We were lucky to catch up with Jamie Impastato recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jamie, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
I am a little impulsive, and acting on impulse is often viewed as something to avoid. But my impulsivity has been a character trait for as long as I can remember. Whether it was spending my only quarter in the gumball machine, cutting questionable bangs, or trying to adopt a third rescue dog, my impulses have driven some of the very best and some of the not-so-great ideas (like the bangs) that I’ve ever had.
I dedicated 12 years of my career in the school setting working with some of the most amazing people, supporting incredible kids and families and developing my leadership skills. I built social emotional systems, implemented best practices to support student behavior, supported coworkers and staff through difficult times, and built the confidence I needed to trust my intuition. A career in schools brings stability. Consistent hours, summers off and a pension at the end made it an easy choice for me to unpack and stay. Not to mention the fact that I got to play with kids, teach skills about friends and feelings and be a part of an incredible team.
I truly felt at home at my last school, and I knew I would happily retire there. Still, I always had an entrepreneurial spirit that had inspired many side adventures along the way: being a fitness instructor, exploring a realtor side gig, working as a contractor for a private practice, and my most significant long term dream – starting my own private practice…eventually.
Like everyone else, the pandemic turned my world upside down. But when many looked for stability during uncertain times, my intuition guided me in the opposite direction. The pandemic highlighted our country’s devastating mental health crisis, and my gut told me that my practice couldn’t wait for me to be ready.
My impulsive streak means that I move quickly, often without a solid plan. This has always seemed to work out, so I made the leap and opened my practice. Eight months later, my business has gone from just me to four additional clinicians, and we’re growing every day. We have a thriving telehealth practice and in-person office located conveniently in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, and will continue to expand into other communities in the near future.
I’m humbled by the swift success we’re experiencing, and the reach we have created to help so many in such a short period of time. I’m inspired by each and every client, and feel fortunate that I get to wake up every day and be a part of something awesome.
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?
For my entire life, I’ve always supported those around me. I often would have friends and acquaintances share personal details of their life and challenges, and I would eagerly provide an ear to listen and some advice that I thought would be helpful. Over time, my own life experiences lent themselves to a broader understanding of others’ struggles, and gave me a unique perspective to help people reframe their situation.
I am energized by communicating with people with different backgrounds and experiences, and I have always been able to find the good in everyone and possibilities in every situation. My strengths-based therapy, motivational interviewing style, and relationship building skills have laid the framework for a successful practice.
Through goal setting, gentle challenging, and humor, some of my clients have reported our therapy as “life changing” and “necessary” to improve quality of life.
Parenting, ADHD, Autism, anxiety, depression, career, relationship concerns, and play therapy are just a few of the long list of specialties we support. I specialize in helping people with gender exploration, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and individuals that identify on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. I provide a unique perspective, a warm and inviting space, and the opportunity to celebrate what it is that makes people unique.
At Clear Perspective Therapy, we pride ourselves on providing high quality telehealth and in person therapy’ both in person in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and via telehealth, serving anyone located in Illinois. We’re here to help and look forward to meeting new clients every day!
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Building a robust list of clients takes time and perseverance. I started by building business social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and linking them to our user friendly and aesthetically pleasing website.
I began to try my hand at writing blogs in order to provide educational resources and to make Clear Perspective more findable by search engines. I promoted my blogs on social media in hopes to connect the reader back to our page.
Fundamentally, Clear Perspective Therapy has grown mostly quickly due to word of mouth. We provide quality therapy, connect easily with our clients and affect change, and people tell their friends, family, and network.
Additionally, business cards help connect people we encounter in person. We printed a QR code on the back of the card to easily connect potential customers to our website.
Finally, networking is key. Connecting with others in the industry helps spread brand awareness and promote more referrals.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
During my last year working in the schools, I started working part time for a private practice in my area to expand mental health services during the pandemic. I was always curious about how running a practice works, and I would often ask many questions and offer additional help to my employer at the time. Meanwhile, my employer encouraged me to take the LCSW Clinical Exam. I was hesitant, as I had taken it six years before, and just missed the cutoff score. But with her encouragement, I gathered all the study courses and materials I could get my hands on, and I went for it. I passed. It was then I knew more doors had suddenly opened for me!
It was summer 2022 that I began planning to open my own business. I started thinking of names. I needed a solid name that is timeless that speaks to the effectiveness of the practice. I had several names picked out and I surveyed friends and family and landed on Clear Perspective Therapy. My next move was to meet with an accountant to start the paperwork to become incorporated.
I linked up with a colleague who was incredible at showing me the ropes. She left no detail unturned. She gave me the name of an accountant and walked me through each step. She was incredible.The accountant helped with all things business and money and suddenly, I had a tax ID number! It was surreal.
I had my books started and I needed a HIPAA compliant electronic health record system and I was happy to find Simple Practice. It is user friendly and has a pretty minimal setup. Then came building the website, setting up email, insurance paneling and contacting anyone and everyone I know for referrals. By late August, I had my first client. I was elated. Little by little, my dance card became full ….and then extremely full.
My private practice has grown exponentially over a short 8 months, and we’re attracting more clients every day.
It’s been a whirlwind, and it hasn’t always been easy, but I wouldn’t change a single step. My impulsivity led me to a rewarding career, leading a strong and positive team of therapists who genuinely care about affecting good change in the world. There are a million reasons not to take a risk, especially when it comes to opening a business, but I’ve learned that a little impulsivity has the power to reshape your entire future. When your gut tells you it’s time, make sure to listen – except when it comes to cutting bangs. Get a second opinion on that.
Contact Clear Perspective Therapy at 847-220-7629 x406 or email us at [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: www.clearperspectivetherapy.com
- Instagram: @clearperspectivetherapyinc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clearperspectivetherapy
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-impastato-lcsw-7340931b0/
- Twitter: @clearptinc
Image Credits
Candace Ashford – Modernly Classic Photography https://www.modernlyclassic.com/