The Power to Make Things Happen: Ashe Counseling Is Rewriting Mental Health Access

The Silicon Review

In the crowded landscape of mental health care, the gap between those who need therapy and those who receive it has persisted for reasons that have little to do with clinical efficacy. Insurance complexities, scheduling inflexibility, cultural disconnect, and the simple intimidation of starting the process has left countless individuals without the support they desperately need. For founder Mandisa Jones, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in Illinois and Texas, this gap was not an abstract statistic but a daily frustration that demanded action.

Ashé Counseling & Coaching was founded in 2018 to dismantle these barriers. The name Ashé, drawn from the Yoruba language, means "the power to make things happen" a philosophy that permeates every aspect of the practice. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in South Loop, Logan Square, and Austin, Texas, Ashé has grown into a multimillion-dollar group practice offering individual therapy, couples counseling, teen therapy, virtual sessions, and a unique Community Clinic graduate intern program. The practice accepts most major commercial insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare, as well as Illinois Medicaid plans, making quality mental health care accessible rather than exclusive. With evening and weekend availability, in-person and virtual options, and a diverse team of clinicians, Ashé has eliminated the excuses that have kept people from getting help.

The company's revenue model is built on fee-for-service therapy sessions reimbursed by insurance companies and supplemented by self-pay clients at $145 per 60-minute session. Ashé generates income through commercial insurance claims, Medicaid reimbursements, and direct client payments. The Community Clinic program, featuring graduate interns supervised by licensed clinical directors, serves Medicaid clients while developing the next generation of clinicians, creating a sustainable pipeline of affordable care.

The Insurance-Friendly Model for Accessible Care

Ashé's most distinctive competitive advantage is its deliberate focus on insurance acceptance at a time when many therapy practices have moved to cash-only models. By contracting with major insurers and offering evening and weekend appointments, Ashé has made therapy financially and logistically accessible to clients who would otherwise be priced out of care. For clients who have been deterred by the complexity of insurance verification, Ashé verifies benefits before the first appointment, eliminating surprises. For the practice, the insurance model generates consistent, predictable revenue while fulfilling the mission-driven commitment to accessibility.

The Community Clinic for Clinician Development and Affordable Care

Ashé has built a unique Community Clinic program that simultaneously addresses two critical gaps: the shortage of affordable therapy options and the need for supervised clinical training opportunities. Graduate interns from universities including University of Illinois Chicago and University of Chicago provide high-quality, affordable mental health services to Medicaid clients while being supervised by licensed clinical directors. The program creates a pipeline of well-trained clinicians who often stay within the Ashé network after graduation, while providing essential services to underserved communities. For Ashé, the program generates goodwill, cultivates future talent, and diversifies revenue through Medicaid reimbursements.

The Multilocation, Multistate Footprint for Geographic Reach

Ashé has strategically expanded across locations in Chicago and into Texas, serving clients through both in-person and virtual sessions. The South Loop, Logan Square, and Austin offices provide convenient access for clients in diverse neighborhoods and states, while virtual therapy extends reach across Illinois and Texas. This geographic footprint enables Ashé to serve clients who might otherwise struggle to find culturally competent, insurance-friendly care. For the practice, the expansion increases addressable market and insulates against local market fluctuations.

The Founder's Dual Mission for Clinician and Entrepreneur

Mandisa Jones has built Ashé not only as a clinical practice but as a platform for empowering other wellness entrepreneurs. Her book "Practice with Purpose" offers step-by-step guidance for therapists building sustainable private practices, while her coaching services help wellness entrepreneurs cultivate balance and implement efficient systems. This dual mission serving clients directly while supporting the professional development of other clinicians creates a virtuous cycle that strengthens the mental health ecosystem. For Ashé, the founder's thought leadership generates brand visibility and attracts clinicians aligned with the practice's values.

For individuals seeking therapy that is accessible, culturally competent, and clinically excellent, Ashé Counseling & Coaching offers the model that mental health care has long needed. Mandisa Jones has built an organization where insurance-friendly care, clinician development, geographic expansion, and entrepreneurial empowerment combine to serve clients across Illinois and Texas. With a philosophy rooted in the power to make things happen, Ashé stands as the essential partner for those ready to rewrite their narratives.

Mandisa Jones, Founder and Chief Executive Officer