Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Stolhman.
Hi Morgan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
So, I am the middle child, and with two brothers. I’ve always been an athlete and eventually earned a softball scholarship to Wheeling Jesuit University. While at Wheeling I majored in English and Creative writing, thinking I wanted to be an English teacher or an author. While pursuing my bachelor’s degree, I became involved in student government, the theater program, and began to lead spirituality retreats and social justice immersion trips. I began to spend more time involved in advocacy work, which is a pillar of a Jesuit education, and found some mentors who encouraged me to consider pursuing advocacy and social justice work. As graduation came nearer, my passions shifted from teaching and English toward social justice and wellness equity work. I earned a graduate assistantship at Heidelberg University, During the summer between graduating with my bachelor’s and beginning my Masters, I attended my second year of PALS programs, which was at the time called Camp Pals. This is a week-long camp for individuals with Down syndrome and their peers to hang out, build relationships, and aspire to create a world of inclusivity and equity. While at this camp, I began to learn more about my friends with Down syndrome and their families lives outside of camp. They were doing incredible things, but something kept coming up that got me thinking. My friends struggled with emotions, at times, and struggled to find professionals who were experienced or prepared to work for them. While I was at Heidelberg, pursuing my masters, I worked as the Wellness and Special Programs Graduate Assistant, as I pursued my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Upon graduation, I had experience working with college students and athletes, and community mental health agencies, and I kept attending PALS. Every year, I became more and more aware of the disparities in mental health care and education for my friends with Down syndrome and their families and I could not stop thinking about it, during my coursework. In my last year of my masters. During my final year in my Masters, I spent a lot of time with my mentors and advisors, finding ways to advocate, learn and share knowledge about mental health and counseling for folks with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities. After graduation I held positions at two different community mental health agencies, where I had amazing mentors and leaders to learn from, but only a small portion of the work I was doing was impacting the communities I felt most drawn to serve. After taking a break from my previous position, to focus on school responsibilities and manage some personal battles, I decided to go for it. I gathered some of my closest mentors, talked to my fiancé and my support system and made the decision and the investment to go forward with CURA counseling & consulting LLC. CURA comes from a Jesuit phrase “Cura Personalis”, which is translated as “Caring for the whole person”, and it felt right,
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?
Definitely not. There were times that I doubted myself, and my ability for sure. I also have to manage this new company with pursuing my PhD, which I am two into now! On top of that, the financial burden of starting an LLC and purchasing all of the programs and set-up that you need to be successful was a major hurdle and forced me to take several other smaller, part time jobs including working as a bartender and a hitting coach for softball players, but it’s all been worth it. There were also moments, when folks who I know still have my best interest at heart, questioned not only my decision to start this company, but my ability to manage it, and maintain it. Those were some of the larger moments, that fuel some negative thoughts and self-doubt that I still work through and seek mentorship and colleague consultation for. I am grateful though for all of the support and good wishes from my family, friends and mentors, whom are in and out of mental health.
We’ve been impressed with CURA counseling & consulting LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
CURA counseling & consulting LLC provides creative treatment options and flexible planning for clients seeking holistic mental health counseling and support. CURA counseling & consulting LLC currently specializes in working with individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and their families, as well as current or retired athletes. CURA counseling & consulting LLC offers, online, group and walk-n-talk therapy. Walk-n- talk therapy is an active form of talk therapy that typically takes place outdoors, while the counselor and client walk side by side and use nature as a metaphor and active intervention in treatment. As a PhD student I focus much of my research on the mental of individuals with Down syndrome, leadership and eco-therapy. I am a licensed professional counselor, Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, and friend to many folks with intellectual/developmental disorders.
What sets me apart is my specialization and focus on working to provide equitable and high-quality mental health care for individuals with Down syndrome. There are very few if any certifications and credentials that exist to serve this population, and this may be because of bias perceptions of abilities, confusion of the counselors, and lack of research. Regardless, I’ve made it my personal and professional mission to do research to better inform mental health counselors and improve care received by individuals with Down syndrome and their families. That fight for equity and high-quality care is what I am most proud of. Providing ‘developmentally appropriate care” is my heart and passion.
Although I specialize in working with folks with Down syndrome and Intellectual/Developmental disabilities, I do enjoy working for with the family members of folks with disabilities, retired athletes, and clients with a variety of mental health concerns or personal goals. I take pride in my strength-based, and wellness-focused approach and I want folks to know that mental health IS HEALTH, even if you do not think you can afford the current fees, I and plenty of my colleagues, are open to negotiating more equitable means. Everyone deserves high-quality care, so let’s figure out how to make that happen. If Elon Musk can go to space, we can figure increase access.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Boldness and Grit, are the two characteristics, I am most grateful for during this journey. Neither came easy or naturally but I ‘ve been absolutely privileged to have high-quality and motivated mentors who saw the potential for these traits and helped my foster them. Without the boldness, I may never have taken the leap and focused my time and energy on providing the type and quality of care, I am now. Grit is the engine that me move forward, even when I may doubt myself, and ignites my creativity and unlocks solutions that have allowed me to overcome hardships and obstacles. In addition, I think my sense of humor has allowed me to dream big, but also remind myself what is most realistic, and be able to find joy in the mess that is entrepreneurship.
Pricing:
- Individual Counseling Session – $85
- Couples Counseling Session – $ 100
- Sliding Scale Available
- Superbills offered for insurance reimbursement
Contact Info:
- Website: curacounseling.org
- Instagram: curacounselingconsulting
