Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alisha Bowker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alisha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?
I had been in the Social Work profession for many years before I finally decided to branch out on my own and start my own practice. In fact, I never had dreams of owning my own business but it ended up becoming the best decision I ever made. I have lived in 5 states, and with the constant moving it was becoming problematic to keep starting and quitting jobs. So Private Practice just made the most sense for my career trajectory. However, the biggest flaw of Social Work School is that they do not teach you anything related to business. I knew how to be a good therapist, I had years of experience and training, but I had no idea how to start and run a company. So, my first step was to join a group practice and learn from a model that was already in place. While I was in charge of all my own billing, caseload and EHR, I had the comfort of someone else doing the marketing, providing a space for me to see clients and helping me get on insurance panels. I am thankful for all that I learned in this setting, but ultimately I think I stayed a little too long. I was giving away a large percentage of what I was earning each month and ultimately I was actually bringing in more clients on my own, and COVID had just ramped up so I was no longer using the group practice office space. I would highly recommend that new clinicians looking to start out either skip group practice all together, or be sure you are asking for a fair split and ensure the group is putting in the work you are paying them for. I also will say you CAN do it on your own! It might feel a bit intimidating but there are so many supportive FB groups, your accountant or financial advisor, a lawyer and books you can use to help navigate the business side and it only gets easier the longer you do it!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Alisha Bowker Mudrock and I am an LCSW and am currently working toward becoming a certified coach. I majored in Sociology and Psychology in undergrad and honestly had no idea what I wanted to do post graduation. At that time a good friend’s mom suggested Social Work, and I decided to learn more. I liked the idea of being able to provide therapy without having to go to school for my PhD, and the material aligned well with my undergrad education. I applied to schools in NYC, as I was interested in getting out of Southern California, and when I was accepted to Columbia University I immediately said yes and moved across the country. My first job out of graduate school was focused on helping survivors of interpersonal violence heal and recover from their trauma. I was trained in specialized therapy interventions and worked at one of the largest crime victims agencies in NY for about 5 years. I then moved to New Orleans and worked at a level one trauma center, meeting with both inpatient and outpatient clients who had experienced trauma or were suffering from other mental health diagnoses. I also was able to help build a hospital wide wellness program for all the employees of the hospital. When I moved to KY I joined the group practice and began to get specialized training in working with the perinatal population, those struggling with infertility, and individuals who have experienced miscarriage or loss. I then began my own business, AKB Psychotherapy, and currently reside in Miami, FL. I mostly work with clients in their 20-40s who are struggling with a life transition, a long-term diagnosis of depression or anxiety, a postpartum diagnosis, or infertility. I use a lot of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in my sessions, and primarily am client centered which means I understand this is their treatment and I am here to let them lead. I love being a therapist and have built up a steady caseload of clients all over the country, as I hold licenses in KY, IN, NY and FL. But in 2023 I was getting a bit restless and wanted to grow beyond my current practice scope. I decided to enroll in a coaching certification program for therapists like myself, and started a second business AKM Coaching. In my coaching role I offer 1:1 coaching sessions but also have digital courses and group coaching available. I think the offering I am most proud of in my coaching business is my Book Club called- EmpowerHer, Book Club Reimagined. We will be reading 6 books in 1 year, with a monthly meet-up each month. I have created curated journals to help members get the most out of the reading and we are focusing on self-help books specifically. My goal as a coach is to particularly work with women who want to level-up, and embrace their power and their voice. I cannot wait to see how my coaching role will continue to expand and grow, and plan to maintain a steady therapy caseload as well. There is definitely a place for both, as coaching is not therapy and therapy is not coaching. But both balance and stretch me in unique ways that allows me to remain energized and grow as a provider.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
Obviously training is very important in the field of therapy and coaching, but I also believe that authenticity is just as important. People are trusting you with secrets, shame points, trauma, personal hopes and dreams, heartbreak, loss and more. It is essential that you are authentically showing up and willing to meet your client where they are at, and create a safe and respectful relationship for them to grow and heal within. When people are choosing to be vulnerable they are good at sniffing out those who are inauthentic or in the field for the wrong reasons. Making it a priority to take care of yourself, and show up as the best version you can be each session is imperative.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
As I mentioned earlier, I never even considered being a business owner- let alone own 2 businesses- but here we are. I made my first move across the country at the age of 22 and then found myself moving again 7 years later. At that time I met my now husband who is in the military, and moves were going to continue to be a part of my future. The constant starting and stopping of jobs was taking a toll on my mental capacity and my bank account. It was becoming difficult to start, get settled, end and have to re-start every 3-4 years. So, I made the decision to become my own boss and take my company with me wherever we might go. It was definitely the career move I did not know I needed, but now I cannot imagine working for anyone else ever again. I love the freedom it provides, the challenges, the new skill sets I have gained and the flexibility it offers. Becoming a business owner was a big pivot in 2019, but one I am so thankful for!
Contact Info:
- Website: alisha-bowker.mykajabi.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisha.bowker.mudrock/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABowkerLCSW
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisha-bowker
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/akmcoaching/