Hidden Gems: Meet Candace Purifoy of Refreshed Counseling Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Candace Purifoy. 

Hi Candace, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Growing up in Detroit, MI as the daughter of an Elementary School Principal and a Senior Executive at Chrysler, I was no stranger to the importance of leadership and communication. From an early age, my gifts as a communicator began to emerge. My family jokes that I was a “Little Oprah Winfrey”, always trying to understand and help. I was the child who advocated for others or sat with a listening ear to all of my friends’ challenges and struggles, always offering a word of support or advice. I couldn’t see it then, but God was preparing me back then for my future. 

After earning my Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University, I began working in corporate America and climbed the ladder quickly. I found myself enjoying a “successful” career as a young executive living in Washington DC. It seemed to be a picture-perfect life. But in truth, I was miserable. Lonely, frustrated, and unfulfilled I couldn’t seem to enjoy the amazing life everyone was telling me I had. Internally my souls cry kept getting louder. “There is more”. Eventually, God began to intervene in way that forced me to explore the “more” that He had for me. 

I was unexpectedly laid off from my cushy corporate job and it was the turning point in my life. I went to grad school and received my Master’s of Arts in Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary. After working in the Community Mental Health and nonprofit sector, I founded Refreshed Counseling Services, a private therapy practice in Farmington Hills, MI. 

At Refreshed, I blend my clinical knowledge of psychology and biblically sound teaching, to create a unique atmosphere where people are encouraged to discover confidence, find healing from difficult or traumatic events, and gain clarity in their identity and purpose. 

While pursuing this dream, I was afforded the opportunity to grow both as a therapist and preacher. Formally answering the call to ministry in 2013, and eventually becoming an ordained pastor in 2019, I have been blessed to bless others through my preaching, counseling, and speaking. It is my joy to help others navigate through life’s difficulties and find healing restoration and freedom in Christ. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When Zig Ziglar stated “Difficult Roads Lead to Beautiful Destinations”, he must have been thinking of me. I experienced many difficulties on the path to where I am today. The first was changing careers at 30. 

I was a young woman with the next 10 – 20 years of my life planned out. I had very specific goals, timelines, and tax brackets that I had every intention of reaching. But, when God began to show me my purpose, everything I had planned seemed to go out of the window. I had to be willing to start over, learning new skills, taking entry-level positions, and adjusting my lifestyle to reflect the changes. The entire experience was incredibly humbling. There were many times I found myself feeling like I was behind, or that I was failing. I suffered with a diminished sense of self-worth and value because I felt I wasn’t in the same place career-wise as my peers. But as it often does, truth began to ring out in my heart. I began to release myself from comparing my journey to others. After all, like I would always tell my clients “Our only standard of comparison is vertical, our standard is Christ. Comparing yourself to anything or anyone else is just shifting sand.” Once I allowed myself to appreciate my journey, at my pace, I was able to show up more fully in my endeavors and my business grew rapidly. 

The other major obstacle I faced was not having any entrepreneurship experience. I was the first business owner in my family. I had to teach myself how to actually run a business. Webinars, trainings, and coaching were how I learned to develop business acumen. I felt so much discomfort and uncertainty due to my lack of experience. But when I felt like I couldn’t trust myself I trusted my conviction. I sharpened my resolve that quitting wasn’t an option and this was what I was meant to do. There were many bumps along the way, and I am still learning every day, but I’m grateful to say that I finally feel comfortable in my lane as an entrepreneur. 

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Refreshed Counseling Services is a full-service psychotherapy practice in Metro Detroit. Founding Refreshed was a longtime dream of mine that came to fruition in 2017. My goal was to create a safe environment for individuals to work through past hurts, grow in their identity and self-esteem, and thrive in their lives and relationships. We provide individual, group, and couples counseling services for anxiety, depression, trauma, spiritual confusion, and navigating life transitions. 

We also offer consulting services, workshops, classes, and trainings to the community. As a professional speaker, I also provide services as a keynote speaker, panelist, and retreat facilitator. In addition, we sell products and tools to assist clients outside of the therapy room and advocate for faith and mental wellness. This includes T-shirts, pens, and journals, and most recently “A Moment for Myself” A Self-Care Affirmation Card deck I created for Christian women. 

What makes Refreshed unique is that the practice is rooted in Christian beliefs, and specializes in helping those that may want to integrate their faith into their journey toward mental health and wellness. We are uniquely trained and positioned to offer spiritually informed and psychologically sound, high-quality therapeutic services. We use a holistic approach to partner with clients to help them proactively strengthen their relationships and personal well-being. 

Whether you need someone to talk to, someone to cry with, or someone to support and encourage you at Refreshed Counseling Services we are positioned to serve in whatever capacity you need. 

What matters most to you?
I am a very family-oriented person. My roles as a daughter, wife, and mother are definitely what matters to me the most. Everything that I do is for my family. Experiencing their love and support has been the greatest blessing in my life. 

When I began my journey in ministry and entrepreneurship my family supported me financially, emotionally, and spiritually. I had no idea what I was doing. All I had was my determination and a dream, and they believed in me anyway. Not just in theory, they put action into their beliefs. My parents were the first investors in my business. Eventually, when I could no longer handle working both a 9-5 and running my own practice part-time, my husband trusted me and backed me leaving my job for full-time entrepreneurship. Feeling that kind of unwavering love and confidence was the foundational cornerstone that allowed me to grow as a businesswoman and leader. 

Every day I strive to pour back into them all that they have poured into me. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://refreshedcounseling.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CandacePurifoyLPC
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxcPVgjVdqe2APNBTxnAGSg/featured