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Pivoting and Transitioning in Private Practice | TPOT 140

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Release Date: 08/10/2020

Kristin Meador | Building a Profitable Private Practice | TPOT 399 show art Kristin Meador | Building a Profitable Private Practice | TPOT 399

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Running a private practice is rewarding, but the financial side can feel overwhelming. That is why I am excited to have Kristin Meador, CPA on the show today. Kristin is not only a Certified Public Accountant but also a Profit First Professional who works closely with therapy practice owners across the country. She is here to take the stress out of your numbers and show you how to build a more profitable and sustainable practice. In this episode, you will learn: How to simplify your bookkeeping and actually use your numbers to make decisions Why Profit First works so well for private practice...

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Caitlin Rose | New Understandings in Neuroscience For Treating Trauma In Your Practice | TPOT 398 show art Caitlin Rose | New Understandings in Neuroscience For Treating Trauma In Your Practice | TPOT 398

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Have you ever tried to calm yourself down during a panic attack - only to find that the very tools you’ve been taught suddenly don’t work? That was the turning point for Caitlin Rose, a performance neuroscience coach and founder of Build Resilience. Her own struggle with trauma and anxiety led her to uncover a hidden truth: it’s not just about regulation, it’s about capacity. In this episode of The Practice of Therapy Podcast, Caitlin shares how understanding the difference between nervous system regulation and capacity can transform the way therapists support clients - and the way we...

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The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

What if the key to filling your private practice isn’t more credentials, certifications, or complicated marketing strategies— but a few simple tweaks to your Psychology Today profile? In this episode of the Practice of Therapy Podcast, Gordon sits down with Aaron Price, founder of , to uncover the hidden power of Psychology Today. With nearly 60% of therapy seekers finding their clinician through this platform, your profile could be the single biggest factor in whether your phone rings—or stays silent. Aaron shares exactly what makes a profile stand out, the common mistakes most...

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Dr. Stephanie Thrower | Why Every Private Practice Needs an AI Strategy (Yes, Even Yours) | TPOT 396 show art Dr. Stephanie Thrower | Why Every Private Practice Needs an AI Strategy (Yes, Even Yours) | TPOT 396

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Have you been wondering how AI fits into the world of therapy and private practice?  In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Stephanie Thrower—a psychologist, career coach, and AI educator—who’s using tech to help therapists expand their impact, streamline their work, and step into new possibilities beyond one-on-one sessions. We’re talking practical tools, smart marketing strategies, and how to use AI without losing your voice (or your sanity). Whether you’re just getting curious or already experimenting with AI, you’re going to walk away inspired and equipped. In this episode,...

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Linzy Bonham | Private Practice Shame Around Money | TPOT 395 show art Linzy Bonham | Private Practice Shame Around Money | TPOT 395

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Most of us didn’t get into therapy because we dreamed of being business owners. We wanted to help people. We wanted to do meaningful work. But somewhere along the way, we realized that to have the freedom and flexibility we crave, we’d need to go into private practice —and that meant running a business. Which meant dealing with money. Enter: panic. Linzy Bonham, a former trauma therapist turned financial coach and educator, knows this all too well. When she started her own practice, she quickly noticed that no one was talking about how to manage the financial side of things. There was no...

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Rachel Bentley | Why Your Inner Critic Might Be Running Your Private Practice | TPOT 394 show art Rachel Bentley | Why Your Inner Critic Might Be Running Your Private Practice | TPOT 394

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

When it comes to leading a private practice, most people focus on strategy, logistics, and profitability. But what if the secret to becoming a better therapist, leader, and human being isn’t outside of you, but inside? In this episode, Gordon Brewer sat down with Rachel Bentley of Next Level Private Practice to explore how Internal Family Systems (IFS)—or "parts work"—has completely transformed the way she leads, supervises, and shows up in the therapy room. Spoiler: it’s not just about helping your clients—it starts with understanding yourself. Resources Mentioned In This...

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Dr. Tiana Kelly | Compliance Anxiety: Systems That Strengthen Your Private Practice | TPOT 393 show art Dr. Tiana Kelly | Compliance Anxiety: Systems That Strengthen Your Private Practice | TPOT 393

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Think compliance is just about HIPAA? Think again. In this episode, Gordon sits down with Dr. Tiana Kelly—licensed professional counselor, compliance expert, and co-founder of Private Practice by Design—to unpack what compliance really looks like in a modern private practice. From late notes and misgendering mistakes to the growing use of AI and how to document for maintenance clients, Tiana breaks it all down in a refreshingly honest and approachable way. Whether you're a new therapist still figuring out documentation or a seasoned practice owner ready to level up your systems, this...

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Tara Vossenkemper | The Culture Code for Group Practice | TPOT 392 show art Tara Vossenkemper | The Culture Code for Group Practice | TPOT 392

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Ready to Build a Private Practice People Actually Want to Work In? If you've ever wondered what it really takes to build a group practice with heart, soul, and systems that don’t make your team want to scream into a pillow, this episode is for you. Gordon sits down with the brilliant (and refreshingly honest) Tara Vossenkemper, founder, leadership nerd, and culture whisperer, to talk about the magic behind creating a practice culture where therapists actually feel seen, supported, and inspired. They’re diving into everything from core values that aren’t just fluff, to EOS (aka the...

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The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Ever feel like you're stuck between a full caseload and a full calendar of doctor’s appointments - for your parents?  You're not alone.  In this episode of The Practice of Therapy Podcast, Marissa Wells joins Gordon to talk about what it really looks like to juggle private practice while caring for aging family members. She’s not here to preach “perfect balance”—because let’s face it, that doesn’t exist. Instead, Marissa shares her wisdom on finding harmony, navigating proactive grief, setting real boundaries, and reconnecting with joy in the midst of it all. Whether...

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Andrea Rotondo | Private Practice Finances Don’t Have to Suck | TPOT 390 show art Andrea Rotondo | Private Practice Finances Don’t Have to Suck | TPOT 390

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Ever feel like you're crushing it in session but completely lost when it comes to your practice’s finances? You’re not alone—and you're definitely not broken. In this episode of The Practice of Therapy, Andrea Rotondo is here to pull back the curtain on the real reason so many therapists avoid their numbers (spoiler: it’s not laziness), and how to stop letting fear and overwhelm run the show. If QuickBooks makes you want to cry, if you’ve ever Googled “what is a P&L?” at midnight, or if you just want to feel a little more confident talking to your accountant, this...

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More Episodes

In this solo episode, Gordon gives tips and tricks on pivoting in private practice. Whenever you're thinking about making a change, the first thing to consider is "why?" What is driving your decisions and is private practice the right fit for you? One way to think about your "why" is by doing a brain dump. Get all your thoughts out on paper - Gordon does this every single week. Stay tuned as he speaks about knowing your numbers in private practice and the importance of outsourcing.

Think About Your Why

COVID has caused most of us to think about what we are doing and how we can change things. Think about your "why." Why are you thinking about going into private practice? Many people want to make more money in private practice. However, why do you want the money? Think about your lifestyle. What is the life that you want to create for yourself within your practice? What is going to feed you emotionally, spiritually, and physically?

A person can go into private practice and realize that it's no different than working nine to five for someone else. It's not the best fit for everyone. You need to have a massive drive to succeed in private practice. An entrepreneurial spirit is an absolute must – there should be a growth mentality there. At the end of the day, you have to be a self-starter, and you have to hold yourself accountable. If you're not wired this way, then private practice may not be the best fit.

Understand Your Numbers

If you are in private practice and you're not making a profit, you will not survive. Get a clear picture of your numbers as you begin to change things in private practice. If you're thinking about adding another person to your practice, make sure you understand your practice's financial side. Do a deep dive into your numbers and understand how all the financial pieces work. How much do you get per session? What does it cost you per session? Break things down in that way.

Outsource Your Admin Work

Once you reach a critical mass with your clients, spending time on admin work is not a good use of your time. You make money by seeing clients, so don't spend too much time working on admin work. Once you outsource your admin work, you'll find that it pays for itself. That way, you have more free time to see clients. The hardest part around this is a mindset shift. You have to get your head around the idea of return on investment. In order to make money, you need to spend money. Think about the math!

Do A Brain Dump

Think about all of the things that are important to you. Every week, write down everything you need to do and everything you want to accomplish. Take a sheet of paper and jot down all of the things that you wish to change in your private practice. This way, you can capture all of those thoughts. Map out how you want to get to where you want to go. If you're creative, you can take these thoughts and create a visual map on a poster board.

Cut Out The Deadwood

Have a space that is comfortable for you and allows you to do the things that you want to do. Throw things away or donate items that you do not need anymore. This is called cutting out the deadwood. You can do this in private practice. Look at your systems and processes. Are there things that you are doing that no longer serve you? Maybe your clients are filling out too many forms. Think about how you can streamline your systems. Also, think about your subscriptions. It may be time to change your cell phone plan. Are you paying for things that you don't use? Then it's time to clean things up and cut the deadwood.

 

Being transparent… Some of the resources below use affiliate links which simply means we receive a commission if you purchase using the links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for using the links!

 

Resources

TherapyNotes.com - use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months free.

 

Self Care Podcast Interview with Gordon Brewer

Business Models for Private Practice

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Meet Gordon Brewer, MEd, LMFT

Gordon is the person behind The Practice of Therapy Podcast & Blog. He is also President and Founder of Kingsport Counseling Associates, PLLC. He is a therapist, consultant, business mentor, trainer, and writer. PLEASE Subscribe to The Practice of Therapy Podcast on iTunesStitcher and Google Play. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn and Pinterest “Like” us on Facebook