Liz Kent, MSW - Perissos Therapy
1. What's your practice focus and who are your typical patients?
Our practice specializes in maternal mental health. This means we love working with moms regarding everything ranging from preconception (infertility, perinatal loss...), to the postpartum period, to parenting to perimenopause. As everyone on our team is a mother herself, we know how difficult mom-ing and the mental load is. We love supporting our clients in how motherhood impacts your identity, your body image and your relationships. Any mom who feels overwhelmed is a great client for us!
2. Tell us about yourself.
After I had my oldest son, I became interested in supporting other women through the postpartum period. From there, my clinical interest in the mental load of motherhood was uncovered. I never imagined I'd open my own practice, but apparently my husband did. He bought a website domain and created me a website in secret, revealing it to me for my birthday. And that was the birth of Perissos Therapy. Every time I talk to a mother about how much is on her plate on a daily basis, I am motivated to continuing supporting women in this motherhood journey.
3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.
I have a couple clients I have worked with for some time. It is always incredibly encouraging when they put all the moving pieces of our sessions together on have an ah-ha moment. From there, they usually figure out how to set some healthy emotional boundaries with others in their lives. And when they confidently report back-that is always one of my favorite moments in my work.
4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?
It's hard to juggle it all-constantly keeping track of the administrative side of the business, the clinical side of the business and everything in my personal life, often leaves me feeling like my head is going to explode. But, I try to do what I advise clients to do-breathe, take it hour by hour and focus on the present.
5. What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today?\
1. Get a niche/identify your ideal client-this way you can focus on the work you really enjoy, with clients you feel you can really help.
2. Hire right-whether you're bringing on staff or outsourcing marketing, be sure to find others who align with your work ethics and values. Once you find those people, treat them well so they stay!
3. Don't underestimate your network-think about the best ways to connect with others in your field (or complementary fields) and keep in contact with them about your specialty, your openings, etc.