Raquel Cherry, LICSW, LGSW.
1. What's your practice focus and what kind of clients knock on your door ?
My practice has been a place where people with various needs have worked towards healing. However, as of late my clientele are professionals dominating in the corporate space. Most of my clients exceed in the marketplace and have since realized that their mental health should also be a priority.
2. Tell us about yourself.
I opened my virtual practice during the pandemic in 2020. At that time; I was working a fulltime job, doing some contracted work which lead to my practice being a part-time job. In October 2023; my fulltime job reconfigured programming and eliminated my position. This reconfiguration presented as a sign from God to step out of faith in pursuit of my private practice full time. I'm so happy I made this decision! Building generational wealth through my practice for my daughter keeps me going.
3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.
I worked with a mother and her teenage son on improving their communication. At that time, the mom was of the belief that children should be seen and not heard. Due to this belief, she often didn't allow and respect the voice and opinion of her son which lead him to act out in many ways. As I worked with the family and independently with both mom and the son; mom to better understand that her son's voice is important and he wants to actualize this voice. Over time mom embraced his voice.
4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?
One of the most difficult things of being a private practice owner are the business aspects; managing financials, marketing, scaling the business, managing client inquiries etc.
5. What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today?\
Top 3 tips I would give someone getting into private practice is:
- If you have a fulltime job, maintain this job while you grow your caseload, save 3-6 months of finances to support "dry season"
- Network, you can't do it alone. Get into environments with other clinicians who know more than you, can support you and can hold you accountable to reaching your goals when it's hard to keep going.
- Be realistic, this journey of being self-employed it's hard, get clear on that so what hard presents itself; you don't quit.