Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rachel Thomas, Owner of Therapy With Heart, located in Scottsdale, AZ, USA.

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

I own Therapy With Heart, a psychotherapy practice specializing in relationships and healing at all stages of life. We create a safe space for growth for all people and provide exceptional therapy for individuals, families, and couples. We work from a very specific model called Emotionally Focused Therapy. This researched and empirically based model was developed by Dr. Sue Johnson and is formulated from attachment theory and emotion as the change agent.

Tell us about yourself

I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to do life-changing work; I love my job. I'm not saying that it's easy, but I recognize how lucky I am to have a business that is purposeful and rewarding every single day. I have been a therapist since 1997 and started Therapy With Heart in 2008. I recognized that many therapists say that they work with couples but don't have the advanced training and expertise to do so. I fell in love with the model, EFT, and decided to build a business to support training and mentoring therapists and continue to provide this work that I believe in from the bottom of my heart.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I worked for years to get certified in the model of EFT and then move towards certification as a supervisor. This process took an incredible amount of dedication, focus, humility, and my own personal growth as a therapist. I'm so proud of this certification, which is one of the reasons I continue to support and consult with therapists to help them reach this goal.

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

There are many challenges I have faced as a small business owner. I don't know if many people recognize all the layers of stress and pressure that come from meeting the needs of the clients, and my staff and working on the administrative aspects of running a business. One of the hardest things for me is always managing my work/life balance. I have gotten so much better at this over the years, but I always have a tendency to overwork.

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

  1. Recognize what you don't know and find out where to learn about it.
  2. Stay humble and LISTEN to your employees...this is such a huge part of creating a culture that your employees will love to work in.
  3. Meet with your financial advisor and CPA and make sure to save so you can ride the waves of the economy.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Sometimes I look around Therapy With Heart, and I'm in awe of its success. I could never have done this alone. I have an incredible amount of support and love around me, and I'm extremely grateful. I also want to acknowledge the various consultation and business groups I have been in. They have been another aspect of support and ideas and have kept me out of the isolation that can happen as a business owner.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://therapywithheart.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therapywithheart
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapy.with.heart/
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/therapyheartaz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/therapy-with-heart-pllc/

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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