Angela James | From Classroom To Couch In Private Practice | TPOT 160
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
Release Date: 01/11/2021
Integrating Sexuality and Somatic Work in Private Practice | Darshana Avila | TPOT 408
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
In today’s episode, I am sitting down with Darshana Avila for a truly fascinating and important conversation about the intersection of sexuality, somatic work, and trauma healing. As therapists, we often talk about the mind and body connection, but many of us shy away from exploring how that connection relates to our clients’ sexuality, intimacy, and sense of pleasure. Darshana brings a deeply trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approach to this work, helping clients reconnect with their bodies, navigate consent, and move beyond shame into embodied wholeness. In our discussion,...
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Boundaries, Growth, and Private Practice Success | Dr. Jason Branch | TPOT 407
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
Well, y’all are in for a treat today. My guest, Dr. Jason Branch, brings some serious fire and fresh perspective to this conversation. He’s been in the counseling world for over two decades, as a clinician, educator, and entrepreneur, and what I love most about him is how real he gets about the struggles we all face in private practice: imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and finding the courage to just keep showing up. Jason has an incredible way of using analogies that stick: salamanders, gators, and what he calls being D.U.N. - doing things that are different, uncomfortable, and new....
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The Keys to Private Practice Success | Wendy Pitts Reeves | TPOT 406
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
When I first connected with Wendy Pitts Reeves, I knew she was someone who truly gets it — the ups, downs, and constant balancing act of running a private practice. In this episode, Wendy joins me to share her powerful framework, The Seven Pillars of a Thriving Private Practice, and it’s one you’ll want to take notes on. Wendy has spent decades building her own successful practice in Tennessee and now helps other therapists do the same through her coaching and podcast, Ideal Practice. In our conversation, we dive into what it takes to build a business that’s not just profitable, but...
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Low-Dose Ketamine Treatment Options in Private Practice | Sharon Niv, Ph.D. | TPOT 405
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
Today’s episode is one I’ve really been looking forward to because we’re diving into something that’s transforming the way we think about mental health treatment: low-dose ketamine therapy. My guest, Dr. Sharon Niv, is the co-founder of Joyous, a public benefit company helping make this kind of care more accessible and affordable than ever before. Sharon brings a fascinating background in cognitive psychology, meditation, and technology, and she’s helping bridge the gap between neuroscience and therapy in a way that’s incredibly gentle, safe, and empowering for both clients...
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Making Profit First Work For You in Private Practice | Julie Herres | TPOT 404
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
I’m so glad to welcome Julie Herres back to the podcast! Julie is the founder of GreenOak Accounting, the host of the Therapy for Your Money Podcast, and the author of Profit First for Therapists. This time, she’s joining me to talk about her brand-new Profit First for Therapists Workbook — a hands-on companion to her original book that helps you actually implement the Profit First system in your practice. In this episode, we dig into what it really takes to build a financially sustainable practice. Julie explains how she helps therapists move from confusion to clarity by using simple...
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Structuring Coaching Alongside Your Private Practice | Carly Hill | TPOT 403
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
What if private practice wasn’t the end goal but the launchpad? In this episode, Gordon talks with Carly Hill, LCSW, business strategist and host of The Thriving Therapreneur Podcast, about how therapists can outgrow the office by adding coaching, creating digital offers, and building freedom-based businesses. Carly shares her journey from burnout to building a seven-figure coaching brand and breaks down exactly how clinicians can protect their license while expanding beyond therapy. You’ll learn the key differences between therapy and coaching, how to ethically separate your businesses,...
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Boosting Private Practice Profit Without Adding More Clients | Brie Chrisman | TPOT 402
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
Ops expert Brie Chrisman (CEO, BosCo) shares how to increase profit in private practice without adding more clients, clinicians, or ad spend—by tightening expenses, streamlining workflows, delegating $20 tasks, and optimizing client onboarding. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why “profit = revenue − expenses” (and why most owners only push the revenue side) How to reclaim 21+ hours/year with simple email templates The $20 vs. $200 task rule for smarter delegation SOPs that make onboarding, training, and busy-day brain fog easier The #1 lever for growth: client onboarding (lead →...
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Streamlining Your Private Practice with AI | Uriah Guilford | TPOT 401
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
I am thrilled to share this week’s episode with you because it’s not just any guest joining me—it’s my dear friend, Uriah Guilford. Uriah and I have traveled together, dreamed together, and collaborated on countless projects over the years. He’s one of the most creative people I know, and today we’re diving into something that’s changing the way therapists run their practices: AI and the future of intake. If you’ve ever wondered how to save time, stop drowning in admin work, and create a smoother experience for your clients, you do not want to miss this conversation. Uriah...
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Celebrating 400 Episodes: Private Practice Insights You Can’t Miss | TPOT 400
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
I can hardly believe we’ve reached 400 episodes of The Practice of Therapy Podcast! When I started this show back in 2017, my goal was simple: to share resources, lessons, and encouragement for therapists building their practices. Over the years, I’ve learned so much (often the hard way), and I’ve been blessed by the many incredible guests and colleagues who have shared their wisdom here. In this special milestone episode, I’ve invited friends, past guests, and fellow practice owners to share their #1 tips for success in private practice. You’ll hear insights on money, delegation,...
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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...
info_outlineIn this episode, Angela James joins the show. Amidst the pandemic, Angela opened Classroom to Couch, which is her private practice coaching business. We talk all about the importance of community over competition. In private practice, other therapists aren’t your competition; they are your community and a great referral source. Later, Angela gives her three-step process to opening a private practice. Plus, we talk about making the switch to telehealth and why it has never been easier to open a private practice.
Meet Angela James
My name is Angela James and I'm a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in California. I've been practicing as a therapist for over 13 years and am grateful to be doing what I love.
I'm nationally certified in TF-CBT which focuses on the treatment of Trauma in youth. I am a strong believer in the brain's ability to heal from past traumas and for PTSD to be seen as curable, given the right therapeutic intervention. I also specialize in helping adult women overcome anxiety and panic disorder related symptoms.
I've always been passionate about helping others reach their full potential, so when I noticed myself eager to assist Therapists in opening their own Private Practice, it only seemed natural to develop this part of my professional career. Amidst this Pandemic, I opened Classroom to Couch which is my Private Practice coaching business. I am thrilled to see other mental health professionals reach their small business dreams and absolutely love being a small part of that process.
Community Not Competition
Therapists will view other therapists as their competition; it’s a huge mistake. Angela says that private practice made her step out of her comfort zone and connect with other therapists. With a scarcity mindset, therapists think that all other therapists are their competition. However, it’s simply not the case. When you build relationships with other therapists, you can refer potential clients to each other. Not everyone has the same niche, so your ideal client will not be another therapist’s ideal client. In fact, Angela says that other therapists are her number one referral source. Connect with other therapists in the community and get to know them so you can generate more referrals.
Angela’s Three-Step Process
Angela helps therapists using a three-step process. Step one is all about business basics; that’s Angela’s biggest passion. With Angela, you’ll talk about the different business structures and which one could be a good fit for you. Step two is all about HIPAA compliance. Step three is all about networking, advertising, and marketing. Angela will teach you all about how to get the best referrals and how to network with other therapists in private practice. Plus, Angela says that her program is affordable and attainable.
Switching To Telehealth
Angela built an entire telehealth practice in the span of the weekend when the pandemic started. Luckily, Angela didn’t lose very many clients. Even some that were unsure about telehealth eventually came back and gave it a shot. A lot of teenagers are actually a lot more comfortable with therapy via telehealth. At first, Angela struggled. However, she adapted and grew. The best part is that Angela can see clients from all over the state of California. Now, she has access to tons of people that she didn’t before; it’s incredible. Plus, Angela’s coaching business was born out of Covid. You don’t need a lot of money to start a telehealth practice, and now you have access to so many more clients. In the mental health world, Covid hasn’t been a bad thing from the professional side.
Starting A Private Practice
The easiest way to get started in private practice is to create a telehealth practice from your house. There are not a lot of start-up costs to get it going. The earliest that Angela will be back in her office is in August. After the pandemic, telehealth isn’t going anywhere. Moving forward, Angela will integrate both telehealth and in-person days so she can meet everyone’s needs. Plus, with telehealth, you can see people from all over the state; it’s a massive game-changer for your private practice. Also, Angela encourages clinicians to keep telehealth as part of their practice because people prefer it and it expands their reach. Telehealth is a considerable convenience; people no longer have to take off work to see their therapist.
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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.