Ribbon cutting in May 2022 at the new Andrews and Associates office at 4201 Anderson Avenue
When the Andrews & Associates Counseling practice opened in Manhattan, Kansas, 24 years ago, it grew to become a well-known, multi-disciplinary practice over its first two decades. When the founding therapist, Rusty Andrews, passed away in 2016, Stephanie Wick, a therapist with Andrews & Associates since 2006, made the decision to purchase the practice. Upon taking ownership, maintaining Rusty’s legacy, including the name of the practice, was highly important to Stephanie. “When I purchased Andrews and Associates, the practice had begun to dwindle due to Dr. Andrews illness. There was no question upon purchase that I would retain the name. Dr. Andrews, and the practice, were both deeply respected in the community. I purchased the name and reputation as much as anything. I worked with his widow, Jenne, through the entire process. To this day, we hold a deep respect for each other and believe that God had a hand in all of it.”
An interior photo at the new Manhattan office of Andrews and Associates Counseling.
Building on the established business gave Stephanie the opportunity to expand needed mental health services services to the community. She started by adding capacity to the practice through improved technology access and adding more staff. “Shortly after purchase, we began updating the branding, including the logo, a completely new website, and the addition of social media. I added several new therapists, transitioned to an electronic medical record, and moved into a more spacious office.” The practice has grown significantly over the past six years, adding offices in Wamego and Junction City and a recent move to a larger office in Manhattan. Stephanie added, “Since that time, we are serving significantly more people than ever before.”
While Andrews & Associates was established in the Greater Manhattan area, the success of their business was not achieved alone. Stephanie shares that being a part of the mental health community is strengthened by developing relationships with fellow mental health providers in the community. “Within the mental health community, we share a commitment to serving,” Stephanie continues, “Providers work together to ensure people are getting the treatment they need. There is a strong collaborative approach versus a competitive one. We refer back and forth regularly. “
Andrews and Associates Counseling owner, Stephanie Wick.
Along with being integrated into network of fellow mental health providers, Stephanie’s entrepreneurial mindset and passion for holistic wellness keep her focused on the goal to strengthen the Greater Manhattan area by providing both employment opportunities and more options for therapy services. “My focus has always been on job creation and expanding our ability to serve more people and fill service gaps. I hope to be a hub for various group therapies, relational therapies, and working with our medical community to provide onsite therapy in clinics.”
Ultimately, Stephanie and the team at Andrews and Associates are focused on the people they serve, and above all, their goal is to help others. When asked about advice she’d give to fellow service providers, their own business mission rang strong: “It’s very simple: We serve people. We exist for people. The focus is ALWAYS on the people, not on profits or personal gain.”
Today, Andrews & Associates Counseling has offices the Manhattan, Junction City, and Wamego. Find out more about their services here.
