We were lucky to catch up with Tunisia Buise recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tunisia, 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.

When I decided to embark on the social work field in 2012, I had no plans on owning my own practice. After becoming licensed in 2015, being a business owner was still not an interest. I began to work in the field and would notice that my interests and passion best aligned with a specific population; teenage girls and women. However, I did not have complete control over the clients that I was assigned. In 2020, I became fully licensed as a clinical social worker, and then it hit me. Let me try out private practice. Not only was I stepping out on the other side of fear, I was saying to do something that I was not even sure I really wanted to do. I registered my business name, The BUISE Foundation, in February 2020 and stopped there. Once again, fear popped up and hesitancy consumed me. I began to think, “Do I really want to do this?” A month later, we were hit with the global pandemic. At that point, I knew that I was not going to pursue a private practice and was a little upset that I spent my money to register. I began to speak with colleagues who encouraged and believed in me more than I did myself. The opportunity for virtual/telehealth sessions increased across all insurance panels and the social work ethical board, I figured this was God telling me, “Don’t count yourself out!” All the excuses that I came up with became voided and I officially saw my first private practice client on May 11, 2020. Establishing my practice, came from marketing myself on a variety of different platforms: therapist directories, social media, therapist group messaging, and more. I began to make a presence known of The BUISE Foundation through the social media page, many Facebook groups, and then word of mouth from colleagues and clients. I reached out to local colleges and universities, doctor’s offices, schools and more to inform the community of my mental health practice. Three years later, The BUISE Foundation continues to flourish and grow as we meet the needs of our community.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born and raised in Baltimore, MD and attended Baltimore City Public Schools. I was always praised on my academics but told that I talk too much. “Conduct interferes with learning” was the consistent comment on my report card. My dream career was to be a lawyer and I attended Clark Atlanta University for my undergraduate studies. Subsequently, I received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. I did not have a plan for once I graduated, so I was forced to return back home to Baltimore to reside with my parents. Shortly after, I began working for a Judge in Baltimore City Circuit Court and that is where I discovered that my passion did not align with being a lawyer and that the social work was more appropriate. I received a Masters of Social Work Degree from The University of Maryland School of Social Work. Once licensed, I began working in an Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Treatment Foster Care agency, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program, and now I am only working in my very own private practice, The BUISE Foundation. The BUISE Foundation is a mental health agency that serves girls and women to address their mental health concerns. We are unique in changing the language that we use when speaking to clients to assist with the understanding that they are not defined by their clinical concerns. We are practice that focuses on strength based and meeting clients where they are. I am most proud of the continuous and consistent growth that I have seen with the practice since its birth on May 11, 2020.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Social Media and the Internet definitely! I marketed myself and my practice in various mental health groups and created a business social media account to further make a presence. I also discovered that showing my face is a bonus a well. This helps for clients to see the person behind the name and hopefully to build a professional connection. I am also listed within therapist directories that assist clients in locating a therapist that is the best fit for them. My biggest goal is to get my name out there and to have it in rooms and spaces where I am not present. I keep my business cards in my purse. When I am at my own personal appointments and asked about my profession, I am almost always asked if I have business cards. And I sure do! I speak highly of my focus of working with women and teenage girls, and how my approach is best received to provide efficient treatment to clients. I am very big on networking and speaking with others about my practice and who I am. In this business, word of mouth is profound. I am determined to keep mentioning my practice anytime that opportunity presents.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Real life experiences! Lived experiences. Being a human being! I say this often, clients do not understand the theories and social work jargon that we learn in graduate school. Clients want to know that you understand them and their experiences. I pride myself on holding space with my clients and letting them know that I am human; no different from them. If there is a shared experience, I open the opportunity to share my experience, at a minimum, to show commonality and a direct level of understanding. This helps clients to be comfortable and shows that I am relatable. Being a black woman therapist from Baltimore City is appreciated from the clients that we serve.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thebuisefoundation.org
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/thebuisefoundation
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebuisefoundation