In episode 82 of Soul Care for Therapists, Dawn Gabriel interviews Whitney Owens, a licensed professional counselor, group practice owner, and faith-based private practice consultant. Whitney shares her passion for connecting faith-based practice owners and making changes in the world by helping them have the lifestyle they want to do and the work they want to do with God in the process. Whitney Owens is a licensed professional counselor, group practice owner, and faith-based private practice consultant. She is located in Savannah, Georgia, where she manages a private pay group practice with 10 plus clinicians. Along with running her practice, she consults practice owners around the country on how to start and grow a successful faith-based practice. She hosts summits, a weekly podcast, and a membership community for faith-based practice owners called Wise Practice. She has spoken at numerous events such as both the Georgia and Maryland annual professional counselors conferences as well as trainings for Florida’s Counseling Association. In 2023 she will be speaking at Meet You in Kentucky, which is for group practice owners, as well as hosting her own summit in Savannah. In her free time, Whitney enjoys spending time with her husband and two girls, running, reading, and relaxing in the backyard.
A Passionate Faith-Based Private Practice Consultant
Whitney Owens is passionate about connecting faith-based practice owners and making changes in the world by helping them have the lifestyle they want and the work they want to do with God in the process. She believes in the power of faith and how it can make a difference in the lives of those who practice it. According to Whitney, “You can’t create it yourself. I can put a structure together, but all I can do is wait on God.”
Whitney believes in the power of God in connecting people. When God shows up, it’s magical and indescribable. Whitney believes in being open to the Spirit and letting it guide her. During a retreat to Asheville, she realized that rushing was her problem. She wasn’t making space for the Holy Spirit. The retreat was about rest and making space for the Holy Spirit to stop. Whitney learned that she needs to stop and take time to read and soak in the words of a song instead of just listening to it. She had a weeping moment that reminded her of the importance of community, crying with one another, and making that space to do life differently. Being vulnerable allows people to “know you” and connect with you.
Changing Lives Through Faith-Based Practice
Whitney is passionate about changing lives through faith-based practice. She believes that it’s important to help faith-based practice owners have the lifestyle they want and the work they want to do with God in the process. Whitney hosts Summits, a weekly podcast and a membership community for faith-based practice owners. She loves to plan big parties with her besties and sell tickets to help her pay for the Summit. She believes that when people come together with open hearts and minds, God will show up and change lives.
Breaking Down Your Own Walls in Leadership
Whitney believes that breaking down your own walls is essential to being a great leader. According to Whitney, “When you’re starting a business, it’s hard not to get caught up in the comparison game. You’re looking at other people’s practices and thinking, oh, they’re doing so well, they’re doing better than me.” She advises against this mentality and recommends being true to yourself and your vision. Whitney believes in taking the time to get to know yourself and understanding what you want. She advises against creating a vision board without knowing what you truly want.
Being True to Yourself and Your Vision
Whitney believes in being true to yourself and your vision. She believes that it’s important to take the time to get to know yourself and your goals before creating a vision board. She recommends looking inward and understanding what you want before creating a board that aligns with your vision.
Action Steps
- Take time for rest and reflection: As Whitney shared, it’s important to make space for the Holy Spirit in our lives by taking time for rest and reflection. This can involve setting aside regular periods of time for meditation or prayer, going on retreats, or simply taking a break from the busyness of daily life.
- Embrace community: Whether it’s through attending conferences, joining a support group, or simply reaching out to colleagues in your field, cultivating community can help you to feel supported and connected in your work.
- Be open to change: As Whitney mentioned, it’s important to be open to the Spirit’s leading, even if it means deviating from our plans or expectations. This can involve being willing to take risks, trying new things, and being open to feedback and criticism from others.
Whitney Owens offers valuable insights for anyone in a leadership position, whether in the field of counseling or elsewhere. By breaking down our own walls and embracing vulnerability, cultivating community, and being open to change, we can become more effective and compassionate leaders, capable of making a positive impact in the world.
Links and Resources
Contact: whitney@whitneyowens.com
Website: Whitneyownes.com and Watersedgecounseling.com
FREE PDF on Tips for Marketing with Churches: Whitneyownes.com
Instagram: @WhitneyOwensConsulting
Facebook: Whitney Owens
Podcast: Wise Practice Podcast
Free Facebook Membership Community for Faithbased Practice Owners
Show notes and Audio production by James Marland