Driven by her passion for helping others and her desire to address mental health challenges, Cindy Chia established Aspire Psychological, aiming to create a practice that is ethical, inclusive, and solution-focused. Drawing from her diverse background, she is committed to serving marginalized populations and making mental health services accessible to all.
Born and raised in Malaysia, Cindy completed her college education in Australia, and now practices in the United States. Growing up in a financially constrained environment instilled in her the value of hard work and determination. With the support of her parents and through scholarships, she pursued her dream of becoming a psychologist, eventually earning her master’s degree from University of Central Oklahoma and completing a fellowship at Harvard University.
Describing herself as passionate, kind, generous, and determined, Cindy approaches her work with enthusiasm and a problem-solving mindset. She enjoys finding creative solutions to challenges and is deeply invested in making a positive impact in her clients’ lives.
Outside of work, Cindy values spending time with her family and prioritizes self-care to ensure she can effectively support others. As a business owner, she is hands-on, involved in all aspects of the practice’s operations, and dedicated to delivering high-quality care to her clients.
Making Small but Meaningful Contributions
Cindy prioritizes self-care and personal growth, regularly reading relevant books, attending workshops, and staying updated with the latest developments in her field. She believes in being intentional with her work, words, and actions, striving to make a positive difference in the lives of those around her. While she may not consider herself a world-changing leader, she values making small but meaningful contributions through her day-to-day interactions with individuals.
Reflecting on emerging leaders, Cindy emphasizes the importance of humility and kindness. She believes that some leaders may prioritize status over genuine efforts to make a difference, overlooking the value of hands-on involvement and personal investment in their work. Cindy advocates for leaders to remain humble, willing to engage in the necessary tasks and challenges, and to prioritize making a tangible impact through their actions.
Perseverance Through Challenges and Positive Impact
Cindy reflects on her journey to success, acknowledging that while she may not always feel successful, she recognizes the achievements in her life, particularly in reaching a place of happiness and fulfillment at the age of 34. She attributes her success to discipline and determination, emphasizing her willingness to make sacrifices and pursue her goals relentlessly.
In the past year, Cindy focused on self-growth and underwent significant personal transformation, including losing 80 pounds and revamping her lifestyle and health. This journey was driven by a desire to address feelings of inadequacy and reclaim her vitality. Through this process, she not only achieved physical changes but also experienced improvements in mental health and emotional well-being. Cindy highlights the importance of learning about oneself, setting boundaries, and developing healthier coping mechanisms for managing anxiety.
Cindy credits her success to her unwavering commitment to her goals and her ability to persevere through challenges with discipline and determination. While she acknowledges that she is not perfect, she values the progress she has made and the positive impact it has had on her life.
Guiding Staff in Professional Development
Cindy’s daily responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks, from administrative duties like answering phone calls and managing scheduling to more hands-on roles such as seeing patients face-to-face for treatment planning and supervising interns and associates. She takes on the role of problem solver, ensuring that everyone in the office is on the same page and addressing any issues that may arise. Additionally, Cindy is dedicated to teaching and nurturing the growth of her staff, sharing her expertise and guiding them in their professional development.
Despite the demanding nature of her work, Cindy finds immense joy and fulfillment in her daily routine. The happiest part of her day is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives, whether it’s through providing therapy sessions that lead to personal breakthroughs for her patients or witnessing the success and growth of her staff. Seeing her patients experience epiphanies and witnessing her team achieve newfound levels of success brings Cindy a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose in her work.
Hiring Success
Cindy values two key traits when considering new team members for Aspire Psychological: teachability and honesty. While many applicants may possess impressive skills and experiences, Cindy prioritizes individuals who demonstrate a willingness to learn and grow. Being teachable implies openness to new ideas, feedback, and training, which is essential for success within the practice.
Additionally, honesty is crucial in fostering a transparent and trustworthy work environment. Cindy emphasizes the importance of candidates being truthful with themselves and with her during the hiring process. This honesty lays the foundation for effective communication, collaboration, and integrity within the team.
Expansion Goals
Moving to a new country where English was Cindy’s third language was a significant risk, as was starting Aspire Psychological without any business background or financial support. Despite these challenges, she pursued her dreams and invested her savings into building her practice.
Looking ahead, Cindy envisions Aspire Psychological becoming more self-sufficient within the next five years. She hopes to achieve stability within her staff and aims to expand the practice’s reach to help more people in need. Ultimately, Cindy’s goal is to create a thriving and impactful organization while also being able to spend more time with her family, especially her daughter.
Uplifting and Inspiring Leadership
Cindy’s advice for someone stepping into a leadership position for the first time is to prioritize being a leader rather than just a boss. She emphasizes the importance of humility, teachability, determination, and discipline. Additionally, she stresses the significance of taking care of one’s team and treating them with value and respect.
Cindy advocates for leadership that uplifts and inspires others, fostering an environment of support and encouragement. She encourages making a positive difference in people’s lives whenever possible, whether through small gestures like complimenting someone or offering assistance, or through larger acts of kindness.
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindymchia/
