Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Torres.
Andrea, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Houston Multicultural Therapy Services was established in June 2016. My vision to start the business was to build a community clinic where people from different backgrounds, ethnic groups, and languages could reach mental health services in a timely manner without having to be on a waiting list for services. I wanted to provide services related to their community needs and personal needs. I also wanted to incorporate services for people seeking personal growth, individuals seeking treatment service, and education and awareness programs. I felt passionate and motivated to impact people’s lives in a positive manner and provide them with tools and skills to help them reach their potential.
When we first began services, we primary had individual and group counseling. Now, the services have expanded to anger management, Intensive Outpatient Services (IOP), Supportive Outpatient Services (SOP), substance abuse education, relapse prevention and suicide prevention.
Has it been a smooth road?
There definitely have been some challenges in the process of starting a business. For example, getting established on the web, creating a network within the mental health community and starting connections with other organizations to create the referral process. Another challenge was facing good marketing strategies and reaching the clients. Since Houston is a large city, it is very competitive, therefore, providing good customer service and follow up is essential.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The business type is mental health services. The areas we specialize in are Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), Supportive Outpatient Program (SOP), anger management, and individual and group counseling. In the anger management component the following areas are addressed: managing rage and anger and effective communication for improved relationships. Substance abuse education and relapse prevention are addressed in IOP and SOP services.
We are most proud of our fast turnaround in scheduling clients. If a client is seeking services, we are able to offer him or her an appointment within a week. Since many of our clients have full-time employment, we offer services during the evening and on Saturdays. What separates us from other clinics or practices, is our competitive rates, our ability to accommodate client’s schedule, and our retention of our clients. When clients come to the clinic they feel welcome and often say “I feel glad to be here, I feel like the staff cares about me and I can be myself here.”
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes I feel Houston is a good place for my business because Houston Multicultural Therapy Services operates as a community clinic serving diverse cultures and populations which is a representation of the city. The collaboration of the various backgrounds in group settings is helpful for the clients to expand their treatment. It allows the clients to learn about other cultures and backgrounds while also focusing on themselves.
Since Houston is a large and competitive city, one primary recommendation I would offer is to be flexible and open when focusing on your business model. In some cases, the business owner may have a certain concept or theory; however, once the business begins the reception of the business may not be what is expected.
I remembered experiencing this when I started receiving calls about clients searching for group services and soon realized the needed demand. Majority of the Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and Supportive Outpatient Programs (SOP) are only offered during the day Monday through Friday. Since this is a challenge for working people, I decided to make adjustments to the scheduling and provide these services.
Pricing:
- Anger Management $35 per session
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) $50 per session
- Supportive Outpatient Program (SOP) $50 per session
Contact Info:
- Address: 2002 Binz St.
Ste A
Houston, TX 77004 - Website: www.houstonmulticulturaltherapy.com
- Phone: 713-574-8971
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Personal photos by Rosalia Ledesma
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