We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alison Ratner Mayer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alison below.

Hi Alison , thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?

This is an emotional question. My hero is my dad, Dave Ratner. My dad is an entrepreneur. He started a small chain of pet supply stores, his own brand of petfood, he’s a public speaker, involved in the community, and is a bit of a local celebrity. When I was younger, he appeared on the local rock radio station once a week with the 2 goofy hosts. They would take calls from people about their pets and lovingly made fun of them. Everywhere we went, someone knew my dad and my dad knew them. He is the friendliest and most down-to-earth person and I believe that I embody that as well. I see a lot of him in the way that I run my business and the way I conduct myself in the community, and that makes me so proud.

As far as my own business and professional development is concerned, my dad has been my trusted consultant and biggest supporter from the start. Everything from which office space to take, when to grow the business, what risks were well thought out, which areas to pump the breaks, hiring, firing, self-awareness as a boss, and helping me understand the ups and downs of being a small business owner. He helped me get on my feet when I started by giving me a loan for my first office space. Not sure I ever paid him back for that…sorry, dad. Most importantly, he always believed in me and told me how proud he was of all that I was doing.

Not only has my dad helped me professionally, but he is also the most supportive, loving and helpful grandfather (Zaidi) there is. I became a single parent over the last few years and to say that I have needed help is an understatement. My dad stepped right in from the start. Coming up on the weekends, shlepping the kids around, playing mermaids and barbies with my daughter, and doing everything with so much love and enthusiasm. Not just for my kids but for my nieces and nephews as well. I would say that while my dad has been many things over the course of his life, being a zaidi is his best, most prized roll. And while I look up to him in so many ways, this one is the most important! You’re the best dad!!

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.

Well, my name is Alison Mayer and I am a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW). I own a child and adolescent therapy practice in the metro-west part of Boston, MA. We offer counseling and social-emotional group therapy for kids and teens. I have about 28 fabulous therapists, an incredible office and billing staff, and we have fantastic interns from BC and BU graduate schools of social work. We have 2 large offices and operate virtually as well. I always knew that I wanted to work with kids therapeutically, in some capacity. My journey led me to social work, and I never looked back. I didn’t intend to start my own practice, that was never part of my plan. But here I am, 2 locations and a fabulous staff and I couldn’t be happier.
Something I am really proud of is our commitment to providing group therapy for kids and teens. Offering and running groups are a logistical nightmare, if I am being honest. And most therapists don’t offer them because of this. But I am committed! I believe that there is a special kind of magic that happens in group therapy for kids and there are certain clinical skills that really can only be gained in a group. I love the energy, the opportunity for connection, watching progress unfold, seeing kids experience their “people” and feel likable and fun to be around, it’s really special. And I am so proud and thankful that we can still offer them.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Hmm, this is a really good question. Reputation is so important and ours is something that I really cherish. I think it is a combination of many things but most importantly, the good work that we do with the kids and families that we work with. Our therapists are incredible, truly. And so many of our referrals come from current or previous clients. Or they come from other professionals who have collaborated with our therapists and trust our work. So, I suppose the answer is, relationships. The work with our clients is about strong therapeutic relationships and the reputation within the market is the same.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have had to pivot a number of times, I believe. When I moved back to Massachusetts after living in Atlanta for 9 years I had to start over. I had to build my network, learn about all of the referral sources, create my marketing lists from scratch, make myself known in the community. That was a lot. I literally started from scratch. I remember a friend looked at my first business card and said, “you need a Boston phone number”. It was still my Atlanta work number. I thought, nah, can’t be true. But she was right. I got a different number, that was a good start.
I reached out to so many different people, agencies, schools, pediatricians, psychologists, you name it. It was near impossible to get a meeting or even get someone to respond back to my emails or calls. But then, everything changed. All of the sudden, as soon as people started responding and wanting to meet, I started to get busy. And I remember, the first time someone reached out to me, asking to meet with me. I thought, “wow, I have really made it! The tables have turned”. It was awesome. I still do a ton of outreach, but I’d say that just as many folks reach out to me as well. It’s really great!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.childtherapyinboston.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childtherapyboston/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/childtherapyboston/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-ratner-mayer-licsw-82530238/