PIPESTONE, Minn. – Licensed marriage and family therapist Amy Fry has opened Pipestone Counseling Center with help from Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) Microenterprise Loan Program.
Pipestone Counseling Center offers individual therapy, family therapy, trauma therapy EMDR and Play Therapy, both in-person and through telehealth. In addition to Fry, counselors and therapists at the new mental health center include Bradd Bakken, Darren Lind and Jackie Tinklenberg, with Molly Schoenfelder joining the team in August following completion of a master’s degree in social work.
Fry has 19 years of experience providing therapy in Greater Minnesota. She sees all types of clients but specializes in children and trauma and is a registered play therapist. She’s also a certified eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapist.
“Part of the reason I love my job is because I love people, and I want to connect and get their mental health needs met,” Fry said. “I decided to open this practice because I am focused on serving people in rural Minnesota, and there was a gap in services here in Pipestone.”
Loan funds from SWIF helped Fry purchase furniture and office equipment and provided working capital for Pipestone Counseling Center.
“Amy and her team are filling a critical need in the community with this new venture, and we’re happy to support her on her business journey,” said SWIF Economic Development Officer Jackie Turner.
Loan programs have been a key function of SWIF since its inception to support communities and businesses throughout southwest Minnesota. In 2001, microlending was added to existing programs as a tool to support small businesses and people looking for self-employment opportunities.
Microloan clients also receive free technical assistance from SWIF staff to improve their business management skills. Areas of support include business planning and financials analysis, QuickBooks training, marketing assistance and other training opportunities for the life of the loan.
Learn about our loan programsThis microloan program receives funding assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, contact SWIF at 800-594-9480, 320-587-4848 or [email protected].
About Southwest Initiative Foundation
Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) is a nonprofit community foundation connecting people, investing in ideas and building communities to create a southwest Minnesota where all people thrive. Since its founding in 1986, SWIF has distributed more than $97.8 million through its grantmaking and business finance programs.
