The Path to Peace!

Have you ever felt like you were once one person and then wound up living a completely different life? If you get to know me, you will hear me reference my "past life". This was a life I lived where I felt I was a completely different person. However, I still feel tied to that person and the aspirations I had at that time, while being happy with the career path I am on. When I was a teenager, people would often refer to me as a "hippy" because I had long hair, played the guitar, loved tie-dye, was completely okay with standing out in a crowd, and was all around a very free-spirited person who just went with the flow of things. As I got older, my hair was cut, I chose academics over guitar, and switched to a black and neutral color wardrobe to ensure I blended in and became somewhat formal. While my personality and aspirations changed, I did not lose my free-spirited, go with the flow, non-judgmental mindset. At this time, I should probably say my name is LaShell Haynes, owner of PeacePath Counseling. I am an LPC-Associate supervised by Kimberly Harkey, LPC-S, in the state of Texas.

In 2016, I received a Bachelor's in Psychology and was completely at a loss about what to do with it. I knew I did not want to do counseling. Who would want to talk to people all day about their problems? I wanted to do research, but that would have required me to go back to college. I was not at a place in life to do that. This led me to remain at my previous job for a year or so after I graduated until someone told me about a position that was available for people with Bachelor's degrees. This job was working as a case manager who taught coping skills to people with severe mental illness. The catch was I would have to go to their homes. I had concerns about going into people's homes whom I did not know, but I decided to apply. I will say that this was probably one of the best choices I have made in life. To my complete surprise, I LOVE talking to people all day about their concerns, not problems. I love to hear about their viewpoint and just get to know the human that is in front of me and especially while in their own home! I continued working as a case manager with people who were diagnosed with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorders, and schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorders for roughly 2.5 years. 

During the start of COVID-19, I transitioned to supervising case managers and continuing to work with the same population for roughly 4 years. During this time, I completed my Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and obtained my LPC-Associate license. For those that do not know, LPC-Associates in Texas are counselors that are supervised by an LPC-Supervisor for 3,000 clinical hours. This was a huge step in the right direction for me to get to where I am today. I completed three internships while I was completing my degree, one at a Women's Center co-facilitating groups, one at a mental health emergency treatment center, and another at a non-profit for victims of homicidal violence. (All of this while working full-time and being enrolled as a full-time graduate student. 10/10 do not recommend.) If you had asked me in 2016 if I would have done any of these internships, I probably would have said no. Which I did. I was upset that I had to complete the internship at the emergency treatment center. I felt it would be too intensive for me, but it was basically my only option to get my hours. In retrospect, I am incredibly thankful for being able to complete my internship at that site and with the clinical supervisor I had. Without her, I would have 1. crashed and burned, and 2. not be the clinician I am today. She was and still is calming when I need it, stern when I am stubborn, and exceptionally wise. While interning there, I found that I not only enjoy working with people in crisis but found that it is my passion in life. I cannot explain how much it means to me to have the honor of having a conversation with someone who wants to end their life and be able to come up with a plan to keep them safe. For some, this gets overwhelming a leads them to burn out. For me, this is what fills my cup when it has run dry.

After a while, I found that supervising was a huge barrier to my getting my clinical hours to obtain full licensure. This led me to move to working back in the community, but this time working with children and teens who were involved with the DFPS system and who had recently had a crisis. This was the best of both worlds for me. I was back in people's homes again, carrying a caseload, AND working with people in crisis. What could go wrong? I had planned to knock out my hours quickly and be able to get my full license. This was going great, I got twice the amount of hours in less than half the time, but then my body decided that I didn't have the energy to keep it up. I was driving 2+ hours a day, running and playing with the kiddos, doing therapy, and inputting notes. I decided I was not the best therapist I could be for the kiddos who truly needed the best therapists they could get. This choice led me to create PeacePath.

While making the choice to leave, I decided my body could allow me to still be the best therapist I could possibly be, but only if I met with people virtually. I preach to my clients that we have to take care of ourselves, and this is a choice I had to make to do that for myself. I decided to establish a virtual private practice, but what was I going to name it? If you know me, you know that I am not creative with names. I have an axolotl, his name is Axy the Axolotl. I am the WORST with names. So I did what anyone does in the modern age, I ChatGPT'd what to name a therapy practice. I knew I wanted the word "Peace" in there because I wanted to pay homage to my younger self. My carefree self. My free-spirited self. The version of myself that had so many opportunities and life in her. I eventually settled on PeacePath. This is because in life, we have many paths we can walk. Why not choose the path that gives us peace? 

At PeacePath Counseling, I desire to help people in Texas find the path that leads them to peace. While I do have a flat fee, I offer sliding scale fees. I want people to feel comfortable having an open conversation with me about what is honestly affordable to them. I strongly believe that everyone deserves the right to get the care that they need, no matter their financial situation. If a client and I cannot come up with an affordable fee, I will refer them to free or lower-cost services. Mental health is important.

I specialize in working with suicide, psychosis, and grief. I also work with people who are experiencing depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and more. Additionally, I have experience working with people who are neurodivergent (I am also neurodivergent)! I specialize in using Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). 

If you are in Texas, looking for affordable therapy, and ready to get started on your PeacePath, you can give me a call at 936-228-9063 or book a free 15-minute phone consultation on my website www.peacepathcounseling.com. Whether I meet you in the virtual therapy room or not, I hope that you find your PeacePath. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 988.