Inspiring Conversations with Ronda Lantz of Aspiring Change

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ronda Lantz.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I decided I wanted to be a counselor when I was 15 years old. This was when I started seeing a counselor named Ann. I only had a few sessions with Ann, but her ability to make me feel heard and understood left a long-lasting impression. I decided one day I wanted to give the same experience to others. After high school, life circumstances took me in another direction, and I worked in the medical field for about 14 years. However, I never lost sight of my original goal of being a counselor.

I pursued my degree in Master of Science in Counseling at the University of Phoenix in 2012. I started my career working at a behavioral health hospital, where I was fortunate to work with a diverse group of clients and a supportive group of therapists. I have always had an entrepreneur mindset, so in 2019 I founded Aspiring Change.

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?
Working in the mental health field has been rewarding but comes with its own set of challenges. For example, the need for counseling services outweighs the number of providers, and employers only get paid when direct care is provided to clients. This means counselors are left with little time to complete other required documentation, which has led to burnout. Although this has been challenging, it helped me structure my practice to provide a better work-life balance, so I would have more to offer my clients.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Aspiring Change is a group practice that provides individual, couples, and family counseling to adolescents and adults. We are a diverse group of therapists who strive to provide our clients a safe and nonjudgemental environment where they can be comfortable being their authentic selves. We treat a range of issues including depression, anxiety, addiction, life changes, complex and racial trauma.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
One of the positives I have seen during the Covid-19 crisis is family and communities coming together. I think it has demonstrated the importance of a solid support system. In addition, some people have sought therapy for personal growth and others because of the complexities of the pandemic.

Pricing:

• $85 to $120 per session for private pay

Contact Info:

• Email: ronda@aspiringchange.org
• Website: aspiringchange.org