Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Laura Goldstein, founder of TheraCourses and Montgomery County Counseling Center, located in Rockville, MD, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Montgomery County Counseling Center is my first business, it's a mental health organization. We work with kids, teens, and adults to address relationship issues and mood concerns across all life stages and transitions! We take a unique collaborative team approach to mental health, which is rare in the outpatient world.

The second business, TheraCourses, is an e-courses platform that brings accessible, affordable, and approachable mental health training right into people's homes. It is a much-needed solution for the workforce shortage and an excellent transition from an emphasis on crisis care to an emphasis on prevention.

Tell us about yourself

I graduated with my master's in family therapy in 2012 and started my own practice in 2017. I think that was always in the cards for me since I enjoy not just the clinical aspects but left brain aspects of business development and creative programming. Since 2019 when I brought on my first associate, Montgomery County Counseling Center has grown tremendously.

I find therapy so rewarding, but I know that individually I can't have nearly as much impact as a group can. I love training other therapists and creating an environment that works for clients and associates! So scaling the practice up not only serves the clients of our local community but the interns and providers as well. And then, in 2022, I built the second business, TheraCourses, to grow that scale even further! The one-to-one model of therapy is not sustainable, nor is the model of reacting only when in dire straights. There must be other ways to do this, and I'm constantly driven to find solutions to widespread problems!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Staying authentic. I think it's hard to resist society's pressures when it comes to capitalism, professionalism, etc. But being true to myself has been instrumental in bringing to fruition the most rewarding business relationships, being surrounded by the right people, and keeping the business choices in line with my values so I can rest my head on my pillow every night!

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Balance. It's one of the most important tenants of DBT (the type of therapy I utilize most). Balance in everything is difficult, especially in balancing my own time and energy. Since I love what I do so much, I find it fun and enjoyable to spend my free time developing work-related projects (case in point, I'm writing this at 9:30 pm on a Friday). But it's also essential to rest and separate myself, which can be difficult during some waves of the businesses' needs. But I always aim to not just talk the talk with my clients but also to walk the walk. So I'm constantly striving to improve in balance for myself!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Business ownership is a labor of love. It's not a means to an end. If you are thinking of starting because you think it's the only way to solve a particular problem in your current work situation (financial or otherwise), think again. There are infinite ways to solve a problem. Business ownership is a great solution. But just like anything else, one problem's solution is the beginning of a new problem. The new problems of business ownership are small potatoes if you love the hustle! But if you don't, you might dislike the new problems more than the original ones!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website:
https://mccounselingcenter.com/
http://www.theracourses.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MontgomeryCountyCounselingCenter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mc_counseling_center/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-goldstein-98084289/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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