Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kennetha Frye. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kennetha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

I initially started my private practice in order to widen my reach in the clients that I could work with. I had experience in multiple types of mental health settings, but I knew in the long run that I wanted to solidify my career in private practice. I started off working for a group practice where I was able to learn the day to day and get an idea of what life would be like working for myself. Some of the first steps in establishing my practice included choosing a name for my LLC and establishing the LLC, getting an EIN for my bank account and finding the most efficient and effective ways to market myself to potential clients. At first I only accepted cash pay clients, but wish I would have started on insurance panels but it eventually worked out and grateful for my process. For anyone that is considering establishing their own practice I would encourage them to be patient, persistent and positive. Those are still my keys to success three years after initially starting my private practice.

Kennetha, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Dr. Kennetha Frye is a Licensed Psychologist, Health Service Psychologist, and a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology. She specializes in working with diverse at-risk children/adolescents who exhibit emotional and behavioral difficulties (e.g. depression, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, etc). Dr. Frye not only has experience working in the school system but has clinical experience in psychiatric hospitals, geriatric facilities, a juvenile detention center, and has family therapy experience. In addition to providing services for children and adolescents, she is experienced in providing parent training to parents of children with disruptive behavior disorders and providing consultation to school staff on a range of different disorders. Dr. Frye’s approach to therapy is one that is holistic and evidence-based within an ecological framework.She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2008 and has a minor in African American Studies. She received her doctorate from the University of Houston’s APA accredited School Psychology program. She completed her APA accredited pre-doctoral internship and a postdoctoral fellowship with Dallas Independent School District. Currently, she provides psychological services in her private practice in Houston. She is the past president for Division 12, Section 10 of APA, and past member of Division 16’s committee for ethnic minority affairs. She has been honored by Division 16 for her outstanding contributions to the Student Affiliates for School Psychology and was recently recognized as an Outstanding Alumni by the University of Houston’s College of Education. She is a proud member of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Incorporated. She has been a member for seventeen years and is the recent Director of Administration and won our Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. Currently she served as one of the Directors at Large for the Houston Psychological Association. She loves to travel, spend time with her family, her dog Mulatta and spend time with those closest to her.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Within the field of psychology, it can be very difficult to build your clientele due to not being able to provide services to friends or family members. However, due to the increase of social media platforms, Psychology Today and word of mouth I was able to build a vast and consistent client base. Also due to the isolation caused by the Covid pandemic, I believe that individuals had the opportunity to be introspective about their mental health needs and sought therapy services for the first time, which has also helped to grow clients within the field in general.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

Absolutely! As a child and adolescent I always loved to talk and help people and would be the person that all of my friends would come to for advice. It was always so natural for me. My interest in working with children and adolescents came from working in my mother’s daycare facility over the summers while in high school and being intrigued by child development and resiliency that’s shown by children.

Contact Info:

• Website: Drkennethafrye.com
• Instagram: Psychologist_drfrye