Business Name: Hope Counseling, LCSW, PLLC
Owner: Jennifer Hickman, LCSW
Phone: 716-980-7850
Office Location: 42 Dunham Ave, Jamestown NY 14701
What gave you the Idea for your business? I worked professionally for a local provider and felt that going into private practice would allow me greater freedom to assist clients struggling with mental health and substance abuse with the opportunity to focus on intense trauma therapy.
How did your business start? When I went back to school for my degree, I had thought about starting a practice, but didn’t expect it to ever be a reality. As I worked in therapy and realized that I had more struggles with administrative obstacles than I did with my patients, I realized that to be truly effective, I needed to go out on my own. My husband has assisted me in establishing my business credentials and I most recently obtained my clinical license to open my private practice.
When did your business start? Once I received my clinical license in May, I began taking clients of my own. The business entity formation is in progress with NYS, and our website is up and running. We will be moving into office space in August and expect to begin seeing patients in person then, in addition to the telehealth practice I currently am engaged in.
How many employees are there? Currently, I am the only employee with the goal to provide the necessary supervision for Licensed Master Social Work to build the practice.
What makes your business unique? We offer specialty programs like Compassion Fatigue training, Anger Management, and Mental Health First Aid, all offered under one roof. Of greater importance is our commitment to providing Intense Trauma Therapy. This is a service that most insurance won’t pay for but is so vital for individuals seeking to overcome the trauma that has followed them throughout their lives. Intense Trauma Therapy seeks to help the individual open the floodgates of trauma in a safe, controlled environment using multiple therapeutic techniques to control the ebb and flow of emotions. This program helps to free people from the crippling traumatic luggage they may be carrying for years.
What do you want the community to know about your business? Our goal is to help people find freedom from anxiety, depression, and trauma, develop a strong sense of self, while discovering their purpose.
What about your business makes you proud? The past seven years of working towards my clinical license I have obtained experience in mental health, substance abuse and trauma. This experience allows me to reach a wide range of individuals in need and offer a broad holistic approach to therapy.
How has the SBDC helped your business? Provided guidance with business planning, entity formation, marketing, developing my website and creating a social media marketing plan.
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