Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Talkington Michael.
Hi Vanessa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Hawai’i where two worlds met with my mother being a first generation immigrant from Taiwan and my father having relocated from Pittsburgh to Hawaii to learn a new trade. Eventually they ended up building what turned into their lifelong small business together that helped to support my sister and I as a family. My family eventually relocated to Pittsburgh, where I also completed my college education. My sister and I were the first of our generation to attend and graduate from college, and I eventually went on to earn my doctorate degree. I put myself through much of my schooling, working 2-3 jobs at any given point in graduate school. I was raised in a background of support and love, but also hard work with the understanding and belief that if you try and apply yourself, there’s nothing that you can’t at least learn from if you put your mind to it. The integrity of putting together something you created was modeled early on and demonstrated through learning experiences, of which can only be defined by an individual and whatever you set your heart to, and eventually through my path of professional discovery became apparent as a psychologist. I have been working in mental health for 25 years now, and practicing as a licensed psychologist for the past 15 years. Through this journey I have worked in various settings and learned greatly through the opportunities I have had, and most importantly through the people I have worked with, helped, and learned from. I opened my own private practice over 10 years ago when starting a family and receiving one of the biggest gifts of becoming a mother. At that time, I took the leap from a full time salaried position and transitioned to private practice so that I could design a schedule for my family where I could have professional balance but also keep being a mother as my priority. This became one of my best decisions professionally, and the business has continued to grow into diverse and unique opportunities since that time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
While there were always challenges at any point, those were also natural and expected (even if at first seemingly unexpected), and every turn if reflected on also turned into an opportunity for personal and/ or professional growth. Running a business can be very fulfilling and challenging in itself, and finding balance is key to making sure that you can always at the end of the day come back to the core of recognizing that you are still loving your work and growing in the directions that you want to professionally, as well as for the business as a whole. Sometimes there is growth where it may not have been anticipated, as it has not always been by design. Any possible setback has turned into an opportunity to learn from, and at least in perception has helped to make things stronger. For example, within the first two years the business had 3 different locations, which could be seen as a logistical nightmare from an insurance credentialing perspective, although on the flip side I got really good at understanding and completing insurance credentialing from the start. I took my first call to schedule my first client while on maternity leave with my first child, as I was also the receptionist, biller, clinical provider, DIY fixer- you name it at that point. The business started small, but within the first few years expanded to triple its size. It grew in an older office space that had to be continually renovated in order to remain a functional and professional workspace, including my personally painting and helping in those types of efforts (which were much smaller efforts than the support I had from those around me to help make things come together). The main reception area desk remains an old door that was turned into a desk through some crafty workmanship, although wouldn’t likely be noticed as such by most. The office was put together with creativity and a lot of hand-me-downs, although sometimes those can also be turned into the best of things. And the growth has only continued from there, with some of these other contributions becoming mainstays of the office.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Psychological Perspectives LLC?
Psychological Perspectives LLC is a mental health private practice that specializes in providing therapy and both psychological and neuropsychological testing services. Through the collective talents of the professionals at the practice, we provide a wide range of services for all ages, with both in person and telehealth options. We are a small business and continue to operate as one, allowing a personalized approach to care and a comfortable environment where it is not uncommon people are greeted and known by name. What I truly believe sets us apart from others is that we are not just showing up to work and working at a job- we care. And when you have a provider that cares, it’s understood and a felt experience, even if not spoken. It makes a difference in outcomes and naturally stands out, because when you lead with your heart and understandings, your clients will have better outcomes. You get the opportunity to stand alongside your clients and cheer them on, providing the tools they need to succeed, with them getting to see themselves succeed through doing the work themselves.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Another outstanding, not to be overlooked or underrated shining facet of the practice is the staff that have now come to comprise the practice. There are some truly outstanding individuals that work in the office who have other similar and unique stories. There are a number of mothers and other caregivers who make sacrifices to be present at work, while giving their all into their work, and this is reflective in their own practice. A true story becomes hearing the stories of each person in the practice, between both providers and clients, and collectively healing does occur. Our administrative support is truly exceptional and knowledgeable, and things flow forward from the outset. It is all pretty neat to witness when things flow and when you can walk away from work both feeling and knowing that you made a difference, and also knowing that your staff are taking pride in their work, competent, and functioning as independent professionals themselves.
Pricing:
- We take most major insurances, and if we do not accept your insurance we are willing to discuss options in order to help get you access to the services that you need.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://psychologicalperspectives.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psychologicalperspectivesllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/psychologicalperspectives
