Psychological well being skilled makes use of enterprise to take away destructive attitudes round in search of counseling companies
Printed 9:00 am Friday, February 24, 2023
EDITOR’S NOTE: In recognition of Black Historical past Month, The LaGrange Every day Information is that includes Black-owned companies in our group.
Who mentioned goals can’t turn out to be actuality? Samantha Thomaston, proprietor of SLT Counseling Providers, mentioned her dream was to personal her personal apply.
“I’ve been in apply now for 2 years, and it’s all the time been my dream to personal my very own counseling apply,” Thomaston mentioned. “I’ve been doing counseling for 30 years and initially began with the Division of Juvenile Justice proper out of school.”
In her time as a licensed skilled counselor, Thomaston has labored with Pathways, Odyssey Household Counseling Middle and the Troup County College System.
“I had been working with TCSS for about 17 years and early retired as a result of I felt prefer it was time for me to do my very own factor,” Thomaston mentioned.
As a one-woman group, Thomaston offers counseling companies for {couples} counseling and particular person counseling for adults and youngsters.
Thomaston mentioned in her time working with purchasers in-person and just about, one factor stays the identical — the stigmas round psychological well being.
“Stigma related to psychological well being have an effect on not solely Black folks however folks of colour typically. One factor I realized is that folks within the islands, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Japan — numerous cultures see points with psychological well being as a weak spot, and that’s a giant wrestle,” Thomaston mentioned.
Thomaston mentioned anybody apprehensive about in search of counseling ought to have a look at it like going to a medical supplier.
“One of many quantity issues my Black clientele love to inform me is ‘I can speak to Jesus’ and I inform them, ‘Please do, however you may speak to me as nicely,” Thomaston mentioned. “You continue to go see your physician about your diabetes, your blood strain, when you’re nonetheless speaking to Jesus, then see me in that very same vein — simply as that particular person you come to speak to about your psychological well being points.”
She mentioned everybody must be extra open in discussing their psychological well being.
“Everyone has psychological well being points now and again and there’s no disgrace in any of it,” Thomaston mentioned. “The primary factor is coming to get assist for these issues so to be higher and really feel higher.”
Locally, Thomaston has been working to be seen to these in search of counseling companies.
“Prior to now, I’ve talked to folks locally, labored with April Ross throughout Psychological Well being Consciousness Month and with my pastor who owns a funeral house, letting him know that I used to be there as a useful resource and letting folks know that as nicely,” Thomaston mentioned.
For extra data on SLT Counseling Providers go to, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/samantha-dukes-thomaston-lagrange-ga/856800.
