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

Britton, appreciate you joining 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.

Opening my own professional practice felt like the only path for me once I decided to pursue a career in the medical field. I’ve always been influenced by my father, who owns a private practice in oral surgery, and inspired by the hardworking, successful business owners I’ve been fortunate to surround myself with. I believe it is important to listen to those who display hardwork, are grounded in ethics and morals, and you can witness first hand the fruits of their labor. Their example kept me motivated, encouraged, and focused on being a decision-maker with direct control over my outcomes.

I believe everyone has gifts, natural talents, and learned skills. For me, these include compassion, empathy, resilience, leadership, and a competitive spirit. While I deeply enjoy hands-on client care, I’ve discovered that I equally enjoy managing and coaching others to reach their full potential. It is vital to have both short and long term goals and to continously grow as an entreprenuer. For example, my short term goal is to build up a private practice where I see clients and manage day to day business operations. My long term goal is to expand and hire nurse practitioners and therapist, allowing me to manage and provide oversight while continuing to open a second practice. One reminder to my child and to myself is always, “you can do anything. You can do anything you put your mind to.”

Before opening my practice, I worked at several outpatient and inpatient clinics for two years. This allowed me to observe what made certain operations efficient—and what didn’t. I used these observations as the foundation for my own business. Success, in my view, isn’t measured solely by wealth or numbers. It’s about quality, client satisfaction, employee retention, and the impact you make in the industry. I also enjoy outsources and collaborating with other professionals in the industry to grow their businesses and provide them with clients suitable to the services they offer.

The best advice I can give to someone considering entrepreneurship is to find a skilled financial advisor. Managing money is one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced, and unfortunately, it’s not something we’re often taught in school. A business without daily inventory will go broke and without a firm backbone in operations, ultimatley the ability to provide quality client care will decline. Poor money management can break a business, no matter how skilled or passionate you are. A strong financial foundation, combined with a clear business model and plan, is essential.

Another key piece of advice is to remember that your business is a direct representation and extention of who you are, or at least that is how I approach my business decisions. Every aspect—from the company name, to the website design and colors, to the products and pricing, should reflect and be meaningful to you. For example, it was easy to determine a name for my company because I wanted it to represent my son and have meaning, therefore I chose to utilize his last name. My website and design along with my marketing materials represent my style- contemporary and modern, minimalistic, and my favorite colors- black and white. The events I host always provide guests with the opportunity to know me better from the food I chose, the venue, the vendors I hired, etc. Stand out, be different, and always go above and beyond regardless of cost, because the ROI will be worth it when you dont sell yourself or others short.

If I’ve learned anything, it’s that perseverance and a commitment to quality will always set you apart. While there are challenges, the ability to make decisions and create a business that truly aligns with your values is worth every obstacle.

Eventually I will be developing some sort of ebook to walk providers through the full process of opening and operating a business. To break it down simply for now I would advise others to surround yourself with successful mentors, assess a successful financial advisor, decide on a name and your personal style, and do not be afraid to take risks.

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.

My name is Britton Bahador, and I’ve dedicated my professional career to helping those who are suffering from mental health challenges and addiction. I’ve always felt a strong calling to be part of the solution for those struggling with mental illness and substance abuse, especially those who are underserved or oppressed.

I hold a double master’s degree in both social work and nursing, which allowed me to provide both therapy and medication management to my clients. After working in nonprofit dual diagnosis treatment centers, where I provided therapy, crisis intervention, and helped connect the homeless to housing resources, I realized that I wanted to expand my ability to serve people. I became a nurse with a focus on psychiatry, which enabled me to prescribe medications and offer a more holistic approach to care. My favorite role during this time was working as an intake nurse, later being promoted to intake director, where I was able to advocate for individuals to receive the care they need.

I’ve worked with a wide range of populations from pediatrics to geriatrics, in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and have been providing care as a nurse practitioner for nearly three years. I am also a dedicated mother, and having seen firsthand the effects of untreated mental health and addiction on individuals and families, I wanted to create a space that emphasized kindness, availability, and affordability.

My practice is grounded in the belief that “life is stressful, receiving affordable and quality mental health care should not be.” Mental health services are often inaccessible due to cost or stigma, and that’s something I wanted to change. I wanted to build a practice where people could receive compassionate, high-quality care without the barriers of affordability or judgment. I am particularly passionate about helping children, those with addiction, and anyone from underserved or stigmatized groups. Whether it’s providing therapy or helping someone access necessary resources, my goal is to meet clients where they are and empower them to make lasting changes in their lives.

One of the biggest challenges in the mental health field is access to care. Many people face financial barriers, while others deal with societal stigma that prevents them from seeking help. At Bahador Behavioral Health, I work hard to ensure that care is accessible, available, and affordable. I believe mental health care should be a right, not a luxury, and I’m proud that my practice has built a reputation for providing a safe, understanding, and nonjudgmental space where people feel comfortable and supported in their journey toward recovery.

I am motivated to continue working in this field as a result of the clients I am able to serve and observing the effects of untreated mental illness and its impact on others. As a mother, I understand how these challenges ripple out and affect families. The joy of seeing someone regain control of their life, find hope, and reach their potential is incredibly rewarding. I’m truly passionate about advocating for people to receive treatment—whether that means therapy, medication, or a combination of both—and making sure they don’t have to navigate the system alone. My own life experiences have fueled my dedication to breaking down barriers and creating a space where people can feel safe and understood while they work toward healing.

Clients can expect a warm, empathetic, and individualized approach to care. I’ve created a practice where every person feels heard and supported, and where we work together as a team to develop the best plan for their mental health. From pediatrics to geriatrics, we treat a wide range of conditions, from anxiety and depression to addiction. My goal is to provide comprehensive care that includes both therapy and medication management when needed, all while ensuring that services remain affordable and accessible.

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

If I could go back to the beginning of my academic journey- I would have gone to medical school but still would have chosen psychiatry as a specialty. I say this not only for the advanced training and education but also due to the laws and regulations put on APRNs in Texas who specialize. In Texas we are required to be supervised and not practice independently which is helpful in many ways but can also have its limitations and drawbacks. Luckily, I have a great supervising physician but I know many NPs who struggle to find a supervisor.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

I really believe that self awareness and understanding of human beings and their imperfections is most helpful to succeed in this field. Mental health and addiction often times is very misunderstood and comes with a negative stigma, so you have to learn how to meet people where they are, remember where you come from and be compassionate, patient, and understanding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Bahadorbehavioralhealth.com

Image Credits

Whitney Krenek photography