Meet Heather Huffman | Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Heather Huffman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heather, how does your business help the community?
At Free Yourself, we help the community by ensuring underserved populations have access to high-quality mental health care. We create a safe and welcoming environment where individuals from all backgrounds and identities can feel seen, heard, and valued. Our commitment to cultural responsiveness and affirming care is especially focused on meeting the needs of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals, who often face unique challenges. We work primarily with Medicaid clients, which allows us to provide services at no cost to many of our clients.

Additionally, we prioritize diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices, actively seeking therapists from various backgrounds to reflect the communities we serve. This approach allows us to better understand and address the specific needs of our clients, providing them with the highest quality of care possible.

Our efforts also extend to the professional development of new therapists. We offer comprehensive supervision, including guidance from BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ clinicians, to help new therapists build their skills and prepare for licensure. This support enables them to either continue their journey with us or establish their own private practices.

By focusing on accessibility, diversity, and professional growth, Free Yourself not only empowers individuals to overcome personal challenges but also contributes to the overall strengthening of the mental health community.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’m proud of how our team has expanded, especially with the inclusion of diverse identities in our practice. In a fairly homogenous state like Colorado, it’s remarkable to offer services from clinicians who reflect the lived experiences of our clients. I’m excited to continue growing our staff and hopefully expand to more locations in Colorado and potentially other states.

Our growth was significantly aided by COVID-related funding. While many new group practices struggle to cover costs, the PPP and EIDL funds allowed me to pay clinicians even when they had no clients, fostering a strong sense of loyalty. Additionally, Medicaid’s decision to allow billing for pre-licensed clinicians has helped us attract staff and serve more clients.

However, the initial ease of starting up has shifted to increasing challenges as COVID protections and funding have ended. The recent reduction in Medicaid recipients on November 30, 2023, led to a sudden loss of clients, many of whom have been unable to regain their benefits. With the rise of telehealth, we also face difficulties finding clinicians willing to work in person, despite many clients wanting to return to the office for services.

As a fee-for-service organization, we can’t guarantee a full caseload for our clinicians. We’ve applied for numerous grants and contracts to provide base salaries or direct referrals, but these often go to larger organizations we can’t compete with.

One of the key lessons I’ve learned is not to take anything for granted. I tend to be too trusting, and now we must hold our clinicians to a higher level of accountability. We can’t assume claims will be paid, clinicians won’t leave suddenly, or that funding will remain stable. Adaptability is crucial, and fortunately, whenever we face a loss, something better often comes along.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite spot in the city is Sunnyside. I would take my friend to Waldeschanke Ciders and Monkeybarrel. I also enjoy wandering around Lohi and Rino, as it is quite walkable and you can cross the bridge to downtown easily.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to Ceta McCowan, LPC, our current Clinical Director. Ceta has been integral in the recruitment and retention of our diverse staff. She is the heart and soul of our practice, consistently demonstrating exceptional ethics, integrity, and professionalism. Ceta isn’t afraid to tackle challenging projects, and she balances toughness with a level of grace rarely seen in higher-level positions. Her dedication and leadership are truly inspiring.

Website: https://freeyourselfdenver.com

Instagram: @freeyourselfdenver

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freeyourselfdenver/