Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Bynum Lora Speake
Hi Lauren Bynum, 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?
We (Lauren Bynum and Lora Speake) met years ago at a different group practice. We hit it off and enjoyed working together, sharing a mutual respect and love for what we do as well being fairly outspoken and straightforward. We found out that there were some shady occurrences at that practice, and promptly left and agreed to share office space. A year or two later we decided that we could start our own practice. We wanted to create a practice that celebrated people’s authenticity and desire to grow, for both our employees and clients. We genuinely like people and want them to thrive. Five years later we are running a successful group practice, we love our team, and have helped hundreds of people as LoLa’s.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We have learned that little about entrepreneurship is smooth. We have social work and psychology degrees, and so learning the business aspect of running a practice was a sharp learning curve. Learning how to interview employees, offering benefits and negotiating salaries, interfacing with payroll, retirement services, accountant, lawyers, endless exchanges with insurance companies, providing feedback and supervision to employees – we have learned a lot! The exciting and daunting side of this business is that you are constantly having to adapt, pivot, and rework.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a boutique mental health practice with five mental health therapists. We offer individual psychotherapy both in person and virtually. All of us specialize in something unique. Lora specializes in perinatal mental health and play therapy. Lauren works with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) and individuals in the LGBTQ community. Rachel specializes in working with people with Bipolar Disorder and psychosis. Beth works with individuals experiencing transitions. Rhonda enjoys working with people experiencing grief.
The fact that we are small means we can collaborate and support each other easily. We do not carry a waitlist because we want to devote all of our time and energy to our current clients. We are proud that we truly have created a space where people can show up as themselves and not fear judgment or side eye. We have different temperaments, passions, and approaches to our work, so the respect we share for each other is strong. I think our clients can feel it too entering our space and interacting with us clinically and administratively.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
We are successful because we are flexible, humble, open-minded, and seekers of joy. We engage in challenging conversations, but maintain respect and care for one another and our clients.
Pricing:
- We offer free 15 minute consultations with our providers to assess how we can best meet your individual needs.
- We accept BCBS/Carefirst, CIGNA, and Johns Hopkins EHP insurances.
- If you have a different insurance the following are our self – pay rates: Intake is $150 and a 60 minute Individual Psychotherapy Session is $125-$150.
- We can provide superbills to our self-pay clients so that they may be reimbursed for out of network expenses.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lolascounseling.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lolascounselingcenter/profilecard/?igsh=MW1vcTFiMml6NDd0MQ==
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/lolascounseling/
- Other: email: contactus@lolascounseling.com
