Today we’d like to introduce you to Anne Rice.
Hi Anne, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started my private practice in September 2017. I wanted to be able to provide quality mental health services to people in my community without the restrictions of using insurance. When I was working at an agency, it was hard to provide the type of care I wanted due to insurance regulations. Many clients had to stop services suddenly because their benefits ran out. Firefly Wellness Counseling has grown to a group therapy practice with four clinicians. We are able to offer some sliding scale spots and we will be expanding our group therapy offerings to make our services more accessible. Our mission is to provide a safe place for individuals to feel truly heard and seen, a place where people can feel welcome to be themselves.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I love being a therapist and a business owner but it certainly comes with its ups and downs. As it was for everyone, the pandemic was particularly hard. We found ourselves having to support a high load of clients who were struggling with the same things we were. It became very important to practice self-care and get our own therapy so that we were able to show up for our clients and be our best selves. I think that’s true for any business owner. Burnout can quickly sneak up on you, no matter the business, and it is important to take care of yourself first so that your business can thrive.
As you know, we’re big fans of Firefly Wellness Counseling. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Firefly Wellness Counseling serves adults and teens of all backgrounds struggling with anxiety and depression through high-quality, evidence-based, and personalized therapy. We foster an environment of mutual respect between client and therapist, where clients can truly be themselves and learn to heal and grow. Our clients would describe our practice as a place where they can laugh, cry, and everything in between while sipping on tea or listening to their favorite song. We are located near Decatur, GA where we offer in-person therapy, and we also serve clients across Georgia using virtual therapy.
This Fall, we will be launching more group therapy for adults and teens. We will have sound baths, groups for teens struggling with school anxiety, and groups for college students.
What matters most to you? Why?
So many clients have come to me saying that a past therapist or other healthcare provider didn’t take the time to truly listen to them. Being able to really “see” my clients and understand all their complexities is one of the most important things to me. We are all such complex, multidimensional individuals and my goal is for clients to feel like I am there to hear and support all parts of them.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fireflywellnesscounseling.com
