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

Hi Sehrish, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Being a therapist, my goal is to work in a setting that fits our specialties and our work styles. For me, the goal was to gain experience working in different settings and then work towards opening my own private practice.When gaining experience and training to specialize in eating disorders, I began recognizing the gap in the multicultural and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) community. In addition, I took notice of the lack of resources in certain communities. Over time, my goals transitioned to creating space that allowed me to become a provider that can offer flexibility in scheduling, resources, and bridged the ability for me to integrate creativity when working with my clients. Whether this was where, how, and when sessions would be held; as well as create a more individualized approach.

What should our readers know about your business?
Guided Growth Therapy is private practice that is operated and managed by me, Sehrish Ali, a licensed eating disorder specialist. As a therapist I have had the privileged to work in several clinical settings where I have been inspired to come into work each day and enjoy the work, the clients, and coworkers whom I have had the privilege to work with. My goal with starting my business was to continue the work that I love doing in an outpatient setting, to help them transition in lower level type of care. Guided Growth Therapy is a private practice that takes into account an individual’s journey (including their multicultural and BIPOC identities), body image, trauma, and disordered eating history effect one’s treatment.

By creating individualized treatment plans and emphasizing the client’s individuality and characteristics, I focus on treating the whole person instead of just aiming for symptom reduction.As a product of two cultures, I have gained insight into how integrating and placing an emphasis on approached through a multicultural lens allows us to look at problems, their origins, and treatment options differently than may have been previously considered.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Jeni’s Ice-cream is my go to for all ice cream needs! I have a sweet tooth, and my favorite flavor choice is the salted peanut butter is a must try! Brunch is something I look forward to on somewhat of a weekly basis and my personal favorites include a’Bouzy, Tiny Boxwoods, and of course Milk and Cookies. Milk and Cookies’ chocolate chip cookies are pretty darn unforgettable. I have also always enjoyed a good coffee shop for holding me accountable for getting work done something about the people watching and smell of fresh brewed lattes gets me going. I would recommend Common Bond or Agora. Torcheys Tacos is perfect for a causal Taco Tuesday or if you want to experience the full Tex-Mex I would reccomend El Tiempo or Ninfas. For getting away from it all Bayou Bend Park is a great place to take a stroll and practice mindfulness walk, or simply take a book/kindle for afternoon read.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a shout out to Kelsey Fyffe, https://www.livemindfullypsychotherapy.com, who is another amazing therapist here in Houston Texas. She is an individual who has helped me process everything from business logistics to sharing her insights on the therapeutic process.

Dr. Stephanie Ellis has been my mentor since day one and provided me with so much inspiration and insight since my baby therapist days. Throughout the time that I have known her she has offered guidance and helped me process potential professional crisis. Her book, Five Minutes a Day to an Upgraded Therapy Practice, is such an amazing tool for any therapist or counseling student.

Lastly, I want to give a shout out to my younger sister Inaara of Inaaraalijewelry who designs and curates’ fine jewelry pieces. She demonstrates creativity, an eye for aesthetics and fashion and continues to inspire me. Check out @inaaraalijewelry on Instagram for pictures of pieces that she has curated and designed.

Website: https://www.guidedgrowththerapypllc.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sehrish-ali-79420546/

Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/sehrish-ali-houston-tx/937887

Image Credits
AjVisualphotography

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