Counseling Success From Solo Practice to Group Growth with Priscilla Rodriguez Ep.76
Episode Overview
About Guest: Priscilla Rodriguez
Priscilla Rodriguez is a dedicated licensed marriage and family therapist based in Texas, known for her expertise in helping couples navigate complex relationship challenges. As the founder of Modern Wellness Counseling, Priscilla has built a practice that focuses on providing specialized care for couples at various stages of their relationships, including those dealing with infidelity, betrayal, and communication issues. Her journey into private practice began shortly after graduating from graduate school in 2015 when she realized the need for a more balanced lifestyle and the desire to focus on her passion for relationship therapy. By 2016, she started her own practice, initially seeing clients part-time while still working in an agency, before transitioning to full-time private practice in 2018.
Priscilla’s therapeutic approach is deeply rooted in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), a modality that emphasizes understanding and restructuring emotional responses to enhance attachment bonds between partners. With extensive training in EFT, she has become proficient in guiding couples through their emotional landscapes, helping them identify underlying attachment issues and fostering healthier, more secure relationships. Her practice also extends to premarital counseling, where she provides essential guidance to couples preparing for marriage, helping them build strong foundations and navigate the complexities of long-term commitments. Her work is particularly notable for its inclusivity, addressing diverse clients, including military families, through both in-person and online sessions.
In 2021, Priscilla expanded Modern Wellness Counseling into a group practice, a move motivated by the increasing demand for her services and her desire to provide a broader range of support to her community. She carefully selects clinicians who share her client-centered philosophy and commitment to specialized care, ensuring a high standard of service. Beyond traditional therapy, Priscilla has also developed several online courses designed to offer flexible, accessible mental health resources to individuals and couples outside Texas.
Episode Transcript
Becky Coplen: We’re glad to be back on mastering counseling again, and we are really thrilled to hear from Priscilla Rodriguez this morning. And she is based out of Texas, is a licensed marriage and family therapist, and also the owner of Modern Wellness Counseling. Thanks so much for being here this morning, Priscilla.
Priscilla Rodriguez: Yes, thank you so much for having me.
Becky Coplen: Why don’t you go ahead and talk to us about what inspired you beginning modern wellness counseling.
Priscilla Rodriguez: Yeah. So I’m sure as many therapists after grad school go into some sort of agency job. It was during that time frame that I wanted to kind of get my own schedule. We had to do a lot of on call. It was really tough on just me, my personal life. So lifestyle that you met. Something needs to change, right? So I really was already striving to have private be my end goal, , in graduate school. So I kind of figured, you know, let me just kind of get started. It was my supervisor, actually, who encouraged me to. She was like, hey, you know what? Just go ahead and get it. In Texas, you could at the time, you could be an associate and start private practice. So that’s kind of she kind of pushed me into that track, and it was super helpful because it gave me an opportunity to learn some of the business side, which obviously we did not learn in graduate school.
Priscilla Rodriguez: Once I became fully licensed, I was able to leave and do my private practice full time. All right. And can you give us a little bit of a time frame on when that was how long ago? Yeah, so I started in 2016 is when I first started. I graduated graduate school in 2015. So in 2016, that’s when I started kind of just doing a couple of hours here and there, and then I left full time in 2018.
Becky Coplen: All right. That’s awesome I love that.
Priscilla Rodriguez: And it was what I kind of heard you say is you kind of had that security of learning and someone encouraging you before branching out on your own. And that’s just always must be nice to phase into it, for sure, especially with the business part, which I know we will talk about as well. Let’s, , one thing that stands out about your practice and that you guys express on your website is lower clients that you will take, but kind of a higher vole of care. So how did you come to follow that model and what benefits are you seeing? Yeah. So it started off with first myself. So as a solo practice owner, you know, everyone says you gotta find your, your niche, right. Like really focus in on something that you love. For me that was Relationships and working with couples, especially couples at the early stages of their relationship.
Priscilla Rodriguez: So I found that to be really helpful. So when I started to branch out to, okay, let me do a group practice, I honestly was a little scared to think of having other clinicians who were doing just everything and anything. Right. So so I think that’s kind of where that came from. Is this piece of, okay, like if I’m going to bring on clinicians, I want them to know what they’re doing and want them to really be focusing in on something that they enjoy, because I don’t want to just be taking everyone on any client that calls in because they’re like, oh, yeah, we can just pry you up with with so-and-so or with myself, and then it’d be a good fit. So I think it really came down to first clinician care and kind of like, what’s going to be helpful for myself and the other clinicians in the group, and then obviously how that translates into a client’s progress because then they know, oh yeah, my clinician knows exactly what they’re doing. I feel cared for. I know, you know, I’m not having to just be bumped off a call because I’m just a number on a spreadsheet kind of thing. It’s kind of this part of like, who? I know I can rely on my clinician to give me that time and also have the mental capacity to do so.
Becky Coplen: Yeah. No. That’s awesome right? We all love going to certain types of stores or places or boutiques where even if you’re shopping, you feel like, oh, someone sees me or they want to help.
Becky Coplen: And so lower numbers is a good thing. I noticed that you are you have multiple clinicians besides yourself from 2016 to now. How has that worked out? Where did you know when to add more or your type of clinician?
Priscilla Rodriguez: So I started my group practice in 2021. Beginning of early 2021. End of 2020. I just was getting my schedule booked and I was having to refer out constantly. So I kind of figured, you know what? Like this could be an opportunity for me to try it out. So I brought one clinician on and she was great. She’s no longer in my practice because she actually moved to another country. At the time. She was like, I also have a friend who may be interested. So sure, let’s kind of bring you on. So that’s how it kind of like slowly grew. And then at the time she well, we were just slowly kind of building, , as her caseload was filling up. Once it got to about halfway, that’s when I started looking for another clinician. So that’s kind of how I do that is like once a clinicians case was like about halfway filled. That’s when I started looking for someone else. That way you can slowly be building.
Priscilla Rodriguez: , and we’re not having to scrounge like, okay, now I have to do a waitlist and now we have to do this. Right? So. So that’s kind of how I decided to. Slowly add on clinicians.
Priscilla Rodriguez: Okay. Thank you for breaking that down. That’s good to hear. To like once they filled up halfway you were looking ahead. So sounds like a good planning.
Becky Coplen: Let’s kind of talk about the type of counseling that you guys offer. I saw a lot of different types of relationship counseling, premarital. And then you specifically focus on emotional and emotional approach. So let’s get into the real details of the exact type of people that you would most be able to help.
Priscilla Rodriguez: Yeah, yeah. So yes, a lot of couples, we really enjoy working with couples who have either experienced infidelity or experiencing communication issues, some sort of betrayal. So we know that betrayal can look in a lot of different forms outside of just infidelity. , and when it comes to emotionally focused therapy approach like that is sort of learning how to do couples work, , even individual counseling. Right? It’s attachment focused. So I have an extended training in EFT, and that has been just like my passion. Whenever I utilize EFT, I kind of just, you know, it’s easier to work with a variety of clients. So whether they’re military, we live in San Antonio or I live in San Antonio.
Priscilla Rodriguez: So before I branched to online, we had a lot of military couples. So that’s kind of where I was like, okay, how do I apply EFT to military couples as well as this piece of pre-marital? So I just love the fact that I can work with any kind of couple and know what’s the attachment, what’s the hurt place, you know, like, how can we kind of feel that part and work from there? Even when I work with my individual clients, it always comes down to some sort of relational aspect at the end of the day, is kind of the root, even if it’s the relationship with themselves. So some maybe you saw that as well. Whenever I talk about it’s not just the relationship with the people outside of you, but it’s also with yourself too, like self-love and self-compassion.. ,
Becky Coplen: No. That’s great. I’m always a huge proponent of premarital counseling, which people don’t do, but I think maybe are doing a little bit more as maybe they’ve had some therapy or help for themselves. And now they’re about to jp into the biggest commitment of their life, and they see the need and value of that. So I’d love to hear that you’re doing that. And you mentioned San Antonio. And I think one thing about your practice as well, that I saw in your website is you guys are still focused only on Texas.
Becky Coplen: Any reasoning for that or any specialties of being able to practice in Texas that you want to share, because we have all different people who listen. And I always love hearing about the differences in states.
Priscilla Rodriguez: So yeah. Yeah. To be honest, I’m hoping to branch out in Texas. , but at the moment, this is just like where all of our licenses are at, all our licenses are at. So and as you know, like Texas is a big state. So we haven’t really had any issues with, , trying to get specific, you know, any type of client, right, when it comes to there being like a need. And there’s a lot of areas where kind of like rural or maybe not where people like don’t have certain like specialties, like, for example, like an EFT focused approach. Right. And maybe they’re looking for that. So I have worked with some couples where maybe they’re in a place where it’s like, hey, you know what? I can’t find someone in my area who I like a good fit with. Right? So going online is something that has been very helpful for them. And I think that has been like our focus is that, yeah, we can reach just about anyone in this state. So that has been helpful too, but definitely wanting to branch out into other states as well when it comes to like expanding for other clinicians.
Priscilla Rodriguez: But again, that it kind of is just dependent on the other clinicians, like wanting more clients or not, because like maybe some practices where the owner says, like, okay, you’re going to join the practice, you have to see, you have to have 30 sessions, right? I asked my clinicians, how many sessions do you want? Because again, it has to match their life and they can’t just go in and say, well, I don’t want to go in and say, like you’re going to do X amount of number, right? So, it really is just dependent on the other clinicians as well. Yeah. Yeah. It’s never I mean it happens so often in people’s work where they are forced, but it never goes as well, especially this type of setting.
Becky Coplen: Yeah, the people definitely have to want to do that. So. So I know you do a ton online. Are you exclusively online? Were you always only online? I don’t think you were. Let’s just talk about that shift a little bit too.
Priscilla Rodriguez: Yeah, yeah. So I was doing in-person primarily when I first started, and then I took a training prior to me leaving and leaving my agency job, , to do online as well. So back in like 2018, I was also doing some virtual sessions, but I also got an office and was seeing people in person. Covid hit. And I’m sure like there’s many questions, we all kind of just like shifted online for a little bit.
Becky Coplen: And then I just stayed there. I did see a couple of sessions. We were still in person after. It was like safe to leave your house, but even then, it was just nice that I was already saying, we’re like, you know what? I like the online part. I don’t have to worry about traffic. There’s random construction here in San Antonio. So like, that was always like an issue too, of me having to adjust my schedule because someone was running late or, you know, just having to completely cancel. So when I came to Continuity of Care, the online piece just made more sense. And then I was exclusive online by the time I started a group practice. So then everyone who has joined , has been online. Okay.
Becky Coplen: All right. I love that. And just a thought that came to me in that you’re helping a lot of military families with you being online. If someone is deployed or has to be at training across the country or even across the world, are you able to continue the counseling when people have to be away? ,
Priscilla Rodriguez: We are dependent on the person who is being deployed, right? They have to like we do have to get like a letter just for, you know, in case something were to happen kind of thing. But many times it’s this piece of whether or not they want to be continuing services while they’re out.
Priscilla Rodriguez: And because they are military, it’s very different than kind of saying like, oh yeah, my client moved to California. Now I’m just going to see them over there or I’m not going to like to like get them permission. So it is a little bit easier when it comes to the military. Yeah.
Becky Coplen: No, that’s great. I was just around someone who’s experienced some things in the military on the negative end. And so it’s just thinking of being able to help, you know, there’s so much trauma that can come back from being away and especially seeing the horrible things around the world. So for someone to be able to help in that environment is so great, someone that maybe they’d already built a trust with in Texas,
Priscilla Rodriguez: And we also work with the like of a spouse or partner has stayed, you know, that they aren’t deployed with their partner. Will, you know, I’ve done a lot of counseling with them because I grew up in a military family. So like, I, you know, having like, oh, dad’s away. And, you know, now it’s like a single parent home even though you’re not a single parent.
Priscilla Rodriguez: Right? So it’s kind of like, you know, a weird transition. So working with the partner who has stayed is also helpful too, because there can be a lot of stress and anxiety for that partner as well.
Becky Coplen: Yeah, absolutely. I cannot relate personally within my family. We have had that. And yeah, your heart just breaks. It’s such a sacrifice for anyone who’s doing that. And to be away from the family unit for extended, you know, I get whiny if my husband’s gone for, you know, a week. So yeah, these people it could be a year, months and. Yeah, so much. Let’s talk about it. Looks like you offer maybe some specific classes or courses through modern wellness. So let’s talk about the difference of that. Or how is that more geared towards other clinicians outside of your practice, or is it for your clients.
Priscilla Rodriguez: It’s for clients and even non clients. So even if someone wants to just do a premarital counseling course, but they don’t want to do like actually like one on one with someone, they can join in and take this online course. So this is also helpful for people who are outside of the state of Texas. And something that I also recommend to people who may call from another state, find us online and say, hey, we want to get some services from y’all, but we live in Tennessee or we live in, you know, California. So we have recommended the online course because it is me kind of walking through a Curricul on what it has, self-care it has, how to take care of your self and your partner.
Priscilla Rodriguez: And then it kind of expands into a family unit and community unit. So that’s kind of why I like that course, because it is super inclusive as well. So that has been it’s more like just healthy coping skills, healthy relationship skills. So that’s for people who are yeah, not clinicians but for some clients and non-clients right now. And then there’s a a bundle or.
Becky Coplen: I guess a bundle, I don’t know,
Priscilla Rodriguez: A bigger course where it kind of goes through like all these different pieces. But then there’s also like smaller mini courses that only focus on conflict management or even for individuals like on only self-esteem. So it’s it’s helpful. They they get to choose what what focus they want to, to work on.
Becky Coplen: Yeah. No that’s great. And because it’s more like a course And it’s not therapy. You’re outside of the realms of the licensing and all of that and kind of like preventative care, I would think. Right?
Priscilla Rodriguez: Yeah. Yeah, it really is. And and we have gotten really great feedback, everyone, once they get done with the course, they’re like, oh, that was super helpful. They get lifetime access to it. So I always recommend that they go back, you know, a year or two even later and do the worksheets again and just see how much they have done individually or as a couple and see how how things have changed.
Priscilla Rodriguez: Because that’s kind of the biggest thing that we see with couples long term relationships. It’s like, hey, when you’ve been together for so many years and you forget to keep track, you know of each other, that’s when things start to come up.
Becky Coplen: Right, right. So do you run that as like, if it’s a course? , is it like, oh, Tuesday evenings, all these people that have signed up join in and kind of like a group and then you’re almost teaching online. And then is I asse there’s homework and like surveys or things like that in between. Is that correct?
Priscilla Rodriguez: Yeah. It’s it’s more it’s a self-paced course. Yeah. So it is something that I, it’s already been prerecorded and they will kind of buy the course. And then there’s worksheets and after every module to help kind of solidify the, you know, the objective of that video that they just saw. So it’s it’s a guided course that they get to do on their own. They can and it’s broken up into really small videos like some of them are like five minutes, I think the longest one maybe eight minutes. So it doesn’t mean that they have to like, you know, put the kids down to bed and go, yeah, you know, watch this like three hour video, right. So they can like watching little snippets whenever it’s most convenient for them.
Becky Coplen: Okay. That’s great. And then if they wanted more personal help, they could reach out to you for ongoing therapy if needed.
Becky Coplen: .. Okay. Yeah. Very cool. So in talking this just has me thinking on the business side of that. And because we haven’t talked as much on here about specific mini courses, did you have a whole team help you develop the videos and the modules and all of the technology behind that. Or how did that look?
Priscilla Rodriguez: So yes and no. My mom has a video like she does. She’s a videographer and photographer, so thankfully she has all the equipment I use, all of her stuff. And this was back in 2018 when I started when I did the videos. So at the time I wasn’t, you know, I had just left my agency job, so I had a lot of time on my hands to just kind of focus in on that. So I kind of like did that before I started really focusing in on expanding my own practice. So a lot of that I did on my own, and then I just use like the resource that my mom had, like the her equipment and her video editing software because I knew exactly how I wanted it like to be. So I figured out, you know, like, yeah, okay, I can edit, I can do this and upload that. So that was helpful. I also grew up with my mom doing like video editing and like, so like that wasn’t anything like knowing what that was and how to record was like.
Becky Coplen: Yeah,
Priscilla Rodriguez: Easy for me, I guess because I was around it so much growing up. So yeah, so that was helpful. So, so yeah. So I did it kind of by myself with, you know, the resources that my mom had. Yeah.
Becky Coplen: No, that’s amazing that you had that type of support that you it’s natural to you because you’re used to it. Yeah. Yeah. So I love that. Very exciting. Well, let’s just maybe talk a little bit about any clients or scenarios that you feel like you’ve seen a lot of success. Obviously not talking about anyone’s names or anything, but anything that you’re really proud of in your practice in the last few years.
Priscilla Rodriguez: Yeah, I would have to say just the use of EFT with my couples. It really one helps ground me and it makes me feel a little bit more in control. Like I know when the couple starts arguing or they want to, you know, they’re really wanting to share their side of the story. And like, I understand where this is coming from. So it really helps me be able to relate, you know, or empathize or kind of help them know, like, I understand, I get it right. And I think that really helps them to know, okay, I can slow down myself. I can calm down because I know Priscilla knows where where we’re going.
Priscilla Rodriguez: Anything is always helpful. Whenever I’m seeing people kind of bickering at each other and I’m like, saying something to each of them right at the same time, and they’re both kind of like nodding, right? They’re both like, yes, yes, yes, this applies to me. While they’re both saying that. So it’s always helpful to be able to apply those skills in those types of interventions. So that way they know like, oh yeah, we are both on the same page. We are both in the same type of pain that can start to help rebuild that attachment and that sense of security within the relationship. And it’s been, you know, I’ve had quite a few couples where we can successfully end therapy. And those are always great because I, of course, have also had a couple or a few clients where it just ends. Right? You just don’t hear from them, or it doesn’t mean that, you know, it’s just like nothing like I hope everything’s okay, right? So. Right. There’s always nice, you know, when you get through the whole therapy treatment and, you know, you come out the other end of like, hey, we’re everything’s good, you know, we’re back on the same page. Yes. I mean, we still fight, but at least we do that in a way that we can both understand and respect each other and understand like, oh yeah, these are just different points of view versus like, you’re out to get me and right, you know, you’re you just always want to win kind of thing.
Becky Coplen: So good point you bring up about if people kind of fall off the wagon, how many times do you kind of reach out before you just kind of put your hands up and say, okay, this they’re clearly not wanting to do the work and we’re not connecting. , yeah. How many times will you reach out?
Becky Coplen: Yeah, it depends on the last session. I always kind of think back of how the last session ended. Was it something that they said, like, oh, look to you and we’re going on a trip or, you know, yeah, you know, something’s coming up where I’ll then initiate, you know, reaching out versus if it just kind of blew up. , because I have had some couples where I had to, like, fire them in that sense. Right? Because it’s just like one. It’s not a good fit for me for the type of therapy I’m doing, or they really are just using therapy as a way to win an argument or they’re really, really aggressive. Yeah, I have really I think like stricter boundaries when it comes to that, just because we’re also virtual and online. So unlike in a in-person setting, not that you can really like enforce safety in person, but you know, there’s there’s less of that, I guess I feel sometimes depending on the couple, if they’re getting, , really heated and it’s really, really hard for them, you know, it’s very noticeable that they have a hard time controlling where it’s like, you know what, maybe I need to make a referral elsewhere.
Priscilla Rodriguez: So to go back to your question, right, like I do normally reach out, you know, to say, hey, I haven’t heard from you since our last session, which was, you know, stayed on July 1st and it is now July 8th. If I don’t hear back from you by July 20th, I’ll assume that we’re ending counseling. And this is what this means for your file. But you can still continue services after that or hear some referrals. Right. So I kind of just like do a quick reaching out summary of like, okay, you still need me, I’m here. If not, this is what’s going to happen. Yeah. , okay.
Becky Coplen: So yeah, that’s good to know. Yeah. And that would be when you were talking about people being super heated on the other side of the screen and the tensions, that would be a lot. I remember I’m a counselor in a school, and I had a student when we were online who was very distressed about something, and then they could not hear us, but we could see their distress. And it was so alarming because we could not reach through and help.
Becky Coplen: And finally, you know, the family intervened and whatever because we were texting them on the side. But it was so awful to like, watch. It’s like you’re watching a movie for real and you can’t help and. Yeah, yeah, it’s very. Yeah, it was it was a little traumatizing for me to think back on the moments which weren’t even that long. But yeah, it was tough. So I think the boundaries are important. And you know, with marriage it’s such a one of the toughest, you know, relationships. And I’m sure sometimes you have people come, maybe the one wants to come and the other is already over it. And, you know, you always think there’s definitely people can repair it, but some people are already out the door. And it’s a lot of wisdom needed and how much you can help or yeah, how much of their own personal trauma they have that you’re like, actually, you need a lot of individual help for things that you’re dealing with. So. Yeah. Really? Yeah. , we always love to talk a little bit about kind of the tools or apps or whatever it is that helps you on the business side of your practice, or have you hired people to maintain that part of it? How does the business end look for you at this point?
Priscilla Rodriguez: So I did hire a business coach a couple of years ago, actually, when I was branching out into a group practice.
Priscilla Rodriguez: I just wanted someone else by my side to help with the organization and structure of everything. So she was great. She helped me kind of just, like, figure that out and kind of have like a, you know, sense of operations kind of thing. So that way everyone kind of look at. So that was helpful. And we just used Google like the business Google Drive tools there to help. And then when it comes to. Is that kind of what you meant, like?
Becky Coplen: Oh, yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. ,
Priscilla Rodriguez: And we used simple practice for, like, our electronic health record. That was has been helpful. , I do have an intake coordinator who helps manage, you know, calls that are coming in. She’s great at knowing how to like what questions to ask to assign them to the best clinician, , within our practice. And, and then for our online courses we use teachable. So that has been helpful to to it’s just has been really simple for me to use. I know there’s a ton of different like course platforms out there that may be cheaper, more affordable, but I was like, you know what? This one was really easy for me to use. I’m just gonna stick with it. Yeah. So so that has been nice to to to utilize. And I have always been like a really big geek about like spreadsheets and Excel.
Priscilla Rodriguez: So everything when our KPIs and how we manage finances and expenses. I have a spreadsheet for and it’s all kind of like laid out. So that has been really helpful for me to see on the back end of, okay, like projections or things that we need to be doing or how are we doing on all to have come in and what is that conversion look like, and how many sessions have we had? And you know, that way we can kind of just keep a keep track of because I think that was something too, that my business coach helped me figure out is, hey, if you’re putting money into, you know, an intake coordinator, how do you know that they’re doing, you know, their job well or you know, a clinician. How are they? You know, they’re doing their job well. If you’re if you’re running so many clients, you need to make sure that they’re also maintaining their caseload. And again, that goes back to quality of care. And if you see clients just kind of dipping out like after the second session, what’s happening. Right. So so that has been helpful too.
Becky Coplen: Good. , yeah. The data is always key. Even in the mental health world where data is, you know, it’s always a little gray with emotions and everything. But those things, yeah, are really important to chart. And, , I love that you got the help of a business coach.
Becky Coplen: And I’m sure having an intake coordinator is such a big thing. So yeah, one that knows all of you well in the practice and then being able to pair people. I’m sure that’s a lot of time saver for you. And also to you when you’re talking about teachable that, you know, maybe it costs a little more, but like time, time is huge even for me as well. So even things pay more for things but to not if it’s if something is easy to use. There’s a lot of value there. So.
Priscilla Rodriguez: Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. So yeah, my intake coordinator has been a lifesaver. When I went on maternity leave, she was I thought I called her up and I was like, I And went into preterm labor. Like please cancel everything. And she did. So. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I did see that reminds you, I did see on your website that you had twins just in the last year or two here. Yeah. Yeah. They’re one year old twins right now, and it’s a lot of fun.
Becky Coplen: Yes. We have not in my family, but a niece and nephew and. Yeah, twins. I think they’re so fun. I think there’s more twins than we ever knew. But when people are adults, you don’t know they’re a twin. Unless you get involved more with them. Yeah. , because. But when they’re little, everyone sees it, you know? Yeah.
Becky Coplen: Then a lot of fun. Yeah.
Priscilla Rodriguez: Thank you.
Becky Coplen: And definitely a time of needing more help, for sure.
Priscilla Rodriguez: Oh, yeah. Yeah. I know that I’m so happy that I put in all that work when I did. Because by that time we decided to finally plan. And then I had my twins, like, I, I was able to leave comfortably for that time period. And yeah, you Everything was going to be okay.
Becky Coplen: Yeah. would you. Well, all of this has been really good. I was wondering if there was just anything else that you felt like we didn’t cover or anything about your practice. Do you want people to know or even any advice for someone who is newer to this field?
Priscilla Rodriguez: Yeah, I think a big thing if you’re going to go into private practice or starting, you know, already in private practice, is just doing something that matches you. I think there are so many great examples out there, so many people who are already, you know, doing so well. And I think I fell into this too. I was like, oh, what can I do? Like, what can I do? That’s like them. And I really had to just do something that matched me. What? What did I like to do? What really? You know, teaching was something that I always really enjoyed and sharing information. So when I was like, how can I do that more Efficiently, you know, like, yeah, let’s do the online course.
Priscilla Rodriguez: I thought that makes sense for me. You know, I’m getting more clients like I how can I have that work for me? Like, yeah, let me bring on another clinician. So it was something of like what matched with aligned with my life versus like, how can I be like other people. Right. , and I think that is like once I figured that out, I felt more like at peace and not so, like, anxiety driven. I’m like, oh my God, I’m not. Like I was constantly comparing myself to their businesses or other successful practician owners. And, , I think what I was able to kind of turn that off, I was like, okay, this makes sense now. So I think at the beginning there’s just I mean, it’s a lot of information at any stage you’re in. So, I think that was a big thing for me. And obviously getting a business coach, something that actually helped also solidify like, you know, kind of had to put these blinders on and just focus in then on what you want to focus in on, right. So versus chasing all the shiny objects.
Becky Coplen: So yeah that’s a good phrase. Chasing the shiny objects. No, that’s great. And be at peace about what you’re doing. And I think it’s really cool. I’m sure. You know, you said you love teaching, but seeing the struggles that so many people have and then at least providing something in your online courses to help people prevent themselves from getting there, I think is really great that, you know, maybe those people that you help that needed the intense therapy could say to someone younger, hey, we wish we had done this.
Becky Coplen: So it kind of comes full circle. And I really like that you were able to produce those. And all along that your mom had you prepped on the technology end. So. Very cool. Yeah, yeah. All right. Well, thank you so much for your time today and all of your insights about your practice and where it’s come. It’s been really great to hear, so we appreciate you sharing with us.
Priscilla Rodriguez: Yes. Thank you so much, Becky, for having me. It’s been such a pleasure and being able to share. And I love listening to the podcast team. And you know, having a lot of different guests there has been helpful for me as well. So if anyone’s listening, definitely keep on listening to the podcast.
Becky Coplen: All right. Great. Yeah I love learning from all the people. And it’s great when the different guests can hear things from each other, as well. So thank you so much to our listeners of Mastering Counseling. We’re so glad that you are part of this show today with Priscilla. And please leave us more questions and comments and more reviews till we talk again. Have a wonderful day.