Speaker 1 (00:04):
All right. Hello, this is Rhonda Ves with Illuminated Pathways Family Therapy, and we are coming to you through a podcast, the Illuminated Pathways Family Therapy Channel on YouTube. So I am really, really excited about being here today and get to share another, um, another thing about our practice and, and kind of let you know who we are a little bit deeper than just the clinical piece. So kind of share with you, um, just different little ins and outs. But before we get started there, let me just share a little bit about, again, who we are. So again, my name is Rhonda k Ves. Um, I’m an LPC supervisor with the State of Texas, and I am the owner of Illuminated Pathways. And I have been for 11 years this past January 2nd. And, uh, we offer, um, several counselors now, a really great support staff and, uh, to help mental health services to individuals from all walks of life.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Um, not only in the Clear Lake area down in Nassau Bay, but now in Conroe and in Missouri City. And we are hoping to land our fourth location come this August. So I’m pretty excited about that. Our group practice uses evidence-based treatment, such as talk therapy, play therapy for children, and other proven mod, um, methods or modalities. While these main remain central to our care, recent personal experiences have led me to reevaluate traditional approaches to mental health, which then I have come to value a holistic, um, approach. Um, the whole body, the spirit approach, um, that helps us better address your unique needs. And this perspective gives clients access to a wider variety of therapeutic options before considering medication, empowering them to make informed choices about their treatment. Um, at your initial consultation, we take the time to learn about what you are seeking so we can recommend therapies to suit you best.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
Your preferences, your preferences and goals are always at the heart of your care. And with those types of focus areas, we’ll focus in on faith-based perspectives. Um, and, uh, Christian counseling for pastors and their families, missionaries, and those that are just like you and I where, uh, we just love Jesus and we wanna just kind of share life together. Um, we do use a simbu assessment called Save Your Marriage before it Starts. However, this is also useful for marriages, those that have been married five years, two years, 20 years, 30 years, or like myself going on 38. So, uh, it’s a really great assessment and it’s, and, and the statistics for this particular assessment, those that go through program, there’s a 94% chance that your marriage will be super successful. So, uh, if you go through the program and do it, you know, do it through the work, I think anything worth having is worth fighting for.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
So we really wanna do all the things we can to bring back marriages back ’cause it’s not humans, um, design. It’s God’s design, God design, marriage. And so we wanna bring it back to God’s original design. We also offer animal therapy here in the NASA Bay Clear Lake area. Um, and we do have Dwight. So check us out on, uh, at our website and you get to meet Dwight. We do have Bella. She’s in training. Uh, we have anger management, alcohol porn, recovery. Um, we ask, we offer any types of trauma, whether that be personal trauma from childhood or adult life, or just loss and grief and just different things in your life. Executive functioning for those who are A DHD or on the spectrum, maybe even sometimes both. ’cause that is a thing. And support groups, we do offer those. And so we’re pretty excited about that.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
Technology, conferences, marriage intensive retreats, those will be coming this summer. So stay tuned. So I would like to take the time to introduce, uh, Jacob Valders. And yes, we both have the same last name. So this is our youngest son, and he has, uh, we kind of stepped into asking him, Hey, we’re kind of getting busy over here. Do you think you’d like to, to work for us? Would you like to kind of give it a chance? So I’m pretty excited that he’s said yes. And so, uh, now he, he is part of something that’s gonna be much bigger than both of us, for sure. Um, we know God’s doing a mighty thing here, so I’d like to introduce you to Jacob Balders. And so Jacob, give us a little bit of background about who you are and, um, and what got you to the point of joining Illuminated Pathways.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Yeah, hi, um, glad to be here. Um, glad to share a conversation and, um, what it means to be here with Illuminated Pathways Family Therapy and how, uh, the business, uh, strives to offer the best counseling support Texas has to offer. Um, so a little bit about my story. I actually started, um, in college as a, a graduate for music education. And I spent a number of years in the classroom and teaching privately, teaching private lessons, piano, voice, ukulele, guitar, um, and, uh, and spending some time in the elementary classroom, music classroom to, uh, a diverse range of students. Uh, a large group of students that I saw throughout the week for three years. I saw about 700 kids in my music classroom throughout one week. And, uh, so it, it was super fun, super fulfilling, um, a lot of work. Uh, and, uh, yeah, that’s af After that, I ended up deciding to take a transition away from the classroom for after a three year period.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
And, uh, found myself putting a little bit more fuller effort into, uh, my private teaching, which is still going on to this day. Um, and then, uh, spent some time doing some, uh, restaurant serving some little, little gigs on the side, some building, building some furniture. Um, and then, uh, it was around the first of the year, uh, when I had a conversation with Joel and Rhonda here, um, at Illuminated Pathways. And, um, we decided to go ahead and take a step into a little part-time, uh, assistance with the bookkeeping. And, uh, that has kind of turned into a full time gig now, uh, six, five months into five months into this, uh, journey. And, uh, now we’re dealing with, uh, a new billing service and, um, more, more things to, um, to focus on outside of just the bookkeeping, looking into payroll and, um, customer support and, uh, insurances as well is a big, big deal of it as well.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
Right. I remember, you know, I just, you know, your dad and I, we, when we started the business, right? Like, uh, back in 2015, like you knew though, you were in the area actually here with us, kind of, uh, kind of transitioning, kind of figuring out where you’re gonna go in 2014. And I remember you and I moving stuff into that office at the church. Uh, I Do you remember that? Yeah. The day before we, uh, you know, I think it actually was before I had my, my knee replacement surgery mm-hmm <affirmative>. And so you and I had, um, uh, and I remember just laying on the floor talking to insurances and getting ready for the pre-op and the different things. And so just to kinda get the office ready to go, so when the surgery was over, then I could just kind of get into practicing. So yeah, it, that was really neat. So you’ve been a part of this actually from its inception, so it’s kind of interesting. Here we are 11. Yeah, yeah. 11 years later and of doing stuff together, that’s kind of neat. Um, I just got, got to thinking about that. Like, I remember laying on the, on the floor, uh, you know, we were tired, man, dog tired. Yeah. Putting that, putting that off the team. There was no elevator. No elevator. We were carrying that stuff up on those stairs, <laugh>
Speaker 2 (08:00):
File cabinets, desk furniture. Yep.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
<laugh>. Yeah. So anyway, so, uh, yeah. So, um, I, uh, I know that when you quit your teaching job, you, you just knew that, that you gave it a good effort, right? You gave it, you, it was fulfilling. I know that you, you love children, you love being around people, you love serving people, but you really feel God was calling you away from that, I think, and you just said <crosstalk>, that was right.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Certainly. And I think, um, there were a number of factors that kinda led to a little bit of a
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Feeling, a little bit of burnout in that position. And, um, uh, it, it took, it took me getting through a period where I was kind of up for recertification, where I was kind of able to set back and reassess what exactly I wanted as another chapter, um, if I wanted to continue or try something new. Um, and, uh, then it took a, uh, a number of months to just kind of figure things out, uh, try out some different things along the way. Um, but I’m, I’m very blessed and thankful for the, uh, opportunity that was extended to me for Illuminated Pathways by, um, by you guys. So thank you so
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Much. Yeah, you’re very welcome. I, I know that like, I, you know, Jacob, I, I, I, I probably think I shared with you, but just in case I’ll just share it, um, you know, October 17, 20, 24, you know, really have a really close relationship with the Lord. And, and so that particular night, I, or in the night, that night going into the 18th, I guess it was around 2 30, 3 o’clock, the Lord woke me up and told me that he was gonna expand my territory with my business. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. And so that January, that next January would’ve been 10 years. And I’m thinking, man, I’ve been in business almost 10 years and it’s not gonna happen. Like, you know, his, I, I am like, okay, what do I do that I haven’t been doing? Like, I mean, you know, so, and then COVID took us home, you know, back in 2020.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
So I was at the church for five years, and then by this time I’ve been at home for five years mm-hmm. Uh, working outta my prep, my house. And, and so every, every bedroom’s been moved out and moved into like a therapy room. And so, like, I’ve always promised your dad, like, I’ll never move our bed out. I promise we’re gonna stay here. I promise it’s where we’re gonna live, you know, but we kinda have fun with that. But we got, but then that prophecy really has come true. Um, the Lord asked me to write it down. I wrote some things down. I haven’t gone back to look at that, uh, in a little bit now. It’s been about, I don’t know, a year since I’ve really looked at it. So, um, but it’s been pretty stinking amazing. So last, last March I hired, uh, clay Clark.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
And, uh, he has been instrumental into what we’ve done here. And so super excited about like, and I’m kind of that person, I don’t know, I wanna say I’m like him, but I operate like how he teaches. So you do this, if you do this, this happens. Like, if you do this, this happens. Right? Like, and so that’s part’s been really good for me because I’m that kind of a rule follower. Like I, I, I like structure. So this is very structured, lots of learning curves. You know, you and your brother have taught me a lot, like, already you guys grew up with technology, this she has not, like, it’s all a learning curve, all of it, you know? Yeah. It’s
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Constantly
Speaker 1 (11:13):
Shifting,
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Changing.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
It’s getting force fed, you know, like, like yeah. Whether you want it or not, you have to do it, you know, <laugh>. So, but anyway, um, so I, I’m just really excited. And so I think it was March when I said to you, Hey, Jacob, you wanna quit your other jobs because like, this could be really full time. What would you like to do? And by this time, we’ve had, we doubled our business, like, um, in, in February, we like doubled our new patient intakes. Yeah. And so, and then, you know, clinicians and support staff. And so, so yeah. So you are now very much so in the arena with bookkeeping and, um, and payroll and billing now that we’re fully in-house. So, uh, so you, you got some, like, little, little things you got your self dabbling in. It sounds pretty awesome. Yeah,
Speaker 2 (11:59):
Plenty, plenty of learning curves on my end as well. <laugh>,
Speaker 1 (12:02):
You’re, yeah. So, so what do you, uh, as, as we are, um, really striving to be the best counseling support Texas has to offer, what do, what do you think about like, um, all these new pieces that you’re seeing just since you said yes, starting part-time?
Speaker 2 (12:18):
Yeah. Um, you know, it really is amazing to watch the, the business flourish and, um, transform into something that’s bigger than any single one of us. Um, uh, yeah, since I’ve been here starting the first of the year, January, 2026, um, we have added extra locations now to three, one in Conroe, Texas, one in Missouri City, and then the one, the original location there in Nassau Bay in Clear Lake. Um, and, uh, lots of support staff, lots of new
Speaker 1 (12:58):
Faces,
Speaker 2 (12:58):
Wonderful faces, um, lots of, um, opportunities to, to lean on each other and, uh, the work and offering, uh, the best counseling support that Texas does have off have to offer. And, um, it’s really wonderful to be a part of. It’s something special. So,
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Yes. Well, I thank you for like, stepping up and kind of taking the lead on some of this too, as your dad. Joel works full-time also with, uh, American National, so I kind of keep him busy over here, as you see, right? Like, and so now that our counseling supports, uh, has gotten bigger too, like, you know, it’s more clients and then it’s more like numbers and more like details and different things. So I’m really thankful he’s got a partner in that. So, and we couldn’t think of anybody better than somebody in our family to help take care of that too. So thank you for saying yes. So, um, now that you, you know, you kind of wanna dabble in some things, like, you know, you always say like, you know, you in, in my family, carpentry has been a thing, right? Yeah. So, um, and you know, I, I do still believe that that doesn’t leave your interest at all.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
’cause I know that’s something you kind of found yourself to really enjoy after spending time with your uncle and your nephew and your cousin. So I think that like, um, there’s still some of that you should be able to kind of get to. It’s from time to time, a as we get kind of smoothed out and kind of feel a rhythm, I, I pray anyway. Like, I don’t to, like, I look at Clay Clark and I go, man, this guy’s 90 miles an hour. Like, if I’m gonna, if I’m gonna keep up with him, like, I’m not getting 90 miles an hour. But anyway, but I feel like as you get to where you really know stuff, then we can get people underneath you to kind of help you manage, kind of get some things in order. So, um, so, but like, and I know that you’ve done a good, a good job on some furniture that you’ve made, and like you’ve refurbished even. And, and I know that there’s, there’s some things that you wanted to do. Do you feel like, um, you, at this point, you’ve made a good decision, um, like kind of where you’re at and kind of help you move forward to maybe some of those things on the side? Yeah,
Speaker 2 (15:06):
I do. I do. Um, I think I’ve, you know, definitely getting into my stride, um, finding a good rhythm, uh, finally able to kind of like parse my day out into, um, you know, doing some, doing some workouts, doing some, uh, other tasks. I love this. I love, I love the flexibility that this position has to offer as well, just because I am able to, uh, work remotely up in, up here in Oklahoma while you guys are doing the business down, down in Texas. And, uh, um, get to work from home most days, or, you know, go to a cafe, work out of there. Um, really, really take care of some of the pieces of, of, you know, maintaining home life and whatnot while, uh, while my, uh, other half is out, you know, conquering, conquering the schools, <laugh>, <laugh>, um, my wife Alexandria. Um, and so, uh, it, it’s given us a good balance. It’s given us a good, um, structure to kind of build upon. And there’s definitely still some room to grow, still some room for me to, uh, um, divvy up my time and to, uh, some various hobbies, you know, um, thankful that recently we’ve been able to kind of spend some extra time out and, and giving our, uh, back patio some love. Um, so yeah, just the, the flexibility that the position of affords has been, um, uh, super wonderful and, uh, very grateful for.
Speaker 1 (16:42):
Good, good. So, I’m not sure if you heard the dog bark, so if you do <laugh>, part of the animal therapy we have around here, so like, yeah. Anyway, they
Speaker 2 (16:51):
Wanna
Speaker 1 (16:51):
Say
Speaker 2 (16:52):
Hello.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
Yeah. They wanna say hello, that’s for sure. Yeah. Well, um, share your faith a little bit, like, uh, you know, kind of talk about that. ’cause you know, we’re really big on that with our business, and so I’m really thankful for, for that piece personally, you know? Right. And then everybody that works for us also, um, exhibits that as well. So yeah. Tell me a little bit about your faith and why you are excited about being able to, to be part of that. Yeah,
Speaker 2 (17:18):
Yeah. Um, so it’s, it’s really wonderful thing to be in, um, a community, a business community where we all, uh, freely can, uh, express our love for Christ and our love for each other in a way that, um, is nourishing and supporting. Um, I have grown up, uh, in a, in a, in a Christian environment my whole life. And, uh, uh, went to a Christian, uh, university, had some wonderful education, found some wonderful friends, wonderful professors, um, and then continued on, you know, um, currently singing, singing in a man, it’s almost 10 years now, singing in a, um, uh, choir at a Catholic church, which, um, honestly also just gives, even though I didn’t grow up Catholic, it, it just gives, um, uh, a wonderful perspective still to, um, the, the whole, the, the faith as a whole and, uh, um, striving to lead a, um, Jesus centered life. Um, and the fact that I can kind of bring that Jesus, Jesus centered life and perspective openly into, uh, the professional realm is, uh, is a blessing. And, um, and it’s, uh, it’s life giving, you know? So
Speaker 1 (18:44):
Yeah. That also like, you know, is like the best, uh, you know, counsel, uh, counseling support that Texas has to offer for sure. Yeah. Because, you know, when, when you can feel like you have the freedom to like be that way, and then even with the people that you’re working with, and then those that you might be interfacing with, you know, right now you don’t really have a lot of interfacing except with the staff, um, but you know, into the community. So I do know, like I’ve shared with Clay that, uh, I wanna have two locations in Oklahoma mm-hmm <affirmative>. So, um, do this here. Um, you know, where, you know, just trying to, um, kind of put, put that into perspective, you know, kind of like allow us to, um,
Speaker 2 (19:35):
Expand and
Speaker 1 (19:37):
Expand and grow. Do all that Right. Establish
Speaker 2 (19:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
Yeah. You know, so I think that, um, you know, just some of, I feel like I’ve moved, right? I just kind of did. I like totally move <laugh>, what happened to the screen? <laugh>. Oh my goodness. That’s really weird. So, um, let me kind of turn this on, do not disturb, and that way it won’t ring again. But anyway, um, I’m sorry about that. That was a very, very rude, so I’m a little ooc d you know this already, right? Yes, yes. So I went from being in the center to like, now I’m like in this center, like, oh, what happened, <laugh>? Yeah. Yeah. But anyway, around a little, so, uh, yeah, and I know that like some of the other things that Clay, uh, has talked about, like, we, we are really trying hard to, um, you know, get everybody to get out and get Google reviews and, and do, uh, like video reviews. And so while that might be really kind of, might be a little bit difficult for you, but I know that people will recognize you and wanna give a Google review just basically on character or whatever. So I know that that’s something that you, you, you are an upstanding person in your area and your career path. And, and so, um, you’re, you’re quite, I remember when your, your, we had, I, I think it was your recital for
Speaker 2 (20:58):
My graduate recital.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
Graduate recital. I think so. And your brother said
Speaker 2 (21:02):
I also did, yeah.
Speaker 1 (21:04):
I’ve done several, but this particular mm-hmm. This particular one, your brother sat between your dad and I, and your brother leans over and says, you know, mom, he’s really good. I’m like, yeah, I know. He goes, no, he’s really good <laugh>. And I go, I know. And he goes, I don’t think you get it. Could being a mom for a minute, just listen to me <laugh>, like, you know, so <laugh>. So that’s, that’s kind of what he said to me. And I said, that’s funny. Okay. Like you’re saying, like, he’s gonna be like in lights one day, you know, like, so anyway, so I, I would say too, that if anybody was interested that’s listening to this podcast, interested in voice lessons, I’m sure he would do some virtually with you. Oh, yes, absolutely. He’s pretty, pretty talented. And so, uh, and then that goes to be said with like, with guitar or whatever mm-hmm <affirmative>. So, uh, check him out. So Jacob Veder in Oklahoma City.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
Yeah. Veder Music Academy. Yep.
Speaker 1 (21:52):
There we go. Vedder’s Music Academy. I love that we get to kinda like, throw that out there. Very go. There it is.
Speaker 2 (21:57):
All
Speaker 1 (21:58):
Right. So to have the best counseling support Texas has to offer, um, what, what do you foresee, um, in the next six months? I wanna see what you, like, what, what is God showing you with even the growth that you’ve seen in the last five months? What do you see Yeah. Like going into the end of the year? Well, what is knowing, knowing how quick it grew, just, just since you started, um, and then where is that gonna go, you think?
Speaker 2 (22:26):
Yeah. Already, um, we’ve hired, uh, somebody new that’ll be, uh, joining our crew and, and, and the kind of the back seat backside of, uh, uh, billing and payroll and, um, the financial center, uh, aspect of the business. Um, and so I would, I would imagine that, um, we would just continue to, uh, thrive and, and lean on each other’s support. And, uh, probably it’ll be necessary to even grab some more, some more new faces, uh, along the way as we continue to, uh, expand into, um, not only another location there in, in the Houston area, Houston Metro, um, but also as you seek to expand eventually up into Oklahoma and beyond. Um, yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:18):
And
Speaker 2 (23:19):
So I would imagine that, um, this, this role, uh, kind of e evolves into, uh, well, it’s never, always, it’s never been so low, although sometimes it does feel so low sometimes in the work that I’m doing remotely here, but, um, uh, evolves into something that’s, um, a little bit more cohesive with a, with a, a unit of, um, of folks that are gonna be kind of just sharing the same, same work and, and, um, when it pertains especially to, uh, the financial pieces of, uh, illuminated pathways.
Speaker 1 (23:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:57):
And that’s exciting to
Speaker 1 (23:58):
Think about.
Speaker 2 (23:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:59):
Right. You know, we’re, we’re hire, we’re hiring for the front desk, by the way. Yeah. So anybody listening, right? If you were faith-based and you align with us, check out our website, read our mission statement, and kind of let us know. But we are hiring. And so we’re always hiring good, uh, licensed professional counselors, uh, licensed marriage and therapy, marriage and family therapy, um, counselors. We are also, um, you know, if you are a clinical social worker and you’re all faith-based and you, you know, really aligned with our mission statement and, um, and what you see on our website, then check us out. You know? ’cause I think that’s the thing, right? Like, God, it’s really been wild. Like these two other locations, we got Jacob where God gave us the counselors first, right. And then the location. Yeah. But we didn’t have the location, like Yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:47):
Like the counselors showed up first. And so that’s been pretty neat. Like, I just hired somebody yesterday, and so, uh, and then we got another person coming in shadowing on Monday and another person onboarding on Monday. So that’s three counselors that are coming. Um, and they are actually, uh, licensed professional counselors, so, uh, associates at the time, you know, so, but that’s like amazing. And so they will start towards the end of the month, 1st of June, and then, you know, Hannah just graduated. And so she will, we’re waiting on the Texas, uh, BHC to, to process all her stuff. Um, so yes, I mean, we really are, uh, and those people that are coming on are gonna be working in our Missouri City and in our Conroe city, uh mm-hmm <affirmative>. And then they’ll be doing some hybrid here. But, uh, yeah, pretty amazing. Like, you know, and so never would’ve dreamed I I, and essentially, like, I couldn’t have dreamed this.
Speaker 1 (25:47):
Yeah. It’s a vision. The Lord gave me the vision. Like he said, this is gonna happen. And like, who am I? Like I, I sit back and I’m, I’m like, wow, you just, it is, I’m watching it. And, and I’m, and I work, I work a lot, but I don’t always, there are days I feel tired, you know, but I think that’s just kind of like, you know, it just happens, right? But in general, like, because I’m doing his work, God’s work, like I’m doing, because he said, yeah, like he said, this is gonna happen. I don’t, it’s really weird. It’s like a, a supernatural strength that’s coming in and taking me on this journey. Um, and so that’s the best way I can kind of really explain it, that helps, you know, build that best counseling support that Texas has to offer. Yeah. And I think that, you know, it’s, it’s ’cause people ask me like, like, you work all the time.
Speaker 1 (26:35):
Like, yeah, I work six days. And that’s something Clay Clark taught me too. I don’t know if you know this, like, right. So, you know, in the Old Testament where it talked about, you know, you, you work for seven days. Six days, and you rest on seven. But in the Old Testament work was actually worship, worship is work, work is worship, worship is work. And that’s why like, you know, they did it for six days, rested on the seventh. Yeah. And so Clay teaches that, like, so I have a Christian, a Christian, uh, coach, like, and so that’s beautiful too, right? So like, and so you, you listen to that and I go, okay, wow. Even the perception, like, where did it come in? Like just five days a week or four days a week? You know, why do we have to have that, that whatever.
Speaker 1 (27:12):
So I, I really have found that like, you know, when I need a break, I take a break, you know, otherwise, I’m, I’m just going like, ’cause the alerts says go. And so I work as unto the Lord. And, uh, and I think because of that, that helps us be the best counseling support Texas has to offer also. Yeah. So also like, I’m never gonna ask you to do something, Jacob or any of my staff to do something that I’m not willing to do. Sure. Right. I already did it all. <laugh> did it all for years, you know, so it’s like, so yeah. So I, I don’t have a problem doing anything. Um, but I think it’s getting so big that I’m having to back up and kind of go, okay, what’s next? Like, yeah. Right. I’m, I’m gonna have to buy, I, I hire somebody else to kinda take on some things. You
Speaker 2 (27:52):
Need more hands.
Speaker 1 (27:52):
Yeah, yeah, yeah. For sure. So, uh, what do you think about the animal therapy?
Speaker 2 (28:03):
Oh, I think it’s super special and wonderful. Um, I have, uh, had the honor to, uh, hang out with Dwight and Connie and, um, and eat and, and rest in peace. Teddy before, um, he was the, the original therapy dog back when you started your practice. And, um, uh, I just think it’s very special that, uh, that we’re you, the business and you are able to, um, have a wonderful outlet for, um, patients and clients to, um, receive a connection to, um, a furry friend, you know? And, and I think that there’s a way that, um, therapy, therapy animals can bring out, um, bring out connection in a, in a, in a different way than sometimes it can with, you know, one-on-one. Um, and I think it’s just a wonderful comfort in a wonderful, uh, asset to the business.
Speaker 1 (29:12):
It’s really true, Jake. Like, you know, like take Teddy, right? I remember Teddy’s first session was at the Children’s Advocacy Center in Denton County. Mm-hmm
Speaker 2 (29:21):
<affirmative>.
Speaker 1 (29:21):
No, Brazoria County. I’m sorry. Brazoria County. Yeah. And, um, and so I remember the child was like maybe five, five or six years old, and Teddy was laying, he, you know, he, he was a Bassett hound dachshund standard mix. So he was a low rider, like he was just a short dog, right. Short legs. But he had laid down on his side, and the, and the little girl laid down on her side, and they just looked at each other and she told him her story. Her, he, she told him her whole story.
Speaker 2 (29:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (29:53):
And that was his first therapy job. And I was like, they’re able to just huddle
Speaker 2 (29:58):
And listen. Yeah,
Speaker 1 (29:59):
Yeah. Right. And so, uh, there’s just something special about the animal for sure, you know? Mm-hmm <affirmative>. And so now that everybody, everyone wants the dog in the room, right? Like, yeah. And there’s only, there’s only just, you know, so many animals right now. And, uh, right. But, and I think Bella, Bella will become the next one, but she’ll be with us a year in August. And so, um, I, I do see that Dwight is kind of teaching her some things. She’s kind of gotten calmer. She’s actually very more, she’s able to kind of be in the room a little bit longer and help us, um, as we, uh, you know, help the staff be the best counseling support Texas has to offer so that they can like, do the thing they need in the room. And, you know, and when a, when a patient is, or a client, they’re kind of interchanged, sorry. Um, when they’re, when they’re feeling overwhelmed or emotional, Dwight just knows he’ll, like, get up on the couch, lay on their lap, or put their, his head up on their lap, or he will just lay at their feet like super close, like, and, you know, and he’ll sense it and he just goes to it. So that’s not anything I trained, it’s just what the dog does. Yeah. Just natural. Yeah. It’s pretty, it’s very natural for sure. Mm-hmm
Speaker 2 (31:12):
<affirmative>.
Speaker 1 (31:12):
So. Well, you know, um, I am really excited you said yes. You know, uh, your dad and I were talking about how, you know, you know, when the good Lords decides to like, send us home, right? This is something you’re gonna be able to carry on and, uh, and the have the legacy of this, and just kinda take it and just continue doing the structure and have clay work with you and do those things. I don’t, you know, um, I don’t see that ending with Clay Clark. I, I believe that we’re gonna be together for years to come. And so, uh, just because of all the good choices that he’s taught us and helped build for us, that, um, I really believe that it was probably the most, uh, instrumental piece that I did when I brought him on. Yeah. Um, and then being obedient to the call, that vision that the Lord gave to me that October 17th, 2024, and I know that there was not an accident, like it was for real. I see so many miracles and things happening that there’s no way, just by chance, I don’t believe in chance, I believe in Divineness. Yeah. It was, it was
Speaker 2 (32:22):
Divinely designed. Yeah, for sure. Yeah,
Speaker 1 (32:24):
For sure. You know, so, and I think that’s the beautiful part. Well, do you have any closing remarks that you would like to say? Uh, as before we end?
Speaker 2 (32:34):
Well, um, well, outside of just, I, I enjoyed this talk, and I am so very thankful for, uh, the role that I, I get to play within the business. Um, the connections that I get to, uh, make and, and maintain, um, to really create, uh, this Illuminated Pathways family therapy as the best counseling support that Texas has to offer. And, um, I look forward to the, the wonderful journey that we continue to go on.
Speaker 1 (33:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
Together.
Speaker 1 (33:10):
Well, I know in conclusion, I’d like to invite, uh, anyone listening, uh, or share this with somebody that might need, um, some help. Uh, not every, we’re not broken, right? Like we just sometimes need somebody to talk things through, you know, and Yeah. Um, and especially with a Christian perspective, like the foundation really is, and somebody to pray with you and walk through things with you. So please call 9 7 2 7 6 8 0 7 5 4 to schedule a consultation. You can talk with any one of our therapists and kind of see what therapists might be best fitting for you and your family. And, uh, make an appointment. If you’re not interested in doing a consultation, and you just know that based on what you’re hearing today that you would just like to make an appointment, you can go to the website also and just click on the new client tab. Or you can call the office at (972) 768-0754.
Speaker 1 (34:05):
And the website is Illuminated Pathways. So I’m gonna just try to hold this there. Illuminated pathways therapy.net, so illuminated pathways therapy.net, and you can go ahead and go there and, and, and, and click on the client tab, the new client tab. And, uh, we could just started and remember that we take care of, like, you know, whether you know you have any, any type of, uh, career change or you’re struggling with executive functioning, um, or you got some more serious deep rooted things that are happening, um, we’re here for you and we wanna help take care of you. And, uh, and we, we do have some grief support that we offer every Friday at, uh, at 5:00 PM and we, we would love to have you join us. You just can call the office and there’s seven sessions and it just will rotate through every seven.
Speaker 1 (34:59):
So one session per week, it’s $75 for each session. We would love to have you join us if you feel that’s something that would benefit you. We do have a technology conference that’s gonna happen in June, and we have a marriage intensive that’s gonna happen the end of, uh, July. So, uh, we, or it’s a retreat, a marriage intensive retreat. So we’ll do that the end of July. So, but in the meantime, thank you so much for listening and taking part of what our conversation has been today and get to hear a mother, son, and, uh, and you know, it’s really been really a beautiful journey so far. I’ve really enjoyed being able to kind of talk to you almost every day. That’s really sweet. Yeah. So, um, that’s awesome. I love that. But anyway, uh, say hello to Alexandria and tell her I said thank you, uh, for allowing you to, to kind of participate in this business with us and, uh, <laugh>. Sure. And, uh, not that she has to be the one, but you are married. So with that set bond, so that’s really important too, that y’all are on same page. So, uh, thank you so much, Jacob, for taking time to do this with me.
Speaker 2 (36:01):
Yeah, thank you. Thank you for the invite, and it’s been a pleasure, uh, getting a moment to discuss this, these things with you.
Speaker 1 (36:08):
So why don’t you share with people one more time about your music private practices. Go ahead and throw that out there and contact information, all of that, do that real quick.
Speaker 2 (36:17):
Sure, sure. Yeah. So, um, uh, most Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings, um, we offer private lessons, uh, through our, uh, home studio at Valders Music Academy. You can find us on Facebook or Instagram. Um, and we may even have a website, I forget. Um, but Vedder’s Music Academies where you can find us, and we offer, uh, voice lessons, piano lessons, uh, ukulele lessons and guitar lessons, um, just for growing individuals, uh, beginners, intermediate, um, advanced. I could probably do voice <laugh>, but probably not the other, the other instruments. Um,
Speaker 1 (36:59):
I’d
Speaker 2 (36:59):
Have to find a friend to pass off to. But, um, yeah, would love to, love to hear from you. Come check us out. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (37:05):
And I, I would suppose that like if somebody was getting married and they wanted somebody to hire to do some music, that you and Alexandra could probably do some of that, right?
Speaker 2 (37:14):
Yeah. Yeah. It’s possibly
Speaker 1 (37:16):
Definitely right to hear, because you guys are pretty good, so, yeah. But I think, I think that would be really, uh, something else to kind of think about too, for people that might be out there listening. You just never know what’s, what’s, you know, what’s the need out there. Yeah. But hang on, hang on with me. Don’t, don’t go anywhere. Let me just go ahead and stop this real quick.
Speaker 2 (37:33):
Okay.