My Professional Journey: Resilience, Neurodivergence, and Diverse Work Experiences
My journey to becoming a group practice manager and coach is one shaped by resilience, personal experience, and a deep commitment to helping others navigate the complex world of private practice. Over the past decade, I’ve worn many hats in the mental health field—each one offering a unique perspective that has shaped the comprehensive approach I bring to my work today.
Direct Client Care and Peer Support: The Client PerspectiveAs a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Specialist, I worked closely with clients diagnosed with severe mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. This role, which involved things like crisis intervention, treatment planning, and 1:1 sessions 3x per week per client, taught me the importance of a compassionate, client-centered approach. I didn't just provide care—I connected with clients on a deeply human level, at times drawing from my own lived experiences within the mental health and justice-involved delivery systems. This dual perspective—of both client and provider—has been (and continues to be) invaluable in my work.
Quality Assurance and Compliance in CMH: The Administrative PerspectiveBehind the scenes, I’ve served in roles within Quality Assurance (QA) and Compliance in Community Mental Health (CMH). These positions required a meticulous eye for detail and a deep understanding of the regulatory frameworks that govern mental health services. My work ensured that services not only met stringent guidelines but also supported both providers and clients in a system that can often feel overwhelming. This experience gave me a unique understanding of the complexities therapists face, particularly in balancing clinical responsibilities with administrative demands.
Blocumentation: The Clinical and Administrative PerspectiveIn my role as a Billing and Documentation Specialist in both CMH and private practice, I’ve seen firsthand how closely these two critical components are intertwined. What I call "Blocumentation" is the integration of billing and documentation into a seamless process that supports the financial health of a practice while ensuring compliance, accuracy, and client centered record keeping. By aligning these processes, I help therapists reduce errors, ensure compliance, and optimize their revenue cycle. This process honors the client not only in their front-end points of contact, but on the back end throughout their treatment record, too. This approach is not just about staying organized—it's about building a foundation that sustains the entire practice.
IFS-Informed: A Holistic Approach to CoachingWhile I do not currently engage in symptom management or treatment of diagnoses directly, my training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) from the IFS Institute informs every aspect of my coaching. IFS principles guide me in helping therapists understand and navigate their internal landscapes, fostering Self-leadership and personal growth. My personal approach to energy work is infused into how I perceive and use IFS principles. This approach is about more than just addressing surface-level issues—it's about empowering clients to access deeper levels of Self-awareness and transformation.
Embracing Neurodivergence: A Personal and Professional JourneyAs someone who is neurodivergent, my journey of learning to unmask and lean into my true Self has been and continues to be both challenging and rewarding. This experience has profoundly influenced my work as a coach. I understand the complexities of navigating a world that often demands conformity, and I’ve used this understanding to help others embrace their unique strengths and challenges. My neurodivergence isn’t just a part of my story—it’s a thread that runs through all of my work, allowing me to connect with and support clients in ways that are both authentic and deeply empathetic.
Practice Manager and Coach: Seeing the Whole PictureToday, as a group practice manager and coach, I bring together all these experiences to provide a comprehensive perspective that few others can offer. I see the entire picture—from the client’s journey to the therapist’s challenges, to the administrative complexities that hold it all together. My resilience, born from both personal and professional trials, allows me to offer support that is not only practical but also deeply rooted in empathy and understanding.
My goal is to help you bridge the gap between clinical expertise and the business acumen needed to thrive in private practice. Whether you’re struggling with billing, navigating compliance issues, credentialing, or just need guidance on how to balance it all, I’m here to support you every step of the way.
For Those Who Skim-Read:
Bachelor of Science in Sociology: Solid foundation in social systems, human behavior, and societal influences on mental health.
Completed Graduate-Level Courses in Law, Business, and Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Demonstrates a broad, multidisciplinary approach to higher education, with ongoing exploration of how to best continue and apply these studies in the future. Current student.
Psychosocial Rehabilitation Specialist: Worked directly with clients diagnosed with severe mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD.
Peer Support Specialist: Provides empathy and support rooted in personal lived experiences, bridging the gap between client and provider perspectives. (Cert. # MPSS-PVQJNW)
QA and Compliance Roles in Community Mental Health (CMH): Ensured services met regulatory standards and supported both providers and clients in a complex system.
Billing and Documentation Specialist in CMH and Private Practice: Developed and promoted the "Blocumentation" concept, integrating billing and documentation to enhance efficiency, compliance, and financial health.
IFS Informed through the IFS Institute: Informed coaching approach that helps therapists navigate their internal landscapes and foster Self-leadership, without engaging in direct treatment or symptom management.
Neurodivergent Advocate: Personal journey of embracing neurodivergence, which informs a coaching approach that is authentic, empathetic, and uniquely tailored to the needs of neurodivergent clients. Current Practice Manager and Coach: Oversee and support therapists in managing their practices, leveraging comprehensive experience in client care, administration, and business operations.
Psychosocial Rehabilitation Specialist: Worked directly with clients diagnosed with severe mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD.
Peer Support Specialist: Provides empathy and support rooted in personal lived experiences, bridging the gap between client and provider perspectives. (Cert. # MPSS-PVQJNW)
QA and Compliance Roles in Community Mental Health (CMH): Ensured services met regulatory standards and supported both providers and clients in a complex system.
Billing and Documentation Specialist in CMH and Private Practice: Developed and promoted the "Blocumentation" concept, integrating billing and documentation to enhance efficiency, compliance, and financial health.
IFS Informed through the IFS Institute: Informed coaching approach that helps therapists navigate their internal landscapes and foster Self-leadership, without engaging in direct treatment or symptom management.
Neurodivergent Advocate: Personal journey of embracing neurodivergence, which informs a coaching approach that is authentic, empathetic, and uniquely tailored to the needs of neurodivergent clients. Current Practice Manager and Coach: Oversee and support therapists in managing their practices, leveraging comprehensive experience in client care, administration, and business operations.