We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kelia Parker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kelia, appreciate you joining 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?
I decided to start 180 Urban Wellness, a virtual mental health practice during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in April 2020. I was working remotely at my full-time federal government job at the time and was taking daily walks in my neighborhood to deal with my cabin fever. I always knew I wanted to be my own boss, but I wasn’t certain of what I wanted to do and was honestly scared of taking the leap. I was inspired by a friend and former coworker that started a thriving outpatient mental health clinic and she was SO much happier being in business for herself! While talking to her on my daily walk, she suggested I meet with a business coach and put me in touch with her former coach. In April 2020 I began working with a business coach for 6 weeks and outlined the foundation for 180 Urban Wellness. During those 6 weeks, I applied for business federal tax I.D., identified which insurance companies I wanted to be paneled with and the ideal clients I wanted to serve.
I encountered numerous challenges as I did all the business development for 180 Urban Wellness myself! I am not super tech savvy and figuring out how to build a website was frustrating to say the least and I spent countless hours getting every detail figured out. I had experience as a contract therapist working for community agencies, yet no experience of the administrative processes of running a practice and so I had issues with submitting claims for payment and putting systems into place for handling potential client inquiries. Businesses that rely on insurance for payment do not get paid if your claims are not properly submitted. That’s a pretty big cause of concern that I had to troubleshoot and learn very quickly how to keep the business afloat.
After being in business for 4 months, I hired my first part-time clinician and was in unknown territory because I had to learn how to market my business to attract clients for another clinician and develop operational practices for screening clients which was trial and error. Once I scaled up and hired my first full-time clinician 1.5 years into starting 180 Urban Wellness, the panic of being responsible for another person’s livelihood set in big time! During those first 2 months of recruiting and consulting with clients for my full-time clinician, I was filled with self-doubt, dread, and anxiety. I had so many conversations with my husband, close friends and family who encouraged me and reminded me that I had the passion and knowledge to bring on a full-time clinician. I am so grateful for the people in my corner! They make such a big difference in reminding me of my purpose when I have moments of self-doubt.
My advice for anyone looking to make a career pivot or launch a practice is to “Just Take the Leap!” I waited and procrastinated because I thought I needed to know everything and have it all figured out to get started- which I didn’t. One of the best decisions I’ve made is to recognize my strengths and skillset and to outsource those tasks that are time or energy zappers. There are professionals who can help me keep my business running and I can pay for their services to keep my presence of mind and focus on what I’m good at. Secondly, there are plenty of less knowledgeable, or less experienced people who have started businesses because they believed in themselves. That really means, as an entrepreneur, you have to bet on yourself. If you aren’t willing to, why would anyone else? Lastly, view challenges as opportunities and count ALL your wins- even the small wins are important!
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.
Kelia Parker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is founder and Clinical Director of 180 Urban Wellness, a virtual group behavioral health practice offering services in California, the District of Columbia and Maryland. Kelia is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where she received a Master of Science in Social Work degree. She is licensed to practice in California, the District of Columbia, and Maryland. She is an advocate for black and brown communities receiving access to quality behavioral health services and focuses on destigmatizing the need for mental health.
Kelia specializes in working with black women struggling with fertility challenges and women’s issues. She was called to specialize in fertility counseling for women experiencing difficulty conceiving through her own experience being diagnosed with endometriosis, undergoing fertility (IVF) treatment, and pursuing gestational surrogacy as a means to build her own family. Kelia recently published an e-book, Your Fertility Journey: A Comprehensive Guide for Black Women, as a resource for what to ask a doctor, checking your fertility, and navigating family-building/treatment options. The e-book “Your Fertility Journey” is a necessary resource due to black women having the highest rates of reproductive health conditions (fibroids, PCOS, endometriosis), being least likely to explore fertility treatment and seeking fertility treatment services at a later age (mid to late 30’s) than white peers.
180 Urban Wellness has four clinicians providing telehealth counseling services, that focus on women’s issues for individuals living in California, the District of Columbia and Maryland. At 180 Urban Wellness, we specialize in women’s mental health addressing challenges such as body image, birth trauma, fertility challenges and difficulty conceiving, maternal mental health, perinatal (post birth) anxiety/depression and are a queer affirming practice. We work with clients to overcome self-doubt, fear, and work towards healing from grief and trauma to live more fulfilling lives through incorporating therapy and holistic services. 180 Urban Wellness accepts private insurance as well as Medicaid to provide quality services to those most in need. 180 Urban Wellness offer both virtual individual counseling services as well as virtual group counseling services, most recently offering Mindful Eating and Joyful movement groups that incorporate various principles of psychotherapy in combination with movement and Health At Every Size principles.
With the issues of healthcare equity, access and reproductive justice being politicized, 180 Urban Wellness is proud to provide culturally inclusive services for black and brown women and the LGBTQ+ community that are often on the receiving end of inadequate care due to provider bias. Our services are provided by black and culturally competent clinicians to provide culturally inclusive services which enhance treatment outcomes of the clients we serve. 180 Urban Wellness provides support and education for clients on how to advocate for themselves during visits with medical providers as well. We are working on an advocacy campaign to connect with primary care providers, OBGYNs, and fertility doctors (Reproductive Endocrinologists) to encourage brief screening of anxiety and depression in patients during annual well-women, prenatal visits, or fertility treatment and to refer to appropriate mental health providers for supportive treatment.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
180 Urban Wellness is a client focused and person-centered practice. As such, the value we bring is providing quality customer service. Many may not think of behavioral health practices when you mention customer service, however the quality of interactions we provide from the initial contact to interacting with existing clients is critical to their experience with us. Our motto is “We See You” which means that we will treat all individuals with respect regardless of whether they choose to work with us or not. This was an important factor when screening for clinicians to hire and something I emphasized during the onboarding process. Our typical clients identify as black women, BIPOC or LGBTQ+ and historically are disproportionately mistreated when receiving services, often leading to increased severity of symptoms and delayed treatment due to distrust. We seek to provide a warm and welcoming virtual space to meet each individual where they are and allow them to safely receive the treatment they need and deserve.
Any advice for managing a team?
My philosophy as a leader is using a collaborative approach to the work we do. I have a specific vision and plan for 180 Urban Wellness, but I allow for both clinician and client feedback to gauge the impact and efficacy of the work we do. Collaboration allows for my clinicians to be more engaged and to take ownership of the treatment services provided and encourages them to be innovative with tailoring interventions and service delivery to meet client needs. As we work remotely, we have come together for staff spa retreats and holiday luncheons to unwind, break bread and build connections with one another.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.180urbanwellness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/180.urbanwellness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/180UrbanWellness
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/180-urban-wellness/