Oh man. These past few months have been a whirlwind, and I finally feel ready to share and reflect.
I’m excited to officially share that I have transitioned into private practice full-time! Wanderlust Therapy is accepting new clients and now accepts BCBS, Cigna, Aetna, and several EAP agencies.
Please use your benefits. So many people overlook their company’s EAP resources and miss out on opportunities for accessible counseling support.
The new location is fully up and running, and I’m sharing photos at the end of the post because I truly hope you feel the warmth, comfort, and intention behind every detail of the space.
Now for the deeper part. I want to share the real behind-the-scenes of the transition I’m currently navigating.
I have always believed in practicing what I preach, which means allowing myself to be seen in the truth of my experiences, not just the beautiful parts.
Leaving my stable 9–5 and stepping fully into private practice stirred up more fear and anxiety than I expected. Sitting in the uncertainty brought up old belief systems and childhood patterns I didn’t even realize were still influencing me.
The craving for stability. The fear of losing what I’ve built over the past three decades. The need for reassurance that I wasn’t about to risk everything I had worked so hard for. All of it felt heavy.
Especially in the final days before I left.
The night before my last day, I woke up at 3 a.m. in a full panic. I actually said out loud, “Am I really giving up my $job right now?”
Then the spiral began:
“For what? The unknown? The possibility that I might make the same… or maybe more? But what if I don't? What if I don't make the money, I don't have enough clients? What if I lose the ability to travel as often as I do?”
I am not being dramatic. I was in an actual panic attack.
The only thing that grounded me was the motto I’ve been living by this season: “Do it scared.”
I had said it for months. That night, in the middle of the panic, I repeated it again.
“Yes, I am doing this… and I am doing it scared.” Repeatedly said this statement.
And it calmed me.
My last day at work surprised me with how emotional it felt. It was strange and sad to leave something I built almost entirely on my own. I carried a lot, without help, and that is exactly why I burned out. It was sad to be cleaning out my office and knowing this is last time I will be sitting in that space. It was sad having to say good-bye. Even though it was a decision I was excited and proud to be making, the good bye was still difficult. I cried much more than I expected myself to.
It was also difficult to face the realization that I had been functioning in a space where my presence and contributions no longer felt recognized. The silence around my transition was telling in its own way, revealing a misalignment I could no longer ignore. That moment of clarity reminded me that choosing a path that honors my worth was the right step forward.
Looking back, I regret not prioritizing myself, implementing boundaries pro-actively and advocating for myself . If any of these thoughts or feeling resonate with you.. reflect on them, journal about them, talk to your therapist, talk to a friend. Get perspective. Then act.
Old Patterns, New Awareness
A huge trigger for me was the fear of not knowing what life would look like without the grind. I had been conditioned to hustle. Every gap in my schedule was always filled.
So without even realizing it, I tried to recreate that same sense of “safety.”
One week after quitting due to burnout, I had already packed my schedule again. Six-day work weeks. Saying yes to things that drained me. Letting people dictate my time. Ignoring my boundaries.
The same stress. A new environment.
The difference this time is that I caught it. I corrected myself. I set boundaries, removed stressors, and reminded myself that I am safe and allowed to operate at a healthier pace.
Last week was my first full week in private practice, and it felt like a breath of fresh air. It was relaxing, invigorating, and productive. I had a full caseload and hit most of my professional goals.
Sure, I struggled with jet lag, daylight savings, and adjusting to a new routine. I didn’t manage my morning routine well.
Yet I still met my work expectations and had half the day to get my nails done and have lunch with a friend. I have never experienced that kind of flexibility in my day. It was aways grind and hustle. Living in alignment is such a gift!
There is so much more I want to build, expand, and create. It will come with time. I’m excited for the future and grateful to bring you along for the journey.
My hope is that by sharing my experiences, someone else feels seen, inspired, or reminded that they are not alone. I hope vulnerability becomes more natural and welcomed, and I’m choosing to lead with mine.
One last note! A piece of advice a peer gave me during this transition was to put my primary focus on the tasks that truly move the needle. That guidance helped reduce my overwhelm and allowed me to give my full effort to the most meaningful parts of the transition. This is why the blog was paused for a bit. Shifting my energy toward priority tasks created space, clarity, and momentum. Now I’m back to sharing and posting, and I hope you’ll continue the journey with me. Use this same advice when you are juggling multiple responsibilities during a transition. Identify what actually moves the needle, and give your energy there.
Here are some photos of my new office space!