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
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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_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: Jessica@SimplifiedSEOConsulting.com
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.