What’s your business, and who are your customers?

I’m a registered counselling therapist (also known as a psychotherapist or clinical therapist) working at my own private practice. I offer counselling services to people of all ages, although the majority of my clients are adolescence and young adults.

My background and the majority of my training are rooted in trauma-informed care. The majority of my clientele are survivors of trauma and abuse. I work with a lot of young people, and many challenges that I support them with are suicidal ideation, anger management, self-esteem issues, and overall stressors, such as the pandemic.

Tell us about yourself

As someone who is naturally warm and empathetic, I always felt that it would be very rewarding to work in a field that would allow me to help others. I did years of volunteer work at charities such as Ronald McDonald House and Best Buddies prior to my career in therapy. During my high school years, one of my peers passed away suddenly. I remember feeling very alone at this time. I found it challenging to articulate how I was feeling, and I felt afraid to ask for help. This experience inspired me to become a support and an advocate for others struggling. I believe I can relate to other young people for this reason. In 2017, I decided to pursue a Master’s degree in counselling therapy.

What’s your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I feel very proud and grateful to have experienced the amount of growth that I have since opening my business. Taylor Brydges Counselling Therapy has been around less than one year, and it continues to experience growth. I was initially afraid to take the risk of going solo, although it has paid off.

What’s one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The lack of consistency! Each week differs from the last, and you never know what to expect. The lack of consistency can make it challenging to find balance, and not to mention; there is always something that you could be doing!

What are the top tips you’d give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. Network: Networking has been so helpful to me as a new business owner. In this industry, it is important to connect with other therapists, social workers, and other healthcare providers. This will help with the referral process.
2. set boundaries: I have found it helpful to set up limits for myself (i.e., start/end time, how many clients I will see per day, designated breaks, etc.). This helps me establish a routine and keeps me feeling re-charged so that I can best support my clients.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for support: It is important to ask for support when needed (i.e., outsourcing marketing or administrative tasks)
   it can help you maintain a better balance. It is also important to work alongside an experienced supervisor or mentor to ensure that clients are receiving the best care possible.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

My goal is to continue to expand my private practice and work alongside other therapists and clinicians. I hope that this will increase access to services, eliminate wait times, and allow me to offer a diverse range of services to clients.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://brydgestherapy.com/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3orceDl
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3PP3in6