4 Ways To Be In Private Practice as a Clinician | TPOT 183
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
Release Date: 06/21/2021
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_outlineIs the traditional private practice a good fit for you? This episode is all about the different ways you can be in private practice and why it may or may not be suitable. First, Gordon explains what type of clinician would excel at private practice and how it can be a great challenge for most people. Then, Gordon dives into the four different ways to be in private practice as a clinician. Tune in for tips and tricks on how to start, grow, and expand your practice.
Is Private Practice Right For You?
Private practice isn't necessarily for everyone. It takes a certain kind of person to be in private practice. The number one reason people want to go into private practice is because of the autonomy that it gives them. Being your own boss and just working for yourself is appealing because it gives you a lot of flexibility in your time. However, it's not for everyone. Many people want to work for someone else because they get benefits, they're an employee, their income is predictable, and they may have a retirement plan and health insurance already ready to go.
People that are in private practice need to have an entrepreneurial spirit about them. Private practice owners need to like the challenge of entrepreneurship. However, many people do not like the challenge and the risk that is involved with private practice. If you are interested in private practice but you're not interested in growing something big, then you don't have to. You can have a very successful private practice as a solo practitioner. Since Covid, it's possible to build just completely online practice. That's one model of private practice.
Get the FREE PDF download- 4 Ways To Be In Private Practice. This will help you compare the 4 different models.
Working As An Independent Contractor
Another model of private practice is putting yourself out there as an independent contractor. One way you can do this is through popular online platforms like BetterHelp, Talkspace, etc. When you sign up to be a therapist on platforms like these, you are signing up as an independent contractor. They will provide you with a platform, and they will provide you with clients. For some people, that might be very appealing. Even if you are an independent contractor, you are still self-employed. This is one thing that many people will get in trouble with because you still have to pay your self-employment taxes.
Find An Accountant And An Attorney
For people who are still going the full contractor route, form a separate entity for yourself like an LLC. Talk to an accountant and an attorney about your options. That way, you will have more protection. If you're contracting yourself out, you're just contracting out your LLC. There are different ways you can be taxed as an LLC, so it will be critical to get an accountant's opinion. Depending on how much you are making is how you should set up your entity.
Growing A Group Practice
Another thing you should think about is going into a group practice. Maybe you're already a solo practice. If you love the entrepreneurial sides of things, leading people, the excitement of growing a company, and bringing on more and more people, then start a group practice. Whether you are thinking about a part-time contractor or bringing on full-time employees, there are some factors that help you know when the situation and timing are right. Check out the Solo to Group Practice: Adding More Therapists to Grow Your Time & Income Webinar to learn more about growing group practice.
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
Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free.
Ethical Business Practice for Psychotherapists (1 CE hour)
Using Google Workspace in Private Practice Webinar
Solo to Group Practice: Adding More Therapists to Grow Your Time & Income
Money Matters In Private Practice | The Course
Get your FREE Financial Analysis Guide...
Google Workspace for Therapists | The E-Course
Purchase The Full Focus Planner™
Join my Focus Groups
Session Note Helper 3.0
Join the Google Workspace for Therapists Users Group
Cool Resources
Follow @PracticeofTherapy 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.