BEYOUROWN Meets Elnora Peters

Elnora Peters is a Masters Level Clinical Mental Health therapist and owner of Centergy Behavioral Health. As a holistic therapist, she specialises in the Mind, Body and Spirit connection in treating individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief and trauma. She treats couples struggling with connection, infidelity, communication, conflict, and intimacy issues. Elnora has advanced training in treating perinatal mental health depression and anxiety. Elnora is a certified Prepare and Enrich facilitator and provides pre-marital and marital couples counselling. She is also a consultant and trainer for small businesses. Elnora brings years of experience from the corporate and educational sectors where she has honed her leadership, business development and consulting skills. Elnora Peters has also provided services as Business consultant for MATI Jerusalem Business Development Centre. MATI is an organisation in Israel, aimed at strengthening and developing Jerusalem’s small business sector.

In addition to over 30 years of work experience, Elnora Peters has been at the forefront of training for individuals and corporations. She is an EAP (Employee Assistance Provider), providing corporate training for several businesses within the private sector. She has an extensive background in industries such as Cosmetology and Barbering, manufacturing and distribution, vocational and higher education institutions. Her educational background includes an honours graduate degree in Masters of Science of Counselling and Clinical Mental Health from Freed-Haldeman University. She also received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Tennessee State University.

Her passion is helping others achieve their full potential in their personal and professional lives.

Thank you for interviewing with us today, can you introduce yourself to us?

I’d be more than happy to. My name is Elnora Peters and I own Centergy Behavioral Health – where I provide mental health services, corporate training, coaching and consulting. My main focus is on connectivity and relationships whether that’s from a personal perspective or professional one. As a holistic therapist, I help individuals and couples become more aware of how they are showing up for themselves and in their relationships. I also help organisations to develop more of a humanistic approach to connecting with their employees though I have always had a special interest in how people connect to others. I am a mother of two awesome sons and live in Memphis, TN. I have a knack for expanding ideas which served me well in previous positions. I find myself still expanding ideas in the kitchen as I love to cook and like the challenge of making something from nothing. I also have an underdeveloped artistic streak that comes out in various forms such as music,writing or arts and crafts.

Can you take us through your journey to where you are now?

Well that all depends on how much time you have. To make a long story short I’ve always been curious and observant even as a child. I wanted to know how things worked and why people did “people” things. I would take things apart and try to re-create my own versions of the original. My creativity was expressed and explored within several industries, mainly Cosmetology. I would listen to my clients and found that the curiosity of human behaviour never left. I earned a Business Degree from Tennessee State University and worked in corporate for many years. I was the person who others found easy to talk to, so my cubicle became the unofficial therapy office. While doing some soul searching, I asked myself what I wanted to do for the rest of my life and what would it take to get there. The answer was plain and simple. I would become a therapist that would help other people become the highest version of themselves. That discovery led me to completing a Masters in Clinical Mental Health from Freed-Hard-man University in Memphis, TN. I knew from the beginning of my program that I wanted to work in private practice. I completed most of my graduate field work in private practice, which solidified my desire to work as a solo practitioner.

Once I completed my degree, I worked a few months in community mental health and realised that it was not for me. In December of 2019, I found a supervisor in private practice, left the organisation I was working for and started Centergy Behavioral Health.

Since starting, have you made any changes to your business model?

Yes, I have. When I first began accepting clients, I worked with anyone that I could within my scope of expertise. I have since found that working with my ideal clients energised me. I decided that I was more suited for specialisation instead of generalisation. I now specialise in the area of relationships as it pertains to connectivity and attachment. In my work with organisations, I commit to trainings that advocate for mental health and wellness in the workplace.

Have you ever had a mentor? If so how has this benefitted you either personally or professionally?

I have had and currently have mentors in every area of my life; personally, professionally, and spiritually. Having mentors keeps me grounded. I tend to overwork, and it doesn’t help that I am more of an introvert by nature. From a personal perspective, my mentors have reminded me that If I’m going to work hard, I should play harder. My professional mentors add richness to my appetite for learning and collaborating. Spiritually, my mentors remind me that I am not just a human being having a spiritual experience, but rather a spiritual being having a human experience.

What outlets do use for marketing?

You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedln and TikTok.

Which methods are you using to build your own support network?

I am a member of several social media groups for mental health professionals. I attend networking opportunities to expand my personal and professional circle. I also receive referrals from clients and colleagues. 

What is the best piece of business advice you have received to date?

That when you try to work with everyone you end up servicing no one.

How do you create an evenly balanced work and personal life?

Admittedly this is a challenge, especially for entrepreneurs wearing many hats in the day-to-day operations. I don’t think it will be “evenly” balanced all the time. However, I stopped taking clients on the weekends to reserve that time for rest and self-care. 

Name a seminal point in your career so far?

A pivotal point happened before my career as a therapist even got off the ground. It seemed as if, as soon as I discovered my true purpose, all these negative forces started coming at me. While still in graduate school, I got fired from a job that I loved and lost pretty much everything. I was faced with the decision to quit school and find another job that wouldn’t necessarily fit with my schedule. With the support of family and friends, it ended up being the best thing that could have happened. That experience taught me that once you put something out there in the universe, you will be tested on how badly you want it. Let’s just say that I passed that test!

What gives you ultimate career satisfaction?

My career satisfaction comes from knowing that my experiences in life are being used to help uplift and relate to my clients. They feel seen, heard, and understood because of that relatability. 

Are there any leading entrepreneurs or SME leaders that you admire and if so, why?

I have so many that I admire. The traits that I find admirable are rooted in authenticity. I admire leaders who have found their purpose and walking that path authentically. Since honing my niche working with couples, I have found a few SME leaders that I am in awe of. I follow relationship experts tracymcmillian and Dr.Nicole.

How do you define your own success?

I define success differently now than I did some years ago. The first thing I would have said is to be wealthy or have financial success. Now, I know better. Success to me means more than financial security, it means having the best health (mind, body, spirit), doing what I love (helping others), and deepening meaningful relationships (personal and professional).

Finally, What can we expect from you this year?

You can expect me for me to do the very thing I mentioned earlier. Expanding on ideas! I am currently creating off-site group therapy opportunities for people who may not benefit solely from individual therapy sessions. I also have a few things in the works that would take me outside of the therapy room. I am planning a small couples retreat in Memphis, TN where couples will get to explore many facets of their relationship, receive group therapy and tools to combat any struggles around communication, conflict resolution, healthy attachment and sex & intimacy.