Meet Marisa Cockrell | Professional Counselor and Group Practice Owner

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

Hi Marisa, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Several things come to mind when asking about my process. I have a passion for helping the helpers. I want to be a practice where counselors feel cared for and built up so that they can better serve the community around us. Therapists carry heavy loads as they listen to the deepest pain in the individuals who sit with them. I desire to provide a beautiful space that encourages and strengthens those called to care for others.

Along with support for the counselors, I also wanted to provide a counseling center where clients feel comfortable and safe. A place where counselors are deeply committed to holding a sense of hope for people until they can hold it for themselves; where clients feel that they are seen and known and deeply cared for. These things motivate me as I build this counseling practice.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Here Comes the Sun Counseling is a group practice in Katy, Texas. Our therapists meet on a weekly basis to support, encourage, and equip one another. We are a small practice, so we are able to know one another more deeply. This provides an environment of challenge to be better at our work but also provides a community for our therapists, who can often feel isolated in this field. Our therapists are committed to seeing clients as fellow journeymen on the ups and downs of life. We are partners, walking beside people, helping clients discover things in their stories. We believe that harm happens in relationships but healing also takes place in relationships, so we hold onto hope as we walk through the heartaches and trials of our clients’ lives, believing that brighter days are ahead. The sun is coming!

Personally, my journey to become a professional counselor was not very linear. Several years ago, I had a transformative experience in my personal time in counseling. I remember thinking that all people should experience the healing that I was experiencing. Later in my life, I was encouraged to attend seminary and learn theology from some amazing men and women at Dallas Theological Seminary. When applying and picking a degree, counseling leapt off the page. I was so excited to pursue this degree that was part seminary/part professional counseling training. It is the most rewarding career in my opinion. I am able to see life transformation over and over again as people are welcome in to sit and feel and think and observe their stories of hurt and pain. I am so grateful.

Later, I saw a need for creating a group practice. Many therapists work alone, and I knew that this was not what I wanted for myself. Starting Here Comes the Sun Counseling came from a desire to find support for therapists and provide excellence for our clients. The beginning stages of starting a business were and continue to not be not easy! One thing I keep telling myself is to just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Keep moving and don’t quit. I often find myself struggling with imposter syndrome and thinking that I am playing some sort of game because surely I cannot do this; I am not good enough or smart enough. But I keep walking forward and don’t give up. I think that is the biggest lesson I have learned as a business owner: keep moving and don’t give up. I also hear the question in my mind of, “why not me?” Others may do it better or grander or become successful more quickly, but why not bet on myself as well? These thoughts keep me trudging ahead!

If I could summarize my passion and story into one thing I wish the world could know about my brand is this: We believe there is hope for you. The current way you are feeling and the current things you are experiencing do not have to last forever. Tomorrow is coming, and we are here to walk through the darkness with you, all the while pointing to the light ahead.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I were to have a friend visit me, I would first take them out to eat at one of our amazing restaurants. In Katy, I would probably take them to Anthonie’s for a sangria and amazing dinner. We would sit out on the patio, enjoying the live music. During their visit, I would also buy tickets for live music at the Heights Theatre. This is my favorite venues with great ambiance. While visiting the Heights area, we will venture to some of the resale/consignments shops in that surrounding area. We may venture to see a Space Cowboy’s game in Sugarland. The atmosphere there is great and the stadium is so nice!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to my family. My husband and my three boys have supported me wholeheartedly throughout my journey, listening to me verbally process aspects of building this business and driving all over Houston to acquire furniture for the practice. They are patient and excited about the journey ahead, and this has helped me to continue to pursue this path, even when it is scary and difficult.

Website: herecomesthesuncounseling.com

Instagram: marisathekatycounselor

Image Credits
pictures by Priscilla Bosma Photography