Hidden Gems: Meet Chantal Hayes of Banyan Tree Counseling & Wellness

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chantal Hayes

Hi Chantal, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The idea for Banyan Tree Counseling & Wellness began to take shape in 2014. After seven years as a psychotherapist for larger agencies, I was ready for a change. On maternity leave with my second daughter in late 2014, I felt a shift in my drive as my return date in January 2015 approached.

My job involved providing mental health counseling to low income clients and intensive in-home services to families at risk of losing their children to CPS. This work was fulfilling as I could often see the direct impact I was making, but it was also very emotionally and physically taxing. I often found myself in unsafe neighborhoods and dealing with unsanitary conditions. The emotional toll was immense, especially when families I’d grown close to would suddenly disappear, or when I discovered that children were being abused.

After my second child was born, I knew I needed a change. I had the training and experience to start my own private practice but lacked business knowledge. Despite this, the dream of Banyan Tree Counseling & Wellness began to take root.

I started with a solo practice, hoping to one day grow it into a larger group practice. I dove headfirst into learning about business, joking with my husband that I earned an MBA from the school of Google and Hustle! Networking became my lifeline. I joined the Chamber of Commerce, handed out business cards like candy, built my own website, and mastered SEO and grassroots marketing. I told everyone about my practice—my dentist, OBGYN, nail tech, neighbors, basically anyone who would listen!

As my client base grew and word-of-mouth spread, I saw the fruits of my labor. By 2019, with a waitlist longer than I could manage, I hired my first therapist. Transitioning from solo to group practice was challenging, but I was ready. I hired a business mentor and by 2020, I had added three more therapists.

The pandemic in 2020, despite its challenges, helped reduce the stigma around seeking mental health help. People felt isolated, and our practice was there to support them.

Fast forward to 2024, Banyan Tree Counseling & Wellness hasn’t slowed down. We now boast a staff of over 30 across four locations and growing!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Growing and leading Banyan Tree Counseling & Wellness has been rewarding but challenging, especially with delegation, financial management, and our insurance-based model.

Delegation was my first hurdle. As CEO, I had to accept I couldn’t do it all, and shouldn’t. Often, I’d find myself working until 3 a.m., doing tasks I should have delegated. Hiring a Clinical Director last year was a game-changer. She’s been instrumental in our growth and success, lightening my load significantly.

Finances were the next challenge. Realizing I wasn’t a CPA, I brought in a Fractional CFO. This move transformed our financial health. He manages our bookkeeping reports, scrutinizes spending, and ensures our profit margins stay healthy. For someone without a formal background in accounting, this support was crucial.

Then there’s our insurance-based model, aligned with our mission to improve community mental health. This brings unique difficulties. Competing with mega-practices that have venture capital backing and special insurance agreements is tough. Helping clients understand we’re bound by their insurance can be frustrating. Our billing staff spends countless hours dealing with denied claims and incorrect information. We’ve had instances where insurance clawed back payments months and sometimes years later, leaving clients with unexpected bills. It’s heartbreaking to tell them there’s nothing we can do.

Despite these challenges, we’ve persevered, continuing to provide essential mental health services to our community.

We’ve been impressed with Banyan Tree Counseling & Wellness, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I beam with pride when I think about how Banyan Tree Counseling & Wellness holds the #1 spot in North Carolina according to Inc. Magazine’s 2024 rankings for the countries fastest growing startups. But these accolades mean little compared to the profound impact we have on people’s lives every single day. It is so important to me that when someone walks through the doors of Banyan Tree Counseling & Wellness, they feel safe and welcome. Banyan is a place where they are truly seen, heard, and accepted for who they are without judgment.

Helping people heal, grow, and live more fulfilling lives is why we do what we do.

Radical inclusivity is hardwired at Banyan Tree. No matter your identity, culture, race, orientation, gender, religion or lack thereof – you are welcome and affirmed here. Our 30+ highly specialized therapists create a safe haven tailored to your unique needs, whether you’re 2 or 102. From individual and couples counseling to psychiatric services, dietary nutrition, educational consulting, autism assesments, and more, we offer so much beyond just counseling.

In this technology-driven world where loneliness and mental health struggles are rampant, people are longing for human connection and self-discovery. Banyan Tree offers a sacred space to replenish your soul – to reunite with your authentic self and forge a new path aligned with who you want to be. I’ve witnessed the profound power of the therapeutic relationship and its ability to facilitate profound healing and growth. If everyone had access to quality counseling, I truly believe we could create a more peaceful, harmonious world. I sincerely believe we are changing the world for the better, one person at a time. This is what keeps me going me every day.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Some of my favorite childhood memories are from the forests around my house, nestled in the mountains outside Asheville, NC. As an only child of divorced parents, I found solace and adventure in the woods. Thankfully, they let me have a mini menagerie—horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, lizards, turtles, fish, frogs, etc… On summer nights, I’d catch fireflies and keep them in a jar beside my bed, their soft glow was a constant comfort and one I remember fondly.

Many days were spent tromping through the woods with my animals, climbing trees, and building forts. The woods became a canvas for my imagination, a place where I created a rich, magical world. This connection to nature was my way of coping through difficult times; a sanctuary that helped me navigate the challenges of childhood.

It’s no surprise that these experiences possibly led me to become a therapist. My graduate thesis explored the therapeutic effects of wilderness therapy, a testament to the profound impact those early days in the forest had on me. Each adventure in the woods was a new chapter in the endless story of my childhood, shaping who I would become. I think about the children we serve at Banyan Tree Counseling, and how grateful I am that we are able to help them through counseling and all the other wrap-around services we offer. My younger self would have been so grateful and so proud of how far we have come.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.banyantreecounseling.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banyancounseling/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/banyantreecounseling/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4WxlNDdAAqRYpqG9AEc2xQ