Does Norman need more mental health services? Yes, says franchisee of new therapy clinic

Richard Mize, Oklahoman
·3 min read
Ellie Mental Health has opened a franchise location at 1215 Crossroads Blvd., Suite 106, in Norman, in leased space negotiated by Fleske Holding Co. LLC for the landlord and Windsor Realty Group for the tenant.
Ellie Mental Health has opened a franchise location at 1215 Crossroads Blvd., Suite 106, in Norman, in leased space negotiated by Fleske Holding Co. LLC for the landlord and Windsor Realty Group for the tenant.

Ellie Mental Health has opened a location in Norman after local franchisee Ryan Dent decided he wanted to "transform the mental health culture in Oklahoma."

Dent, who is in sales, said he was looking to start a business in the field and was drawn to Ellie Mental Health’s mission to change the culture and increase the accessibility of mental health services. His franchise location is at 1215 Crossroads Blvd, Suite 106.

“There is a large stigma surrounding mental health, and Ellie works to break it," he said. "When you walk into an Ellie location, it doesn’t feel like you’re walking into a doctor’s office — it feels like you’re walking into a home. It’s comforting and relaxing, giving our clients the ability to open up in a safe environment.”

Norman has a "high need" for mental health services, said Nicole Brown, clinical director at the Norman location, one of about 500 Ellie Mental Health franchise locations.

“There are several inpatient facilities in the area, but there is a long wait list for outpatient facilities. It’s important to have quick and easy access to mental health care services. If you are stuck on a wait list, especially after inpatient treatment, it’s easy to fall through the gap and lose the progress you made,” Brown said.

Brown said she is building a team of specialists at the Norman Ellie Mental Health location.

“Ultimately, I want to develop a team with a range of specialties and treatment modalities,” she said. “It’s important to me to meet people where they’re at — whatever they’re facing, I want Ellie to be able to help. We plan to address a variety of needs, including trauma victims, family issues, mood and personality disorders, and substance abuse, as well as be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community.”

The deal: Dent opened Ellie Mental Health in 1,781 square feet of space leased at 1215 Crossroads Blvd., Suite 106, in a deal between Dent and property owner Touchstone Property Management. Jim Haviland, with Windsor Realty Group, represented Dent, and Eric Fleske, with Fleske Holding Co. LLC, represented the landlord.

NAI Sullivan Group reports commercial real estate transactions

· Dolgencorp LLC leased 10,121 square feet of retail space from KRG Shops at Moore LLC at 2320 S Interstate 35 Service Road in Moore, for a pOpshelf location. David Hartnack and Sam Swanson, with NAI Sullivan Group, provided brokerage services to the tenant.

· Development Capital Networks LLC leased 2,285 square feet of office space at Lakepointe West, 4045 NW 64, Suite 405, from Lakepointe West LLC. Amanda Sullivan, with NAI Sullivan Group, handled the transaction.

· Vape World leased 2,210 square feet of retail space at 1841 Belle Isle Blvd. from KRG Belle Isle LLC, for a vape store. Samuel Dunham, with NAI Sullivan Group, represented the tenant.

· Automotive Finance Corp. leased 1,350 square feet of office space at 4300 Highline Blvd., Suite C200, from Metropolitan Office Park LLC. Sam Walter and Dirk Erdoes, with NAI Sullivan Group, represented the tenant.

· Fifteen Five Gutter Solutions LLC leased 5,000 square feet of industrial space at 812 Overhead Drive from Laminin LLC, for company headquarters and the operation of residential and commercial gutter clean-out, installation and repair services. Amir Shams and Zac McQueen, with NAI Sullivan Group, handled the deal.

· BLKN Motors LLC leased 6,500 square feet of industrial space at 1225 NW 4, Suite B, from Linwood Development LLC for disassembling, packaging and distributing car parts. Shams and McQueen provided brokerage services to both the landlord and tenant.

· Community Bridges Inc. leased 4,320 square feet of office space at 4720 Richmond Square from Weston-Kyndal Properties LLC, for a mental health therapy clinic. Sullivan represented the tenant. Vicki Knotts, with Newmark Robinson Park, represented the landlord.

· Boom Town Creamery LLC leased 6,720 square feet of industrial space at 800 Overhead Drive from Laminin LLC, for its headquarters and manufacturing facility for ice cream products for Boom Town Creamery. Shams and McQueen represented the landlord.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Fast-growing Elite Mental Health opens a franchise in Norman, OKC area