Meet Natalie Khan | Co-Founder/Psychotherapist

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

Hi Natalie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my career as a medical social worker working in hospice, palliative care settings and home health. I loved my job but knew I always wanted to start my own practice. I started my journey as a psychotherapist in Community Mental Health, where I met my current business partner, Maureen. We actually started on the same day and became close friends. I had a caseload of 120 clients with very challenging diagnoses and factors. Most of my clients were of low socioeconomic status and had severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI). The expectation was to see 40 clients a week. It was exhausting and impossible. It felt awful to tell clients who were in crisis that I couldn’t see them for another month. It felt like there had to be another way. I left working in community mental health before Maureen, it was not sustainable for me. I worked at a group practice during the pandemic and shifted to starting my own practice after a change in management and not being impressed with new leadership. Shortly after I started my practice Maureen reached out to me asking if I was interested in starting a group practice. We shared similar ideals when we worked together and knew the value and importance of good mental health care and were both passionate about making mental health care more accessible. After a few planning sessions over coffee at the Botanic Gardens we jumped head first into our business and iSeek Counseling was born. It’s been a slow build since we both have our own private practices but we are growing and adding to our team with office locations in Arvada and Parker.

What should our readers know about your business?
iSeek Counseling is a group practice that sees children and adults of all ages with two locations in Arvada and Parker, CO. We are in the process of hiring and credentialing six therapists to join our team. I recently became a Certified Psychedelic-Assisted Therapist and offer Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy sessions at our Parker location. Maureen is located at our Arvada location. It is a privilege to live in a state like Colorado where we are on the cutting edge using psychedelics including ketamine and psilocybin. I believe these treatments will help many people and ecstatic to offer this to my clients. I had very little business knowledge before I started my own practice. I knew the ins and outs of therapy but not running my own business. There have been many growing pains and learning lessons but also many highs, great successes and achievements. In graduate school one of my professors used the term ‘lean into the discomfort’ and that’s what I’ve done. The setbacks and challenges are part of the process and it’s a beautiful journey. Even though I’m not quite where I want to be yet, look how far I’ve come.

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?
Colorado has so many wonderful places and a few of my favorite places being Rocky Mountain National Park, Telluride, and so many great spots in Denver but I want to talk about Parker, the town I live in and my practice location. Parker has a lovely small town feel while still having access to many shops and restaurants. My favorite place for a sweet treat is the amazing Poulette Bakeshop-the best croissants I’ve ever had! I am partial to the hatch chili and cheddar scone-yum! Our office is located in the heart of downtown Parker on Main Street with my favorite coffee shop Fika and it is so hard to choose between Black Haus Tavern and Isla Verde for my favorite restaurant downtown. Dancing Noodle is also incredible, well in fact you just need to come visit Parker for yourself! During the summer they have a Farmer’s Market on Sundays and it’s one of my favorite spots with tons of local vendors. At our Arvada location we are located in Olde Town. The first Friday of the month they host the Arvada Art Walk, a wonderful time to enjoy the arts, grab a bite to eat and a drink. Maureen’s favorite place to enjoy coffee is at Hunter Bay Coffee Roasters. Her favorite restaurants in Arvada are School House, Yak & Yeti and Teocalli. Book Cranny is a wonderful bookshop and Olde Town Exchange for thrifting. We love working in Parker and Arvada and feel deep in the heart of the community at each location.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The person I attribute my success to is my husband, Arslan. This man has believed in me more than I have ever believed in myself. He has been my sounding board, my shoulder to cry on when the process feels overwhelming and give him the credit of naming our business. It’s easy to have doubt and uncertainty when you’re starting your own business–will this be a success? Will we get clients? Do we know what we are doing? Every twist and turn Arslan has been there for me cheering me on and encouraging me to keep going and to not give up. I want to give a special shoutout to my business partner and work wife, Maureen. She also helps build my confidence. Our strengths and challenges balance each other out and we have an incredible partnership. I can’t imagine starting and sharing a business with anyone else. My family and friends have also been steadfast and supportive during this process and I couldn’t have done it without them.

Website: www.iseekcounseling.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iseek_counseling/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iseek-counseling/

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

Image Credits
Jolie Rodriguez Photography