Consultant's Conversations On The Importance of Building A Community In Private Practice | TPOT 201
The Practice of Therapy Podcast with Gordon Brewer
Release Date: 10/25/2021
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_outlineI am lucky to have many of my good friends and peers join the show. Uriah Guilford, Jessica Tappana, and Whitney Owens are here for a casual conversation. First, we dive into the importance of diversifying your income. We open up about what it's like to run a practice as well as another business. Both isolation and imposter syndrome can show up for us; we talk about ways to overcome and navigate our limiting beliefs. Later, we chat about the importance of finding a community to build you up, make you feel confident, and allow you to be vulnerable on your journey.
Meet Uriah Guilford
I am a licensed therapist & group practice owner. I want to help you be more productive, profitable & happy with your business and your life. Basically, work less and get more done!
If you have achieved any level of success in your private practice then you can relate to the following. You have more tasks to complete than hours in the day. You work super hard because you are passionate and want to grow. Sometimes you neglect your self-care and other important things in your life. Not so great right!?
That is why I have built a team of amazing virtual assistants for practice owners just like you! Hiring a virtual assistant in 2012 was one of the best decisions I ever made. It allowed me to double my business income without feeling like I was losing my mind. Actually, go on vacation and not be tied to my iPhone the whole time.
And serve my clients better! It made such a massive difference for me and it can for you as well! If this sounds interesting, check out our services page and the most frequently asked questions we get all the time.
Meet Whitney Owens
I enjoy working with both adults and adolescents on an individual basis. I have experience working with those suffering from depression, anxiety, self-harming behaviors, identity formation, relational issues, and other mood disorders. I use a variety of therapeutic models such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Interpersonal Therapy. I have been seeing clients since 2009 in a variety of settings. While earning my Master in Professional Counseling from Richmont Graduate University, I saw young adults at a residential treatment facility. In 2010 I moved to Colorado where I spent four years working at an inpatient and day treatment facility. Also while in Colorado, I joined a group practice and saw teenagers and adults.
In 2014 I moved back to Savannah and started Water’s Edge Counseling. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia and a member of the American Counseling Association and the Licensed Professional Counseling Association of Georgia. In addition to counseling, I also offer a number of other services including training and speaking engagements.
Meet Jessica Tappana
Jessica Tappana started her private practice on her maternity leave about 20 months ago. After filling up in only a matter of months, she decided to bring on other therapists as 1099s and transitioned Aspire Counseling into a group practice. Worried about how she would fill the caseloads of these new therapists, Jessica tried several different marketing strategies. Ultimately, she decided to focus on getting her website to the first page of Google and began teaching herself SEO at nights after her kids were in bed. Slowly after gathering a couple of tips here and there, she got her website to the first page for nearly every keyword she targets. Aspire Counseling has grown to now include five therapists and a virtual assistant! In fact, all of the therapists are nearly full, and Jessica hopes to find a few more quality team members in the months to come.
Create Another Business For An Additional Income Stream
A theme that people hear from me a lot on the podcast is how it's important to diversify income. Uriah, Jessica, and Whitney all run at least two businesses. There are a lot of unique challenges that come with owning multiple businesses. One of the great things about having two businesses is constantly waking up excited. If you're less excited about one business, at least you can get excited about your other project. However, having two businesses can come with a lot of stress, and people from the outside looking in don't get to see that side of things. No matter what, you can wake up every day and bring 'you' into that business.
Battling Isolation and Imposter Syndrome In Private Practice
As practice owners and business owners, it can get very isolating at times. So, sometimes imposter syndrome shows up. Uriah says one of the most valuable things for battling the isolation and imposter syndrome is feedback. Feedback is invaluable on your private practice journey. When you have people you can gain feedback from, you will walk away with thousand times more confidence. Everyone struggles with their business, so if you can hear other people's experiences, it will make you feel less isolated. Plus, this feedback will shape the future of your business for the better.
Find Support No Matter Where You Are In Your Journey
Regardless of where you are in private practice, you need support. Find a group of people that you trust to help you on your journey. Make sure you're comfortable with this group, and you can be vulnerable with them. The power of a group is having a community where you can share anything. As therapists, we all know the importance of group work and community. A mastermind group can be a powerful tool to uplevel your practice and uplevel your business. It will give you the confidence to keep working on your business and take the next step.
Take A Risk, Get To Know Others, and Create A Community
Private practice is hard, and managing people is hard. So, make sure to take care of yourself so you can have energy in your businesses. Get out of your comfort zone and meet people. If you're not already in one, create a community for yourself. Get involved and take risks in getting to know people. In general, therapists are pretty safe people. It would help if you weren't too scared to reach out to someone and get to know them.
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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!
Uriah’s Resources
Productive Therapist
Guilford Family Counseling
Whitney’s Resources
Waters Edge Counseling
Grow Your Faith-Based Practice with Faith in Practice Mastermind!
Practice of the Practice: Faith in Practice Podcast
Jessica’s Resources
Aspire Counseling MO
Simplified SEO Consulting
Email: [email protected]
Resources
Use the promo code "GORDON" to get 2 months of Therapy Notes free.
Blueprint Health: First month free with promo code TPOTPODCAST
Join the Practice of Therapy Focus Group
Using Google Workspace As A Practice Platform Course
Thursday (Oct. 28th) at 1pm ET: Using Google Workspace In Private Practice
Free Webinar: Using Google Workspace for Practice Management
Get Your Copy of The Full Focus Planner
Join the Google Workspace for Therapists Users Group
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.