Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Reed.
Hi Amber, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started Resolve in 2017, after noticing a significant gap in the mental health services provided in the Kansas City community. During my time running psychiatric hospitals I noticed that people often reported getting into a mental health crisis, simply because they couldn’t access outpatient services when they needed it most.
We started out in a small office in Prairie Village with 5 therapists, but it was quickly apparent that the mental health needs of the community were greater than we imagined. We added on more therapists and began adding other types of therapy: couples counseling, trauma services, addiction recovery.
During this time we also recognized the importance of providing discounted therapy for those clients who couldn’t afford full price. Our internship program, which now houses around 12 clinical interns, was conceived out of a desire to both support the next generation of therapists and also support lower income families in Kansas City. Since its inception, we have provided over 24,000 discounted appointments to the community.
Since its opening, Resolve has grown significantly, providing thousands of outpatient therapy appointments each year. As the agency grows, so does its physical space. The Prairie Village location has expanded 4 times in the past 7 years from 1800 sq ft to 6500 sq ft. We opened our second location in Parkville in 2020 and our third location in Lee’s Summit in 2023. We have also increased our scope of practice by placing therapists in local schools, embedding them at local nonprofits and finding ways to intentionally engage in the community.
We are proud of our growth and our impact in the community. In 2024 alone, we provided around 38,000 outpatient therapy appointments to our clients.
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 to growth has not been a smooth one. Our industry is a challenging one and employee burnout and turnover rates are disproportionately high in mental health, typically cited between 30-50%. Staffing and retention have been a significant obstacle, particularly during times of workforce shortages or community stressors that also impact mental health clinicians. At Resolve, we have faced the challenge of increased turnover and finding the right employment matches, resulting in hires that were not always the best fit for our team and mission.
As a result, in 2024 we spent a significant amount of time eliciting feedback from staff on how to prioritize and improve our workplace culture. Some of the changes we employed included improved benefits, increased professional development opportunities and creating a supportive environment to keep top talent, increased support for clinicians during times that they determine raise the risk of burnout, and a more intentional approach to our recruitment process.
This period of growth and reflection has strengthened our commitment to our mission and not only ensures that everyone we bring onto the team truly embodies the culture and vision of Resolve, but that they have the tools and supports available to continue to do this valuable work.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Resolve Counseling, we believe therapy has the power to improve lives, strengthen relationships and transform the world. But for many, finding quality therapy is time consuming and complicated. That’s why Resolve exists.
From convenient online scheduling to a phone that’s answered by a real person, we’ve made it our mission to improve the mental healthcare experience. We’re dedicated to providing immediate, easily accessible care options that remove the barriers to seeking help. We take a personalized, evidence-based approach to therapy and are proud to offer a wide range of services supporting clients from age two through adulthood, as individuals, couples and families.
Resolve operates on a hybrid business model that balances private pay services with accessible, community-focused mental health care. Our approach prioritizes high-quality therapy while ensuring affordability through innovative programs such as our internship program, non-profit partnerships and community givebacks. Our multifaceted approach allows Resolve to remain both financially stable and deeply mission driven, for long term community impact.
What’s next?
Our goal is to continue making Kansas City a happier, healthier place. As we look towards the future, we are excited about potentially expanding our current locations and possibly new locations in the upcoming years based on community needs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kcresolve.com
