Today we’d like to introduce you to Deanna Foster.
Hi Deanna , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My hope in my early life was to be in the medical field. I wanted to study science and worked to get into a Physician Assistant program. Unfortunately, I did not do well in Organic Chemistry and decided to not pursue my original dream any longer. I graduated from The University of the Incarnate Word with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. With no direction on what to do with my life next, my husband thought I would do well as a therapist. He pushed me to apply for graduate school, and I got accepted to Liberty University. I graduated with a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling in 2014. A friend of ours recommended his place of work at a substance abuse treatment facility. There is where I worked as a therapist with clients struggling with addiction and complex trauma. I felt connected to the clients I worked with as I had witnessed addiction within my own family. I got involved in 12-steps and grew more in my personal life as well as a professional. I engaged in various trainings to work with complex trauma to better help those with co-occurring disorders. Later, I worked at Windmill Wellness Ranch in Canyon Lake, Texas where I grew further in my profession and was eventually promoted to Clinical Director. It was a fulfilling job to help the clients I worked with as well as help grow my team of clinicians and recovery coaches. Unfortunately, the job was demanding, and my focus was less and less on my husband and kids. I had to rethink my priorities in life. I was offered a job in an outpatient facility closer to my home in San Antonio which provided me with a more balanced life with my family. A former colleague from Windmill Wellness Ranch talked to me about starting a joint virtual private practice in 2022. We started Mending Self Counseling in 2023. With amazing guidance, a great team of professionals behind me, and a very supportive husband, the practice grew. I have found that I can provide the therapy people need, virtually, and provide my family with the attention they need as a wife and mother. The flexibility as a business owner of my own practice also allows me to take care of myself through my own individual therapy, exercise, engaging in my hobbies, and spending time with my husband and kids. Even with this achievement, I still challenge myself with different trainings to improve my clinical skills and learn every day from my clients.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been ups and downs to my career. Working and going to school was definitely a challenge to be able to manage my time appropriately. There would be many nights, I would stay up to finish my research papers and then go to work without sleep. I had my first child shortly after I graduated, so going to work at my first job as a therapist was difficult when I had to leave her in daycare. What they teach in school doesn’t prepare an individual enough for the actual clinical work. It took many years of experience to help me feel more comfortable in what I do. I have definitely failed many times; but those times were learning experiences to help me be a better therapist. The biggest struggle was when I was a Clinical Director, and on-call practically every day. I spent so many hours at work late and coming home to family who missed me. My husband and I were disconnected. Looking back, I almost lost my marriage. But God provided a new opportunity for me to have balance. I learned that despite all the career accomplishments, my husband and kids are the most important in my life. I am able to put them first, and God has provided what I need for the practice.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Mending Self Counseling?
Mending Self Counseling is a virtual private practice where it is convenient for clients to meet. I specialize in complex trauma, substance abuse, and chronic pain. I also work with those who struggle with anxiety and depression. I am a certified Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist, and I am trained Internal Family Systems (IFS). These modalities help with all sorts of issues such as trauma, depression, anxiety, chronic pain. The biggest thing to know about me is I am a follower of Christ and have found spirituality to be a major part in one’s healing journey. My personal experiences with mental health have given me the opportunity to truly understand struggles many of my clients deal with, and I am able to provide the compassion and support they need. I understand I may not be everyone’s therapist. But my ultimate goal is to help my clients heal and find fulfillment in their lives whether it is with me or someone else. I am not a therapist to enable my clients. That is not what they need. I am one to challenge them and be completely honest, so they do grow and experience change they need in their lives.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
My fellow colleague, Casey Arrillaga, has a podcast called Addiction and the Family which has great information around families that struggle with addiction. It isn’t just about the addict. Family and friends also experience powerlessness with addiction. I have listened to Healing Broken Trust by Brad and Morgan Robinson which is helpful for healing through infidelity. I also enjoy to other Christian-based podcasts and books that are very helpful to my personal and professional growth.
Pricing:
- My cash rate is $150.
- I take BCBS, UHC, Aetna and Medicare
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mendingselfcounseling.com/
