Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Laura Sanders.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dr. Sanders. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was a Music major in undergrad at Bethany College, but decided I was not cut out for the life of a musician. One summer I worked with children in a daycare setting, loved it, and decided I wanted to work with children. One little boy in particular with Autism interested me. I decided to follow in my father’s footsteps and earned a Master’s degree in Education focusing on School Counseling from Slippery Rock University. One of my professors planted a seed by telling me I would be a good School Psychologist. After working as a High School Counselor for a year, I knew that I had more to offer than sharpening pencils, organizing ASVAB testing, and scheduling (of course not this is not all school counselors do in every district). I wanted more student interaction, so I went back to school for a PhD in School Psychology.
After graduating from Texas Woman’s University, I had practicum and internship experiences in Denton ISD and Fort Worth ISD. I worked for Fort Worth ISD, then closer to home for Coppell ISD as a School Psychologist. While working and expanding my family, I earned my license, becoming a Licensed Psychologist which allowed me to practice outside the school system.
In the back of my mind, I always wanted to be self-employed, but never truly believed it could happen practically. My husband is incredibly supportive, so I jumped in with both feet when I decided to utilize my license and venture into private practice. Now I am the founder and owner of DFW Assessment. The practice has been open for more than two years and is thriving. I have a few contractors working for me, and I plan on adding some employees in the near future.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I had reservations about going out on my own. Nothing you learn in school prepares you to own a business; however, with some guidance from friends, family, and Google, I was able to muddle my way through creating a PLLC, building a website, hiring a bookkeeper, finding an office, and opening. I have learned a lot on the journey and am still refining some things, but looking back, it seems to have been a relatively smooth path.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about DFW Assessment – what should we know?
DFW Assessment specializes in individualized evaluations and often serves as a bridge between recognizing there is a problem and finding solutions to the problem. We generally see people who think they might meet criteria for a disorder or have a specific problem (e.g., ADHD, a learning disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, etc.) and are looking to better understand the nature of the problem. Sometimes clients come in knowing the name of the problems, other times they just know something is not going well in their life. Each evaluation battery is tailored to the specific concerns of the client, as are recommendations. We see children (as young as 18 months) to elderly adults. DFW Assessment keeps a lengthy list of referral sources within the community for counseling and other services which might be indicated and partners with other providers in the area to provide a continuum of services. DFW Assessment prides itself on customized services and a quick turn-around time for feedback and a full evaluation report. We are generally able to get clients in to be seen within a reasonable amount of time which sets us apart from many larger facilities.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have been fortunate in my life. While I believe luck plays into it, I have also worked hard to get where I am today. This applies to both life and business.
Pricing:
- Private pay options range from $850-2,500. Insurances accepted include: BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, and Scott and White.
Contact Info:
- Address: 202 W Sandy Lake Rd.,
Coppell, TX 75019 - Website: www.DFWAssessment.com
- Phone: 214 702 1318
- Email: DFWAssessment@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dfwassessment/
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