Can you create a wellness center that helps the entire family? You sure can!

In this episode, I talk with Kris La Fave Smith, the owner of Village Wellness Center in Orange County, California. Kris is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has built a group practice with a team of seven clinicians, each specializing in different areas of mental health and wellness.

Kris first discovered her passion for therapy at the young age of 15, but it took her about 15 years to finally pursue her master's degree and become a licensed clinician. She started her career working in trauma and maternal mental health, before expanding her practice to serve the whole family. During the pandemic, Kris hired her first associate and learned valuable lessons about creating a collaborative, supportive team culture.

During our conversation, Kris discusses how Village Wellness Center has evolved to offer a wide range of services, from EMDR therapy for trauma to faith-based counseling. Her goal is to provide comprehensive, wraparound care for clients, with clinicians who specialize in different areas. While Kris still sees clients herself, she has found a better work-life balance by running her own practice versus working in a clinic setting.

"This wasn't about me, it was about this more internal drive or need for me to help somebody else in a position that I was once in and know the struggle of. And bringing on somebody as less of an employee, but more as a partner."

This episode is a must-listen for therapists who dream of building their own wellness center. Kris shares inspiring insights with me on creating a thriving team, adapting to growth, and putting family first as a business owner. Listeners will walk away feeling motivated to take the leap and pursue their own vision of an integrated, holistic practice.

To learn more about Kris La Fave Smith and Village Wellness Center, visit their website at myvillagewc.com. Kris is also offering a 10% discount on out-of-pocket fees for new clients, to make therapy more accessible. Connect with Kris at [email protected].

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Wellness Center Creators podcast. Stay tuned for more awesome conversations with wellness industry experts and entrepreneurs. Until next time!

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