Last May, NYC Mayor Eric Adams and the Department of Small Business Services (SBS) declared May as Small Business Month. It is designated to spotlight, celebrate, and amplify support for small businesses.
Throughout Yonkers, businesses like North Node Therapy have notably improved the community. Noticeably, addressing disparities and reducing disadvantages for underrepresented populations.
North Node Therapy
Noderea John is the founder of North Node Therapy—an innovative mental health practice based in Yonkers, NY. It works to enhance accessibility for marginalized groups. Furthermore, North Node Therapy seeks to destigmatize mental health care in Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) communities. The center serves as a beacon of hope and healing in an often underserved region.
Creating representation and individualism in therapy
John’s experience in a mental health organization serving the Jewish community reveled the need for BIPOC representation and cultural competence.
“The BIPOC clients [there] were very happy when they saw me working there, and it was almost like they had a sense of relief, like, oh, my God, I’m so happy to see you. There were people who would see me walking through the halls and they would ask ‘who are you? Can I be transferred to you? Can you be my therapist?’ And so, I realized that that was a need missing in our community,” John remarked.
This led to the creation of North Node Therapy in 2019, where clinicians reflect the BIPOC community. John emphasizes treating therapists and clients as individuals, prioritizing personalized and culture sensitive care. “We’re of a similar cultural background, but we still take the time to get to know each and everyone as an individual. We’re really invested in their story, learning, and growing,” asserted John.
Client-centered approach
Quarterly check-ins further facilitate ongoing conversations and ensure that therapists meet clients’ evolving needs throughout their therapeutic experience.
“We do an initial assessment with all clients. In that process, we sit and we get an understanding of what this person is experiencing and why they’re in therapy. Then, we have quarterly check-ins with the clients where we are saying, hey, you’ve been in therapy for three months. Let’s talk about what has worked for you so far. As we’re meeting with most of our clients, we’re also seeing those changes. We’re hearing the progression as treatment is going along,” stated John.
North Node Therapy caters to making therapy as accommodating as possible. “I believe that finding a good therapist is like dating sometimes. You have to meet with that therapist once or twice to say, yeah, I think this is the right fit for me or no, it’s not. It can be a really powerful experience to just have someone be a safe space to come and talk to, and work through what you have to work through with support” John elaborated.
Services and success stories
North Node Therapy offers a range of services such as individual, group, and family therapy. There is flexible pricing options available to help clients overcome financial barriers, including sliding scale fees, discounts, acceptance of various insurance and employee assistance programs. The practice conducts virtual sessions, expanding its reach to diverse communities across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
John also shared success stories, like helping a client overcome self-doubt, depression, and find love again. “This was a successful woman in her career but in the department of love, she just wasn’t having an easy time. There were just a lot of sleepless nights, a lot of anxiety, and we were able to work through that. I was able to support her with getting back out there and dating. Not only did she meet her partner during the pandemic, they just got married this year.”
The client transitioned from approaching therapy as a lifeline to utilizing it as a sounding board, as described by John.
Fast Break for Small Business
LegalZoom’s support has been instrumental in catalyzing the growth and success of North Node Therapy and similar ventures.
Founded in 2021, LegalZoom’s Fast Break for Small Business is a grant initiative that provides entrepreneurs like John with resources and guidance essential to navigating business complexities.
Catherine Davie, a representative of LegalZoom, provided insights into the company’s objective to reduce the legal and financial hindrances for entrepreneurs. “There’s a lot of expenses, particularly in underrepresented communities, and that’s why we started the Fast Break for Small Business three years ago. It was a $6 million commitment in grants and free products. In addition to receiving grants for our applicants who go in and apply, we also give them free legal services so they can utilize that however they want to help their business grow.“
Grant impact
Among the beneficiaries of the Fast Break for Small Business program is Noderea John.
“LegalZoom impacted the growth and operations of my business in the sense that I am now moving towards trademarking my business, and that’s something that I wanted to do. I believe as a therapist, while we’re helping others, we also have to be business savvy. I’ve taken some time to build my business and build my brand. I would love to be able to protect it, and this grant is putting me in a position where I can do that,” noted John.
In alignment with that, Davie stressed LegalZoom’s focus on easing the demands and obstacles of running a business. “I would say what’s exciting about LegalZoom right now are the services that we offer that support small business owners through the length of their business for the lifetime of their business. Businesses like that [North Node Therapy] are what keep us inspired. We hope this grant helps in the success she [Noderea John] has already seen with her business.”
Renewed opportunities
LegalZoom, in partnership with the NBA, WNBA, and the NBA G League, renewed its Fast Break for Small Business program. This window of opportunity allows small business owners to explore the business world with more leeway, coverage, and confidence.
The new cohort of entrepreneurs will have until September 13, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET to apply.
What’s next for North Node Therapy
North Node Therapy plans to increase its community outreach and host more workshops. John hopes that more BIPOC individuals will cease viewing therapy as futile and an act rooted in shame. Instead, she wants them to recognize it as a significant step towards self-improvement.
“I think that a lot of times when people think about mental health as someone struggling with their mental health, they think of the more extreme cases. But the reality is that any and everyone can benefit from therapy at any time. Anyone can go through some sort of life change or loss [such as] the loss of a job, getting married, or having your first child. Any kind of transition(s) we go through. [I want to] give people that support and normalize the idea of being in therapy, and working on your mental health, [so] that everyone can benefit from therapy” stated John.
For more information on how you can support North Node Therapy or to begin your therapeutic journey, visit https://northnodetherapy.com/
