Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Hastings.
Hi Morgan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began my career in mental health while completing my bachelor’s degree in social work, graduating in 2016, and working full-time in Child Protection and Behavioral Health Services with Clay County Social Services in Moorhead, Minnesota. From there, I earned my Alcohol and Drug Counseling degree and worked in both residential and outpatient substance use treatment settings.
Early in my career, I was directly involved in assessments, crisis intervention, and recovery planning. That work gave me firsthand exposure to the impact effective care can have and solidified my commitment to providing services that are practical, ethical, and responsive to real client needs.
Eventually, the question of “what’s next?” came up. I earned my Master’s in Clinical Social Work in 2022, became a Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW), and pursued advanced clinical training in trauma-informed care, anxiety, addiction, and relationship work. I hadn’t envisioned myself as a business owner but after reviewing employment options and running the numbers, it became clear that with focus and discipline, I could build something of my own.
In late 2022, I founded LiveWell Counseling Services, a private practice serving clients across North Dakota and Minnesota through in-person and telehealth services. Building a practice from the ground up while maintaining high clinical standards has been both challenging and transformative. The practice remains intentionally small, currently consisting of myself and administrative support, but continues to grow and expand services to include therapy, substance use assessments, and soon clinical supervision. As LiveWell evolves, the focus remains on ethical growth, long-term sustainability, and thoughtfully adding clinicians as the practice scales.
More recently, I expanded into commercial real estate with the purchase and management of office space designed to support mental health and wellness providers. This long-term business move reflects a broader goal of building sustainable systems that allow for better care, healthier work environments, and the ability to step back from a constant 50-plus-hour workweek to be more intentional with my time.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Goodness no. It hasn’t been a smooth road. Building a business from the ground up while continuing to do clinical work came with a steep learning curve that I wasn’t formally trained for. Graduate school prepares you to be a clinician, not to manage cash flow, payroll, taxes, insurance contracts, compliance, or long-term planning. I do not have a business degree so a lot of that I had to learn in real time, often through trial and error and the help of YouTube.
Financially, the early stages required taking on more risk and responsibility than I anticipated. There were periods of inconsistent income, unexpected expenses, and the pressure of knowing that every decision directly affected my ability to sustain the practice. At the same time, I had to invest back into systems and business before the business could comfortably support me. It was a leap of faith but I had to keep going.
Another challenge was shifting out of an employee mindset. When you’re building something on your own, there’s no one to turn to. So meaning every problem and role (marketing, IT, web development, accounting, etc.) ultimately lands with you. Learning how to delegate appropriately and not rely solely on overworking myself has been an ongoing process.
The work has been demanding, but it’s also been clarifying. Each challenge forced me to become more financially literate, more disciplined, and more realistic about what sustainable growth actually looks like. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been honest work and it’s shaped both how I run my business and how I show up as a clinician.
As you know, we’re big fans of LiveWell Counseling Services . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
LiveWell Counseling Services is my private practice serving clients across North Dakota and Minnesota through in-person and telehealth sessions. At its core, the work focuses on anxiety, trauma, substance use, relationship dynamics, and major life transitions. I’m known for being direct, practical, and honest in my approach. My overall goal is helping clients understand patterns, build skills, and create change that actually holds up outside the therapy room.
What sets LiveWell apart is that I don’t believe in overcomplicating the work or turning therapy into a sterile awkward place. Sessions are structured but relaxed and focused on real-life application. I work with people who want insight and the no fluff approach, but also want tools and who are ready to take responsibility for their growth rather than looking for a quick fix.
From a business standpoint, LiveWell is intentionally small and built for sustainability. I’m proud of creating a practice that values quality over volume, maintains strong boundaries, and doesn’t rely on burnout to be successful. That means reasonable caseloads, ethical pricing, and systems that support both clients and clinicians.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is the honesty. I don’t sell healing as something aesthetic or trendy, and I don’t market perfection. LiveWell reflects the reality that growth is uncomfortable and requires consistency. I want readers to know that this practice was built thoughtfully from the clinical work to the business decisions, with the long-term goal of providing care that is ethical, practical, and sustainable for everyone involved.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is having freedom over my life and my time. Being able to build something that reflects my values, work hard without burning myself out, and create stability for myself matters deeply to me.
On a personal level, it’s really the simple things. Quiet mornings with strong coffee, working out or moving my body, enjoying a good steak, getting pup cups with my doggo, and traveling to places with big rocks to climb. After growing up with a lot of instability, having a steady and intentional life is what feels most fulfilling to me now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.livewellcounselingmn.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livewell.counseling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553818124620
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-hastings/
