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Samantha Mahon, LCMHC & Certified Life CoachI had a vision long, long ago. A vision that included being a badass. Being a badass, for me, means being authentic, unapologetic (unless you ran over the neighbor's cat?)
A lot of people ask me about my story and what led me to do what I do now. I have always been a multi-tasker (ADHD at its best works great for me!) and have always been passionate about helping other people which is why I decided to be a professional counselor (being a backup dancer for Usher was my first passion but that didn’t work out so well for me). I can still remember my parents commenting on the “invisible” sign above my head that said “if you have a problem, ask me”. That sign remains fluorescent pink most days, LOL. So, to make a very long story super short. I moved from Puerto Rico to Apex, NC in 2013 (I think) when I found out that I could not start a private practice in PR without going back to school for 5 more years to get a Ph.D in psychology. I had just finished my Master’s of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University (quick plug for their awesome counseling program) and was not interested in going back for some more schooling. I had just finished a rigorous and very intense program while working in a special investigative unit (sounds fancy right?) at the Department of Family Services in Puerto Rico. Basically, I went into the roughest areas of PR and managed to get kids and myself out without much violence…..I worked rotating shifts and rotating weekends all while going to school full-time and doing my field practicums. Oh, and I also raised two boys while doing all of that that so I am now convinced that I am the self-proclaimed Queen of Multi-tasking and one Badass woman! When I moved to Apex, NC it was sight unseen (I literally googled around and found places to live and work). I got a job doing in-home counseling for an agency that worked primarily with low income clients. I learned to use my environment to my advantage but.....we won’t go there. Those of you who have done in-home counseling can relate. It was when I saw the owner of the practice making a shit-ton of money off of the work that I do without regard to what was clinically best practice or having a clue what therapy was like that I thought “Hey, Sam you could totally do this!” and so was born my baby, Peak Professional Group, PLLC. I flew the plane while building it and did not have much support except from my trusty friends who were all therapists so I got free therapy for a minute, LOL> just kidding. I learned everything NOT to do while building my practice which is currently a medium size group practice with 14 clinicians and two office locations plus a school-based counseling program as well. We have been hustling for four years now. I take on clinicians who want to work with my practice because they eventually want to start their own practice so they get to learn all of the ropes with me and then go out and do their thing in their own practices. Super exciting. Anyway, more recently I decided that I would expand this ‘service’ and I have since branched out and started Peak Practice Solutions, LLC. Peak Practice Solutions is a practice management company that will do everything from private practice consultation (start up and build out of practices), practice management (virtual assistants, billing, credentialing and last but not least- clinical supervision. My vision is clear and abundant- help others learn how to be badass practice owners or whatever their version of badass is. I live and breathe the concept of being a badass. I stand tall in the arena, problem-solve the hell outta everything (except in session then my clients have to do the work) and multi-task most breathing moments of my day (the complete opposite of being mindful, I know but that is just how I operate). I have learned to embrace and be intentional within the scope of my multi-tasking, LOL (spoken like a true therapist, right?) |
