Sullivan + Associates expands into a full-service clinic

It’s been a challenging, at times frustrating but ultimately rewarding experience, and Jennifer Sullivan is glad to have decided on growth over stagnation.

“It hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth it,” she says.

With husband Trevor, Jennifer faced a decision when she embarked on her career in clinical psychology a decade ago. Would they keep the practice in their renovated basement or look for larger quarters and bigger challenges?

The couple wanted to use their education and experience in psychology to help people struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, grief and post-traumatic stress.

The practice got under way at their home in 2007 with two offices and a cramped waiting room.

The Sullivans had to be jacks-of-all-trades in those days, handling reception, bookkeeping, accounting, and information technology, in addition to their clinical work.

After establishing a few key referral sources, they soon had more work than two people could manage.

That’s when they faced a decision that would change their lives. “Do we stop accepting referrals, or do we bring other clinicians and support staff on board? For us, the choice was obvious,” Jennifer says. “Expanding our business would allow us to help more people, so expanding it was!”

After hiring additional staff they quickly outgrew their space and the search was on for a corporate location. They chose a large office that was previously home to a quilting store on Alloy Drive and began renovations. On the cusp of their fourth major expansion, they are also preparing to expand their assessment services and include psychotherapy groups and more comprehensive autism services in the practice.

With 17 full-time employees and 28 associates, this full-service clinic provides Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario with both psychotherapy and psychological assessments for children, adolescents and adults.

With 28 master and doctoral-level psychotherapists, “we work to provide the best match for our clients,” says Jennifer. “Our Promise To You,” she says, includes follow up after the first session to ensure it was a good clinical match. If not, the client is switched to a new therapist with the first session being free of charge.

“We are honoured to have served over 20,000 clients since opening our practice 11 years ago,” Jennifer says.  “Our mission is to provide an exceptional client experience.”

Initial psychotherapy appointments can typically be arranged within a week or two. They also help clients to access coverage.

Jennifer attributes the success of Sullivan +Associates to a combination of strong values, hard work, entrepreneurial spirit, uncompromising integrity, and a commitment to service excellence in all aspects of the business.

“In addition, word-of-mouth from happy clients and referral sources has very much contributed to our success!” she adds.

The team is motivated by the ability to help others in a significant and meaningful way through assessment and psychotherapy, community involvement, “and our ongoing efforts to change the conversation and reduce the stigma related to mental health issues.”

Jennifer likens owning a business to being on a never-ending roller-coaster ride. There are ups and downs, twists and turns, straight stretches and sharp corners.

“Some parts are smooth, fun, and even thrilling, while other parts are jerky, nerve-wracking, or even terrifying,” she says. “But in the end, I would not give up being on the roller coaster for anything.”