Libsyn Directory

David Hall | What We've Learned About Group Practice And Avoiding Pitfalls | TPOT 146

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Release Date: 09/21/2020

What to Say to Someone Grieving (Most People Get This Wrong) | Shelby Forsythia | TPOT 432

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Grief is something every one of us will face at some point, and yet most of us have no idea what to say when someone is hurting. In this episode, I’m joined by Shelby Forsythia, a grief coach, author, and host of the Grief Grower podcast. Shelby shares her own story of profound loss and how it shaped the work she does today, helping people navigate grief in a way that actually honors what they are going through. We talk about why so many common phrases miss the mark, what grieving people are really experiencing beneath the surface, and how grief doesn’t just affect your emotions, it...

What It Really Takes to Run a Profitable Private Practice | Brandy Mabra | TPOT 431

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Thinking about starting a private practice in 2026? There’s a lot to consider… and it’s not as simple as it used to be. In this episode of The Practice of Therapy Podcast, I’m joined by Brandy Mabra, who brings nearly two decades of experience across private practice, corporate healthcare, and entrepreneurship. We dig into what’s really happening in the industry right now—from AI and changing business models to profitability and long-term sustainability. If you’re wondering whether now is the right time to start (or grow) a practice, this conversation will help you think more...

Why A Lot of Therapists Struggle in Private Practice | Katie Piura | TPOT 430

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Thinking about starting a private practice… but feeling unsure where to begin? In this episode, Katie Piura shares the mindset shifts every therapist needs to make before launching (or growing) a successful practice. From burnout in agency work to building something aligned and sustainable, Katie breaks down the real challenges therapists face and why being a great clinician isn’t always enough. We also get into the business side of private practice that grad school never taught you, including money mindset, marketing, and why asking for help might be the most important step you take. If...

How This Simple Method Transforms Private Practice Sessions | Tanya Dantus | TPOT 429

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

What if the thing keeping your clients stuck isn’t what they’re talking about… but what they’re avoiding feeling? In this episode, I’m joined by Tanya Dantus, and we dive into a really practical way of helping clients move through what’s actually underneath the surface. Tanya shares her RIFRA Method, which stands for Root, Impact, Feel, Reflect, and Act, and how this process helps clients stop intellectualizing and start creating real change. We talk about why so many people struggle to access their emotions, how that shows up in therapy, and what it looks like to guide someone...

Are Superbills Worth It in Private Practice? | Mark Florian | TPOT 428

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Thinking about taking insurance in your private practice or trying to figure out a better way to handle out-of-network clients? This is one of those decisions that almost every therapist wrestles with at some point. On one hand, insurance can help fill your caseload and make therapy more accessible. On the other hand, the admin work, lower reimbursement rates, and constant back and forth can leave you feeling stretched thin and frustrated. In this episode, I’m joined by Mark Florian, founder of Deputy Care, and we get into what is really happening behind the scenes with insurance,...

Private Pay vs Insurance: What Therapists Get WRONG | Avivit Fisher | TPOT 427

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Private pay versus insurance is one of the biggest decisions therapists face, and honestly, it’s also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we’re breaking down what therapists often get wrong when thinking about these two models. It’s not just about money or convenience. It’s about how you want to run your practice, who you want to serve, and where you’re willing to spend your time and energy. If you’ve been going back and forth on whether to take insurance, go private pay, or try a hybrid approach, this conversation will help you think about it in a much clearer way....

Thoughts on AI and Tech Platforms in Private Practice | TPOT 426

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

What happens when you open the floor and let your audience ask anything? That’s exactly what we did in this episode, and the questions did not disappoint. We’re diving into the big ones therapists are quietly asking right now. Is AI going to replace us? Are companies like BetterHelp helping or hurting the field? And how do you actually stand out when clients can talk to a chatbot instead of a human? I’m sharing my honest thoughts on where all of this is headed, what most therapists are getting wrong about AI, and why the human connection in therapy still matters more than ever. If...

Helping Clients Navigate Digital Overwhelm in Private Practice | Eli Singer | TPOT 425

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Most of us know the feeling. You pick up your phone to check one thing and suddenly twenty minutes have disappeared. For many people, this has become a daily pattern, and it is starting to show up more and more in therapy sessions. In this episode, I sit down with Eli Singer to talk about digital overwhelm and the complicated relationship many of us have with our phones and devices. Eli has spent years working in the digital world, including building one of the early social media agencies in North America. After stepping away from that work, he began focusing on helping people develop...

How Therapists Can Use Social Media Without Feeling Fake | Jazzmyn Proctor | TPOT 424

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Marketing can feel uncomfortable for a lot of therapists. Most of us were trained to be neutral, private, and to keep the focus on the client. So when someone tells you that you need to show up on social media or talk about your work publicly, it can feel a little strange. But visibility matters more than ever when it comes to building a private practice. In this episode, I’m joined by Jazzmyn Proctor, a therapist, podcaster, and marketing mentor who helps clinicians show up online in ways that feel authentic and sustainable. Jazzmyn shares how she started building her presence while still...

Scaling a Private Practice with Intensives, Classes, and Conferences | Dr. Wyatt Fisher | TPOT 423

The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer

Couples therapy can be some of the most rewarding work we do as therapists, but it can also be one of the most challenging. Many couples don’t reach out for help until things feel like they’re falling apart. By the time they sit down in your office, there are often years of resentment, hurt, and miscommunication built up beneath the surface. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Wyatt Fisher, a psychologist and couples therapist who has spent years refining his approach to helping couples work through those deeper issues. Wyatt shares how his own personal and professional experiences shaped...

More Episodes

In this episode, David Hall joins to speak about making the transition from private practice to group practice. First, think about if you’ll add employees or independent contractors to your practice. Then, decide how you will pay them; there are many different structures to set this up. However, you need to know the financial side of your practice before you start paying others. Stay tuned as we talk about keeping it simple and the reasons why you may want to think twice before starting a group practice. Lastly, catch our free live webinar on September 25th: Solo To Group Practice.

Meet David Hall

Dr. Stephen “David” Hall heads up content and creative direction as the “Chief Maven” of PsychMaven. He began his work as a psychotherapist in 2005, and he currently holds clinical licenses in Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. He has built up multiple counseling practices in his years as a clinician, first in Georgia and then in his home state of Tennessee. In 2015, he led the start-up of an independent psychiatry clinic, Haven Family Psychiatry, in Knoxville, TN. Dr. Hall maintains a psychotherapy caseload and supervises postgraduate therapists in the practice he leads in the clinic, Haven Counseling Center at Haven Family Psychiatry.

Transitioning To Group Practice

At one point, you’ll realize the only way that you can grow is by doing something different. David realized that he could grow if he brought new people to practice. Do you feel like you can’t take on any new clients? Then it could be time to think about starting a group practice. Whether you are thinking about a part-time contractor or bringing on full-time employees, you'll hear about some factors to help you know when the situation and timing are right in our upcoming webinar.

Paying Your Staff

Most people will start with independent contractors when creating their group practice. However, don’t try and be too generous when it comes to paying your contractors. Make sure that you are keeping enough for yourself. You don’t want to be paying your contractors from your profits. Most therapists didn’t get into therapy to make loads of money. Most therapists want to help people. This idea extends to our employees and contractors. You cannot sustain your mission unless there are margins.

Group Practice Can Be Simple

David made things too complicated when starting his group practice. He realized that he could run a simple practice and be more profitable. For David, this was far less stressful. At first, it was super stressful, and he didn’t sleep well at night. When he crossed the bridge of realizing how the practice could be, a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders. Now, David can lead a group of therapists and not live in constant stress. Have a vision of why you want to start a group practice. Don’t try and do too much. Learn how to delegate and outsource well.

Why You Might Think Twice Before Starting A Group Practice

Sometimes there can be pressure for what you “should” do. That’s not true. If you want to start a group practice, then do it. However, don’t start a group practice because you think that’s what you should be doing. Some people LOVE their private practice. It can be simple with little distractions; maybe it’s your sweet spot. If private practice is a paradise for you, you don’t need to start a group practice. It doesn’t matter if you’re introverted or extroverted; group practice can be right or wrong for anyone. Embrace the trueness of who you are.

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