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

Dr. NaRicia , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us 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?

As I was nearing the end of my master’s program for social work and obtaining my license to practice independently, I connected with a cohort from my master’s program and we began to start planning what a group practice would look like. We eventually parted ways and I continued with my plan beginning with reaching out to a lady I knew in Nashville who had a private practice. She gave me a framework for a blueprint and I sat down with my grandmother and built my blueprint. This included researching what certifications I would possibly need, what business licenses to obtain, how to or if I should seek contracts, which insurance carriers were more prominent in my area, finding and funding office space in a way that would cover the anticipated loss I might incur for the first year. Some of those key challenges included finding a space I could afford that would be “safe” for my clients. Managing a private practice while minting full-time employment. Finding avenues to market myself. I would encourage a young professional to seek mentorship. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Do your own research to help you even determine the types of questions you should ask. Remember to stay connected to other professionals as you grow and understand that running a private practice is not “just” seeing clients.

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?

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who holds an LCSW in the states of TN, TX and AR. I acquired my doctoral degree in Social Work from Capella University, my master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and my bachelor’s degree in Applied Psychology from Christian Brothers University. I am also a proud graduate from Melrose High School. Over the past 20 years, I have worked in a variety of settings and with various populations to include individuals with intellectual disabilities and problematic sexual behaviors, sexual offenders, persons struggling with substance abuse, children, families, and couples in both the community mental health setting as well as private practice. I opened my private practice in 2015, Gihon Counseling Solutions with a goal in mind; that goal being to provide access to wholistic care to my community. In my personal life, she attempts to live the life she encourages. I love audiobooks, music, fitness (by way of yoga and cycling) and believes that mindfulness meditation is a primary key for emotional centeredness. The love for myself, family and personal growth in people has continued to motivate me.

In more recent years, I have become very passionate about sharing information related to mental health via social media sites: Facebook (Gihon Counseling), Instagram (DrNaRiciaFutrell), TikTok (Drnariciafutrell) and YouTube (Yo Favorite Slightly Hood Therapist).

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Throughout the course of my career, I have had to face several events that have tested my resiliency. I believe the most trying thing I have had to face is working in an environment where I felt as though my skills and expertise were not appreciated. I was passed over for a promotion, “forced” to accept disrespect from clients and targeted by other coworkers because I made a decision to address an observed ethical dilemma. But one thing I have learned over the years of my life is to be patient and make moves when it is time.

I took my own therapeutic “advice” and focused heavily on things within my control (i.e. self-care and mood management). As I worked on keeping myself self positive in an environment where I did not feel safe, I planned to make a move and did just that.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

There’s no other profession I would choose. I truly love what I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.gihoncounselingsolutions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnariciafutrell/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/gihoncounseling/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naricia-futrell-dsw-lcsw-02689350/
• Youtube: Yo Favorite Slightly Hood Therapist
• Other: TikTok: Drnariciafutrell

Image Credits
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