Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in mental wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kaylee Criswell, Founder, and Owner of Luxx Therapy PLLC., located in North Richland Hills, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Luxx Therapy is a dynamic group practice with multiple therapists dedicated to serving diverse clients using evidence-based practices. Luxx Therapy serves clients struggling with depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, body image issues, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, and more. Luxx Therapy is accessible to many members of the community through our employment of therapists with different areas of focus; we serve clients ages 6-100. We pride ourselves on best practices, continuing education, collaboration, and community, to ensure that our therapists are delivering best practices at all times. Luxx Therapy is a people-centered therapy practice in North Richland Hills. Our philosophy is that when clinicians are taken care of in the ways that they need, they are then able to deliver high-quality services to clients. Clients are why we are here, and they deserve to have the highest quality services available at an affordable price. This translates to clients in the form of educated clinicians, who are able to be mentally present in the session because they are trusted to do what is right for their clients. This means clients have access to clinicians who are used to applying their theoretical orientation regularly, meaning that things said and done in the therapy room are purposeful and meaningful. This means clients are able to explore the deepest parts of themselves with the confidence that their therapist will be with them in the ways that they need. To us, it is the only way to run a therapy practice.
Tell us about yourself
Luxx Therapy is a people-centered therapy practice in North Richland Hills. The reason I ultimately chose to open Luxx Therapy is that I was seeking a specific type of culture that I just wasn’t able to find. Like any other entrepreneur, I thought, “Why not create it?” and so I did. Our culture is one in which clinicians are truly invested in which clinicians are respected in the ways they deserve. My philosophy is that when clinicians are taken care of in the ways that they need, they are then able to deliver high-quality services to clients. Clients are why we are here, and they deserve to have the highest quality services available at an affordable price. In real-time, this looks like supporting the decisions of clinicians in their work, providing competitive compensation packages, being available for the ongoing clinician and administrative support, and structuring biweekly paid team meetings to collaborate, engage in continued learning opportunities, and develop the community of support. This translates to clients in the form of educated clinicians, who are able to be mentally present in the session because they aren’t worried about being micromanaged or questioned for their decisions. This means clients have access to clinicians who are used to applying their theoretical orientation regularly, meaning that things said and done in the therapy room are purposeful and meaningful. This means clients are able to explore the deepest parts of themselves with the confidence that their therapist will be with them in the ways that they need. To me, it is the only way to do business.
Lux, in Greek, means light. At Luxx Therapy, we want our clients to leave our office feeling more and more connected to the light that is in them, the light that is in us all. It is light that gives life, and there is nothing we want more than our clients to feel alive in all the ways they desire and deserve. At the end of the day, we want our clients to feel seen and cared for, capable of shining their light a little brighter in their communities and families.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As a business owner, I would say my biggest accomplishment has been the privilege of putting together such a high-quality team of clinicians and office support staff. We are a cohesive group dedicated to high-quality practices. I am both humbled and honored that these individuals believe in the mission of Luxx Therapy and have trusted me as the owner of the practice and as their supervisor. A high-quality team is hard to find, and I count this as a true blessing.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Owning a mental health practice comes with a unique set of challenges. As a clinician in DFW for a few years, I think one of the greatest struggles for mental health professionals in our state is the somewhat disjointed nature of the mental health community. I know that for some, it can be easy to fall into the trap of only seeing clients and becoming isolated from the professional community. To offset this challenge, there are community leaders who have developed different Facebook networking groups, which help practitioners feel more interconnected. In the future, I hope to be able to work to be part of the solution surrounding developing a user-friendly system in which referrals, requests for collaboration, mentorship, and supervision can all be easily communicated.
Mental health care accessibility is also a challenge for therapists to consider. Though taking insurance as a therapist typically means more work and less pay, I believe in making mental health care as accessible as possible, meaning I take all major insurance panels and offer a sliding scale when needed.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- More than any “business savvy” or prior knowledge about the counseling field, I think the three habits that have served me the most in the operation of my business are a growth mindset, flexibility, and a genuine interest in the welfare of others. For me, a growth mindset means a constant curiosity about anything that arises within the business for which I lack prior knowledge. This applies to every aspect of the work that I do, from regularly reading about new therapeutic concepts and techniques to connecting with my CPA team to better understand the accounting of the business to learning how to effectively use social media for marketing. Maintaining a growth mindset and curiosity to learn more has opened many doors of opportunity for me and has helped me navigate the unexpected turns that inevitably come with business ownership.
- Flexibility is the name of the game. I truly believe that the only thing that will stay the same in a business is the fact that things are always changing. The need to pivot quickly and gracefully is a daily necessity. In order to be able to maintain this posture, I prioritize time for self-care, and I schedule a time during the day for decision-making. Typically, stressors that require flexibility also require consideration surrounding the next steps, so to set myself up for success in flexibility, I regularly schedule the needed time to make decisions. I try to limit myself to specific hours to make these decisions so that way my life is not derailed or my mind completely absorbed by something occurring unexpectedly. Of course, there are still times in which overwhelming decisions do derail my best attempts at maintaining balance, but overall, this strategy is one that helps compartmentalize and create a much-needed work/life balance.
- Regardless of the domain of life in which you find yourself, I believe that you will never finish last if you have a genuine interest in the welfare of others. This principle is a motto I carry with me in every interaction I have with those I work with, whether I am interacting with clients, business associates, experts with whom I consult, or employees. With this in mind, I have built a network of individuals upon whom I can rely, and they can rely on me. My team knows that I care for them and will do everything within my power to help support them in the ways that they need. Though there may not be a tangible financial reward to investing in the welfare of others, the relationships developed and maintained are ultimately my “why” and give meaning to the mundane.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Thank you for the opportunity to share about my business today! We are always looking to add like-minded professionals to our team. If you think you might be a good fit, please reach out to us!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.luxxtherapy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxx_therapy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylee-criswell-ms-lpc-ncc-b1827151/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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