Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Bohlender.
Hi Heather, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
In response to the question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I’ve had a lot of answers.
From “firefighter.”
To “preschool teacher.”
To “first female player in the NFL.”
I ended up graduating from college as an English teacher.
However, in 2014, I was working as an English teacher in South Korea and I remember thinking to myself: This is good, great even. But I don’t think I want to do this for the rest of my life. So I started wondering if there was anything I could do for the rest of my life that would feel mostly satisfying and earn me a living.
Quickly, I thought of all of the wonderful therapists I had personally seen throughout the years.
The rich conversations.
The deep insights.
Their unique ability—distinct from my parents or friends—to help me find clarity in my life.
And I realized that—likely—no other job would be more fulfilling than being a therapist.
And I was right.
I went to graduate school for social work at the University of Denver in 2016, earned my master’s degree (MSW) in 2018, became licensed (LCSW) in 2020, and worked for 6 years in Denver at Colorado’s largest community mental health center, called WellPower.
In that position, working with such a wide swath of humanity, I learned more about the human condition.
How we hurt.
What we long for.
How we heal.
My teachers/clients were people with severe and persistent mental illness, extensive trauma histories, people who were unhoused, and people with substance use disorders. People who had the courage to say, “I’m not okay. And I need help.” I’ve never witnessed more profound bravery.
So, now 10 years later, after considering that major career change, I opened my own psychotherapy private practice. In June of 2024, Heather Rose Counseling came to be and I’ve never been more certain or more happy about a decision.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Building a private practice from the ground-up has not been a cake walk. I’m not business-minded. I’m not super tech-savvy. I had to Google “entrepreneur” to see if I qualified (I do!). I had never made a website, thought about marketing, search-engine optimization, or profits and losses. I’ve watched a lot of YouTube videos. I’ve consulted with other therapists. I’ve read blogs. I’ve signed up for every free email newsletter about building a business. And yet, I am certain that someone else probably would’ve done it cheaper or more efficiently.
But 16 months into this venture, I’m really proud of what I’ve done. Of what I’ve built. Of this corner of the world that I am working to make a little warmer, a little safer, and a lot more compassionate; for myself and for my clients.
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 clinical social worker and mental health therapist working mostly with adult women who are tired of playing small. They are not going to be quiet and meek. They are dissatisfied with scrolling through their lives without purpose. They are weary of the story the’ve been told about who they should be in the world. They’ve got experiences and traumas from their past that they want to overcome.
As a trauma therapist, a feminist, and a woman, I have a heart for the unique wounds we bestow on women. I’m trained in EMDR (eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy as a tool for healing. However, if I’m honest, I think what sets me apart as a therapist is that I’m–as therapist Lori Gottlieb wrote–“a card-carrying member of the human race.” I get it. I’m warm. I’m relatable. I’m here for you.
Professionally, I think I am most proud of the intentional decisions I’ve made along the way to make my private practice as sustainable as possible. To cultivate a way of “doing business” that nourishes my soul first and makes it more likely that I can do this work long-term. Community mental health work is often known for having high caseloads, high crisis responsibility, and inevitably, high burnout rates. By the time I left, I was cooked. I was weary. I was bitter. And I honestly wasn’t sure if I would continue being a social worker.
So, this time, I demanded that my boss–me!–allow me to work fewer days, see fewer clients per day, set boundaries around my availability, and schedule in daily naps. That’s right. Naps. Because my wellbeing matters.
And I’m determined now to answer the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” not necessarily with “social worker” or “therapist,” but with “well-rested, peaceful, and content.”
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Vulnerability has probably been my most valuable tool in finding mentors and professional connections. I’ve sent emails and started conversations with, “I don’t really know what I’m doing here, but…” Most humans are pretty responsive to that level of humility. And, in my experience, when someone knows more than I do, they are usually pretty willing to help. Even flattered.
I’ve walked into rooms where I haven’t known anyone and introduced myself.
I’ve asked people to “tell me more about that.”
I’ve taken people to lunch.
When I moved to a new town, I started a Facebook group for local therapists to connect.
I started a consultation group.
I ask questions.
I think kind and helpful people are easier to find than we might think. We just have to ask the vulnerable question first: “Can you help me?” And overwhelmingly, I find the answer to be, “Yes.”
Pricing:
- $150 for a therapy hour
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Courtney Haas
