Description of product or service:
Courage To Grow Counseling is a Queer-friendly outpatient therapy practice located in South Philly. Using mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and psychodynamic approaches, I work with my clients in a supportive, non-judgmental, and compassionate space to better understand themselves… why they may choose to do things, and cope in ways, that have been unproductive, problematic or even harmful to their wellbeing. Through mindfulness we develop new skills that promote peace & serenity.
How many years have you been with company or in business?
1
What company or organization you respect most and why?
I’m a huge fan of the Walnut Psychotherapy Center, Attic Youth Center, Morris House, Galaei, and The Therapy Center of Philadelphia. I hope that once my business grows I can emulate their financial accessibility to the community I love, other than my current sliding scale, and offer Queer-intersectional competence training for emerging clinicians and build another safe space in our city.
Which business leader or innovator do you most want to emulate and why?
I want to emulate the likes of Brené Brown, Jen Sincero, and Danna Bodenheimer. These women have been professional role models and have courageously created things they believed in, and believed in themselves in the process. They modeled permission to take risks and kick ass!
What is the most important business decision you’ve made to date?
Believing in myself enough to take a huge risk, quit my financially comfortable job in a high school with students I loved, and be my own boss.
What is the most important life decision you’ve made to date?
Being Out and Proud. I know that being able to be Out and Proud is a privilege, and I choose to use that privilege to create a safe space to encourage others to be their most authentic selves and help them feel comfortable in their own skin. I am grateful for the support I had while coming out, and my hope is to do the same for as many other people as I can.
When and why did you join the IBA?
I joined the IBA this past summer to connect with other Queer business owners and learn more about the LGBTQIA* community.
Since joining the IBA, what has been the greatest advantage to you and your business being a member of the Chamber?
I love meeting new people at the ConnX events and developing new professional relationships with the people I meet through IBA. There is so much collective knowledge for success in this group of humans and I am grateful to learn as much as possible!
What is your proudest moment, honor, or achievement?
Choosing myself. I mean this in a couple of different ways. Feel free to ask me about it the next time you see me 🙂
What programs, outreach, or organizations are you involved in that give back to the community?
I am a Board Member on the Events Committee with The Spruce Foundation. The Spruce Foundation is an all-volunteer, next-gen-led non-profit based on Philadelphia. We’re focused on cultivating the next generation of philanthropists through community giving and grant-making in support of Philadelphia’s youth. I’m hosting a Cabaret to fundraise our LGBTQIA* grant (last year’s winner was Galaei) on 2/21 at Ruba Club! I hope to see you there!
What is a little known fact about you?
Yo hablo Español. Ik spreek ook en klein beetje Nederlands.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Donuts. All of the donuts.
To date, what has been your most favorite vacation spot?
My favorite place I have been so far is Amsterdam. Everything there is full of history and charm, and mostly love and joy. I have family friends in Amstelveen, right outside of the city center, and my Dutch family make Amsterdam feel like home away from home. Gezellig!
What is the last book you read?
Jen Sincero’s “You Are A Badass: How To Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living An Awesome Life.” This book was actually the impetus to take the leap and begin Courage To Grow Counseling. Highly recommended if you want to uncover your own bad-assery!!