Mental health franchise hires first local clinic director ahead of opening

The Ellie Mental Health location in Bradenton is expected to open in March.

By Business Observer Staff
| 3:15 p.m. February 22, 2023
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Licensed psychotherapist Barbara Byrne has been named the Bradenton clinic director for the Ellie Mental Health franchise.

Manatee-Sarasota

Ahead of opening the first Ellie Mental Health location in the Sarasota and Manatee counties area in March, the national franchise has named the first clinic director.

Barbara Byrne, a licensed psychotherapist, comes into the role with 25 years of experience. She will lead the Bradenton office with the goal of hiring up to 12 therapists over the next year, according to a statement.

The company was established in Minnesota to lower barriers to mental health care and destigmatize mental illness. The local locations are being led by Gray Videnka, an entrepreneur and former nonprofit executive and seminar leader; Women’s Resource Center President and CEO Ashley Brown; and Rick Bisio, a franchise coach, author and Manatee Chamber of Commerce board chair emeritus.