How it started
Tiffany felt there was a need to open a mental health counseling service in the Harlem community, particularly to provide resources for students there. She named her practice "Inevitably Mental Health Counseling" because she repeatedly tells clients that "it's never too late to restart, to do over," to "change, revamp your life." As a young African-American female who grew up in Harlem and became the first in her family to earn multiple master's degrees (three total), she sees herself as a "blueprint" and a source of hope for the kids in Harlem, empowering them to pursue college and achieve their goals.
The practice specializes in couples counseling, trauma, and complex diagnoses like PTSD and anxiety. They have clinicians who specialize in LGBTQ+ issues. Tiffany emphasizes the importance of clients having the "choice" to choose a clinician who looks like them and can relate to them without needing to explain their background or behavior.
The business faced a significant challenge during COVID-19 when they experienced delays in submitting bills through insurance companies, leading to a standstill in revenue. As a business owner, Tiffany had to find a way to pay her clinicians who were still working.
During the struggles caused by COVID-19, Tiffany needed working capital. She specifically wanted a revolving line of credit that she could use when billing was backed up. Revenued offered her that opportunity.
She believes that Revenued helped them successfully navigate the pandemic, during which her practice had a major impact on clients dealing with severe depression, parental stress, loss of employment, and high divorce rates. She feels COVID-19 was "the breaking grounds for this business" because they "showed up for them" when everyone was unsure.
Tiffany's mantra for business ownership is to "pivot" when something isn't working, learning lessons and trying something else. She believes that struggles are opportunities to learn and grow, and that "as you grow, there are different obstacles."
The mental health counseling industry is a vital part of community healthcare, addressing growing needs for therapy services such as trauma treatment, couples counseling, and support for anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Practices like Inevitably Mental Health Counseling also provide inclusive care, ensuring clients have access to clinicians who reflect their cultural, gender, or LGBTQ+ identity. Independent counseling practices often face financial challenges due to delayed insurance reimbursements and high operating costs, making flexible business funding essential. With demand for mental health services continuing to rise, clinics that combine culturally competent care with strong financial stability are positioned to make a lasting impact in their communities.