Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alissa Yamasaki, Owner of Ayama Psychotherapy, located in Lemont, PA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I really believe in bringing humanness into healthcare, and we work hard to treat everyone with compassion and kindness. We are a health-minded, inclusion-oriented psychotherapy practice specializing in the treatment of anxiety, stress, insomnia, and body image/eating. Our clients are a mix of adults and college students who are looking for more than just a listening ear, and our therapists balance appreciation of the individual while drawing heavily from empirical evidence for what works.
Tell us about yourself
I've always had an appreciation of the mind-body connection. I think it was fostered in me as a competitive gymnast growing up and was built further at each step of my professional career. In college, I was studying movement (kinesiology) but decided that I liked the psychological aspects of movement best. I went to graduate school in clinical psychology and studied the body's responses to anxiety. As a practicing psychologist, I integrate attention to mental health and the body. I love that Ayama Psychotherapy has a mind-body focus.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
One of my most fulfilling accomplishments is seeing that my business regularly helps connect people to their joy. I find it satisfying to see when clients get connected to a "best fit" therapist. That therapist in our group is a great match because we have taken the time to consider what the client wants and what work the therapist loves to do most. That way, clients are happy to meet with an energetic therapist who is deeply knowledgeable, ready to help, and fully present.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I try to keep a grounded view on life, and one of the gifts of being a business owner is also one of the hardest things: adjusting to what feels like constant change. I have a ton of flexibility to pursue what I find fulfilling and carry a lot of responsibility. I joke that my boss (me) can sometimes work me too hard.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Be prepared to work hard, be sure to take regular vacations, and definitely grow a group of fellow business owners and consultants who are within and outside of your area of business because you can't possibly know or do everything. Do all three well, and you will be in good shape.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Check out our newest branch of work! This has been a labor of love in my free time. In an effort to address the lack of accessibility for women 40+ who suffer from chronic dissatisfaction with their sleep, we have put together a guided self-help program. Our piloting has gone beautifully, helping women to reset their sleep patterns using data and science while supporting them throughout the process. We will be opening it up for the public soon: https://smartrestfulsleep.teachable.com/p/mastering-restful-sleep40.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.ayamapsychotherapy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vibrant.therapist/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3odBehA
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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