Andrea Shipley, LPC, is the founder of Alive Explorations LLC, an online wellness center offering holistic mental health counseling, lifestyle design coaching, and spiritual integration services. She empowers helpers and healers to reconnect with their purpose and design lives aligned with their values.
Her signature Lifestyle Design program guides clients to break free from limiting routines and live boldly. Inspired by her own journey—leaving a traditional career to travel full-time in a converted school bus—Andrea shows others how to embrace life’s possibilities and live fully.
With a background in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology and expertise in EMDR, Mindfulness, and Reiki, Andrea blends evidence-based practices with spiritual and somatic techniques for deep personal growth and transformation.
Alive Explorations is expanding into a collaborative online wellness center, bringing together holistic practitioners dedicated to supporting clients on their journeys of healing, growth, and self-discovery. Andrea envisions a thriving community where clients feel seen, supported, and inspired to live in alignment with their true purpose.
Her mission is simple yet profound: to help others live their best lives by aligning with their values and purpose—because those who care for others deserve to be cared for, too.
Company: Alive Explorations
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Andrea Shipley: Thank you for having me! I’m Andrea Shipley, LPC, founder of Alive Explorations LLC, an online wellness center dedicated to helping people reconnect with their values and live more intentionally. We currently offer holistic mental health counseling, lifestyle design coaching and courses, and spiritual integration services, all through online platforms.
Alive Explorations is built on the belief that true healing and transformation happen when we align our lives with our authentic values—a courageous act that requires vulnerability and intention. I specialize in supporting helpers and healers—therapists, caregivers, and purpose-driven entrepreneurs—who give so much of themselves to others. My goal is to help them create fulfilling lives that feel balanced and meaningful, so they can sustain their important work with greater joy.
My journey to this work was inspired by my own bold leap—I left a traditional counseling career and house to travel full-time in a converted school bus, or sometimes out of a suitcase when I’m abroad. Living close to nature and in tune with my own natural rhythms taught me the power of intentional living. I’m passionate about empowering others to break free from limiting routines and embrace lives that truly light them up. After all, we’re only here for a limited time, so it’s essential to make the most of our precious lives.
Alive Explorations is also growing into a collaborative online wellness center, bringing together diverse holistic practitioners to support clients on their journeys of healing and self-discovery. My vision is to cultivate a community where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to live with purpose.
What specific areas of your business have been most impacted by AI, and how?
Andrea Shipley: AI has significantly impacted several areas of Alive Explorations LLC, particularly in marketing, content creation, and administrative efficiency. It’s been a valuable tool for crafting compelling messaging that resonates with my audience of helpers and healers. From refining website copy to developing social media content, AI helps me communicate my vision more clearly and effectively.
Additionally, AI has played a pivotal role in strategic planning and business growth. It’s helped me organize ideas, prepare for hiring additional practitioners, and structure marketing campaigns, which has been essential as I expand Alive Explorations into a collaborative wellness center.
Recently, I started experimenting with AI note assist for my counseling clients. I only use it with clients who are fully comfortable with the idea, as maintaining trust and confidentiality is paramount. This technology streamlines documentation, allowing me to focus more on client care while ensuring accurate, timely records.
How are you ensuring ethical considerations are taken into account in your use of AI?
Andrea Shipley: Ethical considerations are a top priority for me, especially when it comes to maintaining client trust and authenticity. One of my main concerns is ensuring that the content generated by AI remains true to my voice and message. I see AI as a helpful assistant and sounding board, but I always take the time to review and personalize everything before it goes public.
When using AI note assist with counseling clients, I’m transparent about it and only use it with clients who fully understand and consent to its use. I also ensure the technology is HIPAA-compliant, so all data is securely handled to protect client confidentiality, aligning with ethical standards in mental health practice.
Ultimately, I see AI as a tool to enhance human connection, not replace it. I’m committed to using it responsibly and ethically to serve my clients better and maintain the integrity of my work. Although I was hesitant at first, I’m coming around to the value of AI.
What advice would you give to other CEOs looking to integrate AI into their business?
Andrea Shipley: My advice would be to start with a clear purpose. AI is a powerful tool, but its effectiveness depends on how intentionally you use it. Identify the areas of your business where AI can genuinely enhance efficiency or creativity, whether it’s marketing, strategic planning, or administrative tasks.
Don’t be afraid to experiment, but always stay true to your brand voice and message. AI can help you refine your ideas and communicate more effectively, but your authenticity should always come through.
I’ve found that detailed prompts help me get the most value from AI while keeping my voice and ideas at the core of the messaging. Be specific about what you want AI to provide and give constructive feedback to improve its outputs.
Also, be transparent and ethical in your approach. If you’re using AI in client-facing areas, like I do with note assist, make sure clients are informed and comfortable with it. Build trust by prioritizing privacy and maintaining high ethical standards.
Finally, view AI as an assistant, not a replacement. It can help you optimize operations and expand your reach, but the human element—your vision, values, and leadership—is what drives your business forward.
How do you see AI evolving in your industry over the next 5 years?
Andrea Shipley: The truth is, I have no idea how AI will evolve. Two years ago, I wouldn’t have imagined something like ChatGPT would come onto the scene, let alone be affordable. The rapid advancements are both exciting and promising, but they’re also happening quickly, so I hope we continue to move forward thoughtfully with these new tools.
I see AI becoming even more integrated into the wellness and mental health industry. As telehealth continues to grow, AI could play a larger role in streamlining administrative tasks, personalizing client experiences, and possibly even supporting therapeutic interventions. For example, AI-driven assessments or guided mindfulness tools could complement traditional counseling approaches.
However, the ethical landscape will need to evolve alongside these advancements. Safeguarding client privacy, ensuring data security, and maintaining the authenticity of therapeutic and coaching relationships will be critical.
I also see AI enhancing collaboration within holistic wellness centers like Alive Explorations. It could facilitate connections between diverse practitioners, helping clients access a more cohesive, personalized healing journey. As long as we keep human connection and ethical considerations at the forefront, AI has the potential to significantly enrich the wellness industry.
