Meet Dr. Sandra DiMarco | Entrepreneur & Marriage and Family Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Sandra DiMarco and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Sandra, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

I had just visited my family in beautiful Italy during the summer of 2019, when I successfully defended my 7-year dissertation. Finally, I was free from dissertation prison, and finally, I could get paid for the work I did. As a mental health therapist in training, oftentimes, you work for free to acquire your hours towards graduation and licensure. Since it took me 7 years to finish my doctorate program, you can say I did a lot of free work. Once I finally completed my Ph.d., all I could envision was myself in a big, fancy office with some prestigious title working at the company of my dreams while making a great salary.

I couldn’t have been more wrong about what my life would look like over the next several years. I remember putting out endless applications to various job settings from universities to research positions and treatment centers. I recall thinking, “Why isn’t anyone responding to my resume? I have great credentials, references and in-depth job experience.” I was running out of loan money left over from my doctorate program, and unsure how I was supposed to survive without a job. After several months, a company actually reached out.

I was excited and optimistic. I was interviewing at a treatment center and my dissertation was based upon the development of a new treatment program for family members and substance users. My program was vastly different from the traditional 12-step informed treatment, but proved to be pretty successful given the results of my study. I couldn’t wait to show the company my sense of innovation.

I was nervous the day of the interview, but ready for it. I met with several company members employed by the treatment center and they each asked me different interview questions. Upon completing the interview, I left feeling pretty good about possibly landing the position.

After a week or so, I received a response letter back. The letter stated that while they were impressed with my credentials, they didn’t need the type of therapy I could provide. It was at that moment I told myself, “I am one of the hardest darn workers I know, and this company just lost someone who would sacrifice anything for the success of her work, and ultimately their company. I am done with applications. I am done with interviews. I am opening up my own practice and I know I will never let myself down because I am too hard of a worker.” It was from that point on I established my couples therapy practice, Regaining Connections, LLC in Deerfield Beach, FL.

What should our readers know about your business?
I own a niche-based group couples therapy practice. The factor that sets us most apart from other practices is the amount of care we put into all the couple cases that come through our door. Although I, as the owner, do not directly work with all the couples who come through our door, I am indirectly involved. I meet with the other therapists at Regaining Connections on a weekly basis to brainstorm the most effective healing plan for our couples. As I always say, 3 brains are better than one, which makes no relationship problem ever too big or complex. Since we solely see couples, it allows all of our focus to become dedicated to the interventions that help couples the most. We serve a range of couple populations including couples on the brink, LGBT couples, first-responder couples, infidelity, pre-marital, 50 year marriages to 2 year relationships. 

I am most excited to see growth in the business over the next several years. Recently, we relocated to a bigger office suite to accommodate more couples and offer couples a greater variety of services, such as group couples therapy among other group therapy practices for families and couples.

The reason I got to this place in my business is because I believed in myself and I never gave up. Starting and growing a business has by far been one of the most challenging journeys I traveled down. I always joke around with people stating that while I have a Ph.d., obtaining a Ph.d. is easier than running a business! I overcame the challenges because I did not allow the challenges to overcome me.

The biggest lesson I learned along the way is that mindset is everything. You cannot cave into the little voice inside your head filling you with fear and trying to convince you that you will fail, or that you can’t do it. You must learn to navigate the setbacks in your mind before you dare to do anything else. Nothing is more important than having your own sense of hope and confidence while being thrown under the grip of uncertainty and doubt.

I want the world to know that no problem is too big and bad times never last. Each day you have the opportunity to write a new page in your story and decide how you want to manage the old chapters left behind. The one constant in my business and personal story is hope. I always convey a sense of hope whether I am working in my business or writing the pages of my own personal story. Nothing is perfect and it’s easier to work with the broken pieces and turn it into something better than before, instead of trying to change the entirety into something flawless. 

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of the best spots to check out by Deerfield beach, FL is Lauderdale by the Sea. Lauderdale by the Sea is a tiny strip right off the beach filled with restaurants and shops. There are so many different restaurants to choose from once you are done hanging out on the beach. My favorite restaurant is Aruba cafe because the calming ocean is in clear eyesight. After relaxing on the beach and satisfying your palate, you can explore all the little cool shops Lauderdale by the Sea has to offer.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to thank Melyssa Edmunds, my best friend from grad school and first mentor in business. She has given me endless business support, resources and strength during the times I needed it the most. Lisa Robinson, my financial mentor who helped get me through tough financial times, always reassures me “we’ll get through this” and provides me with the guidance to help maintain the financial health in my practice. Kristen Gross, who believed in me enough to recommend me for this interview. My mother and father, for teaching me the values and morals I uphold in my daily life and business practices. And lastly, my husband Chris Doerr, who I can trust to have my back and always be there with an ear to listen.

Website: https://regainingconnections.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/regainingconnections?igsh=MzlrZ2dneXltdm84&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-dimarco-ph-d-lmft-281a18195

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/regainingconnections?mibextid=LQQJ4d