Strive Mental Health and Wellness

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. In recognition of this very important issue, we’re spotlighting Shaker Heights business Strive Mental Health and Wellness, located at 3435 Lee Road. Since opening in 2018, Strive has provided adult mental health and wellness services to the community. Dr. Jeff Turell focuses on providing these services while “integrating mental health with healthy activities, such as physical activities, while also providing a sense of community.”

Strive provides adult mental health services to Greater Cleveland. Dr. Turell notes his mission is to “help people live their best life by offering a holistic approach to mental health that includes wellness services and a sense of community.”

At Strive, both clients and non-clients are welcome to participate in group activities, which include drum circles, small group exercise classes such as boxing, outdoor running groups, and more. Dr. Turell notes that “these experiences enable people to foster relationships outside of their regular office visit.”

Prior to 2018, Dr. Turell worked a group practice and community mental health center. “I began noticing that the center couldn’t fully deliver on some of the treatments they were offering, and one of these was transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).” According to an article in Harvard Health on Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a noninvasive form of brain stimulation. A device is used to apply powerful magnetic fields to specific areas of the brain involved in psychological disorders, such as depression, and works to “excite” it.

Aside from not being able to offer patients promised treatment, Dr. Turell also notices patients who were dealing with chronic health disorders looking for other ways to improve their health. “I began making recommendations for these patients to meet with nutritionists or personal trainers, but I didn’t have the direct connections.” Out of these needs, Strive came to fruition, bridging the gap between advice and action, while offering treatment that couldn’t be offered before, including TMS.

Dr. Turell chose the City of Shaker for Strive because of its ideal location, which provides a work/life balance. Turell lives near the business, which is located in the Kingsbury building along Lee Road, in a storefront venue: “I love the idea of being in a storefront rather than a high-rise, or tucked into a building. Being on Lee Road offers me free visibility to potential customers/patients.”

Due to a lower rent at Kingsbury - compared to other potential locations - Dr. Turell was able to purchase the TMS machine, which would bring in additional revenue, while distinguishing him from other practices. Strive stands proudly on Lee Road, welcoming the community inward from the ground level.

When we asked Dr. Turell what he felt the rewards were of owning his small business, he said there’s a satisfaction in coming up with new ideas and being able to implement them, where, when working for someone else, the implementation part isn’t always the case. He can come up with new ideas for marketing or services and show his creative side. He also loves the flexibility: “I choose when to take time off for holidays or vacations because I can create a schedule that works for me, and set my own office offers.”

But, sometimes flexibility has its own limitations. Dr. Turell suggests a challenge of owning a small business is completely unplugging: “sometimes when I’m away on vacation, I don’t feel completely away. I’m still contacted. That can be tough.” Another challenge is being an expert in your craft, and perhaps learning the business side on the fly. Although Dr. Turell went to medical school, he didn’t receive education on how to run a business. He notes his decisions are trial and error, and we think most businesses, well-versed in business education or not, would agree!

Dr. Turell advises that if you do have an idea for a small business, or if you find yourself getting burnt out in your current job and you find something else that is both exciting and profitable, start your own business. Although difficult, sure, the rewards outweigh the challenges.

Strive Mental Health and Wellness is accepting new patients. Aside from offering mental health services, TMS and Spravato forms of treatment are also available, as well as community activities. Visit strive4today.com to review all the services Strive offers, including their charitable 10-Choose Program, as you choose where 10% of the cost of your office visit is donated. We’re grateful to have Strive in Shaker!