Wearing Three Hats: Therapist, Boss, Beekeeper

By Sandra I. Beekmann, MS, NCC. LCMHC-QS

People often ask how I manage to juggle being a mental health therapist, a business owner, and a beekeeper. My first response is usually a laugh, followed by, “Carefully—and with a lot of coffee.” But the truth is, these roles aren’t as separate as they seem. Over the years, I’ve discovered surprising parallels between therapy, leadership, and beekeeping. Each one requires presence, patience, and a deep respect for the process of growth.

Therapist: Holding Space for Healing

As a mental health therapist, my job is to sit with clients in their pain, their breakthroughs, their fear, and their hope. It’s sacred work. Every session is a reminder that healing doesn’t follow a straight path—it weaves, loops back, pauses, and sometimes surprises us. I’ve learned to trust the process, to honor the small wins, and to listen more than I speak.

What keeps me grounded in this work is the belief that people are incredibly resilient. Even when they can’t see it, I can. My role is to be a mirror, a guide, and sometimes just a steady presence when everything else feels shaky.

Boss: Nurturing a Practice, Not Just a Business

Running a group practice means I wear the boss hat, but I try to do it in a way that aligns with my values as a therapist. That means cultivating a work environment where clinicians feel supported, not micromanaged. I believe in creating a space where professionals can grow without fear of judgment, where collaboration is encouraged, and where mental health is valued—for both clients and therapists.

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about building trust, setting a vision, and knowing when to step in and when to get out of the way. Much like therapy, it’s about balance, boundaries, and believing in people’s capacity to rise.

Beekeeper: Lessons from the Hive

And then there are the bees. When I step into my backyard and open a hive, everything slows down. Beekeeping demands mindfulness. If I’m anxious or distracted, the bees know it. They respond not just to movement but to energy.

A hive is a superorganism—thousands of individuals working as one. There’s order, rhythm, and instinctive communication. It’s a living metaphor for community and collective wellbeing. Watching the bees reminds me that small actions matter: one bee gathering one drop of nectar doesn’t seem like much, but together, they create something golden.

Beekeeping has taught me patience, observation, and how to respond rather than react—skills that have made me a better therapist and a better leader.

Integration: Living with Intention

Balancing these three roles isn’t about compartmentalizing. It’s about integrating. Each one teaches me something I can bring into the others. Therapy reminds me of the power of presence. Leadership challenges me to stay humble and curious. Beekeeping connects me to nature and rhythm.

So, yes—it’s a lot of hats. But they all fit together more than you’d think.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from therapy, business, and the bees, it’s this: healing, growth, and success all take time. You can’t rush transformation, but you can create the right conditions for it to thrive.