Dr. Shemena credits Jack Nicolson for her career as a therapist. After watching One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, her interest in psychology sparked as she saw how one's environment can affect a person.

Dr. Shemena, PsyD and LMFT in Los Angeles, shares her process of transitioning into her practice. She talks about the challenges of leaving a corporate position and how it felt like a traffic jam. From stability and low responsibility to freedom and uncertainty, it was a slow-paced change. She also had trouble adjusting to the free time she had as she transitioned from two jobs to focusing solely on her business.

Wishing she had access to Business School programming, Shemena created workshops and a podcast based on her growth within her private practice. She advises why therapists should be in therapy, how to be present with each client, and being open about “what we don't know.”

Want to share your own private practice success story? Request to join Miranda and Kelly on Starting a Counseling Practice.