Meet Natalie Thomas | Therapist, Consultant, Speaker, and Trainer

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

Hi Natalie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started my mental health practice, The Remix Center, after experiencing several clients coming to me feeling stuck. They had often seen other therapists and were frustrated that they didn’t make any progress. This shined the light on the need for a results-driven approach that truly focuses on helping clients meet their goals and transition from pain to purpose. Additionally, I wanted to create a full-service practice that offers mental health services to companies and organizations. By offering tailored made wellness and educational programs, we help employers support their staff by fostering a culture of mental wellness which enhances productivity and reduces burnout. We take pride in our mission to provide comprehensive services that addresses both individual needs and organizational goals.

What should our readers know about your business?
What sets me apart is my 20 years of experience as a mental health professional combined with my background in the education industry. This unique perspective allows me to understand the diverse needs of both youth and adults. As an educator, my experience navigating relationships with students, parents, staff, and the community has equipped me with a deep understanding of various personalities and the life challenges people face. I am grateful for life experiences that allow me to connect with my individual and business clients on a deeper level and guide them to true transformation and measurable progress.

I want the world to know that my approach to therapy is rooted in my lived experience. I was born and raised in Pleasant Grove (southeast Dallas), graduated from Lincoln High School (south Dallas), and attended a HBCU in Baltimore (Morgan State University). Not one counseling theorists that I studied in graduate school was a person of color, raised by a single mother or lived in an underserved community. I am grateful that my professors at Wake Forest University created a safe environment that encouraged me to tap into my history and embrace my authenticity, compassion, and resilience. As a result, I am able to honor my clients’ backgrounds and incorporate diverse perspectives into my sessions, presentations, and workshops.

I want people to know that mental health is important for everyone! My goal is to #stopthestigma by encouraging individuals, community organizations, and workplaces to create an environment where we can learn about mental health, share our stories, and support one another.

Being an entrepreneur in the mental health field is rewarding yet equally challenging. One of the significant challenges is navigating HIPAA regulations. Ensuring patient confidentiality and providing high-quality care is non-negotiable and adds a layer of complexity. I’ve learned that sacrifices are a part of this journey. My to do list keeps growing, and I wear many hats. Depending on the moment, I’m a therapist, a marketing specialist, tech support, a paralegal, or an accountant, so there are no days off.

I now realize that mistakes are part of the entrepreneur process and that asking for help and seeking guidance is crucial. These 2 things help me grow and ultimately benefits me and my clients.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I used to be able to rattle off a long list of sights and sounds in Dallas and even had a spreadsheet! However, between the COVID pandemic and building my practice, my time “outside” has been limited and/or some of my favorites have closed down. However, I have 3 staples. I take them to Baby Back Shaq for BBQ, Val’s for cheesecake, and The Black Academy of Arts and Letters for arts because there is always something going on there every weekend.

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?
Starting my practice was a collaborative effort. Before becoming a therapist, I was a school counselor for 18 years, so my knowledge of the business side of mental health was quite limited. However, I received immense support from friends and family who believed in my vision. Additionally, resources like the UTA Center for Entrepreneurship and The DEC Network were invaluable in giving me the necessary knowledge about the key building blocks and considerations of entrepreneurship. Their programs and networking opportunities helped me gain the skills and confidence necessary to establish a successful, results-driven practice.

Website: https://www.theremixcenter.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theremixcenterpllc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557898727082

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AskTheRemixCenter

Image Credits
Headshot by Royal Line Photography