Director of Practice Operations
Jessie Benjamen (she/her)
My job is making sure your experience with Ala Therapy Collective feels thoughtful, supportive, and genuinely human, from the moment you reach out until you are connected with the right therapist.
Contact Ala Therapy Collective
Reaching out for therapy can feel like a really big first step. It does not have to feel like one you take alone.
Hi, I'm Jessie. I'm the first person you'll talk to when you reach out to Ala Therapy Collective, and I want you to know that is not an accident. Shylah didn't hire a gatekeeper. She hired someone who genuinely gives a damn.
Shylah entrusted me with one of the most important parts of Ala Therapy Collective.
Making sure every person who reaches out feels heard before therapy even begins.
Not sure where to start?
You don't have to know which therapist you want, what type of therapy you need, whether your struggles are "serious enough," or the perfect way to explain what's going on.
Start where you are. I'll help with the rest.
My job isn't to get you off the phone.
It's to make one of the hardest first steps feel a little easier. When you contact Ala Therapy Collective, I can help you:
- Find the therapist who's the best fit for your goals and personality.
- Answer your questions before you ever schedule.
- Verify your insurance benefits.
- Explain what your next steps look like.
- Coordinate scheduling with our clinicians.
- Help with paperwork and logistics.
- Troubleshoot billing questions.
- Be your steady point of contact, and your advocate before you've even met your therapist.
You don't have to know exactly what you need before you reach out. That's what I'm here for.
My job isn't to sell you therapy. My job is to help you figure out what makes sense for you. If Ala isn't the right fit, I'll tell you that too.
Why Ala has a Director of Practice Operations.
Most practices have someone who answers the phone. At Ala Therapy Collective, this role exists on purpose, just like a lot of the things we do differently. Your first contact with us should feel as thoughtful and human as your first session, because how you're treated before therapy begins matters just as much as what happens once it does.
Why this matters so much to me.
I spent 12 years working in veterinary medicine, most of it in reception, and what that taught me more than anything is that people who are scared and overwhelmed and advocating for someone they love need to feel heard immediately. Not after they've been put on hold. Not after they've navigated a phone tree. Right away. That's what I'm here for.
I've also been on the other side of this. I know what it feels like to reach out for help and not feel listened to. I spent a long time pushing through things I shouldn't have had to push through alone because I couldn't find the right fit. I eventually did. It changed everything. And that experience is with me every single time someone contacts us.
The things I once thought were flaws became strengths.
I'm autistic with OCD traits, and honestly those things that once felt like they were working against me have turned out to be exactly what makes me good at this job. The consistency, the attention to detail, the deep capacity to care about doing things right, those aren't bugs. They're features. I just had to figure that out the hard way.
What happens after you reach out?
Here's what you can expect.
Step One
You reach out, however feels easiest to you.
Step Two
In most cases, I'll be the person who responds, answers your questions, and learns a little about what you're looking for.
Step Three
We find the clinician who's the best fit, not simply the first person with an opening.
Step Four
We help verify your insurance benefits, explain next steps, and get your consultation scheduled.
Step Five
You begin therapy knowing someone has been in your corner from the very beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know which therapist I want?
Not at all. That's one of the biggest parts of my job. I'll help match you with the clinician who fits your needs.
What if I don't know what kind of therapy I need?
That's completely okay, and it's exactly what I'm here for. You don't have to diagnose yourself or pick an approach before you reach out. Tell me what's going on and we'll figure out the right starting point together.
Can I ask questions before scheduling?
Absolutely. You're never bothering me by asking questions.
Can you help with insurance?
Yes. We'll verify your benefits and help explain what your coverage looks like before you get started.
What happens after I submit the contact form?
I'll reach out, answer your questions, and help you figure out your next step. You won't be left wondering what comes next.
What if I'm nervous about reaching out?
Most people are. Truly. You don't have to have the perfect words. You just have to start the conversation.
You're going to be okay.
If you're nervous about reaching out, that makes complete sense. Most people are. My job is to make that part as easy as possible and to make sure you end up in the right hands. I will be your advocate before you even have your first session.
You don't have to know exactly what to say. You don't have to navigate this alone anymore. I'm genuinely glad you're here.