It Began With the Best Sort of Problem
As a Social Worker in private practice, the best problem to have is for your business to grow so quickly that you need more space. One day, I simply found that I had far too many clients, far too many therapists to supervise, and far too many contractors to house in my tiny one-room office. However, I did not want to grow alone. I longed for the community I had left behind when I moved out of community mental health and into the private sector. I yearned for a way to get back to providing quality services to all, not just those who could afford it. I was at a crossroads with no clear path forward.
While on a run, I found my mind wandering to different solutions to my problems of rapid growth, isolation, and service. I wondered if there was such thing as co-op therapy spaces and what that would look like. I sat on a park bench and Googled "therapy co-op". Low and behold, the perfect business model for solving all my problems existed in Portland, OR (of course), Wise Counsel and Comfort. The owner, Lynne Joy Nesbit, graciously shared her secret sauce with me and just a few months later, in March of 2016, Gateway opened its doors. It has become an opportunity to not only collaborate with some amazing wellness professionals, but also to help folks new to private practice overcome their fears and incubate their own businesses.
At GWA, we have space to grow our therapy businesses, alongside many others. Together, we share business expenses and referrals, encourage one another, and benefit from the supportive community of therapist. Our clients benefits from that expert collaboration as well as the savings in overhead expenses. I am forever grateful for the presentation of that first welcoming gate that led me to open GWA, and I hope to welcome many more colleagues through it as we grow!
~ Casey Limmer, MSW, LCSW
Founder and CEO, Gateway Wellness Associates and St. Louis DBT, LLC
The Win-Win-Win Scenario
The mission of Gateway Wellness Associates, LLC is to foster the growth and development of wellness professionals in private practice so that they may better serve the St. Louis community.
Our foundational values include the ethical and evidence-based practice of a variety of wellness arts, provision of professional and affordable services to the community, fostering of self-leadership and independence in helping professionals, and encouragement of entrepreneurship among wellness professionals.
These values lead to a Win-Win-Win Scenario . . .
A WIN FOR VETERAN PROFESSIONALS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE
Established wellness professionals in private practice can move their practice affordably to a class A, centrally located building or open a satellite office. By sharing the space with hourly renters, they save on rent and benefit from the therapeutic community. Most private practice burnout comes from professional isolation. At GWA, you have as much community or as much independence as you seek. Our voluntary consultation meetings provide plenty of clinical connection and networking opportunities.
A WIN FOR PROFESSIONALS NEW TO PRIVATE PRACTICE
Wellness professionals in a variety of professions (licensed social workers, counselors, psychiatrists, massage therapists, personal trainers, dietitians, health coaches, job coaches, etc) are provided an incubator work space that includes furniture and basic supplies necessary to start your business relatively stress-free.
By keeping the initial investment low, you can get your practice off the ground faster. Think about it - you don't have to save up for furniture or risk taking on a full-time office space and the big rent check that goes along with it. You can start a practice in just a few short days and begin with a couple hours per week, building in more hours as you need them. You can keep your full-time job while making extra money and trying out private practice in the most safe and supported way possible!
Need a little extra help getting set-up? Business Mentoring, private practice workshops, and peer advisory circles can give you everything you need to get started and support you through the process!
The cooperative co-op model also means we share referrals, expertise, and resources.
A WIN FOR THE St. LOUIS COMMUNITY
GWA offers renters deep discounts in office space rent when they agree to provide at least 50% of their sessions to the underserved in our community. By providing low-cost services we can bring high-quality, affordable counseling care to those most in need.
All of our clients benefit from our central location and beautifully serene environment.
By diversifying our association and including a variety of wellness professions, clients can receive multiple services in one space. Multiple members of the family can see different doctors or therapists at the same time. You can work with an outpatient therapist on an problem eating habits and see a dietician/personal trainer under the same roof.
And with all this brain and heart power under one umbrella we have the capacity to give back. Our Educational Outreach is about exposing professionals and non-professionals to all the facets of wellness at our disposal in these modern times. Extensive workshop and webinar programming provides the power of knowledge for professionals (and CEs) and clients alike.