We had the good fortune of connecting with Hannah Poe Klaassen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am from Garland, TX. I really loved growing up in a diverse town with people from all over the world. Being multiracial, Mexican, Brazilian, and white, I felt like I wasn’t the only one who’s grandfather spoke English with an accent, or had multiple generations in the home. I also know that learning to code switch was integral for my upbringing. When getting to know a client’s history, I like to ask, who did you grow up with in the house? That question could fill an entire sheet of paper, if you want to know about all of the different homes and blended families I lived in growing up. There were times when my father had a Filipino girlfriend and I made lumpia on Saturday afternoons, times where I lived with my grandmother and grandfather who taught me that singing the birthday song isn’t complete until you’ve sang in both English and Portuguese, and times when I was staying for long weekends and during summers with my white family learning to make southern classics like corn bread in cast iron, or eating grilled cheese by the pool at my grandfather’s country club. Growing up in a close knit family taught me to value collectivism.

What should our readers know about your business?
In all honesty, I have had a difficult time setting up my business as a woman of color with ADHD. I often times feel overwhelmed by the head trash telling me I can’t do it, or that I’m a failure. I put off tasks, including this interview, because I worry I won’t have what it takes to conquer the task before me. The funny thing is I haven’t met a task I can’t handle yet. Sometimes I need help, which is hard to ask for. Sometimes I need more patience, which is hard for me to find. And sometimes, I just have to eat the frog.

I think that is something unique about the way I run my business, I have a lot of empathy for the burnout rate and stress of my clinicians. I don’t only prioritize client wellness and outcomes, I also have conversations with my staff about their needs and goals even if they are to eventually move on to something else.

No coincidence this is the population I love to work with! The people out there that are struggling to reach their full potential. Those that feel overwhelmed by the amount of negativity they have absorbed from the outside world. And those that continue to repeat those terrible things in their own head.

Something I’ve learned along the way is that I’m never going to get rid of the voice in my head that tells me all the negative things about my abilities, but I can choose not to listen to it, and to create new scripts to tell myself. “Ugh, there is that nagging voice again trying to keep me from my greatness.” Well not today. That is what I hope people take away from this article. That if you are struggling to get where you want to go, if you are getting in your own way, I can help you start to clear out the mental junk and forge a path to your greatness.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The true Denton experience to me means spending a lot of time on and around the square. First of all if you are a tacos person, you have to try the following tacos: Hoochie’s fish tacos, Wild Cactus (or Milpa) Birria Tacos, and La Sabrocita Barbacoa Tacos (eat in the restaurant for the best chips you will ever eat). Next stop by 940’s, my old work place, for an amazing Watermelon Jalapeño Mule which uses Western Sons, a Pilot Point Vodka, to make my favorite tap cocktail. If you are more of the drinking on the lawn type(yes it’s legal to have an open container in the Denton square), you cannot go wrong with stopping at Midway Mart, a local gas station who’s beer selection is literally better than any chain liquor store. For coffee, you have to try Jupiter House, mainly because they indulge my craving for flavored coffees, coconut is amazing, and they have the best cinnamon rolls I’ve ever had. For an evening of sushi fusion, I highly recommend Komodo Loco, get the towers they are amazing. And if you are up to venturing off the square I’ve never had better customer service and delicious food than at I Heart Sushi. If you want to do a little shopping around the square and you have time to dig, do not miss the mini-mall. I have found some of my favorite items there, and I used to run a vintage store out of one of the booths. Also Norman Roscoe has one of the best aesthetics and coolest graphic tees around. Finally, if you are looking for a little night time fun, I always love glitter bomb, an exciting and provocative queer show, which has recently moved to Rubber Gloves. If you are interested in getting your sweat on, go see Mollie at Denton Spin Co, or grab a yoga class with Nancy at Inspire Yoga. Finally, if you are looking for a memento from your time in Denton, visit the Dime Store for locally sourced goods, my one stop shop for unique gifts.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family, both chosen and assigned at birth. I would not be where I am without my wonderful support system. My parents, all four of them. My best friend of 23 years. My wonderful husband. And my extended family who has always been there to support and cheer me on.

Website: wellculturecounseling.com

Instagram: @hannahpoeklaassen and @wellculturecounseling

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahpklaassen/

Facebook: @hannahpoeklaassenlpc and @wellculturecounseling

Youtube: UCkhpqDU_xnW0JECHAX6HiZw

Other: TikTok: hannahpoeklaassen

Image Credits
Scott Birdsong

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