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
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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...
info_outlineIn 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.
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!
David’s Resources
Sign up for the webinar: Solo to Group Practice: Adding More Therapists to Grow Your Time & Income
PsychMaven
PsychMaven on Facebook
PsychMaven on Instagram
PsychMaven on LinkedIn
Haven Family Psychiatry
Resources
Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free.
Learn more about GreenOak Accounting
Listen to Therapy For Your Money Podcast
Solo to Group Practice: Adding More Therapists to Grow Your Time & Income
Use my link for 1 Month FREE of Brighter Vision services
Brighter Vision Fall Into Cash Event
Sign up for Killin’It Camp – October 5-7, 2020
G Suite for Therapists | The E-Course
Session Note Helper 3.0
Money Matters in Private Practice | The Course
Join the G-Suite for Therapists Users Group
Cool Resources
Follow @TPOTpodcast on Instagram
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 wherever you listen to it. Follow us on Twitter @therapistlearn, and Pinterest, “Like” us on Facebook.