Today we’d like to introduce you to Rosalie Piedra.
Hi Rosalie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am so honored to be sharing more about my journey. Becoming an entrepreneur was never in my plans growing up. After high school, I went straight to college in Fort Worth, TX to major in bilingual education and became a bilingual second-grade teacher upon graduating. I honestly felt like I hit the jackpot when I became a teacher. I adored my students and my role in shaping their education. I spent about three years as a teacher before realizing I had a passion for working with kids one on one and really focusing on social and emotional learning (SEL). I had no idea that a school counselor focused on these skills. I honestly do not remember much about my school counselors growing up other than college support in high school. I was so excited to learn I could narrow my focus in my work with children and solely focus on counseling. I went back to school to earn a master’s degree in professional counseling at Texas State University and had some amazing professors who opened my eyes to truly understanding what therapy is.
Although I had intentions of focusing on school counseling, Texas State provided such a well-rounded and quality education that my education transcended school counseling. I learned that there was such a thing called “play therapy” and that there were therapists that worked with children to help them make meaning of their world and work through strong emotions, even traumas. I honestly think my time at Texas State was transformative in the sense that I realized I was gaining foundational skills to become a therapist! Coming from a Hispanic family in San Antonio, I was never exposed to what therapy meant, much less ever thinking of becoming a therapist. Upon graduating from Texas State, I was hooked on the idea of continuing my education, this time through becoming a licensed professional counselor (LPC). I transitioned to a position as a school counselor at the school where I was a previous teacher, Blackshear Elementary in Austin, TX.
Throughout my time as a school counselor, I was gaining hours on my path to becoming an LPC. I was so lucky to have one of my former professors, Dr. Hartwig as my LPC Supervisor. Dr. Hartwig was such an inspiration for me to grow as a professional and hone in on my therapy skills. I met with Dr. Hartwig once a week for just shy of three years before becoming fully licensed and giving birth to my second child in 2019. Once I became a mom of two, I decided it was time to really focus on my passions moving forward – play therapy and trauma-informed therapy for children, teens, and adults. I found a job as a part-time counselor and used the other half of the work week to start seeing clients through my own private practice. The pandemic really drove all this forward quickly as I took many online trainings and consultations centered around play therapy and trauma-informed approaches. I soon grew to the point of having close to a full caseload of clients and decided the spring of 2021 would be my last year as a school counselor. I opened the doors to Mindful Connections Counseling, PLLC last fall and have been focused on growing my practice and my knowledge as a trauma-informed therapist since then.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Becoming an entrepreneur has definitely not been a smooth road. I did not know the first step in having my own private practice. I think this is what attracted me to the school system – the fact that I had consistency in my role and my income every month. However, when I thought about creating a business built on my goals and values, it was clear that opening a private practice was the best step for me. Some struggles included the amount of time and funds spent on becoming licensed. To be an LPC, you have to pass the NCE (national counseling exam), find a supervisor (in my case finding someone that was an LPC Supervisor and a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor), and get 3,000 hours of combined direct and indirect experience under my supervisor. Additionally, figuring out small (but also big) things like whether to accept insurance, how to get paneled with insurance companies, how to submit claims, how to properly document and create treatment plans, how to do intake calls, and many more aspects to owning a business have not always been easy to figure out. There is definitely a learning curve to being a business owner!
We’ve been impressed with Mindful Connections Counseling, PLLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is called Mindful Connections Counseling, PLLC. I am particularly proud of my business name because I truly feel it embodies the care and support I give my clients. I believe in being mindful of each individual person who reaches out to me from the very first consultation over the phone. I am mindful of the steps and bravery it takes to seek therapy, I am mindful of my own training and whether I am a good fit for each client, and I am mindful in making sure I am building a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space for all our clients. I truly believe the therapeutic relationship and connection with each client is the foundation for quality therapy services. At Mindful Connections, I specialize in play therapy and trauma-informed therapy. I believe I am most known for play therapy however I truly love working with all ages (3-65+) on issues including anxiety, depression, PTSD, complex PTSD, attachment issues, intergenerational trauma, behavioral concerns, self-esteem, parenting support, grief and loss, divorce/separated families, and life transitions. I think what sets me and Mindful Connections apart from others is my experience in working with children in a variety of settings and my personal experience as a Latina. I am also in therapy and have learned what being a cycle breaker in my own family has meant to me. I think my personal experience helps me be an even stronger therapist for my clients.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
One piece of advice I have for those looking to venture into private practice is network, network, and network. Figure out what your niche/passion is and find groups in Austin (or your local area) that specialize in that area. For me, being a part of the local play therapy chapter here in Austin was so transformational for my practice in building a supportive community of other play therapists who are willing to help.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mindfulconnectionstx.com
- Instagram: @mindfulconnectionscounseling
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MindfulConnectionsTX
