Episode 13 - Miranda Walton - Transforming Mental Health Care in Rural Ohio
Episode Overview
Miranda Walton, Founder and Executive Director of Restorative Pathways Counseling in Zanesville, Ohio, shares her journey of building a behavioral health practice that prioritizes quality over quantity. She discusses navigating rural healthcare challenges, surviving difficult seasons as a business owner, and maintaining sustainable mental health services in an underserved Appalachian community.
Key Topics Discussed
Background & Journey into Behavioral Health
- Transition from nursing to psychology and counseling
- The divine intertwining of entrepreneurial spirit, helping others, and faith
- Decision to pursue private practice over community behavioral health
Business Model & Philosophy
- Quality over quantity approach to mental health care
- Focus on sustainable caseloads and consistent client contact
- Navigating insurance requirements while maintaining care standards
- For-profit model with sliding scale and pro bono services
- The importance of boundaries and client accountability
Serving Rural Appalachia
- Addressing cultural stigmas around mental health
- Creating welcoming, non-clinical physical spaces
- Working with community coalitions and health initiatives
- Meeting needs in an underserved area with provider shortages
Navigating Crisis & Growth
- Adopting a medically complex daughter in 2022
- Leading remotely during 8-month hospital stays
- Managing team transitions and cultural challenges
- The "pruning season" philosophy
- Growing from 8 to 11 team members through organizational phases
Key Insights
- Business growth cycles: infancy, toddlerhood, adolescence, and adulthood
- Importance of clarifying mission, vision, and values during hard times
- Building the strongest team through intentional culture alignment
- The practice of "being where your feet are" for grounding and presence
Guest Information
Miranda Walton Founder & Executive Director, Restorative Pathways Counseling
- Website: restorativepathways.com
- Facebook & Instagram: @restorativepathways
- Location: Zanesville, Ohio
Memorable Quotes
"We just think that behavioral health can be done differently than the way it's been done in the past, and that there's a lot of opportunity for change and shift there."
"What we're trying to emphasize is quality over quantity."
"I cannot say that there were not days that I just wanted to burn it all to ground... But it really challenged me to kind of get deeply rooted in what my vision is and why I am doing this."
"Our team is the smallest that it's been in five years, but it is one of the strongest teams that we've ever had."
"Be where your feet are... this is where we can make the most change, is where we're actually present."
Key Timestamps & Topics
[00:00:00] - Introduction and background
[00:01:00] - Why Miranda chose behavioral health over nursing
[00:03:00] - The entrepreneurial path to private practice
[00:05:00] - Quality vs. quantity in mental health care
[00:07:00] - Navigating insurance and business model challenges
[00:11:00] - Serving rural Appalachia and cultural barriers
[00:15:00] - The two-and-a-half-year crisis period begins
[00:16:00] - Adopting a medically complex child while running a business
[00:18:00] - Accreditation, billing challenges, and near burnout
[00:20:00] - The "pruning season" philosophy
[00:22:00] - Current team size and organizational stability
[00:24:00] - Business growth phases explained
[00:25:00] - Where to find Restorative Pathways Counseling
[00:26:00] - Final wisdom: "Be where your feet are"
About the ALC ChangeMakers Podcast
The ALC ChangeMakers Podcast, hosted by Jennifer Sconyers, features conversations with social entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and community change-makers who are creating positive impact. Each episode explores the real challenges and victories of building mission-driven organizations. Learn more about Abundance Leadership Consulting at jennifersconyers.com