Hello, my name is Mimi Phillips. I am the Owner of Center of Agape Christian Counseling Center in Lutz, Florida. I started in this office in January, 2015. Prior to moving to this office I was in a Group Practice in Lutz, Florida.  I am a Christian Psychotherapist, who have been in practice for over 30 years in various organizations before being led, or should I say "called", to go out into the private sector.
 
Before I was called to go out on my own, I was employed in secular agencies.  But, then one day, I was led to seek what God had prepared me to do long before I was even born. I have always felt the call to serve others. But, I felt this call was to serve then as the world called. But, God had other plans. I worked many years in secular settings. I enjoyed serving,  but felt something was missing. There was a void in my spiritual calling. I continued serving and working in the agencies to provide income to support my family. But, then one day I make the decision to leave my paying position, and go forth to go out to a private position trusting that everything would work out. I felt all was needed was my obedience, and everything would work out. I learned over the years that it takes more than just stepping when you don't the knowledge and a real business plan . This is where I went off God's plan. I believed I was listening.  But, to whose voice?  It has been a rough journey. Which I am now realizing it was my voice I heard.  Had I heard His voice things might have been different.

In the year of 2014, I learned that there was going to be some shifting in my ministry/career. I was going to be leaving a group practice and stepping out into an unprepared territory. Here is where the setback in what I believed to be a new beginning  turned into something like a nightmare. Since January 2015, I have been in my new office. It was to be a great start of really doing what I felt would be God's ministry.  I enjoy what I have been given to do. I know that I am in His Will. But, I think sometimes I get ahead of Him. Sometimes I do not listen to those voices He sends to me. So, I went about doing what He gave me the ability to do. But, there were areas where I was totally not prepared to do alone.  Let me explain some of where I went astray. I was on several insurance panels in the other office. When I left the office I made the attempts to get the transaction done smoothly. I continued seeing my clients in my new office so there would be no disconnect in therapy. It was into the year of 2015, when I  finally did some billings. This was when I learned that I had been removed from the insurance panels.This was very alarming as now the insurance companies were not paying for the client's therapy. I did not know what to do, I began to work on getting that taken care of. This is where it all fell through. I was told that there was no need for additional therapists in my area.I have all of these clients that are under my care and they are not aware of t situation. It was not their fault. So, I do not tell the clients. I was not willing to discontinue therapy with these clients. So, continue  seeing these clients , and struggling with the insurance companies to get back on the panels that they removed me off. This has been the battle since 2015. I continue to see the clients. They are not aware that their insurance companies are not paying. I refused to stop seeing my clients.  It is my call to be there to work with them until they no longer require the need for my service.  This is why I am presently at a place where I am unsure if I can continue to keep the office doors open. I am getting little to no income for most of my insurance clients. My prayers is that I will be able to continue  seeing a few clients that have no means to pay once I am financial stable.

I have prayed and asked for God's wisdom. I think at time I am hearing Him. Then, I find that nothing changes.  I have taken all of my monies to stay afloat.  I am now sinking. I do not know what else to do. It is breaking my heart to even consider closing the office. But, I am responsible for paying the rent, and all of the other responsibilities. It is time for me to stop sitting back believing something magical is going to happen. I was told by several wise voices that I can no longer sit back and believe that God will answer my prayers if I am not willing to get up and make some changes. During the past 2 years I kept believing that God would make everything right. But, I have come to realized that I was not making any changes and was too proud to seek HELP!  These is a say that says" pride come before the fall"! I am falling deeper and deeper into this financial hole that I have allowed to happen.

I have so many unpaid bills. I can not get things I need to get going in the office. I have a computer that was given to me to use that I cannot use, as I am unable to get a toner. I cannot buy supplies. I do not have the ability to get a person to help me get the billing system in order to get billing done in a timely manner. So many of these simple tasks I have tried to do during the last 2 years with no knowledge of what I was doing. I have several wonderful sisters in Christ come in to help me. But, it is difficult keeping on top of everything. It is such an endeavors for me to deal with the financial matters. This is still an areas the Father is working with me. I do not like talking about money with my clients. In fact, I hate to even ask about money. I know that this is not a good thing if I am going to stay in this office. But, I am just being  transparent. I am here and there is no reason to hide my faults. I need to get back in a place where I am not worried about whether I can continue doing what I am called to do, and actually enjoy doing. I get up every day looking forward to serving. But, with all of the financial issues, it is getting harder to even see beyond this moment of losing what I enjoy most of all.

I am a Child of God who was chosen to do this work. I feel so blessed to be a servant. But, I sometimes feel like I am failing Him. I believe that He give me this gift to be a  servant/therapist, and the ability to serve others.  But, I feel like my lack of mananging  what He has given me is not being reveal when I am not able to stay on course because of my business failing. But, I do want to move forward and do it right this time.

I pray that there is someway those who see this will be able to help. If you are not able to help financially, please keep me, and  The Center of Agape Christian Counseling in your prayer.

If you would like to see more about the center, please go to my webpage:   www. CenterofAgape.com.

Thanks and Blessings,

Mimi Phillips