Navigating Change and Growth at FKC: A Message from Farah

You've likely noticed some significant shifts at FKC, and I wanted to take this opportunity to share the journey behind these changes and what they mean for our future together. This period has been profoundly transformative for me, both personally and professionally, and open communication is essential for building and maintaining your trust.

These developments reflect my unwavering commitment to better serving our clients, fostering a strong community, and prioritizing sustainable growth within the mental health field.

The Importance of Self-Care: A Personal Reflection

We all understand the pervasive impact of stress. Sadly, as a human being, I am not immune. Stress manifests in various ways – physically, mentally, emotionally, and even environmentally – and ongoing research continues to highlight these interconnected impacts.

Some time ago, I fell into the trap of believing "I can help everyone, I can do anything." The pressure to juggle raising my children in a meaningful way, supporting a growing community of clients, and mentoring our clinical team from both clinical and administrative perspectives became overwhelming. This ultimately led to a serious medical scare.

This experience prompted a crucial period of reflection. I've always prided myself on adhering to best practices and exceeding standards, so it was time to step back and honestly assess my own well-being and the direction of FKC.

Shifting Focus: From Practice Management to Clinician Support

As FKC grew, I faced a critical decision: did I want to primarily manage people, or did I want to inspire their independent growth and remain connected to the core of our work?

The reality was that pursuing my passion for business would have meant relinquishing my clinical caseload and shifting my professional development towards management skills rather than deepening my expertise in areas like IFS and EMDR for trauma care. I found myself addressing administrative issues instead of fostering clinical excellence. I also considered adding layers of management, which would have further distanced me from the treatment room – the very place that ignited my passion for therapy.

I became a therapist because of the profound honor and connection of journeying alongside individuals through their darkest times towards hope and healing. Fascilitating your innate capacity for growth and healing – for both my clients and other clinicians' clients – it is what truly drives me. This connection and purpose resonate far more deeply than the tasks of SEO, website management, and administrative meetings.

Furthermore, maintaining a traditional "team model" felt increasingly misaligned with the evolving landscape of our field, particularly some of the post-COVID shifts.

Adapting to a Changing Landscape in Mental Health

Historically, new therapists typically gained at least five years of experience in community counseling settings under the guidance of senior clinicians before venturing into private practice. However, a growing number of new graduates are choosing to open private practices immediately after graduation. This shift has created a significant need for accessible clinical consultation and support. My initial hope was to create a supportive learning environment within a group practice, but I found myself increasingly entangled in the "business" aspects.

This traditional group practice model often involves clinicians giving a percentage of their earnings to the clinic owner to contribute to costs. Given the financial realities faced by many new graduates – managing student loan debt, saving for homes, navigating medical expenses, and covering increasing licensing, insurance, and training costs – I want to offer a different kind of support.

Moreover, with the current economic landscape these increased fees create a barrier to accessing mental health. A clinician in their own practice can lower their fees and not worry about contributing to the larger costs while also selecting which of their own expenses they feel aligned with i.e. which trainings, certifications etc.

My aim is to empower clinicians who are dedicated to growth, learning, and delivering exceptional care. I no longer want to primarily run a business or participate in a model that takes a percentage of earnings, especially within a predominantly female industry. It feels more authentic to directly refer clients to skilled clinicians and support those clinicians in their professional development.

This is the legacy I aspire to: by supporting individual clinicians, I indirectly support their entire caseload, creating a ripple effect of positive impact that extends far beyond my direct involvement. This approach allows me to contribute to a future where mental health care thrives through a network of empowered and knowledgeable professionals.

The calls I receive from clinicians seeking debriefing and guidance resonate with me far more than drafting meeting agendas. Even my body sent me a clear message through the health scare last year, highlighting the unsustainable nature of the previous model.

Emphasizing Sustainability and Empowerment

I envision myself as a "bird launcher" – supporting strong clinicians and helping to build a sustainable field of ethical and clinically sound therapists. With the increased awareness and de-stigmatization of mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and PTSD, the need for well-equipped clinicians is greater than ever. These clinicians, in turn, deserve robust support without the burden of "paying a cut." I am hopeful that diverse models of support will continue to emerge, offering a multitude of options.

It was during my recovery from the physical toll of stress that I realized I could focus solely on providing consultation, debriefing, and support, without the responsibilities of managing a large team and business. This shift allows clinicians to continue their growth, explore their unique niches, and still benefit from my expertise.

For me personally, this means more time for in-depth case formulation (for both clients and clinicians), the joy of being present with my almost grown children, watching their sports, and even the possibility of pursuing my own athletic hobbies.

As a practice owner, I was constantly on call, leaving little time for these personal connections and pursuits. This new model offers a sense of freedom for all of us, ultimately leading to stronger support for our communities.

Looking Towards the Future at FKC

Reflecting on the changes within the mental health industry and here at FKC fills me with excitement for what lies ahead. Basic mental health information is becoming more readily available, and while some clinicians worry about a potential decline in our profession due to this increased access, I hold a different perspective.

I believe that empowering clients with knowledge fosters autonomy, validates their experiences, reduces feelings of isolation, and helps them recognize when professional support is truly needed. Relatable and accessible social media content can be a powerful tool for opening important conversations within families. I frequently hear, "I saw this online, could you check?" This increased awareness is a positive development.

I envision a future where skilled clinicians can thrive in their own private practices without the constraints of traditional group practice models, feeling the freedom to explore their passions and grow autonomously.

Here at FKC, you can expect to see more availability in my consultation calendar, introductory workshops to clarify mainstream mental health information, and group classes offering deeper dives into implementing practical strategies and overcoming barriers. My aim is to empower you with actionable tools so you can move forward effectively. I will still be busy, but my focus is now on staying small, deeply connected, and providing high-quality support.

You will note as well minimal social media engagement. I believe the fluctuating changes impact everyone’s privacy and that learning how to tik tok takes away time from the clinical excellence I value more.

For clinicians, I will continue to offer my experiences and expertise in debriefing, clinical decision-making, and specialized treatments like EMDR and IFS.

You will likely see less of me in your inbox (we all receive enough emails!). Instead, I will be spending more time in nature, contemplating the complexities of your cases, and actively participating in and providing clinical trainings as we all learn and grow together.

Final Thoughts

The changes at FKC may seem significant if you haven't been closely involved, but they reflect my ongoing commitment to maintaining a strong and ethical presence in our industry, embracing change, fostering professional growth, and upholding excellence in mental health services.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as I've returned to my work with renewed energy and focus.

Am I completely done with the group practice model? As we all evolve, I can't definitively say never. I've been intrigued by the collective model for some time, but that requires a permanent physical location, which is currently beyond my control. So, stay tuned!

Your ongoing support fuels my growth and encourages me to continuously evaluate and refine my contributions. Together, let's navigate this evolving landscape with enthusiasm for the opportunities ahead. I remain deeply dedicated to enhancing lives and driving meaningful change, ensuring a positive impact on our clients and the communities we serve and live in.

Grateful as always,

Farah

Just a therapist…for now

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Farah Kurji

BSW, MSW, RCSW

Farah is grateful - she appreciates hard conversations - with her clients, clinicians and her cardiologist who changed the trajectory of her path and gave her a chance to re evaluate her journey.