Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanna Dixon.
Hi Joanna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I began my private practice in 2011 with my mentor, and came to find just how isolating being a therapist can be, as we often don’t get to cross paths with our colleagues much unless we are at training or coordinate time.
I then began to envision a group practice with like-minded counselors where we could connect, train, collaborate and refer to one another based on our strengths and giftings. We now are opening our second location and have anywhere from 15-20 counselors, counselors in training, and interns. Our site is a teaching site for students and developing counselors, and counselors in training. Seeing counselors grow, develop and launch is about the coolest thing I have ever experienced.
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?
Smooth road? Not a chance. Isn’t that the fun of it?
I will say, I feel very blessed to be on the other side of some quite painful struggles that have helped me to grow and develop as a counselor, a supervisor, and a businesswoman. I’ve learned the painful importance of having systems and protocols in place to help the business run effectively.
Additionally, we have learned the value and importance of carefully prescreening with my leadership team all counselors and interns that want to be a part of our family so we can protect the precious ecosystem we have worked so hard to develop.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the founder and CEO of Matters of the Heart and while I began as a counselor, I also began supervising new counselors and graduate interns in 2016, and have found over the years that the growth of my business has brought out the inner businesswoman in me.
As a counselor, I began working with couples, women, and adolescents. As I grew in my career, I realized that often when working with couples that if I needed to separate the couple for individual work, the male would often get lost in the shuffle. When it comes to counseling and vulnerability, the process of men joining and trusting the counselor is crucial and it is very difficult to transition them elsewhere. As a sister of brothers and often connecting to more of the masculine roles as a businesswoman, I find that working with men and high-intensity couples is my sweet spot as a therapist. Helping to bridge the gap of what men want to express and how to communicate that more effectively with their partners is really a skill set I have.
Something I am pretty well known for is having fun in the counseling office! We laugh and approach life’s wounding places in the understanding that if we can’t laugh about some things we may not survive it! Additionally, we have been known for having a facility that is beautiful and cozy! I hate walking into a therapy office that feels sterile and cold. Both of which you will never feel walking into a Matters of the Heart location.
We have 2/100+ year old craftsman homes that are carefully curated houses that are turned into counseling centers that invite you in to bring your laptop to work and grab some coffee and a snack to hang out before or after your counseling session. Let’s just add that there’s a solid chance Bob Ross will be teaching you how to paint some “happy little trees” whilst you wait for your counseling session.
Pricing:
- Business/Development Consulting: $300/hr
- Counseling from $50-$175/hr
- Marriage Intensive: $1000 for 4 hrs.
Contact Info:
- Email: mattersoftheheartTN@gmail.com
- Website: www.mattersoftheheartcounseling.org
Image Credits
Lindsey Johnson Photography
