We recently connected with Denise Moore and have shared our conversation below.

Denise, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. 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?

Beginning my own private practice was something that would be easy, so I thought. I was very tenacious, excited, determined and ready. I wanted to be my own boss, I desired the freedom that came along with it. What I did not know was that I had no experience in running a business, I did not know about the systems, automations, delegations and coaching I needed to be successful. For a time I adopted that hustle and grind mindset and it worked until it didn’t. I had to go back and receive the coaching from other mental health therapists who were successful in the field and to this day I am still encouraged and guided by them. I would have started out with receiving the coaching and guidance I needed, this is what I would encourage someone who wants to begin their own private practice. I would have spoken with and spent time with other individuals in my community who are doing what I dream of, learning how to be ab entrepreneur, how to have a financial growth mindset and how to become successful and not become prey to the pitfalls. I would have liked to learn that as a psychotherapist I can make money.

Denise, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Originally, I was a biochemistry major at Niagara University in New York…. because I loved science and I was good at it. I wanted to own a chemical plant and was looking into purchasing air rights. I was not great at science in college and needed to go under advisement and was steered towards nursing and social work. I began studying social work and loved it. It was a lot of work, I learned so much and later found that our chairperson really prepared us for our master’s program in social work. As a child I attended therapy as a result of family trauma and it was meh… as a teen I chose to attend therapy on my own for grief and loss of my sister and it was amazing. While taking my courses I knew that counseling was the area and direction I wanted to get into. I began working in the field with hospice, the severe and persistent mentally ill population, the autistic population, department of children and families and finally community mental health. In 2009, I began taking classes for my master’s degree in Tampa, FL at a Troy University satellite campus. I graduated in 2012 and became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in 2020 and received my Qualified Supervisor certification in 2023.

Having worked as a therapist in private practice I learned that I have a niche working with Black Women, Black Men and college students. I launched my private practice Grow, Empower, Transform, Therapy, LLC in 2020. Our mission is to assist in the generation healing of the global majority community one person at a time. We offer individual counseling, seminars and workshops. We have created 2 journals, we create affirmation pillows along with affirmation t-shirts. We have a podcast and youtube channel where we are giving mental health tips and discussing all things mental health related.

I am teaching and assisting my clients with learning who they are, with healing from traumatic and abusive relationships (family, work, romantic). I assist them with finding their voice, creating and enforcing their boundaries, how to forgive themselves, I teach Black women how to break down that “strong black woman” stereotype. Overall, I am here to strengthen and support; what we call the generational curse breakers, the ones who desire healthier relationships with themselves and their family.

I am humble, down to earth, non-judgemental and a supporter; I believe this is what sets me apart from the rest. I am most proud of not giving up, not quitting and always remaining present. I am a huge advocate of affirmations and I take pleasure in teaching individuals how to create their own.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy of growing my clientele is word of mouth and social media. When other individuals hear of a positive experience they are more apt to engage in therapy. The stigma is broken of Black individuals engaging in therapy. This is a time for the global majority community to heal, we have been traumatized extensively and we are ready to learn and take the steps to heal and interrupt the cycle.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Experience. Being relatable to the clientele that I work with assists me with being successful. There are times I am able to relate to my clientele personally and vicariously. I continue to be authentic, non-judgemental and open minded when working with my clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: gettherapy.org
• Instagram: grow_empower_transform_therapy
• Facebook: Grow, Empower, Transform Therapy, LLC
• Linkedin: Denise Moore, LMHC
• Twitter: GETLMHC
• Youtube: The Healing Session: Heal, Empower, Release
• TikTok: heal.empower.release

Image Credits
Instagram: sonni.vega