Meet Autumn Collier, LCSW | Private Practice Owner and Licensed Mental Health Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Autumn Collier, LCSW and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Autumn, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
Oftentimes, I hear people say, “start a side hustle” or “pursue your business on the side while working your 9 to 5”. While this practically makes sense and assumes less risk, our side business stays ‘on the side’ longer than we would like. Becoming an entrepreneur takes courage, not being adverse to risks, and intention. Having a business on the side instead of being all in serves as a buffer for those qualities. I totally understand everyone is not able to fully jump in to full-time entrepreneurship, however, at some point there comes a time when you have to jump. Having a full-time job and side business can make it difficult to take the leap because you also become accustomed to having income from both.

Also, we as humans have to be mindful of scarcity. We can’t do it all well all the time. Something will lack. By doing both, either your side business or full-time job will suffer, and if neither suffer, then likely your personal life and wellbeing will take a hit. In 2013, myself and a colleague started a private practice. I was working a full-time job also at the time. I loved the work in our private practice, however, I never treated it as a business and was fine with that. I was doing what I loved providing mental health counseling to clients. When I was promoted to Clinical Director at my full-time job, I was excited to take on the new role and let the private practice take a back seat. We eventually amicably dissolved the practice. It was very easy for me to let go of the private practice when more constraints were placed on my time. As much as I loved the work in the practice, it was a side gig and secondary to my 9 to 5.

This time around, I dove into entrepreneurship full-time. I was very intentional and strategic and had a great deal of preparation. In 2013, I started a practice. In 2017, I started Collier Counseling, LLC, a business that happens to be a private practice.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Collier Counseling, LLC is a private practice in Atlanta, GA that serves adult women dealing with depression, anxiety, life transitions, and relationship issues. We believe by helping just one woman, we have helped a family and community because the reach of just one woman extends well beyond herself.

I am most proud of the team of clinicians at Collier Counseling, LLC. We have the most amazing clinicians that value learning in our field and the individuality of each client. We have a culture of kindness, commitment to the clinical care of our clients, and respect. We are a team of women clinicians serving women. I have the utmost gratitude and respect for my team and am just as passionate about creating an amazing employment opportunity as I am about serving our clients. I believe the benefits of our team being taken care of directly impacts the service our clients receive. I am also humbled that we have been privileged to serve over 1,000 women throughout the state of Georgia since our inception. I am grateful Collier Counseling, LLC is a source of care and treatment for the exceptional women we serve.

We have been able to reach women via our therapy practice as well as via our podcast, Lady and the Couch. Times are changing and mental health is shedding its stigma. We are fortunate to have another platform to share and inform on all things mental health and wellness as it relates to women. Topics range from couples counseling, trauma, eating disorders, social media, and prenuptial agreements with guests who are experts in these topics.

Courage, the ability to dream, objectivity, and a “why not” attitude has allowed me to cultivate the business. I would not say developing a business is easy nor difficult. There are ebbs and flows. Having realistic expectations and the ability to be objective is helpful. It has allowed me to put circumstances in perspective and honestly evaluate what is working and what is not.

I love reading books and listening to podcasts about business and leadership. You can never learn enough. I remember when preparing to launch my business, I absorbed myself in books and podcasts and sought mentorship for the accounting and finance side of business so I could understand it. The wonderful thing about this day and age is you can learn anything, as information is readily available everywhere. Do not be afraid to seek help and learn.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m practically a native of Georgia, as I’ve lived here since I was eight months old. My girlfriends and I love trying new restaurants. I’m a big foodie and love a delicious meal. Having three small children does not allow me to get out as much as I used to, and COVID on top of that, however, some of my favorite things to do around Atlanta (Metro) include:

1. A nice hike up Stone Mountain and then brunch at Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar.

2. Breakfast at Sweet Melissa’s in Decatur followed by a trip with the kiddos to the Children’s Museum of Atlanta.

3. Breakfast at The Flying Biscuit followed by leisurely visiting Ponce City Market. That evening we’d have dinner at Chef Robs.

4. We’d also enjoy pampering at Iwi Fresh and dinner at Parker’s on Ponce.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am fortunate to have been nurtured by a positive community throughout my life. My parents taught me resilience and the concept that you have to work for what you want. Growing up, I was fortunate to be surrounded by professional Blacks in my community such as doctors, attorneys, engineers, and entrepreneurs. Being able to regularly see people excel that looked like me gave me confidence to dream and truly believe I could be whatever I wanted.

While in graduate school, I had a professor Dr. Donna Bliss, that really modeled effective and “smart” social work. As social workers, we are sometimes deemed “bleeding hearts” and compassionate to a fault. Dr. Bliss encouraged critical thinking, evaluating policy effectively, and advocation. It’s great to be nice, but being effective while empathetic can be game changing.

A former director, Stefanie Hughes, LMFT was a great model of humility and service towards clients and employees. She hired me in my first role as a therapist. On my first day, she exemplified respect towards and that she valued employees. Stefanie gave hope to clients who were hopeless with her kind words. I have adopted her model of giving hope to our clients and truly valuing our employees.

My last director, AJ Norris, shared nuggets of wisdom with me often. He would say, “only do what you can do”, meaning only you can set the vision for your company so do not get stuck doing tasks that someone else can do, i.e. answering phones. I outsource as much as I can.

Lastly, my husband is my biggest cheerleader and the reason I was able to take the leap. I am grateful for his love, support, and patience.

Website: https://www.colliercounselingllc.com/ and https://ladyandthecouch.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colliercounselingllc/ and   https://www.instagram.com/ladyandthecouch/

Twitter:https://twitter.com/colliercounsel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colliercounselingllc https://www.facebook.com/ladyandthecouch

Image Credits
Kimazing Photography (Kim Taylor)