We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emi Olmeztoprak a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Emi, 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?

Being in private practice and owning a business was not my initial goal. When I received my graduate degree, I was content with working in agencies and aspired to move up within those agencies as I gained more experience. I absolutely loved my first full time job as a therapist. I worked at a well established local non-profit agency providing substance abuse and mental health counseling to clients who were involved in the CPS system. I felt like I found my niche. At the same agency, I eventually transitioned to overseeing a probation program and became more interested in program development and leadership roles. Over the five years I was employed at the agency, many things changed. A major change in upper management created a huge shift in the workplace culture and moral. Unfortunately, the place I had once been excited to go to work at each day was unrecognizable.

Around this time, with the encouragement of a few friends and colleagues, I established my practice as something I would do “on the side” in addition to full time agency work. It was a way to make extra money and provide services to a different population.

I made the difficult decision to leave my first “big girl” therapist job and was hired at a for profit residential treatment facility. The salary was appealing. At first, I enjoyed the work however I quickly recognized that the corporate for profit environment was not for me. After about two years, I returned to the non-profit sector. While I felt much more fulfilled, I struggled with the agency culture and lack of opportunity for growth.

I had maintained my private practice with a few clients in the evening throughout this time. I found myself at a point where I felt I needed to make a change. I was frustrated with the way agencies operate in Las Vegas and felt I didn’t have many options for other places of employment where I would feel fulfilled by the services I provide.

Again, with the encouragement of my husband, and a few friends. I made the decision to transition into full time private practice. I was terrified. This meant no longer receiving a consistent salary, only making money when I had a client scheduled, and being solely responsible for my own business. To say I had imposter syndrome is an understatement.

My practice slowly filled and I found myself with a full client schedule. I enjoyed the autonomy I found in private practice. I was able to make my own schedule and provide services to clients in a way that felt authentic and fulfilling. After another year in sole private practice I decided to expand into a group practice and brought on other clinicians to work with me. As a team, we are able to provide more services to more clients in the community.

It was a challenge to learn the business side of running a practice. That is not something they taught in grad school. To reduce overhead I manage the business and maintain all operations myself. I learned how to complete insurance credentialing and billing myself.

The only thing I would say i would do differently is to not have waited so long to transition into private practice. I enjoy operating the business and providing direct client care. The freedom of being a business owner also afforded other opportunities. The flexibility of making my own schedule has allowed me to teach in graduate programs and facilitate clinical supervision.

The experiences I had working at agencies were invaluable. I learned so much from working alongside experienced therapists. I gained an understanding of many populations and community mental health that I would not have had I gone directly into private practice.

I suggest anyone starting their career in the mental field spend some time working in agency settings. Once they’ve found a niche they are passionate about, hone in those skills, and take additional trainings in that area. I believe this is a good point to consider starting their own practice. I highly recommend connecting with established practice owners for mentorship. Most importantly, don’t let fears, self doubt and imposter syndrome hold you back from starting a practice and achieving your goals.

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.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#01237) and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (#00414) in the State of Nevada. I am also an AAMFT approved supervisor and supervisor of drug and alcohol counseling interns. I am also an adjunct instructor with Touro University Worldwide in the MFT program.

I am an EMDR and Brainspotting certified therapist and have specific training in motivational interviewing, solutions focused, cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. I am also an EMDRIA approved consultant and practicum facilitator.

I specialize in treating trauma, anxiety, and depression. I take a person centered approach to tailor each session to meet the needs of each client. I also focus on assisting young adults with social anxiety, adjusting to independent life and embarking on their careers.

My prior experience includes working with clients in community mental health and co-occurring substance abuse treatment agencies as well as clients who are involved in the criminal justice system.

I was born and raised in Las Vegas. I completed my undergraduate and graduate coursework at UNLV. I am dedicated to helping my community members improve their quality of life.

I truly care for all of my clients, and work diligently to help find them the answers they seek. Since 2010 I have worked with a variety of clients dealing with unique circumstances and assisted them in achieving their personal goals.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

My advice for managing a team is to create a positive collaborative work environment. People will want to do their best work when they feel heard and valued. It is also important to foster autonomy and independence in the team. I avoid micromanaging anyone while finding a balance with accountability. I believe everyone can learn from each other contribute to the growth of the business and team. I encourage my team to share ideas with me and their colleagues. I pride myself on having high moral in my business. I don’t want a business where people dread showing up for work. In the helping professions, we have to show up for our clients and we can’t do that as effectively in a negative work environment.

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

Common factors research indicates the biggest factor in client change is the therapeutic relationship. The ability to sit with someone, see, and hear them, and hold space for them is crucial for success in this field. First and foremost we are people sitting with and interacting another person, often times in one of the most difficult times of their lives. Training and knowledge is secondary to the ability to attune with a client. In some ways, this is not a skill that can be learned or taught.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vvcounseling.com
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