Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Fielder-Jenks, Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervisor and Founder of Healgood Holistic Counseling Center.
Hi Chelsea, we’d love for you to start by sharing your story:
My journey as a Licensed Professional Counselor has been a fulfilling and transformative path, shaped by a deep commitment to providing authentic and compassionate care to my clients. Before founding my private practice, I worked across various mental healthcare settings, ranging from outpatient to inpatient levels of care, addressing a diverse range of concerns such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance use, self-harm, suicidality, psychosis, interpersonal conflicts, boundary issues, life transitions, and stress management. Regardless of the varied contexts and populations I worked with, a common thread emerged: individuals striving to endure and build lives worth living. This insight crystallized the importance of a holistic counseling approach that considers the biological, psychological, environmental, and socio-cultural facets of clients’ lives. This recognition, coupled with my deep appreciation for all individuals’ struggles, led to the founding of my private practice in 2017. In 2020, I began expanding my solo practice. I brought on additional clinicians and associates whose licensure I was supervising, leading to the budding group practice today – Healgood Holistic Counseling Center. At Healgood, we provide individual, family, relationship, and group counseling, workshops, and professional training. While I continue to work with clients and offer therapy services, I balance this time with my roles as a clinical director and supervisor for newly licensed clinicians. I also provide consultation, continuing education, and training services to support fellow clinicians and helping professionals. I’m proud of what I’ve built thus far and am excited for the next iteration of the Healgood I plan. I find so much joy and fulfillment in my various roles. My variety of work is quite synergistic and mitigates burnout in any single role. I value and enjoy all of my roles at my practice and can’t imagine letting any of them go.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Embarking on my professional journey has been an enriching yet challenging experience. One initial obstacle was recognizing my worth and value as a helping professional. In the dynamic counseling field, continuous education, staying abreast of the latest research and evolving therapeutic approaches, and seeking guidance from peers are essential components for optimal client care. I am dedicated to perpetual growth, both personally and professionally, continually honing my skills as a psychotherapist. However, investing in my development through courses, training, personal therapy, and consultation can be a substantial financial commitment. It took time and personal growth to permit myself to adjust my fees, acknowledging that prioritizing my needs doesn’t diminish my ability to help others – if anything, it expands that ability.
Another noteworthy challenge was expanding my private practice, Healgood Holistic Counseling Center. I’ve always possessed an entrepreneurial spirit, and starting a practice was fairly seamless. However, transitioning from solo private practice to a burgeoning group practice presented hurdles. Learning to delegate and outsource became crucial, forcing me to narrow my focus. As someone who relishes wearing multiple hats, relinquishing control in areas like bookkeeping and accounting was initially difficult. However, outsourcing these tasks proved to be a strategic move, allowing me to concentrate on the most fulfilling aspects, such as practice development, curriculum and training development, and marketing, along with direct clinical work and supervision. I could never give up any of my current roles completely – even if that means restricting the practice’s growth. Despite the inevitable bumps, I’ve found that each challenge has catalyzed personal and professional growth. Ultimately, these experiences have solidified my commitment to delivering the highest quality care to my clients while making meaningful contributions to the counseling field.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in working with individuals, teens, and adults who struggle with anxiety, mood, eating, and substance use disorders. Many of my clients struggle with or have a history of working with body image concerns, self-harm, suicidal thinking, substance use, or other behaviors that feel problematic or out-of-control. I’m also known for my Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) work. I facilitate DBT groups for adolescents and adults at Healgood and have developed multiple DBT groups and intensive outpatient programs for other agencies in and around Austin. I also have a niche of working with parents and teens experiencing increased conflict or feeling like the teen is “out of control.”
My therapeutic style is often described as direct, compassionate, relational, and collaborative, with a generous infusion of humor. My role as a guide is to apply gentle pressure relentlessly to empower individuals to step into their power and construct their best lives. In treating the whole person, I work collaboratively with other health professionals, such as psychiatrists and dietitians. I aim to ensure comprehensive care that meets each client’s needs. With over a decade of experience, my approach is grounded in the belief that fostering a genuine connection with clients creates a safe and effective space for healing, enabling them to survive and truly thrive in building a life worth living. My therapeutic approach is built from a strong foundation of Relational Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and enriched by integrating trauma-informed care, psychodynamic, interpersonal neurobiology, harm reduction, developmental psychology, and motivational interviewing. Additionally, my work is founded upon Health at Every Size® and Intuitive Eating principles.
I am committed to continuing my education and growing my expertise to provide the best care possible to my clients. I completed DBT Skills Training in 2012 and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) basic training in 2019. In 2019, I advanced my professional standing by obtaining licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervisor, where I provide supervision and training to the next generations of counselors. Recognizing the significance of my work with eating disorders, I earned the designation of Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Supervisor from The International Association Of Eating Disorders Professionals in 2020. Acknowledging the unique challenges of the perinatal population, I expanded my expertise, earning a Perinatal Mental Health Specialist certificate from Postpartum Support International (PSI) in 2023. Beyond individual counseling, I contribute to the professional community by providing supervision, consultation, and training services to support fellow clinicians and helping professionals. I’ve also served in board leadership positions on two non-profit organizations: Central Texas Eating Disorder Specialists and The Association for Size Diversity and Health. I’ve been an expert contributor for publications including Eating Disorder Hope, Addiction Hope, WebMD, Scary Mommy, and Fatherly. This multifaceted journey reflects my dedication to facilitating holistic healing, empowering individuals to navigate life’s challenges and overcome their problems, and fostering a community of well-equipped and compassionate mental health professionals.
How do you define success?
My definition of success is intricately woven with the principle of perpetual learning and staying teachable. Success is not a stagnant destination but a dynamic journey marked by a continuous pursuit of knowledge and growth. It involves maintaining an open and receptive mindset eagerly embracing new insights, perspectives, and experiences. Success is the ongoing commitment to curiosity and the recognition that each encounter, triumphant or challenging, is an opportunity to glean valuable lessons. It’s about remaining humble in the face of achievements, acknowledging there is always more to discover and absorb. In this way, success becomes a journey of self-discovery and refinement, where the thirst for knowledge propels one forward on a path of constant evolution and improvement.
Pricing:
- Chelsea’s Individual Counseling Fees: $225-295
- Chelsea’s Supervision & Consultation Fees: $100-295
- Healgood’s Individual Counseling Fees: $70-200
- Healgood’s Group Counseling Fees: $70-80
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.healgoodcounseling.com/
- Instagram: @HealgoodHolisticCounseling
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealgoodHolisticCounseling
