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

Jennifer , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

For over 11 years, I worked for a large medical center as a Clinical Social Worker specializing in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. This is where I cut my teeth as a clinician, received valuable training, and made fantastic connections both professionally and personally. I enjoyed my work very much. During this time, I also got married and had four (yes, four) children in 5.5 years. Each addition made the constant juggling act a little more difficult.

I didn’t want to give up my career for my family, but I didn’t want to sacrifice my family for my career.

For several years, I felt like I was just trying to get through each day. While working I felt like I was failing as a mother. My schedule was inflexible and it was hard to take off for my kids or for my own appointments/illnesses without an immense amount of guilt and added stress. When I was home with my family, I felt as if I needed to be doing and giving more at work. This internal struggle continued and continued until I finally had enough.

I learned that I was doing ALL.THE.THINGS, but while doing so I was absolutely miserable. And exhausted. And unable to be present. This rigid system no longer worked for me.

I realized if I wanted to find some semblance of work/life balance, it was up to me.. Working parents don’t always fit into the rigid perimeters many workplaces demand. Sometimes we just need some understanding and flexibility that isn’t possible within many systems our society has in place.

So, it was one day in January 2018 I took this frustration, anger, desperation, and energy and created a business. I knew I could fail, but things couldn’t stay the way they were. By June I was seeing patients in my own private practice. By August, I was full and was able to quit my hospital position. I learned to trust myself when taking risks. I learned that finding balance required me to take inventory of my own values and make changes so that I was actually living according to my value system.

Four-and-a-half years later, I’ve never regretted my decision. I walked out of a very “safe” position and took a risk, but that risk helped me to realign myself with what I valued most. I’ve been able to be present with my children and my husband and not feel like they just get my “leftovers” from my work day. I’ve continued meaningful and rewarding work treating PTSD in Ohio and Kentucky. I’m energized at the end of my work days and not depleted. While the definition of “work/life balance” is continually evolving, I’ve been able to cultivate the flexibility needed to succeed.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Jenn Simpson, and I’m a Cincinnati native. I am a clinical social worker, and own a therapy practice called Thrive Therapy, Inc. There we specialize in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. I am married to a fantastic partner and together we have 4 children. When I’m not working, I’m most likely driving someone to practice in this current season of life.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I understand all of us have different interests, strengths, and weaknesses. For instance, my husband is in marketing research and overhearing some of his conference calls makes me wonder how he stays engaged and doesn’t fall asleep. I’m sure he’d say the same about my work.

In the mental health field, there are so many paths to choose from. To succeed in the private practice sector of therapy, I believe that finding a specific niche is critical as well as our education, training, and experience. There’s simply no way to be great with every single problem or person who walks through your door. Finding a niche is critical to providing high-quality personalized care to our clients.

Specific to working with trauma, I believe there are three things that are most helpful in finding success. First, a great support network. Having others who do similar type work who “get it” is important. The trauma world deals with heavy topics each and every day, so being able to reach out for support, to vent, or for consultation is absolutely necessary. Second, an ability to show up authentically. This comes with experience, and with that experience comes confidence. In my work we need to be able to connect not only as a provider, but as another human. Showing up authentically is necessary if you expect your patients to be able to do the same. And finally, being able to handle hearing the worst of the worst. For me, this came with experience and supervision. But really, it was learning and growing as a therapist and trusting the process. The trauma is just a small piece of our work. It’s not the focus. The focus is helping folks get “unstuck”, find hope, find healing, and live a life they love. That is my focus, my “why”, and the reason I can show up day after day excited for what’s ahead.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

In growing clientele, I’ve found it most important to connect with other providers in the community who do similar work or support my ideal clients in a different way.

Getting to know other therapists in the area has been a great way not only for referrals, but to build friendships and truly support one another as we all grow. I’ve found having meaningful relationships with other practice owners allows us to establish trust in one another. Having other providers know, like, and trust you and in turn knowing, liking, and trusting them is the best way to make meaningful referrals and truly help those in our community.

Connecting with providers who do adjacent yet different work with my ideal clients has also been helpful. Whether it be PCPs, yoga classes, physical therapists, OB/GYNs, or mom’s groups- understanding where folks may be talking about trauma-related stress has been important. It also allows those places to be able to have a referral for those who may need it, and possible referrals for me to send their way as well.

I also find that consistently providing great quality care that is evidence-based is highly effective in growing my practice. People come in, do the work, and feel better and tell others. Nothing is more powerful than a personal referral from someone who has recovered from PTSD.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thrivetherapyinc.com
• Instagram: @thrivetherapycincinnati

Image Credits

Megan Noll Photography
Deogracias Lerma