Today we’d like to introduce you to Amara Durham.
Amara, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Mine was more of a calling. I started Amara Durham Consulting because I was appalled by the amount of time and treasure families wasted on addiction and mental health treatment that was not a fit for their loved one, which did not support the entire family, and which did not work to maximize their insurance coverage.
Families deserve a trusted advisor who can help them navigate the fragmented health care industry. Finding help should not be more overwhelming than the trauma in the life you’re living! After working at one of the largest non-profit treatment providers in the nation I learned not only about the importance of best fit treatment, aftercare planning, and accountability but about how to intervene in a way that is invitational and loving.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There is no such thing as a smooth road when working with addicts and people struggling with mental health. There is no magic pill or even the possibility of controlling another’s decision-making. I counsel families who struggle with the inability to control others. I overcome that struggle by learning how each client is inspired to want to change – both the identified patient and the entire family. Addiction and mental health issues impact the entire family system. Recovery is a struggle when families do not engage in their own treatment to help them regardless of whether the identified patient gets help. Unless the entire family system changes, one person changing is only the beginning. I also am frustrated that the number of hours in my day limits the number of people I can effectively help.
As a lawyer with an MBA, I struggle with reconciling the business of insurance and commitment to care. I cannot tolerate the unfairness of payments for care. Payors should not be denied the benefit of their premium payments. The fact that Texas does not have licensing for primary mental health treatment in a non-hospital environment is also challenging for my Texas clients. I am working with local legislators, professionals and citizens to change that.
Please tell us about Amara Durham Consulting.
Amara Durham Consulting helps individuals and families navigate the often overwhelming behavioral health industry by providing concierge services to identify suitable treatment and aftercare options and assist in creating and implementing sustainable recovery plans. We build teams of best fit providers and facilitate communication amongst those providers for accountability and protection of our client’s time and treasure. It is our mission to create thoughtful strategies to support clients gaining improved relationships with family members and more of an internal sense of contentment to best position them to move beyond surviving to thriving.
I am most proud of the relationships we have with our clients and our ability to manage complicated cases. My legal background helps us weave together treatment with legal strategy and financial acumen. I am grateful for the opportunity to earn our clients’ trust!
I believe that our firm is set apart because of our work ethic, quality of communication, and ability to strategize ways to maintain boundaries and use therapeutic leverage to encourage behavior change. We track engagement of the client throughout their treatment — including treatment progress, changes in care or updates on condition and provide in-advance and real-time assistance in managing crisis situations (e.g., relapse) including after-hours support. We assist with preparation and problem solving when approaching high-risk situations (e.g., family/social events, holidays, returning to work/school or other disruptions to routine). Our expertise includes developing strategies for resource allocation for a person with behavioral health problems (e.g., advising on governance language for trust documents and developing family, employer or advisor behavior contracts, with the goal of setting clear expectations for all parties. We earn our clients’ trust to guide and consult with family, trustees or advisors about a range of topics, including starting difficult conversations, developing realistic return-to-work expectations or managing someone with a behavioral health issue.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Passion and empathy. Working with people suffering from addiction and mental health issues requires a passion to stoke the flames of hope and to not give up on them even when they give up on themselves. Empathy drives a commitment to not just listening, but truly hearing someone so I can connect them with best fit resources and anticipate what their future needs will be. Both traits keep me full of hope that I am making a difference, one family at a time!
Contact Info:
- Website: AmaraDurham.com
- Phone: 469.644.7211
- Email: Amara@AmaraDurham.com
Image Credit:
David Rubin
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