Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Deneen.
Hi Laura, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi! My name is Laura Deneen. I am a licensed professional counselor in the State of Tennessee. I moved up to Nashville in August of 2012 after graduating from Clemson University. I was a Biology major in college, but decided my senior year of college I wasn’t sure that I wanted to go into medicine. I knew I wanted to help people or work with people in some way, but wasn’t sure the capacity. So, I ended up moving to Nashville and started waiting tables and pursued the singer/songwriter life. I also started my own therapy for eating disorder treatment at that time.
After a few years in therapy, I remember telling my therapist I wanted to do what she did. I had an amazing therapist who was intentional, thoughtful, and gave me hope for full recovery even when I couldn’t access that hope for myself. So, I went back to school online and then completed my internship at The Refuge Center for Counseling. I learned so much and will always be grateful for my time there. I felt in my heart that I wanted to learn more about the speciality of working with eating disorders, so then got a job at The Renfrew Center. In 2016, I started my own practice, Laura Deneen Counseling. My first day of practice, I actually didn’t have any clients but my then boyfriend, now husband Sean, took me to dinner to celebrate. In 2019, I hired my first associate therapist to join me. In 2020, I changed the name of the company to Anchored Counseling Company. We have grown to a team of 12 therapists and our amazing Penny, our Director of Operations, over the years. I am the first to say how this process of moving from therapist to employer has grown me and shaped me in ways that I couldn’t have imagined. I believe in our team and their ability to provide exceptional, thoughtful, and evidence-based care to clients. I am so proud of them and the work we do.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband Sean (who helps me with the financial side of the business), our three year old daughter, Marianne and our friends and family. We love going to parks, playing with our dog Louie, trying new restaurants, and traveling.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In ways, it has and in ways it hasn’t. Anchored Counseling Co. grew significantly during Covid, both in client inquiries and in staff. I was 29 when I hired my first employee and had a lot to learn about running a business, being a leader, and wearing both my therapist hat and employer hat well. I have made mistakes, pivoted, learned, and been stretched as a small business owner. I am open about this, because I think the expectations I put on myself to “know it all” or “have everything together” were too high in the beginning. There is a big difference between understanding what healthy communication and boundaries are as a therapist versus as the leader and boss. I also needed to learn the benefits of delegating, asking for more help, and having systems, policies, and workflows in place. I had very few of those in the beginning of my time as an employer and have implemented many of them over the years that have supported me and the business in a way that will hopefully lead to longevity.
The unexpected blessings of how Anchored has grown over the years still lead me to experience so much gratitude. I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams the continued client inquiries or the amazing staff and people that work here and want to work here.
I have stayed in my own therapy over the years to build insight, learn, and continue growing. I also have mentors who have shaped me and whom I have leaned on during tough times.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Anchored Counseling Company?
Anchored Counseling Company is located in Brentwood, TN and provide in-person and virtual counseling sessions to clients across the state of Tennessee. We specialize in eating disorders, body image concerns, anxiety, OCD, and trauma recovery/PTSD. Many of our clients also come to us for concerns such as relational distress, a desire to work through childhood trauma, or a safe place to discuss boundary setting, improve communication skills or to discover and lean into their sense of self-worth. We see as young as 4, all the way up through the lifespan through individual, group, and family therapy services. There are so many amazing therapists and practices in Nashville; and many of my team members have worked in several settings (residential, inpatient, etc) prior to joining the team and are truly gifted at what they do. They are passionate about meeting clients where they are, with non-judgment, care, attunement, and thoughtfulness.
I am really proud of the therapeutic quality we provide at Anchored Counseling Company. We train our team to be relational first and foremost, meaning that they show up with their authentic selves. Further, we provide ongoing and consistent supervision to each staff member to ensure that clients are receiving the highest quality of care and that we are using evidence-based treatments. We hope that each person who we serve experiences a reduction in symptoms and is able to build the life they imagine for themselves; one that is fulfilling, meaningful, and in line with their value system. We are thorough, intentional, and provide care coordination with outside providers, such as a client’s dietitian or psychiatrist.
Below are our values as a company:
Excellence:
From the moment you connect with us, we prioritize excellence and professionalism through every moment of your therapeutic journey. We will collaborate with your treatment team members. This usually entails a physician, nurse practitioner, psychiatrist, or dietitian to provide you with collaborate care.
Relationships:
You are not just a number on our caseload. We work to create a warm and welcoming space with YOU in mind. We hope in each interaction we have with you, you feel heard, seen, valued, and cared for. We are not blank slates. We are human first and foremost and desire for our clients to experience us this way. We cherish you not only as a client, but also as a person.
Trauma-Informed Care:
We understand humans are unique and complex, so we deeply value building trust and collaboration with our clients. We are sensitive to your background and experiences and the role they play in shaping and molding you. We believe you are the author of your life and support you in making the decisions best for you. Our collaborative approach centers around your values, empowering you to cultivate connection with yourself and others.
Evidence-Based Care:
Our team stays current on best practices for your presenting concerns by engaging in ongoing training, consultation, and supervision. We use therapies that are well-researched for providing best outcomes for you.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
In terms of finding a mentor, my first recommendation is word-of-mouth or knowing someone through first-hand experiences with them. My mentors over the years have become people who I look up to, admire, who are honest, intentional, and who have the lived experiences, like running a business, and can support me with the wisdom they have learned.
In terms of networking, I have always been a relationship-first kind of person. I really love getting to know our community providers (other therapists, doctors, psychiatrists, dietitians) who we collaborate with and building a relationship first with those people. I have tried all sorts of different networking strategies and give myself permission to learn, pivot, grow, and adapt. I have also learned there is not “one right way” to put word out about your business. In my opinion, it rests more on consistency and showing up for myself, my team, and my clients, along with honoring my commitments and treating others with dignity, respect, and care.
Pricing:
- Our rates range from $90/session to $250/session.
- Depending on a multitude of factors, we have therapists who charge $175, $185, $205, and $225/session.
- We do not take insurance, so try to be mindful about providing a wide range of rates.
- We are happy to support clients in giving them a superbill (essentially a receipt for session that they can submit to their insurance company for possible reimbursement).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.anchoredcounselingco.com
- Instagram: @anchoredcounselingco
