Meet April Carpenter | Licensed Professional Counselor & Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

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

Hi April, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I decided to start my own business it was one of those dreams that I didn’t really know I had. Truth be told, I had always believed that I wouldn’t own a practice. I had a lot of doubts about whether or not I had what it took to be my own boss, to step out in faith and just hope that my business would bring in enough income to pay the bills. I had so many opportunities to learn along the way and I had a job where my bosses at the time were willing to answer my questions about self-employment and they were transparent about the ins and outs of private practice. I truly believe that as I gained knowledge, I gained confidence. Once I had a sufficient amount of confidence, I decided that I wanted to take that leap of faith and open my own practice. This would allow me the opportunity to see the clientele that I wanted to see, I could run my business how I wanted to run it, and I could have more freedom over my schedule.

So overall, I would say the thought process that lead me to starting my own business was that I wanted the freedom and autonomy to do things my way and help the community in the way I wanted to help.

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?
There are days where I get to the office and I begin to open up the lobby, turning on music and lamps, unlocking doors, and I find myself almost in awe that this is where life has taken me. I remember so vividly when I was younger that I never believed I would own my own practice. It’s sometimes overwhelming to think about how life can change in ways you didn’t expect.

I will say that I have greatly enjoyed getting to finally utilize Animal-Assisted Therapy in my practice. My dog, Atlas, has gone through extensive training in order to be a therapy dog for my clients. He is a 3 year old Miniature Australian Shepherd. He began coming to the office with me full time in January of this year. It’s amazing how the simple presence of an animal can create a sense of calm in my clients. I have seen clients cry with him, breathe through anxiety with him, and pet him as a way to overcome nerves when talking about something they’ve never talked about before. This has been an exciting adventure for Atlas and I!

I’m not sure anything sets me apart from others. I think there are many therapists out there doing what I’m doing and I’m grateful to know so many amazing private practice owners who have a similar drive to help those who are hurting. I believe it takes a true servants heart to be in this field and to do this work well. No, owning a practice isn’t easy. It comes with ups and downs. Some months are worrisome when numbers are low. However, I believe that most things in life that are worth it aren’t going to come easy. The reason I think I find this work so satisfying is BECAUSE it’s hard. And the lesson I’ve learned over time is that I can do hard things, and not only can I do them, I can master them. The beauty in all of it is that I get to keep learning. This field of work is always changing, the clients I have are always changing, and the work is never done.

What would I want the world to know about my story? I guess the main thing I would want the world to know is that it’s important to follow your dreams, even if you think you might fail. Failure is inevitable in some aspects of life, but so is success. They are both on the same coin and just because one day the coin falls on failure doesn’t mean that the next day it won’t fall on success. Put in the hard work, surround yourself with people who want you to succeed, keep your head on straight and let the coin fall where it may. I know that my coin has fallen on success more than failure and I credit that to the countless hours I worked to build this business, the people who have supported me and helped me along the way, and the clients who have trusted me with their stories.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Weatherford, Texas is a magical little place really. It’s close enough to Dallas/Fort Worth, but also far enough that you don’t have to get stressed out over bad drivers and traffic.

I highly recommend to anyone who visits our little town that they explore the square of downtown Weatherford. My office overlooks the beautiful courthouse. The square has tons of little shops, cafes and restaurants. It’s the perfect mix of old and new.

We also have a lot of local coffee shops, ice cream shops and family-owned restaurants around town. I think one of the best things to do whenever I’m visiting a place I’ve never been is to go to locally owned shops and restaurants. It gives me a good “feel” for the community and the town I’m in.

Weatherford is a great place to live and raise a family. We are growing in number, but I also think this community does a good job of sticking with its roots.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to give credit where credit is due. First and foremost, God. My faith and my relationship with Christ has been the foundation on which I’ve been able to stand throughout all the unknowns, doubts and fears. I also have to recognize my parents, Ken and Paula. They have supported my dreams, no matter how far-reaching they might seem. I couldn’t have done any of this without them and I will forever be thankful for their love, support and unconditional faith in me. To Aunt Joyce: since 2004 there has been a void in our world and she has so beautifully stepped into the shoes left behind. She has always been steadfast in her prayers and cards of encouragement throughout my adult life.
To my Philpot family: they have loved me as family even though we don’t share blood. I couldn’t imagine my life without them.
Lastly, my friends. I have been blessed with some of the most amazing friends. The type of friends that cheer me on, love me through the crazy emotions and put me in check when I need it. Kaycee, Jamie, Katy, Jordan, Jennifer, Amy, Cory, Leah, Debbie: each of these women play a part in my life and no matter the season we are in, I know that every single one of them would drop what they’re doing to be there. And in a world where authentic friendships are extraordinarily hard to come by, I am beyond blessed to say I have them.

Thank you all. From the bottom of my heart, I will forever be grateful.

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