We recently connected with Michelle Francis and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Michelle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

The story of Pinnacle Clinical Solutions began with a deeply personal realization. Growing up in Jamaica, I witnessed the devastating impact of untreated mental health issues in a culture where therapy was often stigmatized or inaccessible. Later, as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in the U.S., I saw similar gaps in care, this time due to systemic barriers, lack of culturally competent providers, and an overwhelming need for services that made people feel seen. I knew I wanted to create a practice that not only delivered quality care, but also truly reflected who I am and what I believe in—compassion, connection, and helping clients through their unique experiences.

Pinnacle is still a fairly new practice, but it’s growing steadily through word of mouth and referrals, which speaks to the trust and value we’ve been able to build. Establishing the practice started with a clear mission: to develop a clinical platform where clients feel empowered and understood. I leaned heavily on clinicians and entrepreneurs I admire for insight, but ultimately, I trusted my own instincts in every decision I made, from branding and systems to defining our service model. The biggest challenge is wearing all the hats—clinician, administrator, marketer, and supervisor—while managing the uncertainties that come with entrepreneurship. Financial risk, self-doubt, and learning the business side of therapy pushed me, but they also sharpened my vision and resilience.

Looking back, I would have started my practice sooner. I kept waiting for the “right time,” but I eventually realized there’s no such thing—the perfect moment doesn’t exist. I just had to take the leap. To anyone thinking of starting a private practice, my advice is this: lead with your heart and be intentional about your “why.” When your purpose is clear, it becomes the foundation that grounds you through uncertainty and motivates you to keep building something meaningful.

Michelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am Michelle Francis, a Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). My journey into mental health began when I was deciding what to pursue in graduate school. Social work felt like a natural fit. It aligned with my passion for helping others and making a meaningful impact. While studying in the master’s program at Florida Atlantic University, I took a variety of courses that deepened my understanding and solidified my decision to become a therapist. Today, I am a licensed therapist in Florida, Texas, and Massachusetts.

At Pinnacle Clinical Solutions, we provide services focused on areas such as substance misuse, relationship challenges, self-esteem, attachment, and life transitions. Beyond individual therapy and couples counseling, we also offer clinical supervision and consultation to emerging social workers and organizations, helping to strengthen the mental health workforce. What sets Pinnacle apart is our focus on culturally aware care, blending clinical expertise with genuine empathy and respect for the human experience.

I am most proud of the supportive community we’ve built. Clients who trust us with their healing and clinicians who grow under our supervision. For anyone considering working with Pinnacle, know that our approach is collaborative and deeply rooted in the belief that we provide the support you need to thrive.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start?

When I decided to start Pinnacle Clinical Solutions, funding was one of the first and biggest hurdles. Like many new entrepreneurs, I didn’t have access to large amounts of startup capital. Instead, I relied primarily on personal savings I had carefully set aside over time, knowing I wanted to eventually launch my own practice. This required discipline and a lot of patience, as I balanced building my clinical career while simultaneously preparing financially for the transition to private practice.

In addition to my savings, I sought advice from trusted clinicians and entrepreneurs who had successfully navigated similar paths. Their guidance helped me make strategic decisions about what expenses were essential in the beginning and where I could start small without sacrificing quality or compliance. I also invested in efficient, HIPAA-compliant systems early on, recognizing that protecting client information and ensuring smooth operations were non-negotiable.

While funding was a challenge, it also taught me to be resourceful and intentional with every dollar spent. I am proud that Pinnacle has grown steadily without taking on debt or external funding, relying instead on word of mouth and referrals. For anyone starting out, my advice is to plan carefully, save as much as possible beforehand, and lean on colleagues who can offer practical insights to help you stretch your resources effectively.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I launched Pinnacle Clinical Solutions during the final year of my doctoral program at Cummings Graduate Institute. For anyone who has ever pursued a doctorate, you know it’s no small feat. At the time, I was juggling a full-time job, attending school full-time, navigating personal life challenges—and in the midst of it all, I decided to launch a private practice. It was ambitious, maybe even a little crazy, but something in me knew it was time.

I’ll never forget the day I posted on social media that Pinnacle was officially “live.” Within hours, a colleague from my graduate program reached out to refer my very first intern for supervision. I remember thinking, “Michelle, what did you just get yourself into?” I was in the most demanding semester of my academic journey, adjusting to the pace of a new job, and also building a business from the ground up. My brain was running on overdrive. I had plenty of 14-hour work days and long, restless nights filled with discipline as I focused on the bigger picture.

Every challenge sharpened my focus. That season taught me the true meaning of resilience—not just pushing through hard moments, but choosing to bet on myself, even when it felt overwhelming. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every late night, early morning, and canceled social outings was worth it to build something I truly believe in. Pinnacle Clinical Solutions is the dream that I turned into a reality.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pinnacleclinicalsolutions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinnacleclinicalsolutions/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555051341481
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-michelle-francis-dbh-lcsw-licsw-qs-17aa53184/

Image Credits

Steevens Placide of SP Production Multimedia