental health hospital here in the Southern Area of Dallas and discovered my areas of specialty which includes: Child & Adolescent Therapy, Drug & Alcohol Treatment and Geriatric Care. Because the range of services I offer are somewhat broad in nature, I decided to open my own private practice the Gathering House LLC. I believe my brand and business offers psychotherapy/counseling that is unique and tailored to fit and provide individualized services according to the need of the client.
It’s important to me to offer services that allow an individual to enter counseling with their reservations and doubts but, through the process discover that counseling is not taboo but, a change agent to assist with redirection, purpose and destiny!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I wish!!!!!! Starting your own business is not an easy journey. It is full of a variety of emotions, thoughts and beliefs that have the potential to propel you or keep you in fear. Some of the struggles I experienced included: licensure and regulations, lack of support, branding and imaging, marketing and just simply trying to find my footing as a business owner. Before I could become fully licensed, I had to complete the states requirements of 3,000 hours to obtain my licensure and attend supervision weekly, while working full time. I had to discover how I wanted to offer my services, what would be my location and would I have more than one location. I knew I needed help!!!!
One of the things I recognized early on was the need for a mentor in the same profession, that was successful and creating the life that I wanted. By obtaining a mentor I had someone to teach and show me the process and I didn’t have to go at it alone. Some parts of the journey I could mimic, other parts I needed to create in order to individualize my brand and my business.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
The Gathering House, LLC is a counseling and consulting firm that offers a variety of services such as psychotherapy/counseling (concierge or tele-mental health), professional developments and personalized curriculum. My areas of specialty include Child & Adolescent, Drug & Alcohol Treatment and Geriatric Care. I am known for my work with children and adolescents as well as the professional development curriculum that I create. What makes me proud about my company and what sets me apart is that I offer specialized treatment. Within counseling, clients may have similar problems but, their treatment will not be similar. I believe it’s important to offer care and treatment that is customized and personalized for the individual need of the client.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up and even now I am very observant. Those close to me would describe me as quiet, fun but, someone who shoots straight from the hip… Lol! As a child, I read a lot of books, introverted and stayed to myself. I would go outside and play with friends from time to time but, I mainly enjoyed reading books and writing.
Contact Info:
- Email: gatheringhousellc@gmail.com
- Facebook: Christie Brown M.Ed, LPC
Image Credit:
Roderick Shavers
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