Community Highlights: Meet Dr. Courtney Cantrell of Boca Behavioral Health Solutions

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Courtney Cantrell.

Dr. Cantrell, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I began my exploration into psychology as an undergraduate student with a specific emphasis on neuroscience coursework. I always had a passion for studying the brain and human behavior with a specific curiosity in solving problems utilizing a scientific approach. I decided to become a psychologist several years after completing undergraduate training. In the interim, I worked in corporate America in New York City for a couple of years and subsequently left, deciding to begin a journey into the study of yoga. I then completed a 200-hour RYT certified yoga instructor training. While practicing and teaching yoga for several years, I realized my passion was working with people and creating opportunities for individuals to derive their own solutions for improvement and growth. By bridging the areas of health and wellness with a scientific approach in psychology, I began my doctoral training in the field of clinical psychology and have focused my professional efforts on research, mental health advocacy, supervision, as well as teaching/lecturing and providing clinical interventions to patients of all ages. Recently, I have expanded services and opened an additional clinic in Boca Raton, FL where I am providing psychological services to patients across the lifespan. I am honored to have the opportunity to work in the field and to facilitate growth and change at the micro and macro level.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Smooth with a few bumps in the road! I wholeheartedly enjoy being a business owner. There is a huge learning curve but what makes the venture so much fun is the freedom to create and develop projects and initiatives and to develop the culture and values of the business. Being responsible for your own employment can be both liberating and filled with pressure because there is no one giving you set pay, benefits, or paid time off and holidays. So with the freedom of self-employment comes also other responsibilities.

The path towards being a business owner is a process. It is impossible to know everything as it is often learned along the way. There is so many procedural aspects to owning a business. This is especially true as a single entity- I have multiple hats to fill. Bookkeeper, accountant, secretary, receptionist, insurance coordinator, clinician, biller, business planner, advertiser, website developer, as well as marketing. The list continues! It has been so much fun to learn and participate in all of these roles. I always say, “I’m a one woman show.”

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Boca Behavioral Health Solutions, LLC?
I offer comprehensive treatment services to children, adolescents, and adults. I specialize in working with children and families. The goal is to create solutions and to coach the whole family in order to alleviate distress. I like to integrate a strength-based approach so as to utilize inherent resources the family and/or individual already has so they can implement their own individualized resources for coping with environmental stressors and internal conflicts.

Included in the service is psychodiagnostic assessment so treatment can be tailored per patient and so specific symptoms can be targeted with specialized interventions. I strive to help patients achieve their growth potential by identifying strengths to ensure their own solutions are actualized.

In addition to therapy services, I specialize in psychological and psychoeducational evaluations for children and adults. I assist individuals in determining their learning strengths and preferences as well as identifying diagnostic clarity for treatment to assist in behavioral, emotional, and social interventions.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I would say, put yourself out there to meet people and network within your community. You never know how connections can create opportunities and relationships in the future. I have many mentors that I still consult with and that assist me in my professional growth as a business owner and clinician. I am always seeking out information to grow and to learn in order to be better for my business, patients, students, and society as a whole. I have nurtured these contacts throughout my education and training and they have taught me so much about myself as a person and professional. I am forever appreciative of their kindness and investment into my growth. These contacts have often led to other opportunities for networking and considerations for work opportunities.

In addition, I am very involved in leadership at the local level. I am currently the Palm Chapter Florida Psychological Association President and legislative advocate. Being involved with the local chapter has created a wealth of networking opportunities at the local and state level which has been quite exciting to be a part of. I have even had several opportunities to advocate for mental health bills with state and national legislators and senators.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.bocabhs.com