Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Foster.
Hi Melissa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
While working on my master’s degree from The Ohio State University, I worked as a social worker doing crisis evaluations at a local hospital. After graduating in May of 2014 I secured a job working in a school, which I felt was a good fit for me, and was excited to start helping. Over the years I’ve held several positions and worked in a variety of places including hospitals, schools, and in the community/people’s homes.
Each move allowed me to gain more knowledge of the field of social work and of the people I enjoyed working with the most. I gained knowledge and growth, not just professionally, but also personally. I decided to go out on my own and start my practice in early 2019. This was a difficult decision and many factors went into finally deciding to make the jump. I had been feeling burned out and felt stuck in a “generalist role.” I wanted to narrow down and work with a more specific population.
Like many individuals in community mental health, I struggled with the institutional pressure of quantity over quality, and it was taking its toll on me. All the while, my wife and I had been trying to start a family and it just wasn’t happening. There were many doctors’ appointments, procedures, struggles, and my job at the time wasn’t allowing me the flexibility I had been looking for but also was fairly stressful.
A week after I put in my notice we found out I was pregnant. While, on a professional level, I was excited for a new chapter and new growth, I had also left the safety of a paid maternity leave and support from coworkers behind. I was excited and also a little nervous, but I was in it to win it and continued full steam ahead.
I’ve since had two maternity leaves, adjusted to going full telehealth in a pandemic, made the decision to go back in person part-time when it felt safe, niched down even more, and moved away from taking insurance. Through all of it, I’ve had wonderful friends and family members to lean on and provide much-needed pep talks.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The biggest struggle that I have encountered is the change in mentality from working for others to being an entrepreneur and boss myself. They don’t teach you the business stuff in school, at least not in the program that I was in. Things you don’t have to think about when you work for an organization: paying taxes quarterly, marketing yourself, finding good liability insurance, and figuring out how much money you need for your overhead.
This is where I am grateful for my wife. She helped me run numbers, figure out how to pay myself and my bills, and constantly hounded me to keep up with my books. It hasn’t been easy but I am doing it and continue to surprise myself with every turn.
As you know, we’re big fans of Melissa Foter LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am a mental health therapist specializing in helping the helpers and the LGBTQ+ community. Although I have experience working with all ages, I gravitate to supporting those 14 and older. I can provide telehealth therapy sessions to anyone in Ohio and person to those local to the Columbus area. I am not your mom’s therapist. My office isn’t a stuffy place. We show up how we are, cuss a little (or a lot), and do the work.
I truly believe that all people deserve a safe and supportive environment and I strive for that to come through in each of my sessions. I am a supervisor of other social workers and am certified in EMDR. I am currently working towards being an EMDR consultant. This allows me to help other providers learn and hone their skills.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Find your people. Those who helped me the most, and continue to help me, are my inner circle. My friends, who went into private practice before me leaping, walked me through the steps and got me started. They continue to be the people I turn to when I run into a roadblock. Find people that hold the same values as you, laugh at the same things as you, and will answer your late-night anxiety-filled texts.
Pricing:
- 60 min session/$150
Contact Info:
- Website: www.melissafosterllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissafosterllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissafosterllc
Image Credits
Kent Smith Photography and Lauren Foster
