We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bree Sutton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Bree, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
My job at a university counseling center was a dream come true. I loved working in an academic setting with a population that inspired me, and I had an incredible team of peers I connected with deeply. The role offered stability and flexibility—I had summers off and could attend lectures or guest speaker events whenever I wanted.
However, during my time there, I went through a divorce and became the primary caregiver for my three young kids. Suddenly, my dream job no longer fit the realities of my life. I needed more flexibility and the ability to increase my income as the sole provider.
My best friend, who had been in private practice for years, often encouraged me to take the leap, but I was initially hesitant. Leaving a stable position felt risky. But with the emotional support and encouragement of my friends, I decided to take a calculated risk. I set a goal: if I could build a client base over the summer that matched my university income, I would transition to private practice full-time. I worked tirelessly to achieve this goal, and by the end of the summer, I had succeeded.
I prepared strategically—joining professional networks, surrounding myself with supportive and encouraging people, and grabbing every opportunity I could find. I reframed my idea of “risk” and realized the greater risk was staying in a role that no longer aligned with my needs. As the sole provider, I needed to level up.
By pushing myself out of my comfort zone and embracing uncertainty, I developed my ability to take risks—recognizing that growth often comes from taking calculated chances.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a mental health therapist specializing in helping athletes and high achievers overcome anxiety and reach their full potential. My approach is unique because I integrate cutting-edge techniques like HeartMath biofeedback to enhance heart rate variability and brainspotting to target deep, subconscious roots of anxiety and performance blocks in the neurological system. These evidence-based methods help clients not just manage anxiety but transform it into a source of strength, resilience, and peak performance.
So many aspects of my work excite me. I love witnessing breakthroughs, or sitting with a client during some of the most challenging times of their life. Seeing clients tap into their potential is incredibly rewarding. I enjoy the mentorship aspect of supervising interns and watching them grow into empathetic clinicians who will be the next generation of our industry.
I’m excited to announce that I’m expanding my services to support college athletic teams. With the help of a recent grant, I’m launching drop-in support hours specifically for student-athletes to provide accessible, immediate care for their unique mental health needs.
I am on the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association board and Chair of the Justice Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee. I find it incredibly rewarding to participate with an organization that exists to support the mental health therapist community in Washington State, and I am proud of all of the behind-the-scenes work we are doing to increase support for the therapists around the state who work so hard every day in a career that can be extremely challenging.
At the core of my brand is the belief that mental wellness is foundational to personal and professional success. I aim to create a boutique, high-end, cash-pay practice with a sliding scale that empowers clients to invest in their mental health just as they would in their physical health or professional development. I’m constantly evolving and expanding to offer more innovative, personalized services to meet the needs of my clients.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Finding a Community of Like-Minded People Ahead of You
One of the most impactful steps in my journey was surrounding myself with a community of people who were further along in building what I envisioned for myself. Whether it was through professional memberships, mentorship programs, or networking events, learning from those who had already navigated the challenges I was facing was invaluable. My advice to anyone starting out is to be proactive in finding and engaging with these communities. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek guidance, and learn from the experiences of others. The knowledge and support from people who have “been there, done that” can save you time and help you avoid common pitfalls.
Specializing Rather Than Generalizing
For therapists in particular, one of the most transformative decisions I made was to stop trying to be a generalist. Early on, it’s tempting to want to serve everyone, but I learned that specializing allows you to become an expert in a focused area, making your services more valuable and impactful. For me, that meant honing in on working with athletes and high achievers struggling with anxiety, and diving deep into specialized techniques like HeartMath biofeedback and brainspotting. My advice is to find a niche that resonates with you and invest in specialized training and development. Become the go-to expert in that space, and you’ll not only set yourself apart, but you’ll also find greater satisfaction in your work.
Persistence Through Challenges
Persistence has been a cornerstone of my journey. There were countless times I could have given up—I’ve faced fear, financial uncertainty, and moments of overwhelming doubt. But each time, I anchored myself to my past successes: my first $10K month, reaching a waitlist, growing from one intern to three, securing grants, and landing government contracts. These milestones reminded me that progress is possible, even when things feel impossible. For those just starting, understand that persistence isn’t about never feeling like quitting; it’s about pushing through despite those feelings. Celebrate every win, no matter how small, and use them as fuel to keep going. Also, get creative—explore various revenue streams and collaborations, like grants or contracts, that can support your growth and sustainability.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal clients are athletes and high-achieving individuals who are driven to improve their mental health and optimize their performance. These are people who are highly motivated and open to exploring approaches beyond traditional talk therapy. They are excited about trying cutting edge techniques like HeartMath biofeedback, brainspotting, and other mindfulness-based tools that can be powerful in managing anxiety and enhancing performance.
An ideal client is someone who is willing to do the work both in and outside of our sessions. Many of the methods I use, such as increasing heart rate variability or practicing mindfulness, require commitment beyond our time together. The most progress happens when clients actively engage with these tools in their daily lives and are consistent in showing up for themselves. Consistency is key in therapy—especially when using brainspotting or other advanced mindfulness techniques.
I love working with people who believe in the power of mental training and understand how crucial it is to their success—whether that’s in sports, their careers, or other areas of their lives. These clients recognize that the work we do together in session has a direct impact on their performance and well-being, and they’re able to acknowledge and celebrate their progress along the way.
Finally, my ideal clients are those who are as fascinated by the mind-body connection as I am. I love to “geek out” about the neurological system and how we can use it to calm, self-soothe, and achieve peak performance. I enjoy educating my clients about these processes, and I thrive when working with people who share this curiosity and are eager to learn how their bodies work.
If you’re someone who fits these characteristics and is ready to explore innovative and effective mental health practices, I’d love to work with you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hellobree.co
- Instagram: hellobree.co
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bree-sutton-1b352326/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreeSuttonPerformanceTherapist
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