Conversations with Morgan Winder

Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Winder.

Hi Morgan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My journey to being a mental health therapist started when I was a little girl when I noticed my passion to help others combined with my educational passion for psychology. It feels like my story really changed and began once I started graduate school for my master’s in social work with a concentration on direct practice with teens, children, and families. In graduate school, I felt like a really belonged in this career path and thoroughly enjoyed showing up to the school to better myself in this field. Although grad school was challenging, it felt right and I knew I was right where I needed to be. In my second semester of grad school, I met Michael Klinkner who at the time was just my professor but later became my supervisor for my internship, my direct clinical supervisor through gaining my licensure hours, and now a co-worker. I felt at a stuck point at the end of the first semester, at this time I have worked in various settings such as in-home mental health services and an inpatient psychiatric hospital. I wasn’t sure what the next step or career choice would challenge me in the way I wanted. I turned to my professors to gain insight and this led me to be able to have an interview in the private practice setting with Michael Klinkner. This internship was located at Evolve Counseling and Behavioral Health Services, a new private practice in Gilbert, Arizona founded by Elizabeth Fedrick. At the time, Evolve Counseling had been open for just a couple of months, which started with four providers including me and I was their first intern.

A lot changed for me when I was exposed to private practice and got to experience helping individuals in this setting. It provided a challenge I enjoyed, but also allowed me to be a part of clients’ treatment and journey from start to finish which was something that was new to me after working in inpatient psychiatric care. In addition, I was surrounded by impressive, genuine, supportive therapists who enjoyed helping me grow, letting me learn from their clinical expertise, and encouraging my career. My partner can attest that I would come home and talk about what a dream it would be to be hired at Evolve Counseling. A year of hard work, advocating, and dedication to my internship led to my being hired. It is hard to find the right words on how I feel to have had that intern experience but also, how I feel to have met and been surrounded by the team at Evolve Counseling. Evolve Counseling has now grown into two locations with two more locations on the horizon and 10+ Current therapists in three years. Through that time, I have started a community service committee that allows Evolve Counseling employees to come together once a quarter to support local causes here in Arizona. I currently see clients at both our Gilbert location and Biltmore, Phoenix location. I am extremely excited and grateful to announce that I will be the first provider to expand Evolve Counseling and Behavioral Health Services by opening up my own location in Scottsdale. To start something new is challenging and nerve-racking, to say the least, but I am beyond grateful to be a part of a team who has supported so many firsts, new endeavors, and career growth. To work alongside Liz Fedrick means to feel you can take on any uncomfortable situation and push yourself past any comfort zone you may have. From being the first intern to the first provider to expand an amazing company feels like a pinch-me moment, I am very grateful for where I am in my story today.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road. More than ever, I have learned how to lean into the uncomfortable and adjust when there are struggles (which can be so difficult).

There are always tough obstacles in the clinical world with challenging cases and learning how to prioritize self-care and ensure there is a work/life balance. In addition, growing and expanding your business creates uncomfortable new challenges that force you to push yourself out of your comfort zone, try new things, fail a few times, and most importantly allow you to learn how to reflect on those failed attempts to try again and succeed. Looking back, there were many struggles, however, those struggles taught me so much personally and in my career.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a mental health therapist specializing in anxiety, self-esteem, parent-child relationship, and trauma. I work with a various range of populations including those as young as 5 to 35 years old with a range of presenting concerns. I am known in my practice for building strong therapeutic relationships and meeting clients where they are in their treatment journey. I am kind, authentic, and relatable, and enjoy bringing humor into my practice. There are so many difficult and challenging moments in my office but also moments of laughter, smiling, and genuine rapport to ensure each client feels safe in their therapeutic journey.

I am most proud of starting a community service committee within Evolve Counseling and Behavioral Health Services. This committee has committed to serving, volunteering, or fundraising to support a local cause once a quarter and the experience has been extremely fulfilling. Private practice is a unique work setting because you don’t see your co-workers as much as you would in a traditional 9-5 setting. This committee has brought the Evolve Counseling co-workers together to support causes we are passionate about and not only has it assisted local non-profits but has been a great addition to our wonderful work culture.

What do you think about happiness?
Seeing the resilience of my clients truly makes me happy. I have been in the mental health field in various settings, some treatments more intensive than others, and witnessing the resilience in every population as well as setting, is something that fills my cup. It amazes me how brave individuals are to overcome their hardest life challenges and to see how much they have already overcome.

To be a witness and a part of that experience is extremely fulfilling and also such a unique, humbling experience to share with a client. It is a huge reason why I enjoy being a therapist and something that makes a challenging day at work all worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.evolvecounselingaz.com/
• Instagram: @evolvewithmo

Image Credits
Elise Willey