Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Frazier-Maskiell.
Hi Erin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have been a licensed therapist since 2006 and relocated to Eugene from Nashville in 2015 and was really excited to build something new. My husband and I agreed that he would take a step back from his own career to stay at home with our three young daughters at that time so I could focus on creating my caseload. That support really allowed me the time I needed to make a go of it.
It has always been a source of joy and an honor to help people really embody who they are without shame or judgment. I have a background in art therapy and was trained in EMDR and along with my southern accent, local Eugene clients seemed to respond to my approach. I had more clients than I could manage and thought I could contract with another like-minded provider to avoid turning people away. It worked well, so I brought in another provider and another and I began to realize this was going to grow into something bigger and ultimately became Alive Holistic Counseling. My people can probably tell you I always say I have been building this plane while flying in the air. I didn’t set out with a vision of owning a group practice, it just continues to evolve. Eventually, I have had to step away from providing direct care and mostly focus on guiding my group. I have had incredible mentors throughout my career and being able to be in a position now to be that mentor to those just starting in the field is energizing and fulfilling.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
That question gives me a good belly laugh. Nothing about building a business has felt smooth, but nothing has felt out of reach either. I would never have labeled myself a “business person” and have no special training or education in that area to lean on. Every step has been a new experience and a series of learning curves. I have made a million and one mistakes along the way. I do have a really good understanding of the mental health field and a driving curiosity about how things work, which was helpful, but I have had to get an unofficial education in things like labor and employment law, how payroll taxes work, how to hire effectively, quality control, benefits management. I have no qualms about asking for help and have sought to surround myself with people who are smarter than me and will give it to me straight. The landscape is always changing so figuring out how to stay flexible and temper expectations is necessary.
One of the biggest challenges has been finding out who I am in this role as a leader and boss. How do my personal values get enacted through my daily interactions or decision making when at times they run into direct conflict with some of the systems I must uphold. As a woman, I have done a lot of internal work around being seen as likable vs. being seen as competent and the two don’t always co-exist easily. Although I am a therapist, I am also a client so shout out to my own therapist for consistently asking me the hard questions.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Alive Holistic Counseling is a counseling practice that works with individuals, partners, families who are walking through a variety of the challenges of being human. Every clinician at our practice has the formal, evidence-based training to become a therapist but have gone on to specialize in a modality like Neurofeedback, Equine Assisted Therapy, EMDR, Art Therapy, IFS, EFT, Prenatal Bonding, etc. Clients have the opportunity to explore which of these approaches work best for them. One thing that sets us apart is the level of investment we put into our clinicians. Behind the scenes, we focus so much on professional development, specifically around anti-oppression for our marginalized community members. The field of psychology has many a harmful root across the span of its existence and we actively work to name it and deconstruct that harm. It is an organizational value and by choosing to work here, you are committing to engage with this on an ongoing basis. I am most proud to have such an amazing group of talented, creative and funny therapists, both present and past. I learn so much from the unique skills they each bring to Alive and every person has made their mark in shaping the culture. I also couldn’t imagine doing this without my administration and leadership team. We can have those difficult conversations yet you feel the sense of love and trust in the room. I would want readers or prospective clients to know how much intentionality is put into the care and services you receive. The work of therapy is healing and growth and our therapists are doing that right along with you.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I don’t know if therapists in general have a well of secret talent or if there is some kind of underground messaging system between my employees, but we have so many musically inclined therapists at Alive, including me. My husband eventually returned to a career as a theater director and I have been known to take the stage at his theater, Pegasus Playhouse alongside a few of my colleagues.
At Alive, we have an annual New Year’s celebration that has evolved into a boisterous karaoke party over the years. I think initially, we were all stunned to hear just what good singers we had amongst us. We spend a lot of time choosing our songs and getting folks to help sing back up because the expectations are real!
Pricing:
- Most major insurers including OHP
- Offer a sliding scale
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aliveholisticcounseling.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliveholisticcounseling?igsh=cmp0cmQ2amplNWpl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1E76vCQ67y/?mibextid=wwXIfr
