Here at Katy Moms Network, we’re passionate about supporting local. Small Business Saturday is all about highlighting local businesses in the Katy area and keeping all of you in the know about the best businesses to check out!
We especially love highlighting the businesses that cater to families and that’s exactly what locally Katy- owned Brittani Persha Counseling does! They provide therapy services for children, families, couples and individuals in the Houston area and aim to help you feel connected and cared for. Their mission is to provide you the guidance and expertise that will give you what you need to restore hope and connection in your life, within your families and in your relationships.
We got to talk to the inspiring mama behind it all, Brittani, about her business, her passion for helping families, and her advice for moms who have also have a dream of starting their own business!
When did you start your business?
I opened my business, Brittani Persha Counseling, in April 2016. I had taken about a year and a half off from working as a child therapist in a group practice. During that time, I moved back home to Katy and was a stay at home mom with my children.
What was the inspiration behind starting your business?
The inspiration behind Brittani Persha Counseling is my passion for working with children and parents. When I decided it was time to re-enter the work force, I knew I wanted to do things a little different then before when I contracted with other therapy practices. This meant, I had to take the scary of leap of opening my own child therapy practice. My goal has been to provide a place for children and their families to get the support and guidance they deserve, at the times when life is at its hardest. Parenting is the hardest job in the world and yet as parents we feel this pressure to have it all figured out. I strive to help parents release this unattainable idea and find great joy in helping families heal and build stronger relationships. The second piece of the passion behind BPC is my love for working with children and supporting them in finding ways to express their feelings, believe in themselves and gain the tools to thrive in their communities.
Tell us a little bit about what you do and the services you provided!
Brittani Persha Counseling specializes in child and family therapy services. We are specifically geared towards children ages 2-12 years old and their families. We incorporate play therapy in working with kids and witness the power of the play every day in our office. Play is children’s natural form of communication. Through play is how children explore their world, work through the things they are struggling with, gain understanding about emotions, develop coping tools and learn to connect with people in a positive way (to name just a few ways play therapy helps.) Our counseling services are most beneficial for kids who have a really hard time navigating and managing their big feelings. Sometimes, children express their overwhelming emotions through tantrums, meltdowns, behavioral problems, severe anxiety and difficulty connecting with others. All our therapist incorporate play therapy, parent-child therapy, family therapy and brain-informed treatment.
Name one thing that makes you unique in your space or industry?
I feel like there are two things that make us unique at BPC. First, we ALWAYS include both the children and parents in the therapy process, integrating play therapy and strengthening family connection. Also, our goal is NOT to provide “quick fixes” but instead, we are invested in providing long-term change. This usually means diving deeper underneath the emotional struggles and gaining clarity about what the child’s outbursts are trying to communicate to us. This information is KEY to lasting change.
What’s your favorite thing about being a business owner in Katy?
I grew up in Katy and love this community. I feel so comfortable and supported and love being able to work with families in my hometown…….and boy, has it grown! After practicing at my first office location in Katy area for a little over a year I received an opportunity to expand my offices and have moved to an office suite at Memorial Dr and Dairy Ashford. Although, my location has moved, the majority of our clients continue to come from the Katy area.
How has the Katy area community had an impact on your business?
We work closely with KISD schools and Katy childcare providers and have had great success collaborating with them, to help our clients reach their potential. Also, I am so grateful for all the past families I have worked with that continue to share my business with other families that might benefit from our help. Word of mouth through friends and family is huge! The mom’s that I have had the privilege of getting to know have been so kind to continually spread the word about how I helped their family and this how I get the majority of my clients.
What’s one thing you’d like to go back and tell the you before you were a business owner?
I would tell myself, “You got this!” I was very nervous taking the leap to becoming a business owner, and I think at times, I did not acknowledge all my strengths and what I am capable of.
Advice for anyone wanting to start their own business?
Make sure you choose a business that you are truly passionate about. I absolutely love what I get to do! I get to play with really awesome kids for a living and am able to be part of so much healing and growth in these amazing kids. The changes I continue to witness give me the motivation to keep pushing forward on those harder and more tiring days. It’s so very rewarding! So choose a business that makes you want to go to work in the morning!
One last piece of advice, know what your good at and outsource the parts of your business that are not your strengths. For me, I am a people person and my strengths include working with clients, supervising therapists, and networking with other professionals. I outsource all things website, marketing and billing related.
When things get hard, what’s one thing you tell yourself to keep going when running a business?
I usually tell myself to stop and pray. I feel that it is God’s calling for me to do the work that I do and know that when things are feeling really hard, I am not alone and He will guide me through. Usually, I just need to be still long enough to listen.
Future plans for your business?
In January, I decided to make the leap from a solo child therapy practice to a group child therapy practice. There are currently 2 other clinicians that have joined my practice, and we are excited to be adding an additional therapist to our team in September! I am currently focusing on supporting my therapists in getting their names out into the community and being able to offer our therapy services to even more people. In the upcoming year, we plan to begin offering more child therapy groups, including social skills groups and art therapy groups. Two of our therapists are certified in child yoga and I am excited to be able to incorporate that component into our groups. I also hope to provide more training opportunities for parents and teachers in the area.
Best advice for working moms and mamas who want to start their own business, but scared to take the leap?
The first thing that comes to mind is to give yourself grace. No one has it all figured out, even though it might seem that way from the outside. We are all just trying to do our best and are learning as we go. So try not to be too hard on yourself and find an outlet for when life is feeling overwhelming. For me, it’s taking my golden retriever for walks, ideally around sunset. My neighborhood has beautiful sunsets and with this Texas heat, it is the only bearable time. Specifically, when starting a new business, my advice is make lists. Lots of lists and check things off one by one. The initial stages are usually a lot more work then you anticipate, so it really helps to find ways to make the tasks feel manageable.
How do you deal with mom guilt that can often come when working outside the home?
This is a hard one that I do not have a clear answer for. I am still figuring this out myself, but I try to practice what I said above and give myself lots of grace. I also try to play with my kids every chance we get. There are always a thousand to-do’s that can get us distracted from being present, and enjoying the amazing little people that made us a mom.
Any special, sales, or deals our Katy Moms can look out for?
We are offering FREE 20 Minute Phone Consultations to anyone wanting to learn more about our services and see if we are a good fit for their family. So, don’t be afraid to pick up the phone to ask us anything! We are here to help you and your family.
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Social Media Links:
https://brittanipershacounseling.com
https://www.facebook.com/brittanipershacounseling/
https://www.pinterest.com/brittanipershacounseling/
