About Us
Hi. My name is Patricia Harris. Most people call me Trish. I'm a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Founder of Better Vibes Therapy. I'm so glad that you are exploring your options today. It's a great start.
Please take some time to explore my site and bear with me, I designed it myself. There is no script. Every word comes from my genuine desire to enhance the quality of your life.
You may wonder how Better Vibes Therapy got its start:
I started Better Vibes Therapy in 2021 while working at an agency that I was with for over a decade. At relatively the same time, I worked with my mentor at her private practice and taught behavioral science courses at a few universities in Tampa. Bay.
Funny story ... Earlier this year, I was offered and accepted the position of Director of Counseling Services for the agency where I worked. They needed the help of a seasoned (Licensed) therapist and I enjoyed helping them.
Just two weeks later, after accepting the position and beginning to "dig in," I received a message that there would be a virtual company meeting that afternoon. It's a big company spanning the state of Florida and several other states. An eternal optimist, I was excited to hear about new changes, new growth, or whatever the good news would be; I was ready.
However, it was not good news. They called the meeting to tell us that the Florida branch of the company was going to be shut down within only a few weeks. I was sad for those who were sad, but it was finally time to give life to Better Vibes Therapy.
After months of navigating the business world and catching up with technology, here we are today!
I've been "My Therapist" to a diverse group of clients over the years and I've gained insight into many different lifestyles, genders, physical and mental abilities, ages, ethnicities, etc.
I have extensive experience in addressing a wide variety of mental health disorders, personal growth, change, and mentorship. When I don't know something, I do the research!
I am dedicated to helping adults, teens, couples, counselors, and businesses navigate the path from where they are today to where they want to be. I believe wholeheartedly in the tools that I've gained along my path including evidenced-based tools, experience gained through practice, and the experience of being a human being.
Better Vibes offers a range of services. Whether you're seeking individual counseling, looking to strengthen your relationship through couples counseling, or considering pre-commitment counseling, we've got you covered. For those who prefer a more independent approach, I've created intervention-based digital self-help guides that provide effective solutions at a fraction of the cost of long-term therapy. There's more to my story, and I will share, but first, here's a quote for you:
"Remember your thoughts are the language of your brain and feelings are the language of your body. How you think and how you feel creates your state of being."
Dr. Joe Dispenza
Why Mental Health?
Education
Influences
Scholars who have had a profound impact on my perspective (to name a few)
Ma
Mom showed me how to think 'outside the box,' the courage to believe that I can achieve anything I set my mind to, and the understanding that humor and humility are essential to life. Despite her childhood battle with polio, which left her with the grim prognosis of never walking or having children, Mom defied the odds. She not only walked but danced through life, and she blessed the world with six children. Although she didn't complete high school, the wisdom she imparted throughout my life was as profound as any scholar's. One quote, in particular, continues to guide me: “If you don’t know what to do about a problem, step back far enough until you can see the whole picture. If you still don’t know what to do, you are not far enough away from it.” In Loving Memory of My Mother: My foundation!
Mom’s legacy lives on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the many souls she touched.
We continue to unwrap the precious gift of her wisdom, determination, and the courage to think and live 'outside the box and to believe that no matter the odds; we can!
My Friend
In Loving Memory of Hal Tipper: A Beacon of Inspiration From Calgary, Canada, a selfless soul, Hal recognized the need for accessible mental health care. Self-taught, he learned the theories of mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), change, problem-solving, resilience, and coping, and he tirelessly worked toward finding a way to disseminate his insight globally. In 2019, the world lost a compassionate visionary, but his legacy lives on. Hal Tipper's creation, "Positive People - Making a Difference" is a testament to his enduring commitment to helping others. Hal dreamed of providing online courses on the essential topics he had mastered. He aimed to bridge the gap, ensuring that mental health care was not a privilege but a right attainable by all. Although his physical presence is no longer with us, his vision lives on through the countless lives he touched. I will never forget the passion that burned within Hal, the drive that fueled his actions, and the kindness he effortlessly shared with everyone he encountered. His memory continues to inspire and guide me in my journey as a mental health counselor.
Hal legacy reminds us that even in the face of life's challenges, one person's dedication and compassion can make a world of difference.
Mentor
Colleague
Friend
In Loving Memory of Rachael: An Inspiring Force of Resilience and Empowerment Rachael was a true force of inspiration, leaving an indelible mark as a business owner, therapist, life coach, author, trainer, mentor, community advocate, lecturer, friend, daughter, spouse, and a devoted dog mom. Her life was a testament to the limitless potential of the human spirit. Despite the physical challenges she faced as a quadriplegic, Rachael's spirit knew no bounds. Her unwavering determination and boundless heart were a testament to the power of the human will. After spending ten minutes with her, you would forget her physical limitations because her spirit and wisdom soared far beyond them. Rachael's role as a mentor and coach touched the lives of hundreds of therapists and social workers. She instilled in them knowledge and the courage to embrace the "gray areas" of life. Her guidance was a beacon of hope in moments of doubt.
Rachael's legacy is a living testament to the resilience of the human spirit. She showed us that nothing can truly stop a determined heart. Her memory will continue to empower and inspire us.
Philosophy and Baboons
My philosophy is rooted in the idea that by prioritizing our mental well-being, we can lower stress and increase balance in our lives. It is then that we can unlock our true and unlimited potential to effect change in our lives and the lives of others. Through compassionate counseling and a commitment to your personal growth, I am dedicated to showing you the way and walking this path with you.
A Story of Hope
Have you ever wanted to help humanity, but the task just seems too big? Maybe it's not.
I watched a video about a troop of baboons in Africa. Members of the troop consisted of several females, their infants, juveniles, lower-ranking males, and a few very aggressive and violent alpha males. The alpha males had recently taken over the troop by ousting the weaker males and killing their offspring.
When humans dumped garbage near their habitat, their buffet of choice, the alpha males would take it all leaving only scars for those who dare attempt to indulge. It was a horrible and tragic society.
One day humans dumped a feast. As usual, the alpha males made sure to eat all of the food leaving nothing for the rest. What happened next has had a profound impact on my belief in the power of change.
That day was the last day that the alpha males took their trip to the buffet. The garbage that was dumped was infected with some form of toxin and it was fatal. All of the alpha males died that day leaving behind a troop of passive, kind, and gentle baboons who were able to change the trajectory of their society indefinitely.
National Geographic. (Producers). (2008). Stress: Portrait of a Killer [Documentary]. Washington, DC: National Geographic. Featuring insights from Dr. Robert Sapolsky.
How You Can Help
Fight, Flight, or Freeze - A biological tool that provides us with the ability to avoid death!
Death - not financial problems, not relationship problems, not being late for something or a messy house, death!
Back in the day, when our ancestors were facing life-threatening situations like a wild animal charging at them, the fight-or-flight was a superhero response. It helped them dodge danger and live to tell the tale.
What Happens to the Body during Fight, Flight, or Freeze? - When in this state, all of the main systems that make the body run efficiently do their part to help. The digestive and immune systems slow down and take a break while the cardiovascular and respiratory systems go into superhero mode. At the same time, our executive functioning including memory, decision-making, impulse control, problem-solving, etc. takes a break as well.
The Problem
Fast forward to today, and our brain still has that ancient software. But now, instead of facing a literal beast, it interprets things like late bills, being late for something, or relationship troubles as potential threats to our well-being. The stress response kicks in, even though our lives aren't in immediate peril. The problem is in how we perceive danger.
As a society, we've come a long way. Extrinsic rewards have fueled our growth – we've ventured into space, embraced electric cars, harnessed artificial intelligence, and more. Yet, our stress response often mirrors our ancestors', despite our leaps in other areas. The issue lies in how we perceive and interpret information, a facet that hasn't evolved as rapidly.
It's not the information itself that propels our evolution; it's the way we process it. So, how do we change? How do we nudge our brains into the 21st century?
In a nutshell, to reroute the flow of information through our neural pathways, to break free from primitive responses, we need to change how we think! It starts with adopting a learning mindset, one infused with humility, gratitude, empathy, and focus.
Gratitude, Empathy, and Focus
Gratitude is perhaps the most powerful tool of all. Gratitude has the power to change our brain chemistry. Studies show that gratitude can: Boost our feel-good neurotransmitters, lower stress hormones, rewire our brain, enhance social bonds, and improve sleep.
Empathy allows us to see how the world looks through the eyes of each other, thus eliminating the toxic and socially constructed distraction of judgment, and freeing our minds to learn.
Focus is our ability to prioritize and maintain our learning mindset.
These behaviors open the door to our ability to change. When we refuse to learn, when we judge, when enough is never enough, we will only continue to regress.
About Therapy
Access to mental health care is vital, yet too many people suffer silently, and that is not acceptable to us. We believe that every person's mental health matters. To help ease the burden of limited access to mental health care, we offer the following:
-
Flex Schedule - We understand that not everyone works a typical work week, so we've opened up a few non-conventional time slots to accommodate those who don't.
-
Sliding Scale Fee for those who qualify
-
RISE - Mental Health Fitness Club - affordable, digital access to mental health care
Our mission is to provide our clients with the highest quality, person-centered, behaviorally-based therapeutic outpatient services. We believe in you, we believe in what we do, and we want to help you realize your potential so that you can make life choices that fit you.
Let Us Help
