Today we’d like to introduce you to Darius Campinha-Bacote.
Darius, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
After becoming licensed in 1/2015, I decided to work part-time with the primary goal was to help individuals, couples, and families that did not have easy access to mental health care. I was aware that I was not well-versed in the realm of private practice, so I joined Agape Psych Services in Arlington, TX to gain this experience. After being hired as their Clinical Manage in 4/2015, I had the opportunity to gain experience supervising doctoral students needing supervision hours to maintain licensure, manage contracts for the practice, as well as create my own schedule.
After one (1) year (4/2016) at this budding practice, I decided to move out on my own, having accrued the necessary experience and knowledge of billing practices and basic needs to maintain a private practice. After talking to several colleagues and clients, I noted that many clients had health insurance, but only certain providers took certain insurances. As such, my goal was to get licensed with all the insurance panels in my area so that I could serve anyone who needed help.
After several grueling months, I was able to do just that. After obtaining credentialing in these panels, I have branched out to secure other contracts through private and government agencies. Currently, the bulk of my work consists of conducting evaluations for the Veteran Affairs (VA). The remainder of my workload is comprised of both individual and couples therapy.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Thankfully, it has been a relatively smooth road. The only issue that I have experienced thus far is related to the occasional time when an insurance company is reluctant to compensate me for the therapeutic services I provide. This, however, is not too bothersome, as it is expected. I am aware that several of my colleagues do not take insurance at all and do not deal with this stressor. I view it as “par for the course,” as I know that if I want to help anyone in need, taking insurance is a must.
Campinha-Bacote Psychological Services – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
At Campinha-Bacote Psychological Services, I am a solo provider specializing in working with both adolescents and adults who struggle with severe behavioral and emotional issues. Although I am talk-therapist at heart, I have recently become more involved with conducting psychological evaluations. As such, what I am most proud of as a company is my work with the Veteran Affairs (VA). This, I believe, also sets me apart from other providers in my field.
I was thankful to secure a contract with the VA conducting Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQ) for active and non-active duty veterans. Due to a shortage of psychologists in the VA treating this populating, the Department of Defense (DOD) has solicited the help of licensed psychologists in the community to assist in these evaluations. The goal is to have veterans who are often times in rural areas be able to have their needs met without going to a centralized VA location, as well as obtain a clinical opinion from a licensed psychologist who is not affiliated with the VA in any capacity.
Although heart-wrenching and sometimes draining, I am proud of the work I do with each veteran that comes to my private practice. To ensure quality, I see only a few veterans each week and give each as much time as he/she needs to both disclose and vent about their experiences while in combat.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
The definition of success has always been something that has intrigued me, even as a child and adolescent. My personal definition has been revised countless times, however, currently, it is “an individually based view regarding a particular behavior/goal. One person’s success may not be deemed successful by others, however, that does not make it unsuccessful.” I leave the definition open, due to the fact that one can be “successful” at being rude or disrespectful.
It is important to note that one may be viewed as successful by others (i.e., actors/actresses, business executives) and they may not feel like it. This, I believe, is why in our society we see a high prevalence of “successful people” dying by suicide. This, of course, is likely due to additional factors, however, it highlights the fact that obtaining “success” does not always ensure one’s happiness. A wise colleague once told me, “if money equated to happiness, then famous people should be the happiest people in the world… but they aren’t…” Interestingly, I asked my family (who are comprised of doctors, lawyers, and ivy-league graduates) this same question about what it means to be successful.
My brother, Avonté Campinha-Bacote, who is a practicing attorney in San Francisco, California articulated without hesitation “living your life with as few regrets as possible.” I found that definition to be profound and something worthwhile to aspire.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5601 Bridge Street Suite 300 Fort Worth, TX 76112
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