Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Bentley.
Hi Rachel, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Rachel Bentley and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, in Michigan. I am the founder and CEO of two companies in Michigan: COR Counseling and Next Level Private Practice.
As a therapist, I specialize in complex trauma, working with the LGBTQIA+ community and with those involved in the bariatric surgery process. I am passionate about IFS (Internal Family Systems) and I am Level (2) trained in the model. I am also a certified EMDR therapist.
I started my Private Practice several years ago and today we are a mighty group pf 35+ therapists and counting. As I grew my practice, people began to reach out to me and ask questions and after helping several people start or grow their practice, Next Level Private Practice (my consulting company), was born.
I myself, have consulted with numerous experts -in the world of developing, growing and sustaining a health Group Private Practice. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge with others, on their journey of Private Practice development and growth. I am not afraid to share my mistakes and lessons learned, along with what has worked very well. Private Practice development and growth is a JOURNEY.
Historical context:
I started adulthood with a hesitation in attending college. Freedom is what I value and going to college did not seem as free as working full time and moving out on my own. I was young then and did not really understand the big picture but a few years after high school graduation, I was working full time in the service industry and by the time I reached my mid- twenties, I had two babies and a partner.
When my second child was born, it dawned on me that I needed to do something different to support us and to give my children the best possible life. From a young age, I considered being a therapist and I decided to pursue that dream. The next 10 plus years were full of full time work, parenting two little ones and attending class. Late nights were spent studying and writing papers.
Eventually, I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree and obtained my first Human Service job in foster care. The world of Child Welfare was as tough as it gets and after about a year in the position, I decided that it was time to return to school to obtain my Master’s Degree (and move closer to my goal of being a therapist). The next several years were spent in various areas of State Government as I obtained my Master’s Degree and completed my clinical hours (toward full licensure).
After obtaining full licensure, I began to think about how I could enter the world of Private Practice. I was offered positions in Group Practices and considered those. I ran to an old friend and we had a conversation that changed my life. She empowered me and gave me the advice I truly needed, to start a practice. The rest is history. As I have built my Group Practice (with the intent of it being a great place to work as well as it being sustainable for the future), I have learned the importance of surrounding myself with the right people (including those that know more than me).
Today:
I continue to be the in the trenches every day with my team and my clients.
I have my thumb on the pulse of my practice and I understand that Private Practice is an ever evolving journey and that we may never fully “arrive”. I am not afraid to admit the mistakes that I have made and continue to make and I do not pretend that I know everything.
I also offer Private Practice Consultation through my consulting company, Next Level Private Practice. My approach Private Practice Consultation through the IFS (Internal Family Systems) lens. This means that first and foremost, we learn to be as self led as possible. Being self led means that we develop, grow and make decisions- related to our Private Practice- from a grounded and clear place (and not from places of activation). With self in the lead, success and sustainability are inevitable.
I believe that two things are true about Private Practice Development and Growth: 1) We have the skills and abilities to dream, set goals and achieve our vision 2) The journey can be hard and we will get stuck sometimes. I am here to help along the journey of you reaching your vision.
I have developed a model of Private Practice Growth and Development to help guide our Consultation. This is known as the SIPP model. SIPP stands for Self Leadership, Impact, Profit and Process.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has not always been smooth. In starting both of my businesses, I saw a need that was not met. I wanted to help others (perhaps in the ways that I was not helped). I hope to have a positive impact on the world and leave it better that I found it. With that being said, being a business owner and the leader of others, has posed its challenges.
Struggles along the way have included:
*Not knowing all of the business aspects of running my companies. Learning how to do things has not been a problem but the feelings that come up when you do not know what you are doing can be profound and these feelings have sometimes stopped me in my tracks or have cost me time and money (feelings such as self doubt and fear of failure)
*Trusting others to lead me down a good road (when I did not fully understand all aspects of my business). I met some great folks along the way that helped me but I also met exploitative folks that caused harm in my business
*Managing expectations around the “systems”. For my therapy practice, this includes the uncertainty that comes with doing business with insurance companies. Some of these systems pose unnecessary barriers to clients receiving care and to providers that are trying to be paid for the important work that they do. Taking medical insurance is often overly complicated and it could be simplified
*I want to name that I was a mental health therapist first and a business owner second and what I have learned over the years is that ALL of us our own our own healing journey. We are all works in progress. We have all experienced harm, pain or traumatic experiences in our lives and (in my opinion) we have to do our own work, to heal from these experiences. I continue to do my own work and I continue to heal, so that I do not bring my wounding in to all of my relationships (business and otherwise).
As you know, we’re big fans of COR Counseling, Community Services and Clinical Supervision and Next Level Private Practice . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At COR Counseling, we are a group of 35+ mental health therapists that strive to be anti racist, LGBTQIA+ affirming and a safe place for all underrepresented communities. We are LGBTQIA+ owned.
We specialize in working with: teens, college students, adults, couples and families.
We offer many types of therapies and specialties including: IFS, EMDR, DBT, ACT (and many others), trauma support, bariatric surgery support, LGBTQIA+ affirming care and many others. We have a large group of therapists and can meet nearly any therapy need.
We take most health insurances and ensure that you know what your mental health coverage looks like (before you begin therapy).
We offer in person services in East Lansing, Ann Arbor and across Michigan (via Telehealth).
Accessing our services is easy. Go to www.corcounselingmi.com and fill out our online contact form. We will respond immediately.
Here’s what truly makes COR Counseling different:
<b>We do deep healing work. </b>While we absolutely offer strategies and skills to help reduce your anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms in the moment, we’re not just about putting a band-aid on what’s happening. We’re committed to discovering why these symptoms are showing up in the first place—helping you heal the actual wounds and relationship ruptures at the root. That’s the difference between managing symptoms and creating real, lasting change.
<b>We’re built on genuine inclusion</b>. As an LGBTQIA+ owned practice, our commitment to being anti-racist, queer-affirming, and a safe space for all underrepresented communities isn’t just words on a website. It’s who we are at our core. We’ve built a team of 35+ therapists who share these values and create a place where all parts of you are truly welcome.
<b>We make accessing care simple.</b> We take most health insurances and make sure you understand your coverage before you start. You can reach us easily through our website, and we respond right away—because we know that when you’re ready to start therapy, you shouldn’t have to wait or wonder.
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We meet you where you are. </b>Whether you need in-person sessions in East Lansing or Ann Arbor, or telehealth anywhere across Michigan, we’ve got you covered. With our large, diverse team of therapists offering everything from IFS and EMDR to DBT and ACT, we can match you with someone who truly gets your specific needs—whether you’re a teen, college student, adult, couple, or family.
At the end of the day, we’re here to help you heal and build the meaningful, sustainable relationships you deserve.
You can also check out my Private Practice Consulting offerings here: www.nextlevelprivatepractice.com
At Next Level, I help therapists start, grow and sustain their private practices.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My wife My family
My children
My entire team at COR Counseling
My clinical and business mentors
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.corcounselingmi.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corcounselinglansing/
