Alumni Network

My experience working at Three Oaks was transformational for my career. Three Oaks was a soft, safe, and solid landing pad for me to harness my skills as a therapist, engage in supervision with my peers, and truly figure out my direction & calling in trauma work. The core values are truly embodied in the staff, clinicians, and leadership team at Three Oaks and I could not feel more grateful for my time of growth as a clinician while I was there!

Meg is in private practice and specializes in trauma. Her approach uses "bottom up" approaches to trauma therapy, such as Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and EMDR, to support clients in finding wellbeing and wholeness in relationships and daily life. Meg is currently working on full certification as a Sensorimotor Psychotherapist.

Embodied Soul Durham, PLLC
web: embodiedsouldurham.com
email: info@embodiedsouldurham.com

Ally saw Three Oaks grow from a handful of employees, and played a significant role in the practice being able to be what it is now. Prior to Three Oaks, she worked for three years in Community Mental Health which was paramount in developing crisis and assessment skills, however she credits Three Oaks with giving her the opportunity to truly learn how to work with folks in a deeper way. Over her tenure at Three Oaks, Ally contributed to the internship program, blogged for the Three Oaks newsletter, developed training, and mentored other clinicians. She received extensive training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and attended EMDR training with other clinicians at Three Oaks. After four years at Three Oaks, Ally opened her own private virtual practice, Crescendo Counseling, PLLC. She currently specializes in attachment trauma, anxiety and mood disorders, and traumatic bereavement. Ally is currently training to become a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor.

Crescendo Counseling, PLLC
web: CrescendoCounseling.org
phone: (919) 961-2301
email: ally@crescendocounseling.org

Working as a clinician and Site Supervisor at Three Oaks helped me build my confidence as a therapist. The peer supervision and consultation I participated in with a diverse group of clinicians was educational and inspiring. I received incredible coaching that allowed me to narrow down my practice scope and truly feel like a specialist who can serve a specific population and be successful in that work. I value the work that everyone I engaged with at Three Oaks is contributing to our community and cherish the connections I made there.

Leslie has opened her own private practice in the area, Durham Family Counseling. She specializes in attachment-based couples counseling, support for divorcing and blending families, and parent-child attachment therapy.

Durham Family Counseling
web: durhamfamilycounseling.com
phone: (919) 205-4604
email: leslie@durhamfamilycounseling.com

What motivated you to join the company in the first place?
I came to Three Oaks to reground myself in clinical work after working in admissions for a treatment facility. I loved the warmth and the welcoming embrace of Three Oaks, which was a gift that clinicians and clients can both feel.

How did your experience at the company contribute to your personal and/or professional growth?
Not long after I began with Three Oaks, the pandemic hit, which of course changed everything for everyone, but particularly my family. The ability to work remotely was a shift, but gave us the opportunity to relocate ourselves to Austin, TX to live near a different part of our family. My experience with Three Oaks also allowed me to invest in more training, invest in myself, and ultimately connect to my strengths.

Where are you NOW? Any future plans or goals?
I have remained remote but returned to the world of admissions with Eating Recovery Center and Pathlight Mood & Anxiety. I have been able to tap into my strengths balanced together with clinical practice, problem solving, and case management. I am now a Clinical Assessment Manager and work with a team of fantastic clinicians to help assess and get folks to the right treatment program.

What was your role at the company, and can you briefly describe your responsibilities? How long did you work at the company, and when did you leave?
I worked as an outpatient psychotherapist, seeing a range of clients for individual therapy. I was at Three Oaks for about two and a half years until I opened my own private practice this October.

What motivated you to join the company in the first place?
I came to Three Oaks after working in community mental health and was really appreciative of the emphasis placed on clinician well-being, with the understanding that when clinicians are well-supported, quality client care follows.

How did your experience at the company contribute to your personal and/or professional growth?
Working at a large group practice enabled me to connect with clinicians from a variety of backgrounds and with diverse skill sets. I was able to learn so much from them through consult groups, as well as more informal consultations. I always felt encouraged to explore my interests, try new things, and pursue more formal training to continue to develop my skills, all of which will continue to help me throughout my career.

Can you share any specific achievements or milestones you reached while working here?
I got my LCSW! 🙂

What advice would you give to current employees or recent hires at the company?
Take advantage of the collective knowledge of the clinicians around you! Being able to collaborate, consult with, and learn from coworkers was so helpful to me, especially as an early-career therapist trying to soak it all in.

How has your experience at the company influenced your career trajectory or your life in general?
The supportive environment at Three Oaks provided a valuable foundation for my career and helped me grow from an imposter-syndrome-laden LCSWA to a much more self-assured fully-licensed LCSW. This has given me the confidence to take the leap into opening my own private practice.

Are there any fond memories or anecdotes you'd like to share about your time at the company?
Being a therapist is weird; you talk to people all day but rarely see your coworkers to say more than a quick hello because they're also talking to people all day, and usually at slightly different times than you. So spending intentional time with my South Durham team was always a treat. We nearly set an escape room record, and sadly very narrowly lost this year's annual TO kickball tournament, but I had so much fun in the process. Team Kicks Don't Lie is gonna win it next year!

Where are you NOW? Any future plans or goals?
I just opened my own private practice, Windstone Therapy and Wellness, PLLC. My new office is right down the street from my old Three Oaks office, so I haven't gone far. 🙂

Windstone Therapy and Wellness, PLLC
web: www.windstonetherapy.com
phone: (984) 208-5094
email: meredith@windstonetherapy.com