Meet Maggie Albers, MS, LPC | Therapist & Owner of Wellness Lane Counseling

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maggie Albers, MS, LPC and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maggie, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
The answer to this question is one that I recently stumbled upon. You know how sometimes you might hear something 100 times before it clicks? That is how I feel about this important decision that I made. I recently started networking, but more importantly, connecting with my community in various ways. I talk with my clients ALL. THE. TIME. about how important it is to build community and social support systems, yet here I was as a brand new business owner not taking my own advice. However, over the past few months I have started reaching out to people and making connections, and the amount of joy and excitement it has brought me has been so profound. Sure, it feels really awesome to get my business name and info out there but almost more than that the connections with people have been so invaluable. It’s hard to describe the feeling you get when connecting with like-minded individuals who just “get” you. I think this is why people may underestimate the value of putting yourself out there and building a support system or social network, because it can be hard to put into words how incredible it feels. But please please please trust me… it is so worth it. Take the risk, put yourself out there, and connect with your community. You won’t regret it.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I started Wellness Lane Counseling in April 2022 and so far it has been one of my favorite (and most difficult) experiences I’ve had yet. I am a licensed therapist and I provide virtual counseling to individuals located anywhere in Colorado. I specialize in working with individuals who are experiencing a great deal of insecurity and uncertainty and aren’t sure what to do. I utilize a cognitive behavioral approach that allows us to dig deeper into why and how they’re feeling the way they are. People often seek out my services because they are either struggling with symptoms of anxiety, just went through a major change (had a baby, graduated college, started a new job, moved states, etc.), are uncertain about their current life circumstances, or are wanting to improve and strengthen their mindset. At the time of starting my own practice, I was working as a Supervisor for an Intensive Outpatient Program, which was an extremely busy and stressful job. I had two young kids at home (2 & 4 at the time) and I just remember feeling like even when I was home with them, mentally I was always a million miles away because work was always on my mind (and there were always a million work-related things to do). I knew that level of stress and lack of work-life balance was not sustainable and was not the type of life I wanted for myself. So I started thinking about starting my own practice and although there have absolutely been moments of fear and uncertainty, I am so so happy I made that decision.
The path to starting my own practice has not always been easy, and to be honest I don’t necessarily feel like I have it all figured out yet. I am constantly learning and asking questions, and when I reflect on where I was a year ago I’m shocked at how much I have grown and learned. I think one of my biggest pieces of advice is to build a community of like-minded people in similar fields. You have to have a support system that can answer questions, brainstorm with you, or even just listen when you’re feeling like you don’t know what you’re doing… chances are they have felt that same way so knowing that you’re not alone is so helpful.
Honesty, I am most proud of myself for just taking a risk, like really really proud of myself. I talk with clients all of the time who are scared to make a big change or a big decision because of what others will think, or because they don’t think they can do it. Which I get, it’s really really scary to go against what you know and take a leap of faith, but gosh it is so worth it.
What I want the world to know is how much thought, care, and hard work goes into my practice and my brand. For me as a therapist I find so much joy and fulfillment in helping others become the best versions of themselves, and the fact that I now get to do that through a business that I created all on my own is so so special. It makes the work that was already amazing, that much better and I don’t take that lightly or for granted.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
On my gosh where do I start with all of the amazing things there are to do? I like in Pueblo, CO so locally I would make sure that we hit up La Forcetta Da Massi which is a family owned Italian Restaurant in downtown Pueblo. The food is absolutely incredible and is an absolute must. Fuel & Iron is a newer place that is really awesome and something Pueblo really needed. Of course you can’t skip the Riverwalk in downtown Pueblo. We’d have to spend a day at the Pueblo Reservoir as well. For a day or two we’d have to head North to Colorado Springs, but before heading that way we’d stop at Burrito’s Betty for the most amazing breakfast burritos. In Colorado Springs we’d go to The Garden of the Gods, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and if we were feeling extra adventurous we’d check out the Manitou Incline. Springs has so many amazing places to eat but my favorite so far is probably Paravicini’s Italian Bistro (can you tell I like pasta?) And we’d of course have to hit up a Brewery where we could just hang out, have some beers, and play cards. One of my favorite breweries in Springs is FH Beerworks.
And lastly, I think we’d head North a bit more to Castle Rock and Denver, stopping in Castle Rock for some shopping and then heading to Denver where we could hit up Yoga on the Rocks at Red Rocks. If you haven’t ever attended one of these events it’s an absolutely must do!

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?
Oh my gosh… there are so many people that immediately jump to mind that have been part of my journey and my path would not have been the same without them. Most importantly is my husband, Austin. As many other business owners have probably experienced, when you first start your own business, it is not always an overnight success… which can be really scary. I can’t imagine what that fear might be like if I didn’t have a supportive partner or family. No matter how tight things have gotten financially or how stressed and unpleasant I have been at times when feeling like I don’t know what I’m doing… he has not once batted an eye or made me feel like this isn’t something I should be doing. He keeps me calm and grounded and is my biggest cheerleader in the moments when I have felt like giving up or that I’m in over my head. I’m glad I’ve heard his encouragement, otherwise I wouldn’t have gotten this far.
In addition to my husband I have had sooo many people that I have learned from along the way and wouldn’t be where I am today without their support and mentorship. Some of my most influential teachers have been: Amanda Brown, Kristie Dorwart, and Angela Rezendes. I want to thank them for always supporting, teaching, and seeing potential in me. I appreciate you all sooo much!

Website: www.wellnesslanecounseling.com

Instagram: @wellnesslanecounseling

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wellnesslanecounseling

Image Credits
Ashley Picco (headshot photo)