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

Jennifer , looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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.

Owning a private practice was never something I saw myself doing. My burnout was real after working three years at a community mental health center exclusively treating children with severe trauma. I was encouraged to start my own practice by two colleagues who had recently done the same. I had no idea what this would involve or what I would do but I needed something different so I took the leap! With the guidance and support of these colleagues, I began taking steps to set up my practice while continuing to work full-time. Within four months, I was able to leave my full-time job and focus solely on my business in January 2020.

Little did I know that the world was going to go turn upside down within three months of moving to full-time private. The challenges of starting my practice were nothing compared to what I faced at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Support was key to weathering the storm and continuing to build a practice in the midst of economic challenges. I reached out to colleagues, taught myself business and marketing skills, and invested in a coach among other things. If I wasn’t seeing clients, I was hustling to invest in myself and my business in other ways.

I’ve made so many mistakes the past five years and I know I’ll make more. I’ve also learned more than I could have ever imagined. My business is thriving with multiple clinicians and office staff. I want a young professionals and aspiring business owners to know this is part of the journey. You will learn and grow personally as you build your business. Investing in yourself and your business, whether that’s time, knowledge, resources, or money, is worth it. Don’t get discouraged if things move slowly.

Jennifer , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve known I wanted to be a psychologist since I was a senior in high school. My desire and passion to help others has been fueled by challenges in my own life and having people who supported me through these tough times. I wanted to be a safe person to help others through challenges and know they are not alone.

Gateway Behavioral Health Consultants was founded in 2019 to address the growing need for accessible and high-quality mental health services in the St. Louis area. I had heard countless stories about individuals struggling to access therapy or having negative experiences with mental health treatment. These accounts were disheartening, as they stood in stark contrast to my vision as a psychologist: to help those suffering find relief and hope.

Starting Gateway Behavioral Health Consultants allowed me to provide a different treatment experience — one where individuals seeking help could feel supported, validated, and empowered to make meaningful changes in their lives. Our mission is to offer accessible and affordable, yet high-quality mental health services in an inclusive, welcoming environment. We strive to create a “come as you are” mentality, ensuring that clients feel comfortable discussing anything and everything during their sessions.

At Gateway, we believe that seeking treatment should leave clients with a sense of relief and hope that change is possible. This foundation of change begins with creating a safe space where clients feel truly heard and understood.

One thing that brings me the most joy in my work is getting referrals from past clients. I absolutely love when a previous client has referred someone to my office! There is no greater compliment than to trusting me to care for your loved one and knowing they will have an amazing experience.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My practice was just 6 months old when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Making the shift to an entirely virtual practice was daunting. I had just found some type of normal routine but then the world turned upside down. So many things in my professional life changed drastically. Some of my clients decided they did not want to participate in virtual sessions while others were in crisis. Networking to build my practice was basically impossible. I was dealing with my own fears and grief while trying to support others.

I did not let this stop me. I was honest with my clients about the changes and we learned together. I found creative ways to connect with others to build my business. I leaned on my colleagues and my support network to process my own emotions so they did not interfere with my business. My clients felt supported and validated through the process. They began referring their loved ones to me and so did others in the community. By the summer of 2020 I had a full practice and was able to hire another therapist at the beginning of 2021 because the referrals were steady. It was an extremely challenging time but my resilience helped my practice grow during a time when many places were shutting their doors.

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

Yes, over and over again! Yes!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gbhconsultants.com/
• Instagram: gbhconsultantsstl
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gbhconsultantsstl/about
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-ritchie-129a65156

Image Credits

Lara Longo Photography