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About Jen

I have been a mental health therapist for over 15 years.  Throughout my career, I have worked in outpatient settings, served as the clinical director for an inpatient adolescent treatment program and launched three successful businesses. My first business was Northern Star Counseling, LLC established in  2010. The practice specializes in improving the mental wellbeing of adults, youth and families in Cheyenne, WY. In the beginning, Northern Star Counseling was a solo practice with me as the only clinician. Today Northern Star Counseling is a thriving practice with eight clinicians of varying specialties. We serve individuals, families, couples and children. Our clinicians have community involvement with HeadStart programs, Suicide Prevention agencies, Fortune 500 corporate services and the University of Wyoming Family Practice for collaborative care.

The second business venture was a partnership with local psychologist, Mary Ellen Sternitzke. In 2014, I joined Equality Connections in Cheyenne, WY. Equality Connections offers business platform services to mental health clinicians wanting to begin their own practices or those already in practice that need some additional support. Areas of consultation include marketing, advertising, conflict resolution, bookkeeping and brand development. Equality Connections offers clinicians consultation services centered around developing their practice. Equality Connections also offers direct services such as billing, Medicaid enrollments, private insurance credentialing, and client invoicing.

The most recent business is Career Innovations launched in 2016. This is a partnership with Darlena Potter, an experienced state, federal and public sector administrator. Career Innovations focuses on assisting youth ages 14-21 with life and job skills development. Common services include budgeting, cooking, social skills, confidence enhancing activities, study skills, time management as well as emotional regulation. Services are offered in individual and group settings. Our clinician provide Career Innovations services in the community to build hands on experience to the youth.

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State Rules and Regulations

The mental health licensing board in each state not only oversees the professional and ethical expectations of counselors but it typically outlines which professional licenses can and cannot own own private practices. For instance in the State of Wyoming, mental health licenses that require temporary or ongoing supervision are not allowed to own a private practice. This includes Certified Social Workers Provisionally Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists Certified Mental Health Worker Clinicians that have full licenses (LCSW, LMFT or LPC) typically have fewer restrictions in owning a private practice. If you are uncertain if you can own a private practice, review the rules and statutes posted by the mental health licensing board in your state. Call or email the board directly with any questions not outlined within the state statutes. 

Getting Licensed in Wyoming

Depending on your graduate school specialty area, you can find Wyoming mental health provider application materials and requirements on the following websites: For bachelor or master level social workers, licensed professional counselors and psychotherapists, marriage and family therapists, you can obtain the needed application forms from the Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board at  http://mentalhealth.wyo.gov/ For doctoral level psychologists, school psychologists, post-doctoral psychology interns, and specialists in school psychology, you  can visit the Wyoming Board of Psychology at  http://psychology.wyo.gov/ School psychologists or Specialists in school psychology who wish to pursue a license as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) should contact the Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board at  http://mentalhealth.wyo.gov/

Federal Tax Payments

Federal taxes as a self employed individual and for a business operate differently then other employment arrangements. You will pay your typical percentage of tax withholding plus an additional self employment tax. Self employment tax is currently about 15%.  The rate consists of two parts:  12%  for social security (old-age, survivors, and disability insurance) and  3%  for Medicare (hospital insurance). Essentially self employment tax is the amount a company pays on your behalf when you work for them. Since you are now self employed, you are responsible for both chunks of the payment. Depending on how you established your practice as a legal entity alters how the business is taxed.   Remember that the legislators of the country reform tax law often and your tax liability may change with new laws. Consider having an CPA in your community complete your taxes rather than an online service. This can maximize your deductions.  Keep accurate logs and books throughout the year for