Asta Klimaite

Asta is the Founder and CEO of Beautiful Mind Therapy. She was born in Lithuania but has spent most of her adult life in the United States. Her professional training began with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Roosevelt University in Schaumburg, Illinois, in 2008. She later completed her Master of Arts in Clinical Professional Psychology degree at the same university in 2011, graduating with honors. She worked in a variety of institutions, including several hospitals, mental health centers, an insurance company, and an emergency room. Her passion is helping her clients live life to the fullest. She is an expert in mental health counseling, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, career counseling, pregnancy and motherhood, work-life balance, financial empowerment, sleep, self-care, stress management and reduction, overcoming shame, increasing self-esteem, and personal growth and development. She works with clients who experience stress at work or at school, and others who struggle with relationship issues, fear of change, and unhealthy eating habits. Her clients appreciate her blend of knowledge, empathy, humor, and her down-to-earth approach to therapy. She has completed advanced training in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), brief solution-focused therapy, and positive psychology, among others. In addition to her clinical work, Asta writes a blog, provides trainings in the community, and supervises other mental health professionals.

Where did the idea for Beautiful Mind Therapy come from?

I always felt that psychology is my calling. From an early age I have hoped to spend my life helping others. I started volunteering at a Suicide Crisis Line when I was sixteen. I later started a drug prevention program in Lithuania called “Youth to Youth.” I always knew I want to have my own private practice; however, I realized I needed to be very knowledgeable in my field. I worked at various settings such as hospitals, mental health centers, and even an insurance company. I sought out opportunities to work with clients in different settings and with different symptoms and problems, as I wanted to become a well-rounded clinician. Once I felt I was sufficiently knowledgeable, gained expertise, and had something special to offer, I opened my private practice in 2014. A few years later, I was fortunate enough to find other professionals who wanted to work with me. Today, we have six therapists at the practice.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

No day is ever the same, especially in these strange times. I try to keep things as productive as I can and juggle my personal and professional life while my daughter’s daycare is closed. I try to wake up early, eat breakfast with my family, drink a cup of coffee, and exercise. Since I manage all our new clients’ intake, I check my phone and email regularly throughout the day. I respond to new client inquiries and check their benefits for coverage. I usually see my clients in the afternoon and evening. I try to always be home by bedtime, so I can snuggle with my daughter before she goes to sleep.

How do you bring ideas to life?

With the help of my amazing and talented team members! They are incredibly hard-working, well-educated, experienced, and dedicated. We explore ways to serve our clients better, and are quick to act on problem-solving. For example, we always see our clients in person, but during the current pandemic we were able to adjust and find ways to serve our clients through telehealth services to help them during these difficult times.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Work-life balance. I have been focusing on self-care and wellness in my personal and professional life. Given the current world stressors, people are extremely stressed out, and are looking for ways to feel better. I am so glad to be able to help my clients be better parents, partners, employees, and people in general.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I love making lists and setting clear and specific goals. If it’s on my list, consider it done! I am a strong believer in goal-setting and spend a great deal of time teaching goal-setting strategies to my clients. I read many books and listen to podcasts for some new ideas. I try to review and revise my long-term goals to make things happen.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Relax and live a little. I have always been very hard working and a perfectionist. I used to put my work first above anything. In the past couple of years, I have been setting some boundaries for myself. I try to relax and spend more time with my family and friends. I don’t have to answer my clients’ phone calls during dinner with my family! I can call them back during regular office hours. This was a very difficult concept for me to grasp; I wanted to make sure I was always available to help my clients if they needed me. So I would definitely tell my younger self to breathe, relax, and enjoy my personal time more.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

This is an interesting question. I don’t believe in the myth of overnight success. I believe that those who are most successful in their personal or professional lives often endured and persevered through the hardest journeys.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Keep learning. Read books and listen to podcasts. Seek out other experts for advice and follow it. I think that feedback and new ideas are essential for any business to grow and flourish.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

My team! I am a strong believer in doing things right from the beginning. I surround myself with people who are very passionate about their craft and who want to be more than just average. You must surround yourself with people who want you to be successful in both your personal and professional life.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

I’m not sure I would call it a failure, as I have learned so much from that so-called failure. I would say that initially my biggest mistake was hiring people who had the right skills but whose work ethics were not aligned with mine. I want to work with people who go above and beyond to help our clients.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

It would be really cool to have a company that helps people find friends. I see so many lonely clients. The older we get, the harder is to find friends, so wouldn’t it be nice to be able to find some awesome people and start new friendships? I would make them take personality tests and match them with friends, like dating but for friends.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I bought a nice bunch of flowers for my garden. I love waking up in the morning, having a cup of coffee, and looking out my window to see those beautiful flowers.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Our team recently started using Google Calendar. For those who know me, I am a dinosaur who doesn’t like technology. But it’s been extremely helpful to arrange our office schedule.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Any book by Esther Perel. She is funny, charming, and an excellent expert in human relationships.

What is your favorite quote?

“You can’t pour from an empty cup.”

Key Learnings:

• Never give up on your dreams. Persevere, persist, and stay humble.
• Surround yourself with good people personally and professionally. Know your strengths, hire people who have the right skills and are aligned with your company’s mission.
• Have a healthy work-life balance.