Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeleine Grossmayer.
Hi Madeleine, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
“If I say I’m going to do it, then I am going to do it!” This has been a promise that I have made to myself and has been crucial to where I am today. I was in my first psychology class in college and I remember vividly sitting there listening to my professor when it hit me that this is what I wanted to do. She was a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and also had a Doctorate degree in Psychology. Maybe it was the way she taught the class or the passion she expressed in the way she went over case studies, but I knew this is what I wanted to do with my life. This is how I wanted to impact others. I knew that I needed more information, so I met with her during office hours and asked her question after question about her career. Needless to say, I was all in.
I graduated with a Bachelor in Psychology and a Masters in Social Work from Florida Atlantic University. Upon graduation, I went into agency work while I was going for my licensure. This was a time that I had found to be very valuable. It taught me the kind of therapist that I wanted to be and solidified my decision to go into this profession. I also realize that agency work was not for me and that providing therapy in a private practice setting was where I belonged. Upon getting my licensed, my supervisor, during my licensure, reached out to me asked me if I was ready to engage in the private practice world. While I was nervous, as I said before, “If I say I am going to do it, then I am going to do it,” I knew this was my opportunity, and I had to take it.
At the time, I was living in Lake Worth, Fl, and this practice was located in Plantation, Fl. I remember after my first session with my first client, I knew that this is what I had to do. I went home and talked to my husband, who is also an LCSW, and we came up with a plan to open a practice and do it closer to home. I would continue to work part-time at my current job, I would see clients in Plantation, and we would open up an office more North. After searching, we decided Wellington, FL would be our home and we found our first office. Oh, did I mention that while this was going on, I found out I was pregnant! All good things! So during my pregnancy, I would spend my time working in Boca, driving to either Plantation or Wellington to see clients, and finding time to market. In 2016, Grossmayer Wellness Center was officially open! I have spent the last five years living my life with purpose and passion. We have had to switch offices three times as our practice continues to grow. Currently, my husband is now full-time at the practice, we have amazing other therapists that we associate with, and we had our second son.
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?
If I sat here and told you that it was the easiest thing I’ve ever done and there were no bumps on the road, well, then I would be lying to you. But if you ask me if it was worth all the highs and lows to get to this point, well, then you see the big smile on my face as I tell you it was! In the beginning, while you start out with such good intentions, no one knows you have those good intentions until you can go out and let people know who you are.
So looking back and thinking about the long days driving between Boca, Plantation, and Wellington. Spending whatever free time and energy I had left to go to marketing events, reach out to local doctors and hospitals. All while being pregnant was not the easiest time of my life, there is no doubt that it wasn’t one of the best and worth it. The idea that I get to work the hours I want to make sure I don’t miss any moments with my two boys, that I get to share the practice with my husband, and we get to create the life we wanted, it doesn’t matter at the end of the road is smooth or not, it is ours and I love the journey.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We are a mental health counseling practice that has created a judge-free and safe environment where people can seek mental health counseling services. We focus on working with people who are struggling with anxiety, depression, kid/teen-related issues, couples counseling, and trauma work. We strive to meet the client where they are at, and if we are unable to help them or they need services from other disciplines, we have built relationships with different disciplines in the community.
The list includes, but is not limited to, psychiatrists, physicians, nurse practitioners, teachers, child advocates, dietitians, acupuncturists, chiropractor, and guardian ad litem. We are known for being a comprehensive practice where we bring on other disciplines if needed in order to enhance the treatment plans of our clients. We want our clients to know that we are ready to walk alongside them and will never give up. We will never leave a client without the appropriate service(s).
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5-10 years, I see the demand for those to become educated in the field of mental health counseling. In our practice, we are seeing an increase in those who have been dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, suicide/self-harm, sexual orientation issues. There is a need for educated professionals to help clients maneuver through their fears and worries in hopes of normalizing their situations.
Contact Info:
- Email: madeleine@grossmayerwellnesscenter.com
- Website: www.grossmayerwellnesscenter.com
- Facebook: @grossmayerwellness
- Twitter: @GWCCounseling
Image Credits
Anthony Naguiat and Jamie Sockol
