Brighter Spotlight with Nityda Gessel
We are so excited to announce the Brighter Spotlight by Brighter Vision. Each month we’re sitting down with a long-time Brighter Vision client to learn a little bit more about them. Everything from the best marketing advice they’ve ever gotten to their favorite past time activities will be covered.
This month, we got to interview the amazing Nityda Gessel and learn more about her and her bustling private practice in Austin, TX. Join us for an afternoon with Nityda Gessel.
Hi Nityda! We’re so happy to have the opportunity to interview you and learn more about you and your thriving private practice in Austin, TX. Can you start off by telling us a little bit more about yourself and your practice?
Thanks for having me! I am a trauma specialist and body-inclusive therapist. My area of expertise is in integrating Trauma-Focused Yoga into psychotherapy practice. There are two facets to my business – private practice and continuing education training. In my private practice, Mind-Body Psychotherapy, PLLC based in Austin, TX, I see adult woman who are survivors of relational and complex trauma. I do a lot of work with trauma, attachment and shame using the integrative approach I described before, incorporating elements of the yoga practice, including yogic philosophy and chakra psychology, pranayama (breathwork), meditation, mindfulness practices, somatic awareness and asana (the physical yoga poses) into talk and EMDR therapy.
As a senior-level yoga teacher of twelve years, the second part of my business is that I have created and facilitate Trauma-Focused Yoga Teacher Trainings for clinicians and yoga teachers. Minding the Body: Integrating Trauma-Focused Yoga into Talk Therapy Practice is a 25-hour training that teaches therapists the Trauma-Focused Yoga Approach and how to apply it clinically. Therapists do not need to be yoga teachers to attend this training and give their clients these powerful teachings, but one advantage for therapists is that by way of taking this training, their personal yoga practice will deepen. I wanted there to be a dual benefit for therapists in participating, personal wellness and career development in one. I lead this training in Austin, TX and several other U.S. cities. My goals with this part of my business for the current year are to develop an online training and formalize the training manual into a published book for sale.
Nityda in her office which is used for yoga therapy.
What is your favorite thing about being a therapist?
As a clinician, seeing the progress and growth in people and their ability to recognize their progress and growth; their increase in self-awareness and ability to express self-love; their change in attitude toward themselves as a whole person- mind, body, heart and soul; their shift in the way they perceive the world and their place in it. There is nothing like witnessing the transition from a person feeling lost, uncertain of their abilities and disconnected from themselves to one who is grounded within themselves, accepting of life’s stressors, and confident in their ability to manage them. As a trainer, I love hearing from my graduates how they are integrating yoga into their clinical work and the positive responses they are getting from their clients.
What do you like to do in your free time when you’re not working?
I’ve been in Austin for two years, having moved here from New York City where I lived for nine years. What drew me to Austin was the weather and all the great outdoors things to do. My husband and I just adopted a handsome puppy so I like to be outside, in nature, with my husband, pup, and friends. I love my yoga and meditation practice, running, hiking, reading, swimming, and going to concerts and movies. And I love, love, love, traveling and seeing other parts of the world.
Nityda’s adopted puppy, Mogwai Gessel. Nityda and her husband, Ryan Gessel.
When did you become a Brighter Vision client?
December of 2016 when I launched my practice in Austin.
What was your reasoning for joining the Brighter Vision family?
I came across your podcast, The Therapist Experience Podcast, first, and I found it super informative and inspiring as I prepared to open my practice. I would listen to it on my drive to work and get excited about leaving that job and launching my private practice. Knowing that through its specialization in therapists’ websites, BV is attuned to the unique marketing needs of psychotherapists, was the top selling point for me. I liked the designs, the staff were great and, the offer of continued support sealed the deal for me.
—> PS: Listen to Nityda’s interview on the Therapist Experience Podcast right here <—
What was your favorite part of getting your new website?
It felt like me and a creative expression of who I am, what I’m about, and what I offer.
Nityda’s Brighter Vision website.
What sort of marketing efforts do you utilize in your private practice?
Networking via online listserves and social media groups for therapists in Austin, my own social media business pages, word of mouth and reaching out to other clinicians, directories, and my website.
How do you keep organized?
I rewrite my to-do list daily or every other day as needed and prioritize tasks based on timeliness and necessity, but also what’s going to be enjoyable for me so business doesn’t feel like a chore. I focus on seeing clients the first half of the week and my trainings the second half. I give myself permission to take days off, which is restorative.
A shot of Nityda’s therapy talk space.
What other platforms do you use in your private practice to stay afloat?
I use Theranest for practice management. I am looking into Teachable for creating my online course. I was using Wave for bookkeeping but I’ve outsourced this task now.
What have you found to be the most important piece of advice someone has given you about being a private practice owner?
(1) Do more of what you love. (2) Know your worth.
How do you make time for self-care with your busy schedule?
I don’t see clients after 5 p.m. so the evenings are me-time and family time. I have a two-room office, so one room is the yoga studio and the other is the talk therapy space. In between clients I go into the yoga studio, burn some sage (I love the smell), and practice. Whether it be a full yoga practice or simply pranayama (breathing) and/or meditation, it’s such a nice break and mind reset.
Do you have any pieces of advice for someone that is just starting out on their private practice journey?
(1) Do more of what you love. (2) Know your worth. (3) Use fear as a driver not a deterrent.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today, Nityda! We truly appreciate you being our February Brighter Spotlight interviewee.
Nityda’s website and social media links:
PS. want more inspiring stories from therapists just like you? Download and listen to The Therapist Experience Podcast where 100s of therapists have told their private practice story