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

Hi ALICE, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My initial spark started from a conversation with an older black female. She asked me, “Why don’t you have your own business.” I had never thought about that question before then. Then she stated, ‘THE world needs what you have and you can’t use all what’s inside you working in a system where you don’t call the shots.’ She really had my wheels turning, and as I silently SAT THERE IN THE CORRIDORS OF MY MIND processing what she was saying, she added, ‘besides systems keep you bound.’ I knew then that I needed to do something but didn’t know exactly how to start. I begin to heavily think about the original question asked, “Why don’t I have my own business.” I started answering the question, BY TAKING BABY STEPS. IT WOULD TAKE me two years to do SO; it was in the beginning of 2020, when the world was in an uncertain and unpredictable place that I stepped out on faith and began working full-time in my private practice.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor. I am a solo practitioner at Transformation Begins Within, PLLC. I have been a LPC for almost fifteen years and I have been in private practice for three years. My passion is holistic wellness with an emphasis on mental health and spiritual health. My therapeutic temperament is one that is interwoven with empathic listening, compassion, creativity, imagination, and humor, along with practical solutions and concrete goals. I love the challenge and opportunity in helping others blossom into their authentic self. I enjoy hearing other people’s stories and teaching them how to use their own story to help bring healing, peace and fulfillment. I am intentional about building an authentic, stable and sturdy therapeutic relationship with each client. I greet each day with expectation and excitement when I rise because it is another day that I get to help someone on their journey to self-love, freedom, healing, wellness, and transformation; and sometimes transformation happens when we allow ourselves to color outside the lines. I have been blessed along this business journey from various people with different business tidbits that have assisted me with learning about the importance of being business minded.

Yes, there have been challenges along the way. I was able to overcome the challenges faced through prayer, by asking others for help, reading different literature, attending workshops, and believing in myself. I am compassionate, firm yet flexible in my therapeutic approach. I take pride in assisting others in discovering and rediscovering the masterpiece that lies within. I believe that self-awareness and self-reflection are two necessary skills to assist others with challenging and changing old patterns of thinking and behaving through equipping them to embrace the life they want.

I enjoy helping and teaching on healing practices that lead to the integration of their inner child. I specialize in building connections. Something unique about me as a therapist is I love using humor and metaphors to assist clients with establishing a growth mindset. I believe it is important to strive to live a holistic and abundant life and one way to do this is by the colorful weaving of faith and mental health together makes that possible. Therapy truly is my love language.

In my fifteen years of experience, I have worked in various communities, diverse populations and mental health agencies serving individuals in foster care, individuals with intellectual disabilities, along with working with school age to high school students providing support, advocacy, resources and education. Other demographics I have had the pleasure to serve are college students, young adults, adults, at-risk young adults, juveniles, and families.

When I am not providing counseling, I am sharing my knowledge, experience, wisdom, insights, and expertise as a professional speaker. I have been a guest on Podcast business news network (PBN)

Other notable things about me: I am licensed minister and member of Westside Baptist Church. I am a proud alum of Grambling State University and Dallas Baptist University. I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. I am on the Board of Directors for Excellent Teen Choice. I am a Commissioner for Christian Life Commission with Texas Baptists.

The many mistakes and lessons learned along the way has truly assisted me with being a more efficient and effective clinician. Initial lessons include learning how to adjust and adapt to different individuals’ personalities, an intrinsic personal and professional resolve that I have learned is not everyone is my assignment to help and it is okay to say no when necessary. Two other lessons include learning the necessity of implementing healthy boundaries and treating self-care as a priority and not an option. One of the greatest lessons has been learning and giving the gift of grace, compassion, and understanding to others which in turn causes a person to trust me with their secrets and unresolved issues to assist them with transforming from the inside out. I have learned not to be afraid to take risks in the therapeutic space with a client because it often helps the client have ‘aha’ moments that lead to life changing behaviors.

Client’s testimony: I found Alice and her Transformation Begins Within practice amid a tumultuous, pandemic-dominated year which, like for many others, had uprooted my life and what I thought it would look like over the course of a year or so. Alice shows up to every session with energy, care, and attention.

Client’s testimony: When I contacted Ms. Alice Ward I was in a very dark space. I suffered from anxiety and depression in silence. The pain that I felt was indescribable. I had no control of my emotions, and I knew that I needed help to silence the dark thoughts that would randomly manifest. Working with Ms. Alice was the highlight of my week; something that I looked forward to each week.

Client’s testimony: One of the biggest blessings from therapy has been the overflow of vulnerability I have experienced with God, family, and friendships.

Client’s testimony: She meets me at my energy level and never shies away from being a mirror when it is clear I need it the most. I am grateful for the fact that she incorporates Christianity into our sessions as well as humor. I would recommend Alice ten times over.

Client’s testimony: Therapy with your practice has changed my life. Alice armed me with more positive ways to cope and handle situations. I definitely believe it’s an essential part of my life. As a man therapy is essential to our survival in dealing with the world around us especially as black men.

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.
Now you talking my language, any time I get to hang with best friend is always an adventure. We would start the day by eating brunch, making sure that she has at least two cups of coffee, because if not she will turn into an angry bird, LOL. Then we would go and explore the city, she is not one for shopping but I think I could convince her to go into at least three stores. We would go on a few guided sightseeing tours of the city, then take a power nap, because there is a special blessing in taking a mid-day nap. We would then go grab something to eat at a local sandwich shop, then we would sit at the lake people watching, listening to the melodic sounds of the water as we drink something cool and refreshing. 

While sitting at the lake my best friend would be reading one of her favorite books as I walk around the park near the lake. We would freshen up and go to eat dinner at a restaurant that has live music and dancing. We would then call it a night. The next day we eat breakfast at a mom-and-pop restaurant outside on a covered patio then we would prepare to go to a DALLAS COWBOYS GAME, CATCHING A FEW TAILGATE PARTIES BEFORE THE GAME.  Knowing my best friend, she doesn’t like to move around much, so at least three days would be spent relaxing with no itinerary.

The last couple of days would be spent catching up with each other and going to visit family and friends. Of course, we would be taking pictures as we go to capture this momentous occasion. Life is much better and sweeter when you have friends to do life with.

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?
Wow! Where do I begin, there are so many people who have been a part of my journey to success. My parents, my sister and brother, my twin nephews and niece. My college professors, my best friend, a host of other individuals like close friends who are more like family to me, my godparents, mentors, my church family, but most of all Jesus is the real MVP in my success story.

Website: www.transformingmindsets.com

Instagram: i_am_awardlpc

Linkedin: ALICE WARD

Facebook: AL LIZ

Image Credits
Samantha Cepada-pictures taken with braids Jeremy Strange-pictures taken with pink hair

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.