A Practice Built on Connection
When Dr. Michael Dulchin and Dr. Jonathan Fader co-founded Union Square Practice in 2013, they wanted to build a mental health practice that was also a community.
Starting with three clinicians, Union Square Practice prioritized kindness, collaboration, and responsiveness.
“We started Union Square Practice to take care of people,” said Dr. Dulchin. “And our clinicians are talented, smart, and deeply committed to their clients.”
With this relationship-first approach at its core, Union Square Practice has grown rapidly. Today, they have over 60 clinicians across New York, Los Angeles, and South Florida, offering psychiatry, therapy, and other specialized services.
The Challenge: Scaling Without Losing What Made Them Unique
Like many growing behavioral health organizations, Union Square Practice faced challenges finding tools that could keep up with their expanding needs. Growth brought new complexities:
- Operational Strain: Merging separate psychiatry and psychology practices revealed disjointed workflows.
- Cultural Risks: Rapid expansion tested USP’s close-knit, patient-first culture.
“The biggest challenge is scaling a mental health practice while maintaining its culture and connectivity,” said Dr. Fader. “We found success through two key strategies: creating organic opportunities for our team to connect and adopting great tools like Valant—then learning how to use them to their fullest potential.”
The Strategy: EHR Tools and Processes that Empower People
Union Square Practice refused to let technology dictate their culture. Instead, they sought partners aligned with their values:
People First: “We wanted an electronic medical record that works for people — our administrative staff, our clinicians, and everyone learning to use it,” said Dr. Dulchin. “Valant fits into that.”
Preserving Humanity: “In an age dominated by technology, the best way to grow and maintain integrity is to meet with people,” says Sara Simon, Director of Outreach. “We want to get back to the basics of patient engagement.”
Behavioral Health Focus: After working with paper charts and generic EHRs, Dr. Dulchin and Dr. Fader chose Valant for its behavioral health-specific workflows. “We decided early on that we needed a solid back end,” Dr. Dulchin said.
Positive Internal Culture: Union Square Practice prioritized building a supportive, connected community for their clinicians. “Our first clients are our clinicians,” said Dr. Fader. “When they feel supported and balanced, our patients receive the best care.”
Efficient Workflows: Providing clinicians with empathy, attention, and patience was essential — along with the right tools. “Efficient workflows that help clinicians work faster and with more ease are key to creating this balance,” Dr. Fader added.
Results: Growth Rooted in Relationships
Union Square Practice has achieved remarkable success by choosing tools that align with their values — always prioritizing clinician well-being and patient trust.
Key Achievements:
- 50% Patient Conversion Rate: Streamlined intake processes and Valant-powered workflows have helped Union Square Practice maintain exceptional responsiveness, with nearly half of all inquiries turning into long-term patients.
- Expanded Services: The practice now offers specialized services in neurodivergence support, women’s health, and athlete performance coaching — all supported by Valant’s EHR.
- Low Turnover: Clinicians stay an average of 7+ years, with many remaining since the practice’s founding in 2013.
- Thriving Culture: Clinicians enjoy both professional support and autonomy, while staff can focus on patient care instead of administrative burdens.
“Valant has been with us the whole time,” said Dr. Dulchin. “And we’re able to take really good, communicative care of our clients.”
Looking Ahead: Continued Growth
Union Square Practice’s growth from a small group to a multifaceted organization underscores the value of a stable, scalable, and specialized EHR partner.
Looking ahead, Union Square Practice plans to:
- Grow their leadership team with C-suite hires
- Adopt additional Valant functionality and integrations
- Expand their services, provider team, and geographic reach
“Our challenges now are different from those we faced 10 years ago — and in six months, they’ll be different again,” said Dr. Dulchin.
Through it all, their core commitment remains the same. “You just have to treat your team the way you would your clients,” said Dr. Fader.
Ready to experience the Valant difference?
Like Union Square Practice, you can leverage a behavioral health-focused EHR to improve operations, empower your clinicians, and provide exceptional patient care, all while building a thriving practice.
With the right infrastructure, you can grow your way.
Request a personalized demo today and discover how Valant can support your practice’s growth journey.
