Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Hagy.
Hi Chelsea, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I knew I wanted to be a mental health counselor from my first day of undergrad. I have always been passionate about helping others, deep conversation, and meaningful moments. And the more I do this work, the more I love it. I have always looked at therapy as a sacred space. There is nothing quite like sitting with another human being in the midst of their pain and brokenness and finding connection, healing, and hope.
I started my career in community mental health providing many different services including mental health treatment, substance use treatment and working with mandated clients in the criminal justice system. This experience challenged me in so many ways, and I was able to grow in a work community that supported me and helped me become the therapist I am today. After four years in community mental health, I moved to private practice for another four years and started to find my niche in treating anxiety, trauma/PTSD, and pregnancy/postpartum. During this time in my career I also had two babies, who are now 5 and 7. Being a mother has inspired my specialization into pregnancy and postpartum support and I now work with many moms through all stages of motherhood.
In March of 2024 I started thinking about opening up my own counseling practice after my husband made a passing comment about it. At first I brushed it off because that was never in the plan for my career. When I was young I always assumed I would be a stay at home mom, not a business owner. But, after sitting with it, talking to other therapists who had opened their own private practices, praying about it, and doing a lot of research, a vision started to take shape. I took my time because I knew this was a decision I did not want to make lightly. I decided once I found a name that I love, I would be able to move forward. And after months of searching, I finally found the name Storywell Counseling.
This name means a lot to me for a few reasons. Stories are what my work is all about. They connect us to each other, bridge time, and move us forward. Learning how to own our stories and move through life with the good and the bad we carry is essential to healing. Water wells provide nourishment when you’re willing to go deep. I’m passionate about supporting clients toward that kind of deep work, helping them find healing in the midst of their pain. Together, these ideas capture what I hope to offer: a space to explore your story deeply and find healing in the process.
So, now that I finally had a name, I hit the ground running and opened up Storywell Counseling in March of 2025. Owning my own business has been rewarding in so many ways. Creating a business that aligns with my values and sharing that with the world has been a honor and privilege I didn’t know I desired until I experienced it. Now, in January 2026, I have officially added another therapist to Storywell Counseling, which marks the beginning of a new journey: building a team of Storywell therapists.
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?
As you might guess, there have been quite a few struggles along the way. And the best way for me to talk about the struggles is to talk about the lessons I have learned.
I have learned quite a few things through the process of becoming a business owner. The first is that if I waited to feel like a business owner, I would have never become one. I think most of us have expectations that we should feel good enough, prepared enough, and confident enough before moving into entrepreneurship. For me, that was not the case, and thankfully it doesn’t have to be because if I had to feel ready before jumping in, I would still be waiting. I remember sitting with my husband and admitting I didn’t know if I could take the next step in my business ownership journey, and he reminded me that it is normal to have doubts and that I can rely on the support of others who believe in me when I struggle to believe in myself. So for me, the first hurdle to cross when taking a risk like opening a business is believing in yourself. And I found when I chose to believe it, even when I didn’t feel it, eventually I grew into that belief and surprised myself with what I could accomplish.
The second thing I have learned is that in self-employment, the pull toward anxiety and fear is always there, and it is my choice whether to give in to it. Anxiety steals confidence, enjoyment, and peace, and one thing I have been very focused on since the beginning of Storywell Counseling is that I will not lead with fear and anxiety. This is at times a struggle, when the anxious thoughts start to come in like “will this new idea pay off” and “will I be able to fill my caseload?” When I notice those thoughts, I use strategies I teach my clients. I notice the thoughts and I don’t assign any value to them or engage in them. I let those thoughts be there and stay focused on my values of leading with confidence and peace in my work.
The last struggle I have reflected on is the struggle of balancing parenthood and work. In some ways, having my own business and setting my own schedule has allowed me to have a good balance. At the same time, with my own practice, I can always be doing more, so there is always a pull toward work when I am home. This is a work in progress and a struggle that I anticipate I will always have to manage because I value both my family and the work that I do.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Storywell Counseling is an outpatient mental health counseling practice offering individual and couples therapy for a variety of concerns using evidence-based treatment. From the beginning, I have been passionate about creating a practice grounded in evidence-based care within a safe, authentic, and welcoming space. We lead with connection, and our first priority is developing a relationship with clients that feels easy, warm, and empathetic. We also value education and empowerment, equipping clients to take the progress they make in session into their own lives. Inclusivity and non-judgment are at our core. We welcome all people to show up just as they are in whatever way feels true to them.
We have two therapists, each with their own unique approach and specialization:
Edward Leursman, LPCC, specializes in anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief/loss, relationship issues, men’s issues, and infertility/reproductive loss. He is also passionate about incorporating Christian spirituality for clients who are looking for this. Edward is warm, social, and compassionate, using a person-centered approach that focuses on clients’ unique preferences, needs, and goals. He has training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Faith-based Counseling, the Gottman Method for couples, and Person Centered Therapy.
I, Chelsea Hagy, LPCC, specialize in anxiety, depression, life transitions, trauma/PTSD, and postpartum/prenatal support. My main approaches are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, EMDR (a trauma processing therapy), Faith-based Counseling, and Intensive therapy. I am also passionate about incorporating Christianity into clinical counseling for clients who want to bring their faith into the process. Right now, my main focus is building my intensive therapy practice. I love helping clients do deep work that creates lasting change, and intensive therapy helps people do this more effectively and efficiently than typical weekly or biweekly therapy. EMDR intensives involve 3-hour sessions scheduled over a few consecutive days, allowing clients to make significant progress in a condensed timeframe. I also offer Formational Prayer/EMDR intensives, which combine clinical treatment with prayer for clients who want to incorporate God into their healing work.
What’s next?
The biggest change for 2026 is the addition of Edward Leursman, LPCC, to the Storywell team. I don’t just want to create a counseling practice that is authentic, healing, and supportive for clients. I also want to create a practice that is healthy, grounded, and peaceful for the therapists who work here. Counseling is such rewarding work, but it can also be challenging at times and it is essential for therapists to take care of their own mental health and wellbeing. My future plans include adding more therapists to the practice and continuing to build a healthy workplace that supports therapists so they can show up everyday for their clients without sacrificing their own needs and mental health.
Pricing:
- We are in network with some insurance companies
- INTAKE COUNSELING SESSION: $180.00
- THERAPY SESSION: $160.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.storywellcounseling.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storywellcounseling?igsh=eWwybWdsYmV4cGtq&utm_source=qr
