Conversations with Olena Miller

Today we’d like to introduce you to Olena Miller.

Hi Olena, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

Be Free Counseling started somewhat unexpectedly. I was working for an agency that encouraged me to create my own LLC, and at first, it was simply a formality. I wasn’t seeing clients initially, but instead, I used that space to start a podcast where licensed therapists talked about all things mental health.

After a few years of working in different practices and agencies as a licensed therapist, I realized that I already knew what it takes to build and sustain a private practice. This realization made me decide to take a leap and start seeing clients under my own name. What began as an idea, then became Be Free Counseling… a place built on the belief that healing is possible for everyone.

My own journey has shaped this work deeply. Having experienced adversity in my own childhood, I was drawn to working with people and eventually found that my niche is in helping people heal after trauma. “Be Free” represents what I hope for each person who walks through the door: freedom from trauma, old patterns, and symptoms that come from surviving difficult experiences. My mission is to provide specialized trauma therapy in a space where clients feel safe, heard, and truly seen.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

Of course, the road to building Be Free Counseling hasn’t always been smooth. Like many small business owners, I’ve faced challenges along the way, from navigating insurance panels to learning the ins and outs of marketing and website management. There were moments when I doubted myself, or wondered if I was really ready to do this on my own.

Running a practice is more than just scheduling and paperwork, it’s balancing the heart of therapy with the realities of running a business. It’s learning that progress doesn’t always look perfect, and that it’s okay to build slowly, as long as you build with integrity and care.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and at Be Free Counseling, my focus is on helping adults heal from trauma and reclaim their sense of safety, peace, and empowerment. I specialize in trauma-focused therapy and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), offering a space where people can process what they’ve been through and move toward freedom from the past.

Professionally, I bring over a decade of experience in mental health and social services, along with advanced training in trauma. But what truly sets my work apart is not just the training. My personal experiences with adversity allow me to approach my clients with deep empathy and understanding. I don’t just see trauma from a clinical lens; I understand it from a human one too.

What I’m most proud of, isn’t a certification or a business milestone – it’s the small (and sometimes big!) moments in therapy when a client realizes they’re beginning to feel hope again. When they start to believe that being free from pain is possible. This is why I do what I do.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?

The mental health field is changing quickly. I believe the next 5 to 10 years will bring both exciting innovations and important conversations about how to use them.

One major shift I see is the growing role of artificial intelligence in therapy and clinical work. AI tools are beginning to help clinicians with tasks like documentation, progress notes, and even screening, which in many ways, can lighten the administrative load so we can focus more on clients. However, I also recognize a concern: for some individuals, AI-based tools might become their only option for mental health support due to financial concerns, location, etc. While this technology can be useful, I encourage people to remember that at the heart of counseling – is human connection, and genuine human understanding, empathy, and presence, play a big role in healing.

Another shift I see is the expansion of telehealth, which has already made therapy more accessible than ever before. People in rural or remote areas who once had few options for care can now connect with skilled therapists across the state or country. This growing accessibility is helping reduce stigma, bridge gaps, and ensure that more people can find the help they deserve .

As we move forward, I hope our field continues to balance innovation with authenticity and using new tools to support, not replace, the human connection at the heart of therapy.

Pricing:

• $220 per 55 minute appointment (insurance usually helps cover)
• $200 per 45 minute appointment (insurance usually helps cover)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.youcanbefree.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/be_free_counseling/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/be-free-counseling-llc
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/xrM14qUaMYzPse0GW4