In this episode of Waves, Andy interviews Dr. Ryan Wood,co-owner ofForefront Therapy and co-founder of Forefront Community Therapy in Evansville, Indiana. Dr. Wood shares his journey from his academic background to starting his own clinic and nonprofit organization focused on bringingaccessible, quality care to his community. They discuss the challenges and strategies behind running both for-profit and nonprofit clinics, the importance of evidence-based practice and education, and the role of professional involvement in advocacy and policy change. This episode provides insightfulperspectives on maintaining sustainability and impact in the healthcare sector.

00:00 Introduction to Waves Podcast

00:23 Meet Dr. Ryan Wood

01:20 Founding Forefront Therapy

01:50 Core Pillars of Forefront Therapy

03:01 Challenges and Inspirations

03:42 Establishing Forefront Community Therapy

05:22 Navigating Financial and Operational Hurdles

07:21 Balancing Profit and Nonprofit Models

12:02 Grant Writing and Community Support

23:27 Educational Initiatives and Mentorship

27:06 Deliberate Growth and Team Building

29:43 The Sacrifices of Starting a Practice

30:01 Advice for New Graduates

30:14 The Importance of Mentorship

30:42 Nonprofit Challenges and Blessings

31:25 Balancing Family and Business

31:42 The Reality of Financial Risk

37:18 Direct Access and Lobbying Efforts

40:11 Burnout and Avoidance Strategies

42:27 Innovative Nonprofit Models

53:16 The Importance of Political Action Committees

55:29 Conclusion and Contact Information

Forefront Therapy:www.forefronttherapy.org

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