Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey Fish.
Hi Stacey, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello My name is Stacey Fish and I’m the owner of Balance Counseling and Wellness, located in Oldsmar Florida.
My love for helping others was cultivated through my own personal counseling journey. My mother and I went to counseling together towards the end of my teenage years. Despite our struggles through my parent’s divorce, we were able to cultivate a meaningful relationship.
Crucially, counseling helped us overcome challenges with my mothers second husband that was facing addiction and taking a large portion of his anger out on both of us. With the use of counseling, I was able to repair my relationship with my mother, grow internally, and so much more.
Over my young adult years, my career search went from one “helping” profession to the next, and I learned all about mental health and wellness along my journey. This experience has helped me become a “healed healer” – or maybe I should say “healing healer” – because I believe healing is a lifelong journey. I still use coping skills today that my teen counselor helped teach me.
My healing journey inspired my purposeful career search, which went through many stages. From a Social Worker in the welfare system to School Counselor for 7 years, to a part-time Mental Health Therapist to supplement the unsatisfactory earnings from our state’s education system (our teachers deserve so much more). Which lead me to what I believe is my most fulfilling career as a Mental Health Counselor and private practice owner at Balance Counseling and Wellness.
I believe the journey for my personal wellness has helped me become a better counselor. I have real-life experience that I can relate to, and I understand and promote mental health and wellness with a more personal connection.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not but I think the bumps in the road have taught me the most in life and without them I wouldn’t appreciate the smooth or happy times as much as I do.
The biggest obstacle I currently face in my profession is learning about the business side of owning a private practice.
I am extremely thankful for the mentors, friends, and family that are helping me understand marketing, taxes, administrative duties, and the legal ins and outs of business management.
I have also gained some insight from my mentor at the SBDC and taken some of their classes. I enjoy learning and am grateful that this past year has been such a year of growth for me and Balance Counseling and Wellness!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am all about personal connection and attention. I believe presence is something that a lot of us are missing in our lives. When you come to Balance, I want you to know you are important, you are heard, and we have a plan we are working towards that will promote your mental wellness.
My treatment modes are focused on each client’s needs. If you are having a motivation issue we may start looking at your schedule and what drives you. If you’re struggling with mindset concerns we may start affirmations and mindfulness to help you to find gratitude in the little things. If you are struggling with purpose we may create an art project or explore what you enjoy in life. If you have trauma or a phobia we may start EMDR and process through those challenging thoughts. We will have a plan and a goal in therapy together because I want you to be empowered with your care.
Balance works with a wide variety of clients but because a large amount are young adults and teens, our therapy process is a more active approach using art, play, and yoga to keep all ages engaged. I am a certified Yoga and meditation instructor and drumbeat facilitator.These skills along with traditional talk therapy have proven to help with client engagement.
I am also a trained EMDR therapist who uses bilateral stimulation to help treat trauma, phobias, or any dysregulated thoughts. All of my training has helped me guide my clients, focusing on internal and external life balance that helps to cultivate better mental health and wellness.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My advice is to get out in your community and connect, network, and be a sponge for learning. There are a lot of different ways to receive mentorship, be it joining a social media group that may have local events, finding a business organization that helps build leaders in the community, or talking with a local school that can guide you to professionals in your field.
I have had many mentors in life, from teachers that help me learn new things, to business professionals, and mental health counseling mentors that offer me advice or guidance on how I can be my best self for my clients.
I have also been a mentor, from being a big sister with Big Brother Big Sister to working as a Professional Learning Community leader for local Pinellas school counselors. These roles have helped me give back to our community and grow in so many ways!
Mentorship is so important and needed for growth!
Contact Info:
- Website: Balancecw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balancecounselingwellness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balancecounselingwellness
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/balance-counseling-and-wellness-llc/?viewAsMember=true
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdm8tFPW6Iew8nIiXCFk4_g
