Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Freda.
Hi Jamie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always known I was wired a little differently. I spent years masking, overthinking, and pushing myself to keep up in ways that never felt quite right. Things that seemed to come easily to others took everything I had, and I often wondered why. It wasn’t until I became a psychologist and started specializing in ADHD that the puzzle pieces began to fall into place. After years of supporting others and completing advanced training as a certified ADHD clinical services provider, I realized in my forties that I’m one of the people I’ve been helping all along.
That self-understanding shaped everything about how I practice today. I created The Traveling Psychologist to offer support that actually fits real people, not just ideal schedules or systems. My practice is mobile and private pay, offering virtual sessions as well as in-person appointments in my mobile office. It’s a cozy, private, beautifully converted RV where clients come directly onboard for care that feels personal and accessible. I chose to go mobile partly because I have never been someone who likes staying in one place too long, and partly because I wanted to remove barriers for those who might not be able to make it to a traditional office.
I offer a range of neuro-affirming services including comprehensive ADHD and psychological testing, individual therapy, and nature-based therapy. I work with neurodivergent adults who are navigating all kinds of life experiences. Some are high-achieving and exhausted from years of masking. Others feel completely lost and unsure how they are supposed to function in a world that seems to run on rules that were never explained to them. Wherever they are, I show up with a blend of clinical expertise and lived experience to help them quiet the chaos, understand their brains, and find practical strategies that actually work for them.
Starting The Traveling Psychologist was not just a career move. It was a personal commitment to create the kind of support I wish had existed sooner. A space that is affirming, welcoming, and real. Because everyone deserves to feel seen, supported, and understood without having to force themselves into a box that isn’t made for them.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting a private practice as a solo practitioner has definitely had its challenges. The biggest struggle has been navigating the complexities of building a business from the ground up, especially in today’s world. There’s so much more to running a practice than just providing services, from marketing and administrative tasks to setting up systems and managing finances. Doing all of that on my own while ensuring I provide the best care for my clients has been a balancing act. It’s a constant juggle, and there have been moments where it felt overwhelming, especially in a world that’s always changing and requiring us to adapt.
Another challenge has been overcoming the common misconceptions about mental health care and neurodivergent services. There’s still a lot of stigma to break through, and building trust with clients, especially when it comes to testing and therapy, has taken time. But every time I see a client take that first step toward understanding themselves and gaining clarity about their struggles, it makes all the hard work worth it.
That said, there are so many rewards. One of the greatest joys of working for myself is the ability to set my own schedule and offer flexible, individualized care that truly suits my clients’ needs. I love being able to adapt my services to what works best for each person, whether that’s through in-person sessions in my mobile office or nature-based therapy experiences outdoors. I also value the ability to work at my own pace and continually learn and grow in my field.
Another benefit is the incredible community of professionals I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with. Networking with others in my field has been invaluable, and I’m so grateful for the relationships I’ve built with fellow clinicians and other local professionals. Sharing experiences, collaborating, and learning from one another has been such a rewarding part of this journey.
At the end of the day, I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to do this work. Despite the challenges, having the freedom to shape my practice around my values and create a space where people can truly be seen and supported has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Creativity is one of my ADHD superpowers, and it’s something that has played a huge role in building my business from the ground up. My mind is constantly buzzing with new ideas, and I love finding innovative ways to make them a reality. The concept of a mobile psychologist practice, for example, is something that came from thinking outside the box and challenging the traditional ways of providing therapy. I enjoy creating projects that don’t just fit into what already exists but instead push boundaries and meet real-world needs in fresh, engaging ways.
Art and crafting have always been my go-to therapeutic outlets. From a young age, I’ve turned to creativity as a way to process thoughts and emotions, and that has shaped the way I run my business. I’m able to design my own marketing materials, create visuals that speak to the heart of my practice, and bring a personal touch to everything I do. The ability to take something intangible (like an idea or a feeling) and translate it into something real is a powerful skill that I lean into daily.
What sets me apart is that I’m not afraid to blend creativity with my professional work. It’s part of what makes my practice unique. Everything I create, whether it’s a therapy program, a marketing campaign, or a new service offering, comes from a place of passion and innovation. I think it’s this willingness to think differently that has allowed me to build a business that’s both personal and accessible. I’m proud of the fact that I’ve created a space where people can not only get the professional support they need but also feel a sense of creativity and individuality in their therapeutic journey.
It’s this fusion of creativity and clinical expertise that fuels the work I do. Being able to offer something that’s both unconventional and deeply effective for my clients is one of the things I’m most proud of.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t often think of luck as the defining factor in my life and business, but I do believe it plays a role in unexpected ways. When I reflect on my journey, I can see moments where things seemed to fall into place at just the right time, or opportunities appeared when I needed them most. There’s a certain type of luck in being in the right place at the right time, whether that’s meeting the right people or finding the resources I needed to get started. But I also know that luck alone doesn’t get you far without hard work, determination, and the willingness to take risks.
Along the way, I’ve learned to embrace the bumps in the road, knowing that they can lead to unexpected opportunities for growth and innovation. Starting a solo practice in today’s world has had its challenges, but each setback has pushed me to get creative and find new ways to overcome obstacles.
Ultimately, I believe that luck is just one piece of the puzzle. What’s been more important is my ability to keep moving forward, regardless of what comes my way. Whether it’s good luck or bad luck, I’ve learned to lean into the flow of it and use what I have to build something meaningful.
Pricing:
- Individual Therapy: $200/session
- ADHD/Psychological Testing: $1850 (includes intake, testing, feedback, and report)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thetravelingpsychologist.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559928080904
Image Credits
Rebels & Roses Photography
