Meet Andrea Pierce
Andrea Pierce pictured at the grand opening of her private practice, AP Counseling.
Andrea Pierce, LMHC, is a dedicated therapist and the owner of AP Counseling, a practice specifically catering to children, adolescents, and young adults. AP Counseling is deeply committed to addressing the diverse therapeutic needs of its clients through individual counseling, restorative circles, family counseling, and techniques like EMDR, DBT, and Play Therapy.
Beyond her work at the practice, Andrea co-leads the empowering all-girl teen group Let's Get to the Tea in Therapy alongside her colleague Emily Crowley, LMSW. Andrea and Emily seek to nurture teens through advocacy, confidence-building, and healthy relationships through this program. They also emphasize the importance of self-care and effective communication and provide tools for emotional regulation.
Andrea enjoys spending quality time with her family, friends, and daughter outside her professional commitments. She also has a variety of hobbies, including skating, reading, listening to audiobooks, and attending Xtreme Hip Hop step classes. During her downtime, Andrea unwinds by binge-watching Netflix series.
Personal Milestones
Where are you from?
Buffalo, NY
What was your first job?
My first job was at Kids FootLocker in the Blvd Mall. At the same time, I pursued working another job at Aéropostale at the Galleria Mall.
One thing most people don't know about you:
One thing most people do not know about me is that I love theatre. I have always had a passion for becoming an actress or a singer.
What is your favorite book or podcast?
My favorite book is The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, followed by Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson.
What motivates you to pursue current and new passions?
My primary motivator to pursue current or new passions is the impact I can have on whatever area I am focusing on. Sometimes, making an impact can lead to things like establishing change, making a difference in someone's life, or enhancing my knowledge and skills.
What is your biggest accomplishment at this point in your life?
This is a hard question, but my biggest accomplishment thus far is reaching so many people. Coming into contact with many children and families, you never know how you can influence someone's life. I think of myself as one to plant seeds. I may not always see the flower grow to its fullest potential. Still, one thing I do know is that when I plant seeds, however the flower blooms, the seeds that I have planted will eventually make their way to show that flower what they may need to water themselves so that they're able to become the best version of who they wish to be.
What is one thing you know now that you wish you knew at 18 years old?
One thing I wish I had known when I was 18, but I know now, is that you will not always be prepared for the things life throws at you. Sometimes, life is full of obstacles that you have to learn how to navigate through. I call these learning experiences for a reason. They do not hinder you; they help you grow.
Professional Milestones
Is what you do now what you always wanted to do as a child?
Absolutely not! I believed I was going to be a Disney Channel child actor. Once I turned 13, I put my passion for singing and acting into school musicals and being in the chorus, with hopes I would still get discovered hahaha. Although I had a good run with my extracurricular activities, I knew at 17 I needed to figure out what I wanted to do career-wise. I started to find interest in law and criminal justice, which led to my decision to major in criminal justice for my undergraduate degree.
What inspired you to go into your industry?
My gift of gab mostly inspired me to go into the counseling field. If you have never heard of that term, it is my ability to speak well. I love to talk, but most importantly, I have always loved to help others. My advisor recommended the mental health counseling grad program when trying to figure out my next steps after Undergrad. At first, it was a running joke because I loved to come to her office to talk and reflect, whether it was about myself or someone else's circumstances(even though I knew I should've been in class). But after looking more into the program and what it entailed, I knew it was my profession, and I never looked back.
What inspired me to go into business for myself was the experience of being an intern at a private practice. I enjoyed the independence that came with working for yourself. I learned so much as an intern, a counselor in training at an outpatient clinic, and a residential supervisor. Once I found my specialty areas and formed the counseling style that worked for me, I was ready to bring my skills and knowledge to my community.
Describe in one word what it's like to be a woman of color in your industry.
Underrated
Was there ever a time you faced challenges in your professional life? How did you overcome them?
I faced many challenges in my professional life, such as lack of support, burnout, and being overlooked. Clinicians wear many hats, and our jobs are more than just sitting in a room with someone for an hour, taking notes, and seeing our next client. So much goes into our profession, and it can lead to burnout. Being one of the only women of color in the area in my industry has been exhausting because it resulted in me getting all the clientele who wanted a black counselor. Although I was excited and flattered, it started becoming too much all at once while still learning the logistics of running my clinic.
Seeking support from my colleagues and gaining a perspective that I wasn't the only person struggling helped me persevere. My overall experience also helped me persevere. It showed me ideally how I wanted to live out my career, and I am now at the point where I can finally do so.
What's next for you in your career?
AP Counseling is coming out with a Journal! Be on the lookout for the launch date soon :).
What advice would you give a young woman of color trying to enter or advance in your industry?
I advise women of color looking to enter and advance in counseling to get a mentor—someone who has done or is doing what you want to pursue. They will help you get to where you need to be. This field is oversaturated with clients and not enough counselors, so mentorship is free for me. I would love to see our people pursuing something needed in our community and enhancing the field by teaching older clinicians newer techniques.
Who/what do you attribute your success to?
My Village: that is anyone who has impacted who I am today and, most importantly, God. None of this would have been possible without my continued faith and walk with Him.
Are you involved in any organizations, associations, clubs, or groups?
Clinicians of Color Cohorti, run by Kelly Dumas
Connect with Andrea
AP Counseling website: apiercecounseling.com
Girls Group Website:
