Today we’d like to introduce you to Parker Forté.
Hi Parker, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Fortified Counseling PLLC was created to provide accessible healthcare to underserved communities and cultures. Previously, I had worked in private practice and serviced all. In October of 2019, I began my business plan for my own private practice. I launched Fortified Counseling in January 2020, unbeknownst of the pandemic that was about to happen. God gave me a seed that I planted, and during COVID-19, I was able to see the fruits of that labor develop. I had an influx of clientele, and I was overwhelmed with passion seeing so many Black and Brown people reach out to me to begin therapy and bettering their mental health care. Since then, I have brought on several other therapists. We all have different specialties but primarily focus on servicing the Black and Brown communities.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
During 2020, I also lost my grandmother and did not take the proper time to grieve and take care of myself. Due to this, I had to choose between running my business or loving myself. I chose myself, and that was the biggest boss-up moment for me. To be able to let something go in order to pour into myself just to come back stronger and harder. I would not change anything about what I experienced in COVID-19 besides losing my grandmother, but even that experience was for a purpose, and I am more determined now to exemplify what I teach so many others to do… that is BALANCE! I feel that I had to experience this in order to become so passionate about seeing other Black and Brown women and girls prioritize their mental and physical health.
We’ve been impressed with Fortified Counseling PLLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Fortified Counseling PLLC is a Woman-Led and Black-Owned Mental Health Service Provider that provides the highest quality of compassionate counseling services to their patients and families through a comprehensive array of therapeutic techniques. Fortified Counseling PLLC serves those struggling with situational mental illness symptoms to chronic mental illness. We provide individual, family, couples, group, and Telehealth counseling.
Along with these services, we also offer therapeutic products that aim to increase engagement for our clients during and after their sessions. With our therapy journals, notepads, tumblers, and our upcoming therapy planner for other mental health professionals, we provide numerous tools to elevate the therapeutic experience. We provide virtual services in both Texas and Florida, with anticipated expansion by the end of 2023 in several other southern states.
We also accept both commercial and state insurance policies. This sets us apart, as access to Mental Health Care can be limited due to lack of affordability for treatment, finding great connections with a provider that looks like you and truly understands your life’s experiences, and the inability to prioritize time for services/appointments. With telehealth making it easier for both parties to meet at a convenient time, individuals are able to not stress about time off from work, missed family time, or traffic frustration. Fortified Counseling is committed to implementing services that allows the client to thrive in all aspects by making it simpler for clients to address needs at their convenience with a relatable provider.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
A simple life is what makes me happy the most. Simple to me looks like less pressure on self to achieve or accomplish things and more pressure to be present while having a gut-wrenching laugh with friends. A simple life sounds like soft relaxing saxophone music and ocean waves. A simple life looks like sunsets, a blaze of fire, a clean house with fresh flowers and plants, or a table for two in a dimly lit room. A simple life smells like fresh linen, eucalyptus oil, and shea butter. A simple life tastes life red wine and fresh fruit. A simple life feels like a Florida summer breeze. I try to implement all these things into my home and work environments daily to give myself the pleasure and reminder of knowing that I come first.
Pricing:
- Individual Session – $150
- In Session ™ Therapy Journal – $40
- Life is Ghetto Without My Therapist ™ Tumbler – $15
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fortifiedcounseling.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/talkwithparker
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/fortifiedcounselingpllc
