Meet Janee’ Beville of Beville Counseling LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janee’ Beville

Hi Janee’, 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 backstory with our readers?
My name is Janee’ Beville (pronounced Ja-Nay Bee-ville) and I’m so honored to have the chance to share a little bit of my professional journey with you. I’m originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan and I’m a proud alumnus of Ottawa Hills High School. While in high school, I took a Psychology class as a junior and was intrigued about the brain and how behaviors are shaped. I knew very quickly that I wanted to be a therapist; I wanted to help people find understanding and healing by giving them the space to be heard. I hadn’t personally experienced therapy at that time and desired to have a therapist so that I could be heard. I was naturally quiet, so I often felt overlooked and not listened to. I also understand now that I may have struggled with anxiety from a young age as well. Even though I was known as a quiet and shy person and asked “how can you be a therapist when you don’t talk?”, I knew it was what I wanted to do. So I went for it!

When my parents dropped me off at Western Michigan University, they suggested I take business classes so that I have something to fall back on that will help me make more money than I would as a therapist. I had no interest in taking any business classes (ironic since I am a business-owner now). I already knew I was majoring in Psychology and searched for a minor that would complement that. I stumbled upon the communications department and learned that there was a degree in learning how to communicate one on one. Four years later, in 2007 I earned my Bachelor’s degree in both Psychology and Interpersonal Communication!

I also want to share that I was a student-athlete who was on the Track and Field team at WMU (Go Broncos!). When I accepted the reality that my dream to compete professionally in Long Jump and go to the Olympics would not happen, I was even more committed to completing my degree as soon as possible since I knew Grad school was required to be a therapist. After gaining my Bachelor’s degree, I came back to Grand Rapids and began gaining experience in the mental health field by working at both Pine Rest as a residential aide and at an after-school program. I eventually worked as a youth advocate with GR Public Schools. At that time, I wanted to work with middle school aged youth and figured it would be beneficial to have some experience with that population. I only took one semester off before deciding to attend WMU Grand Rapids campus for Grad school. This allowed me the opportunity to both work and attend classes. I earned my Master’s degree in 2011 in Marriage, Couple and Family therapy and I am now a Licensed Professional Counselor. I am also a licensing supervisor for therapists working toward their full license.

Over the past 14 years, I’ve had the privilege of working in various settings: in-home therapist at Arbor Circle, a Kent School Services Network therapist and Infant Mental Health therapist at DA Blodgett- St. John’s and outpatient therapist with Centennial Park Counseling. These experiences helped me build therapeutic skills and taught me how to connect with people from all walks of life. I was also forced to grow socially and became a social introvert. I have since added public speaking and workshop facilitation to my resume’ as well.

In 2018, while working at a group practice, I formed Beville Counseling LLC. I knew I would eventually have my own therapy practice and began learning what it would take to start one. I observed the owner of the group practice and learned what is required regarding insurance billing, marketing, etc. I came into 2020 ready to move into an office space, but that was halted when Covid began. That is when I began working from home doing virtual therapy. Like many, I thought that wouldn’t last long. However, by the summer of 2020 I had gotten used to providing therapy that way and I thought my dream of opening my own practice would not happen. Thankfully a friend said to me “you know you don’t need to have a building to open your practice”. Literally in that moment I realized I could pivot and start my practice virtually. I launched my solo practice in December 2020. I finally had the opportunity to begin creating a practice that I envisioned for healing and growth. I was operating solo for 2 years and decided to finally try shifting to a group practice by adding my first therapist in 2022. Learning how to run a practice and be a business owner has been a huge learning curve!

Being a Black female therapist, I know the benefit and importance for clients to find and work with therapists who look like them and understand their cultural needs. And although I had been trained as a therapist, I had to learn through my work experiences how to be therapist for clients of color. Covid helped remove some of the stigma about mental health and more people are seeking therapy especially those in communities of color. I saw a need for therapists to be properly trained to serve ALL people. In 2023, after taking time from various board positions that I was serving on and entering my first pitch competition, I identified what I wanted my group practice to be, a “teaching practice”. I wanted Beville Counseling to be a place where we create an environment where clients feel safe, heard, and validated AND where therapists can learn how to be culturally competent and skilled therapists who also learn about the business of private practice. We now have 7 therapists with diverse backgrounds who are committed to providing quality care.

Looking ahead, I’m excited for the future as I shift from direct client care to focusing more on providing supervision to other therapists and continue to create a space where both clients and clinicians can thrive. My dream of being a therapist has evolved since high school and I’m excited for other avenues that I can explore in the mental health field.

While my work as a therapist is deeply fulfilling, I also find joy in volunteering and giving back to my community. I’m an active member of the Grand Rapids Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where I chair the Physical and Mental Health committee. In the past, I have served on several boards in GR including Our Mental Health Collective and Meaning in Colors. Through these volunteer experiences, I’ve been able to connect with others who share my passion for mental health advocacy and community support.

At the heart of everything I do, I believe in the power of compassion and validation. I truly believe that when we hold space for people to be seen, heard and valued, we help them move toward becoming the best version of themselves. That’s what I’m here for—whether I’m providing therapy, supervision, or simply lending a listening ear, I’m committed to being a source of peace and support in this world.

Thank you for letting me share a portion of my professional story. I hope it’s been a reminder that with passion, persistence and faith, you can achieve your dreams!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has been on a road filled with growth and valuable lessons, though not always smooth. The journey of becoming a therapist and business owner has challenged me in many ways, but each step has been an opportunity to learn and evolve.

One of the biggest struggles early on was learning to speak up and truly advocate for myself—whether that meant voicing my needs in my own therapy sessions or networking amongst peers and in the business world. As a therapist, I’ve had to develop a range of skills beyond just counseling—marketing, billing, administrative tasks, and public speaking. These weren’t areas I initially felt comfortable in, but I soon realized that being a successful business owner meant wearing many hats. I’ve also faced the financial challenges that come with growing a business- things like insurance issues, low therapy rates, and the growing pains that come with scaling up.

Another challenge was navigating my own personal growth. I believe in the importance of self-care and for me, that meant engaging in my own therapy. Working through issues related to low confidence, identity exploration, anxiety and depression have been key to my development as a therapist and leader. I had to learn how to lead with vulnerability, humility and confidence which took lots of reflecting and practice. I also had to learn how to radically believe in my dream and convince others to see the vision in hopes of them joining the practice or investing financially in the business. To manage rejections or doubts from others requires a deep level of faith and intentional self-care.

But with the struggles, I also found lessons. I learned resilience, adaptability, and the importance of surrounding myself with a supportive community which includes my family, friends, mentors and fellow peers in the mental health field. I’m proud to say that while the road hasn’t always been smooth, every obstacle has shaped me into the person and business owner I am today. I’m grateful for the challenges because they’ve made me stronger and more confident in my ability to keep moving forward.
Through it all, I’ve learned that growth comes from perseverance and from believing that my dream is worth fighting for. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been absolutely worth it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Beville Counseling LLC?
Beville Counseling LLC is a Michigan-based mental health practice founded with a deep commitment to compassion, hope, and professional growth. At the heart of our work is a mission to partner with individuals as they navigate their journey toward becoming the best version of themselves. Through awareness, education, skill-building, self-compassion, and grace, we help people realize their potential and empower them to achieve everything they are capable of.

At Beville Counseling LLC, we offer therapy sessions exclusively via Telehealth, making it easier for clients to access care no matter where they are in the state of MI. We specialize in a range of concerns related to anxiety, stress management, trauma, depression, relationship issues, career exploration, identity challenges, and family dynamics. Our team is well-versed in various therapeutic approaches, and we pride ourselves on offering culturally competent therapy that respects each client’s unique background and experiences. In fact, one of the things I’m most proud of is the diversity within our team—we have therapists from different cultural, religious, and professional backgrounds, including African American, Vietnamese, Hispanic, Christian, Muslim, military veteran, and more. This diversity allows us to connect with a wide range of clients in a meaningful and effective way.

We accept the following insurances: Priority Health (commercial and Medicaid), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Care Network, Blue Cross Complete and Michigan Medicaid. We also accept self-pay and offer sliding scale rates based on financial need. This helps us provide people with access the mental health support they need regardless of their financial situation.

What sets us apart is not only our personalized, compassionate approach to therapy, but also our dedication to professional development. Whether it’s through our therapeutic support, workshops, speaking engagements, or clinical supervision, we’re here to provide a space for learning and growth, both personally and professionally. Our practice has a “teaching practice” model which allows us to provide mentorship and clinical supervision to therapists as they develop their skills, ensuring that they can provide culturally competent care to their clients.

Our focus is always on providing a welcoming, compassionate, and validating environment where clients feel heard and supported. Whether you’re seeking therapy for yourself, your family and/or for your relationships, we are here to help you build awareness and resilience and to move toward the peace and healing you deserve. I’m incredibly proud of the work we’re doing at Beville Counseling LLC and I’m excited about the future as we continue to grow, expand, and make a difference in the lives of both clients and clinicians alike.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up I was known to be quiet, shy and observant. I was always listening and learning from those around me which helped me develop a deep curiosity about people and the world. I had a lot of thoughts and insights, but didn’t always have the courage to share. I loved to read and dive into learning new things—whether it was exploring different topics or solving puzzles. I also had a natural interest in helping others and was heavily involved with my church’s youth group, where I formed meaningful connections and learned the value of community.

In terms of hobbies, I was pretty active as well. I loved going skating every weekend and was involved in sports, mainly Track and Field. I loved doing Long Jump and dreamed of going to the Olympics. I also had a creative side; styling hair was something I loved to do for fun and to earn a little money in high school and college. Even though I was quiet, I still liked to try different things because I would learn new skills and got to meet new people.

Like a true introvert, I really valued my friendships and the time I spent with others. I was the type of person who would rather be in a smaller, close-knit group and learned to make connections one on one. Surprisingly, this allowed me to be well known in high school even though I was seen as very quiet. I think my experience of connecting deeply with people is something that has stayed with me throughout my life and shaped the way I approach my work as a therapist and leader today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bevillecounseling.com
• Instagram: @bevillecounselingllc
• Facebook: Beville Counseling LLC
• LinkedIn: Beville Counseling