Meet Anastasia Chrysostom | Practice Manager, Business Coach & Future Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anastasia Chrysostom and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anastasia, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?

A work life balance is essential. Society has held the expectation for years that worthiness is based on productivity. When I first started out managing a group practice as an employee, I had no boundaries between work and home. I was answering texts and emails way after leaving the office, always making myself available. I would say yes to everyone both at work and with friends, taking on way more than I could handle. This led to burning out regularly. Before transitioning to self-employment I had hit a wall and developed some major compassion fatigue. 

I was thankfully forced to change these patterns as I began my graduate program, shortly after transitioning to full time self-employment.  It was a sink or swim lesson in boundaries. By continuing on as I had in the past it would be impossible to balance a graduate program, my own business, health and relationships without making some major changes.  

Over the course of that first semester, I began putting into practice holding boundaries with myself and others. This process required a lot of work on myself in my own therapy to untangle the ideas of my own worth being tied to my usefulness to others. The idea that a person’s friendship or work relationship meant they were entitled to my time and energy whenever they needed. I learned how to protect my peace and my space and show up for myself. Ultimately, this deepened my relationships with people and benefited my clients.  

By establishing this balance in my life, it means I can show up at my best in my work consistently. It brings a sustainability to my business, to my clients, my home life, school, relationships and my own growth.

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?

I offer virtual assistance, practice management and business coaching to therapists in private practice. I’ve seen a lot of administrators and business coaches who work with private practice therapists, but no one else who combines the two the way I do in my practice management services.  

I offer a holistic approach in my support of the provider AND their practice. They can trust they are handing over their daily operations to a team who prioritizes client care and ethical practices, while also protecting the boundaries a business requires to function sustainably. I also work with them in focusing on their goals and creating strategies, support and accountability systems that are unique to them, and their businesses. 

There was a significant learning curve to getting to where I am today. There isn’t really a manual for the unique combination of services I offer. It was difficult teaching myself how to start and run a business on my own from the ground up. One of the most significant challenges was the exhaustion hustle culture seemed to demand.  

In addition many of the guides on creating systems for “how to run a solo business” didn’t click with how my ADHD brain works. I quickly realized that I couldn’t succeed in running a business by trying to force myself into a mold of operations made standard in the business world by neurotypical leaders. They just didn’t work for me.
So at about 6 months in, I started creating new systems of operations and behavior and thought patterns that made for the ADHD business owner. These systems allow myself and my clients to: stay organized, balance the ADHD superpower of urgency with the neurotypical practice of prioritizing so deadlines are met without feeling constantly panicked or scattered, build selfcare into each day in addition to flexibility into schedules for restoration as needed without falling behind on responsibilities, feed our creative energy, and invest in connections with communities. 

I’ve learned a lot of lessons along the way. One being the importance of supportive communities. This isn’t something you can do alone, at least not for very long. Investing in the sustainability of a practice, means investing in the ability for aspects of that practice to operate without you. Asking for help can feel scary, and even embarrassing. In the entrepreneurial world it can feel like everyone knows what they’re doing and you’re the only one piecing things together through Google. I really had to learn to own my wealth of knowledge and skill, and silence my own imposter syndrome riding my shoulder. In doing so, I learned to seek out advice when needed and in doing so, I’ve been able to help even more people myself and build some amazing connections. 

Private practice offers a unique flexibility for therapists to be creative and offer truly personalized care to clients. However, therapy programs don’t cover business training, leadership skills or how to run a private practice in their courses. Most therapists don’t realize that in private practice you wear multiple hats: therapist, business owner, and operator. Each of these roles have their own laundry lists of tasks and demands. As a result, a lot of therapists get so burned out they leave private practice or even the counseling field entirely. Over the years I’ve seen this happen to some truly gifted and skilled providers, which is a great loss to communities, especially when there is a shortage of therapists across the country.
Halosydne is dedicated to making private practice sustainable option for many therapists who can’t keep up with the demands on their own. We are focused on building an environment for therapists which is focused on connections, support, creativity and empathy. 

I’m proud in our ability to help therapists make the most out of private practice and find their own balance in the daily demands, and confidence in the sustainable growth of their business. So, when they show up to session, they can be 100% present for clients. When our providers thrive, so do our communities, and I’m grateful to play a part in that.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of the things I love about Atlanta is the diverse experiences it offers. The greater Atlanta area really has something for everyone. We would definitely get some hiking in, checking out Jack’s River trail, where we can get a little off roading in on our way up to the trail head, and then can wade through rivers. Throw up a hammock and spend the day swimming at the base of the falls and break out the camping stoves for lunch by the water. Jeju of course is on the list.

Next we’d have to hit some favorite spots for all the good food, drinks and fun atmospheres: Sushi Yoko, Sister Louisa’s Church, Raku Tonkatsu Ramen, Yeero Village, Gaja Korean Bar, Dr. Bombay’s, Bold Monk Brewing, the Book Nook. And I love checking out the Eventbrite and Fever apps for fun events like Dining in the Dark and body painting events.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I have a lot of incredible women in my life who have played a major roles in my success and development. Lisa Metheney was my first mentor. She guided me through arranging my first art show, and she was the first person who showed me how entrepreneurship could have a place in my creative endeavors. Every conversation we have is deeply thought provoking, and she exposes me to new ideas, perspectives and information every time we get together. She moves through the world from a place of true genuineness, with generous connections in her friendships, a hunger for new experiences and unmatched intellect. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her spark, guidance and influence. 

Website: https://halosydnewellness.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/halosydnewellness/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/halosydnewellness/

Other: https://poplme.co/SalPIR41

Image Credits
Natha Pasha is the photographer. Here is her website https://www.callmepasha.com/about