Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Gentry
Hi Erica, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
On February 27, 2020, I decided it was time to launch my private practice for the community after experiencing family members’ death. I had always believed in the healing power of therapy since an emerging adult whose healing experience with therapy was life changing. I always knew I wanted to one day help others to process their traumas to enable them to live life anew. I always had the desire to do private practice when I learned about it while attending graduate school for my MSSW. I decided to become an LMSW and began working to obtain clinical hours under clinical supervision. I later passed my clinical exam and began to meet with other therapists and coaches to learn the processes for starting private practice. Even though I received my licensure in 2017, I did not step out on faith until 2020. My husband Vandale had been encouraging me to do this for a long time and allowed my fear to debilitate me. It was in 2020; I returned to therapy to process the death of a loved one and I was hit with questions by white therapists who wondered why black people view themselves as victims in America following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.
It was at that moment that I came home and told my husband enough is enough, and it was time to move forth in fear in creating a healing space for the community, especially the Black community to process their traumas in a safe space. On February 27, 2021, I officially launched Resiliency Therapy, LLC even though my private practice existed inactively in 2020. I named it Resiliency Therapy because I wanted to help clients know that true healing does not take place until one fully processes traumas that are holding them back. Currently, resilience is not viewed as badge of honor within the black community because of the exhaustion surrounding the need to always be strong. I understand that, but I believe wholeheartedly there’s beauty in resilience when once fully commits to healing their minds and traumas to live life anew. No matter what life has done to oppress, count you out, abuse you, etc you can heal with the right therapist.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being in private practice has not always been smooth yet always rewarding. I started private practice offering telehealth sessions during the pandemic. I was able to become credentialed on different insurance panels and this was a process. Even with insurance, it does not alleviate financial strains for clients if they are responsible for higher deductibles. It has been extremely hard to share with intrinsically motivated clients that their insurance will not cover until their 1500-dollar deductible is met and they will be responsible for full payment of all sessions out of pocket.
In addition, some clients wanted to have an in-person session, and I was not able to provide this for them and this was another challenge. I practice in Williamson County and finding attainable space to rent or buy has been very financially difficult. In 2023, I was able to rent a space, and it was the best experience for me and my clients. Unfortunately, in 2024, I lost out on remaining in the office to a larger tenant. I am back to doing telehealth visits until further notice. There have been times, I have given free sessions away and provided a sliding scale that still was unsuccessful due to clients not paying. There are many people who want and need therapy, but it is a challenge with the limitations of in person space. Professional boundaries are something I am working on to establish.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
There comes a time in life when we may be presented with various challenges – both expected and unexpected. Regardless of which type of challenge we encounter, the aftermath can sometimes leave us trying to figure out how to regain a sense of normalcy in our lives. While we may naturally tend to suppress our emotions, the most important thing we should do is journey through the emotions that come with these challenges. There are times when we will simply need someone to listen, and there are times we will need to gain access to and apply tools that will help us get through life. Healing is a process that is well worth the journey, and healing in a healthy manner is proven to be beneficial both physically and mentally. It is when we choose to address our issues by getting to the root causes that we can heal and move forward.
It is important that we take the time to journey through our issues and not just “get over” them. Resiliency Therapy wants to help you process through life’s challenges so that true healing can take place.
I realize that no two people are the same and as such tailor my therapy to meet the specific needs of my clients. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression or any other issue, I will help you recognize underlying problems, fully realize your strengths and adjust certain behaviors and thoughts to see things a different, healthier way.
My practice specializes in treating individuals, couples and families and I offer comprehensive services dealing with:
EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Trauma Informed Care, etc.
I specialize in trauma, depression and anxiety. I am set apart because the real experiences in my life allow me to look through a healed lens of empathy. Every May, I organize a free community mental health event for the community. I raise funds to pay licensed therapists and professionals to speak on topics relevant to the community. We give a away lots of door prizes and offer a space for healing, whereas, this might be the only space the community can come.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I want to encourage readers to take their time in finding the right therapist for them. I see so many people take the steps to seek a therapist and become discouraged when they never hear back from the therapist. This can be challenging, but I encourage people to keep knocking until you reach the therapist with whom you have a connection. Please know you are worth the investment and working towards healing is so rewarding for not only you, but future generations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://resiliencytherapyllc.com/
