Meet Roxanne Spencer

We recently connected with Roxanne Spencer and have shared our conversation below.

Roxanne, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?

I think it is important to first talk about what self-care is, as it can often be misunderstood as indulgent or luxurious- spa days and candles. While those are fun and relaxing; self care, is often foundational components of life that can be neglected when life becomes stressful. The first things that may be impacted are sleep, social connections, and allotting space for restorative activities. Over time, this neglect can lead to increased anxiety, depressed mood, irritability, physical health impairments, and ultimately burnout. As someone who is supporting individuals seeking help for those concerns, it is imperative that I am practicing consistent self-care for my own mental and emotional resilience to avoid burnout.

I incorporate self-care as a lifestyle. I try to start each day with at least 5-10 minutes of reflection while drinking coffee. This helps me set an intentional tone rather than rushing into the day. If I was unable to start the day with intention, I try to journal in the evening or just take time to reflect about the day. I really value gym time for a mental and physical release. This year, I realized I am more consistent when I go in the mornings rather than after a long workday. Sometimes I go for 25 minutes, other days I may be there for an hour. I just remind myself, “it is about showing up.” One of my favorite restorative and creative outlets is painting/designing my nails. When I try multitasking after a fresh coat, I am quickly reminded when they smudge that I need to be still! In an age when being busy is at an all-time high, finding moments to ‘just be’ are rare. Social connections are an important part of my self-care as well. It can be spending time with a friend having a soul filling conversation, a concert (especially Dermot Kennedy), grabbing tacos, or watching college football with a group. I round out self-care by going to the beaches in Destin, Florida. There is something about the sun, sand, and sea that brings me a sense of calm and restoration.

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 have been in community mental health for ten years. Post graduation, I worked at a private practice and earned most of my direct hours working for Forsyth County Accountability Courts. I became fully licensed in 2018, but I was not ready to take the risk to start my own practice. During COVID, I had an opportunity to reflect and decided it was my time. In 2021, I started Anchored Alliance Counseling and Consulting as a telehealth practice. A few months later, I leased an office space in Brookhaven where I still am today. I consider being a therapist a gift and an honor. I have immense gratitude sitting alongside clients during the most challenging times in their lives. Bearing witness to the courage it takes to seek support, and to engage in vulnerable therapeutic work, continually inspires me. Every session is a reminder of the strength and resilience of the human spirit.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The things I believe have been most impactful in my own journey are also the skills I would encourage others to evaluate. The ability to set boundaries, patience, and passion. I cannot iterate enough the importance of boundaries both personally and professionally. You have to be able to protect your time, energy, and values which is also a practice of self-care as earlier discussed. It is something new and seasoned clinicians struggle with as well as clients. Patience is important regarding the process of becoming a licensed counselor as well as patience with clients during the therapeutic journey. Clients may not always move at the pace you anticipate. As clinicians we often say, “meet clients where they are,” but our behavior needs to follow. There is a difference between providing a therapeutic nudge when a client is stuck versus having your own agenda. And finally, passion. It is simply not something that can be taught. Entering into this field requires dedication, compassion, and intrinsic motivation. I feel blessed that my passion is being a light alongside others.

How would you describe your ideal client?

I specialize in working with adults struggling with substance abuse, anxiety, depression, co-dependency, and life transitions. A transition can be a number of things including graduation, a career change, marriage/divorce, becoming a parent, moving to a new city, and a loss. Clients that are a best fit are those that appreciate a warm, direct approach sprinkled with humor when appropriate.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.anchoredalliancecounseling.com
• Instagram: anchored_alliance
• Linkedin: Roxanne Spencer

Image Credits

Headshot: Joy Cannis

Beach scenes: Roxanne Spencer