Blanca Sanchez-Navarro, LPC-S, LCDC.
1. What's your practice focus and what kind of clients knock on your door ?
I currently see adults of all ages and backgrounds. I see a great many emerging adults and young professionals, working with them to develop the skills they need to realize their potential for the life they seek. I have a specialization in substance use disorders (addiction) and enjoy helping people find their way to recovery.
2. Tell us about yourself.
I started my career as a young professional working at psychiatric hospitals and then joined the staff at Texas State University Counseling Center, where I worked for almost three decades. I am consistently impressed with human resilience and am motivated by the progress and significant change my clients experience.
3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.
Too many people have suffered trauma and struggle with burdens of mental illness. I am humbled to be a part of so many clients efforts to break the chains of harmful or destructive cycles and become happy, confident and successful, by their definition.
4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?
No matter how long one has been a practitioner, consultation is an important part of maintaining best practices with clients. This is harder to do if you are in a solo practice than if you have a group practice.
5. What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today?\
The top 3 tips I'd give.
- This is a business, so be sure you know what that entails. I wouldn't be able to do it without the practice management software I use.
- No matter how good you are, you need to keep learning and be open to new research and information.
- NETWORK. Meet with other practitioners who specialize in something you don't and vice versa; join associations; ALWAYS carry business cards you never know who might be looking for a therapist