Meet Candace Donaldson-Scott, EdS, NCC, LPC | Therapist & Owner/Founder of Sunny Wellness of Honey

We had the good fortune of connecting with Candace Donaldson-Scott, EdS, NCC, LPC and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Candace, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
My business is a mental health therapy practice which its basic intent is to help individuals. By helping individuals, one hopes that it will also help the community. If one were to have grander thinking, could even save the world (its like being a super hero for the mind). My business in being part of the mental health world, provides a crucial service by promoting the overall well-being and mental wellness of individuals within the community. Mental health issues affect a significant portion of the population, and having access to professional help can be transformative for those who are struggling. By providing counseling therapy, my business is able to offer support and guidance to individuals dealing with a wide range of mental health challenges. It also helps in reducing stigma associated with mental illness or mental health concerns. I separate mental health concerns from mental illness because even though someone is seeking outside support for stressors they have on their mind and in their lives, it does not necessarily mean that it is a diagnosable illness. In normalizing conversations around mental health in my business, it encourages people to seek help when needed, leading to better outcomes and minimizing a stressor becoming an illness. My business also helps the community by focusing on prevention and early intervention by helping my clients recognize early warning signs, develop coping strategies before issues escalate. This proactive approach can prevent the onset of more severe mental health conditions and promote overall community well-being. My business also contributes to the economic development of the community. Mental health issues can have a significant impact on productivity and work performance. By addressing these concerns, mental health practices help individuals regain their functionality and return to work, ultimately benefiting the local economy and helping people keep their livelihoods. Having a therapy practice plays a critical role in building a healthier and more resilient community.

What should our readers know about your business?
I believe that what sets my business apart from others is my focus on providing a personalized and holistic approach to therapy. I take the time to get to know each client and their individual needs, and I work with them to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to their specific goals. I also believe that it is important to address the whole person, not just the presenting problem. This is why I named my business Sunny Wellness of Honey. This means that I also focus on things like physical health, nutrition, and lifestyle choices.

I have learned a lot along the way, but some of the most important lessons include:

The importance of compassion and empathy.
The importance of listening to clients and hearing their stories.
The importance of working collaboratively with clients to create a treatment plan that is tailored to their individual needs.
The importance of celebrating small successes along the way.

Additionally, I continuously strive to stay updated with the latest research, techniques, and modalities in the field of therapy. I regularly attend professional development workshops, engage in ongoing training, and collaborate with other therapists and experts in the industry. By remaining at the forefront of therapeutic advancements, I can provide my clients with the most effective and evidence-based interventions, ensuring the highest quality of care.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that the path to building a successful therapy practice was not always easy and it still is not. Like any entrepreneurial endeavor, there are various challenges such as funding, competition, marketing yourself, managing your time, and managing your stress levels. One of the significant hurdles was establishing a strong client base and building trust within the community. To overcome this particular challenge, time, perseverance, and a genuine commitment to clients’ well-being was needed to earn my clients’ confidence and loyalty. And I am truly thankful for their commitment and active involvement in their care.

Another valuable lesson I learned was the importance of self-care and maintaining my own emotional well-being. As a therapist, it’s essential to prioritize my own mental and physical health to ensure that I can be fully present and provide the best support for my clients. Taking regular breaks, seeking supervision and consultation when needed, and engaging in activities that recharge and inspire me have become integral aspects of my professional practice.

Ultimately, what I want the world to know about me and my therapy practice is that I am deeply passionate about helping individuals overcome their challenges and live fulfilling lives. I am dedicated to creating a safe and compassionate space where individuals can explore their inner world, heal from past wounds, and develop the necessary tools to navigate their present and future with resilience and empowerment. I firmly believe that everyone has the capacity to grow and thrive, and I am honored to be a guide on their journey towards self-discovery and personal transformation.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Seeing as both my best friend and I are from the area, I would invite them to treat Atlanta as if we were tourists. To put on our tourist glasses and be curious. Here is a little itinerary.

Day 1:
Morning:

Start day with a visit to the Atlanta BeltLine. Take a leisurely stroll or rent a bike to explore this vibrant urban trail that connects several neighborhoods.
Grab brunch at West Egg Café.

Afternoon:

Head to the High Museum of Art (because I love this place).

For lunch, visit Ponce City Market.

Evening:

Visit the Virginia-Highland neighborhood to explore their boutiques, bars, and restaurants. Dinner at Murphy’s.

Day 2:
Morning:

Start the day by visiting the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Right now, they have trolls, so this is really exciting.

Afternoon:

Head to the Krog Street Market in Inman Park. Enjoy lunch from one of the vendors.

Take a short walk to the Historic Fourth Ward Park.

Evening:

Visit Little Five Points. Check out the shops and grab dinner at The Vortex.

Day 3:
Morning:

Explore the Atlanta History Center.

Afternoon:

Sweet Auburn Curb Market, have lunch there.

Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. Explore the Ebenezer Baptist Church, the King Birth Home, and the Historic Fire Station No. 6.

Evening:

Midtown for the nightlife. Enjoy dinner at South City Kitchen. If there is a show at the Fox, see if we can catch that show.

Day 4:
Morning:

Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Afternoon:

Visit the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center.

Enjoy lunch at The Optimist (the food is so good there!)

Evening:

Traverse Buckhead. Go to The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. For dinner, Umi Sushi.

Day 5:
Morning:

Explore the Fernbank Museum of Natural History.

Afternoon:

Braves Game

Evening:

If any energy, go to Edgewood Avenue district. Enjoy dinner at Noni’s.

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 want to give a shoutout to my amazing husband and partner in life. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude and admiration for the unwavering support he has provided me throughout this incredible journey of mine. From the depths of my soul, I dedicate this shoutout to him my rock, my pillar of strength.

My husband, you have been an extraordinary source of encouragement as I took that daring leap from the familiar world of corporate life into the realm of entrepreneurship. You believed in me when I doubted myself, and you stood firmly by my side when others (not many!) questioned my decision. Your unwavering faith in my abilities has fueled my determination and propelled me forward, even when the path seemed treacherous.

Your unwavering emotional support has been a constant source of reassurance and comfort. Through the highs and lows, the triumphs and setbacks, you have been there to celebrate my successes and lift me up during moments of doubt. Your belief in me has been an anchor, grounding me in the stormy seas of entrepreneurship.

So, I want to shout it from the rooftops: My incredible husband, thank you! Thank you for being my rock, my cheerleader, and my partner in this incredible journey. Your steady support has empowered me to embrace my true calling and chase my entrepreneurial dreams.

To the person who has seen my potential and believed in me when I couldn’t see it myself, this shoutout is dedicated to you. I am forever grateful for your love, support, and unwavering belief in me. Together, we will conquer new horizons, blaze our own trail, and build a future filled with purpose and fulfillment.

Website: https://www.sunnywellnessofhoney.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/sunnywellnessofhoney

Image Credits
Zachary Gardner