Fearless Practice

Where are you in your private practice journey? How’s it going for you? I’m Jules Smith, and I’m so glad you’re here. The Fearless Practice podcast is your go-to resource for building a thriving private practice in Canada. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, this podcast is here to guide you every step of the way. I share practical tips on everything from launching your practice and filling your schedule to expanding into a group practice. But you won’t just hear from me—I also interview Canadian therapists from across the country who share their real-life experiences, challenges, and wins. These honest conversations offer valuable insight, inspiration, and support to help you confidently create a private practice that works for you. Let’s learn, grow, and build fearless practices—together.

Nicole Lobo: From Group Practice Back to Solo | Ep 199 09/09/2026

Nicole Lobo: From Group Practice Back to Solo | Ep 199 What happens when the practice you worked so hard to build no longer fits the season of life you’re in? How do you know when it’s time to grow, and when it’s time to simplify? In another installment from my mini-series, “Where are they now?” I’m chatting with ! In this episode, Nicole returns to the podcast to reflect on how her practice has evolved over the last three years, why she transitioned from group practice back to solo work, and how motherhood reshaped her understanding of success, sustainability, and balance. From marketing struggles and wearing too many hats, to rediscovering groundedness in private practice, Nicole shares an honest look at what it means to build a business that fits the life you actually want to live. MEET NICOLE Nicole Lobo is a Registered Psychotherapist and founder of Be Well Therapy Studio in London, Ontario, with over nine years of experience supporting thoughtful, high-functioning adults through anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, and life transitions. Drawing on an integrative approach that weaves together CBT, DBT, ACT, emotion-focused therapy, attachment theory, and trauma-informed care, Nicole specializes in the in-between seasons of life — the moments when what once fit no longer does. She has a particular passion for working with millennial adults navigating the quiet pressure to hold it all together, including the profound identity shifts that come with parenthood. Beyond her clinical work, Nicole also provides supervision for Registered Psychotherapists and business coaching for therapists building sustainable practices. She holds a Master’s in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and sees clients both in person in London and virtually across Ontario. Learn more about Nicole on her , , and profiles. In this episode: Nicole’s private practice in 2023 Going from group back to solo practice How Nicole is marketing her practice Rebalancing virtual and in-person sessions What’s next for Nicole Nicole’s private practice in 2023 Nicole had some big goals back in 2023, and all of them came to fruition over these past three years! She explains that she was passionate and motivated, and that by taking consistent steps, Nicole was able to bring all of these dreams together into the practice that she now runs. Going from group back to solo practice While Nicole loved her time running a group private practice, at the beginning of 2026, she decided to restructure her business into a solo practice again. Therefore, once Nicole’s last contractor was ready to move on, she decided not to take on another and readjusted her practice to run as a solo practitioner. How Nicole is marketing her practice Nicole is honest about having had a difficult time marketing her practice when it was a group-focused entity. Finding a way to honor everyone’s skills in the practice of marketing is essential, and can be difficult to do. Therefore, shifting back to solo practice has also made marketing easier for Nicole, because now she’s marketing herself only, and not having to do that heavy lifting for a team of other clinicians, as group practice owners often need to. Rebalancing virtual and in-person sessions At first, Nicole would see more than half of her clients in person and offer a day or two for virtual sessions. However, she unfortunately experienced numerous no-shows, last-minute cancellations, and other hiccups, which made it difficult for her to continue seeing most of her clients in person, especially when she needed to arrange childcare and commute to the office. Therefore, Nicole has found a new balance to seeing clients: the majority online, and a few in person. That, combined with being a solo practitioner, has made it easier and little less stressful for Nicole to balance her work and personal life commitments. What’s next for Nicole For Nicole, the road ahead is smooth and steady. While she’s not closed off from potential opportunities, such as partnering with another clinician in the future or taking on contractors again, she is focused on this season of her professional life, which is to be a solo practitioner for the time being. Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) and get one month for free! Learn more about Nicole on her , , and profiles Click here to listen to Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/42827960

Shulamit Ber Levtov: Building a Sustainable Practice Without Losing Yourself | Ep 198 09/02/2026

Shulamit Ber Levtov: Building a Sustainable Practice Without Losing Yourself | Ep 198 Building a business while caring for others can be deeply meaningful work, but it can also come at a cost if your own well-being is left behind. It can be easy to get absorbed in caring for others and accidentally lose focus on your own personal needs in the process. Shulamit experienced this firsthand. In this episode, Shulamit Ber Levtov shares her unconventional path into therapy, from activism, graduating with a Master’s degree at 48, and building a thriving group practice in a rural community. She opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship, the mental health challenges that led her to step away from group practice ownership, and why sustainable success starts with taking care of yourself first. Join us for an insightful discussion! MEET SHULAMIT Shulamit is known as The Entrepreneurs' Therapist. She's the mental health professional you hire when you're a woman business owner, and you want to build the internal steadiness--for your emotions and your money psychology-- to lead effectively through the uncertainty, weight, and complexity of running a business. Shulamit has been an entrepreneur for over 27 years and has more than 22 years of professional experience supporting women's mental health and personal growth. As a trauma survivor and Master's-level trauma therapist, with certifications in Dare To Lead™, Trauma of Money®, and Financial Social Work as well as somatic parts therapy, Shula brings a unique perspective and approach to supporting women in business. Learn more about Shulamit on her , , and profiles. In this episode: Graduating with a Master’s at 48! Evergreen marketing strategies Going from group private practice to solo Shula’s plans for the future Final takeaways for listeners Graduating with a Master’s at 48! Shulamit’s story is an adventurous and inspiring one. Shula explains how her mother was an activist, and that this type of work was prominent in her family lineage throughout her life. That, she explains, impacted how she wanted to contribute to the community around her, leading her to study Social Work. However, after arguing with a professor about socialism and fighting on behalf of people who need to be paid a living wage, she was dropped from the programme because her grades (from this professor’s class) pulled her average too low. While Shula had attempted to complete her Master’s degree twice before, this was the moment in her life, decades after that Social Work course, that she decided to bring everything together and really go for it. Evergreen marketing strategies Back in 2012, after Shula graduated with her Master’s and began her path to private practice, she decided on a location that (at the time) had relatively few therapists and counsellors. Therefore, pre-COVID, Shula was marketing her brick-and-mortar group private practice in a small town that had a strong need for therapy services. What worked for her and her business then did not always continue to work post-COVID and into the online world. So, Shulamit’s main advice for consistently successful marketing is to be present and create deep connections with the community, whether that’s in-person, online in videos on social media, or both. Going from group private practice to solo Shulamit explains that this is the reason why she’s the entrepreneur’s therapist: she went on a personal journey from group private practice to a solo business owner for her own well-being. Shula came to realize that either she leaves her business or continues to suffer with poor mental health, and she chose her mental health. Shula recognized that her associates were depending on her to bring in clients for the business to prosper, and for them to have an income as well. But, when she understood the depth of her struggle, she had to remove herself from the practice and allow someone else to take her place to stop her entire team from suffering as well. Shula’s plans for the future In two words, here are Shulamit’s goals for the future of her practice: sustainability and growth. Sustainability for her solo practice, to continue to see her clients and sustain herself in the process, growth for the profession, and expansion in the research of caring for entrepreneurs. As she continues to experiment and as the digital work continues to change, she’s committed to finding strategies that will be evergreen. Final takeaways for listeners Shulamit wants you to take care of yourself. Don’t let your mental, physical, and emotional well-being be an afterthought. So, take a regular temperature check on yourself once a week, or every now and then at least, to figure out what you are feeling, why, and how to help yourself move forward with less stress. Secondly, don’t let the nature of the work make you feel like you are failing. The work is hard because it is inherently hard, and not because you can’t do it. You can. Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) and get one month for free! Learn more about Shulamit on her , , and profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/42641450

Paula Gonzalez: From Purpose to Practice and Scaling With Intention | Ep 197 05/20/2026

Paula Gonzalez: From Purpose to Practice and Scaling With Intention | Ep 197 Building a meaningful practice often starts with a personal story, and grows through courage, creativity, and a commitment to helping others. In this episode, I talk with Paula Gonzalez. We discuss her journey into mental health, which was shaped by both her background and lived experience, and how it led her from community work to launching and scaling her own private practice. From navigating the early days of going solo during COVID to building a supportive group practice, Paula offers an honest look at growth, purpose, and the systems that make it all sustainable. Join us for a great conversation! MEET PAULA Paula Gonzalez is a Toronto-based Registered Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor, and the founder of Infinite Horizons Psychotherapy, located in North York. After 15 years working in community mental health and private practice, Paula made the decision to follow her passion and expand her solo practice into a group practice. Now, she works with a team of therapists who align with her mission to transform the way people experience therapy. Learn more about Paula on her , , , and profiles. In this episode: Why Paula started working in mental health Starting a private practice Scaling from solo to group private practice Using Jane App in private practice Paula’s advice to listeners Why Paula started working in mental health Over the last 15 years, Paula has dedicated her career to the mental health field. ‘Even back in high school years, you know, when we had to volunteer, it’s always been in mental health. Even in university and placements, and my Master’s, and now being a therapist, so it’s been a long time in this field!’ - Paula Gonzalez When explaining how Paula came into the world of therapy, and what encouraged her to pursue becoming a therapist and working in mental health, Paula recalls her family lineage and that she came from a long line of women who worked in various helping professions. ‘My mom being a social worker, my grandmother was a teacher, you know, my aunt is a doctor, so it’s always been a part of my life to be in the helping profession. For me, having gone through my own experiences, like immigrating to Canada at a young age … That experience was very difficult for me … That made it clear … that I really wanted to become the kind of person I wish I had had at that time to get me through that.’ - Paula Gonzalez Starting a private practice Paula completed her Master’s degree in 2016, and then she started working in community mental health, where she stayed for four years. While Paula loved the community aspect of working with people in her city, it was difficult to find a full-time job at the time, especially since virtual sessions were not yet popular or common. But when COVID hit in 2020, Paula started thinking about opening up her own solo virtual private practice. ‘I did start in community mental health, and then I worked at a group practice. As a new grad, very new territory for me. Eventually, I decided, “I miss community mental health!” So I decided to go back. But then COVID hit. What led me to open up my own … during COVID … I felt so called to doing my part in working with folks directly.’ - Paula Gonzalez And so, Paula launched her online private practice! She would see clients in the evenings or even on weekends while she continued working in community mental health. Scaling from solo to group private practice ‘Every day I wake up, and I’m like, “How, I can’t believe I get to do this!” I’m still figuring it out as I go, but I love it.’ - Paula Gonzalez Creating the office spaces, editing the website, and social media content: all of these aspects are ways in which Paula gets to practice and unleash her creative freedom, and they are some of the things she loves the most about running a group practice. More than that, Paula wanted to share the work and expand the impact by creating a team, which is what motivated her to take her practice from solo to group. ‘I knew that I wanted to create a team … I loved my role as a clinical supervisor, but there’s something about having a team of new grads, I love working with them, whether it is in a supervisory capacity or as colleagues, and knowing that we’re all trying to figure this out … I find it so important to have a team as a part of our support system, and that aligns with what I’m hoping to put out there in the world.’ - Paula Gonzalez Using Jane App in private practice From her solo practice to her current group practice, Paula has consistently used Jane App for her business admin. ‘[Jane App] is so user-friendly. It’s got everything that I need, I can pull the reports that I need to track metrics and see what’s working, what’s not … I’ve also gotten very good feedback from clients that use it too … Very user-friendly for both therapists and clients.’ - Paula Gonzalez Jane App was designed to serve therapists and clients equally, while in different ways, and allows them both to navigate an easy interface that lets them communicate with each other smoothly. If you are ready to give Jane App a try, ! Paula’s advice to listeners Focus your marketing on your client niche, and don’t spread yourself too thin! The work you do is important, so take care of yourself to take better care of your clients. Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) and get one month for free! Learn more about Paula on her , , , and profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/41355600

Amber Sperling: Three Years of Private Practice Growth | Ep 196 05/13/2026

Amber Sperling: Three Years of Private Practice Growth | Ep 196 Growth rarely happens by accident because it’s built through intention, care, and a willingness to evolve. In this episode of my mini-series “Where Are They Now?”, Amber Sperling reflects on the journey of expanding her practice from a single basement setup to a thriving, multi-location space rooted in accessibility and community care. Amber and I first spoke on the podcast in 2023! To get the full experience of the there-and-now conversation, you can click here to listen to . In our conversation in this episode, she shares how prioritizing clients over waitlists, investing in genuine relationships, and leaning into what works have shaped her success, along with the practical lessons and marketing strategies that continue to guide her forward. Welcome to the conversation! MEET AMBER Amber Sperling is a Registered Social Worker, psychotherapist, and founder of Amber Sperling Social Work & Psychotherapy Services, a growing group practice specializing in perinatal mental health and trauma. She is EMDRIA-certified and one of the first clinicians in Canada to hold certification in perinatal mental health, known for helping clients experience meaningful change from the very first session. Amber is expanding her work through MARSHA Care—a broader model that integrates therapy, education, and community to support women’s health across life transitions. She is passionate about building a practice that blends clinical excellence with connection and sustainable growth, so more mothers can access the support they need. Learn more about Amber on her , , and profiles. In this episode: How Amber’s practice has grown from 2023 to 2026 What has changed How Amber’s practice goes the extra mile in client care Amber’s top 3 marketing tips Amber’s lessons learned advice to listeners How Amber’s practice has grown from 2023 to 2026 Over the last couple of years, Amber’s practice has grown. During her first interview with the Fearless Practice Podcast, she was operating from her basement in her old house. However, now the practice has its own dedicated space! What has changed Amber credits her team and practice’s drive to meet the needs of their community as the spark that pushed them to continue growing and building up the business. As Amber explains, for her team, having some flexibility and availability is important so that every client that comes into the practice can get seen to in a matter of days. It bothered Amber to keep clients on a waiting list, and that drive is what contributed to her growing her practice to meet more of the community's needs. How Amber’s practice goes the extra mile in client care Amber deeply cares about her client niche because she also knows what it feels like to be sitting in the opposite chair. As such, she and her team have made it a priority to care not just for the client’s mental well-being, but also for the little things, through things like: Keeping snacks on hand for the moms and toddlers Making the building accessible for every type of ability or need Offering free parking for clients Offering both in-person and virtual options for sessions Amber’s top 3 marketing tips For Amber, networking has been the top marketing strategy, consistently growing her practice the most. Even when she felt nervous or unsure, connecting with other mental health practitioners and practice owners has consistently created more and more referral sources, which have sustained her business and helped it expand. Secondly, Amber recommends utilizing social media. While it isn’t for everyone, if it does work for you and allows you to market your practice creatively, use it. Make videos, use your voice, share professional photos or information; anything that can help build consistent traction and help place your practice in front of more people. Be authentic, because that resonates the most with your ideal clients. And lastly, lean into what you enjoy doing, and do more of it. This could be networking, social media, or even public speaking, hosting community events, or anything that allows more people to interact positively with you, your staff, and your practice. Don’t overthink it, and just do it! Amber’s lessons learned and advice to listeners Over these three years, Amber credits the power of goal-setting and pursuing. Keep yourself focused on these goals, because there will be so many shiny objects in your periphery, so be specific about where you are going and what needs to be done to bring these dreams to fruition one at a time. And, keep doing the things that work! Sure, try a bunch of new techniques, but once you start receiving feedback on what works and what doesn’t, pick what does and scale it. Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) and get one month for free! Learn more about Amber on her , , and profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/41266575

How I Developed a Marketing Strategy for My Private Practice — Networking | EP 195 03/25/2026

Quiet Hustle: Offline Marketing for Introverts in Private Practice | Ep 194 03/18/2026

Quiet Hustle: Offline Marketing for Introverts in Private Practice | Ep 194 If you have been listening to recent episodes of the Fearless Practice Podcast, you know that there are many ways to market your private practice, and that in a saturated market, you really need to make the effort to stand out! However, this can be really tough for the more introverted therapists, especially if you prefer doing offline marketing. In this podcast episode, I sketch out a few ideas with steps that you can try. Remember to take it slow and choose one system to implement and maintain, one step at a time! In this episode: Offline marketing benefits Why offline marketing works today ‘Quiet’ versions of offline marketing Offline marketing benefits Let’s first clear up the distinction: online marketing includes paid ads, Instagram posts, reels, and videos, whereas offline marketing includes networking, warm introductions, and in-person connections with your local community. The former helps with branching out and generally putting your Canadian private practice’s name out there, whereas the latter really helps your community to get to know you. ‘Physical channels of marketing work because they create fewer, better impressions and higher-trusted pathways. There’s less competition with physical channels versus crowded digital feeds. In physical spaces, like community bulletin boards, local meet-ups, small events … there are fewer businesses consistently showing up in person, so it’s a great opportunity to stand out from the crowd in this saturated market.’ - Jules Smith Why offline marketing works today Physical channels work because they create fewer, higher-trust impressions. Some more reasons to consider offline marketing include: Having less competition in physical channels vs. crowded digital feeds, which is a very saturated market. People can see your adverts in real time, giving them a chance to read them and take in the information, whereas most people’s attention is fragmented on social media. Tangibility effect: People remember what they touched, saw in a place, or experienced lived. It also helps to build trust through referrals and by showcasing your community presence. ‘[Offline marketing] builds trust. People can trust proximity: the same towns, small groups, same values, and in-person contact reduces the perceived risks because you’re real and reachable, not just a photo or a video online. With offline marketing, you are participating - not just posting!’ - Jules Smith However, for introverted therapists, offline marketing can seem daunting! But this is not a disadvantage. ‘Offline marketing rewards consistency and trust, which are two things that introverts can build extremely well.’ - Jules Smith ‘Quiet’ versions of offline marketing Here are a few ideas that you can brainstorm when it comes to offline marketing that is relaxing and non-invasive: Coffee hangs over big mixers. With a coffee hang, you don’t have to ask every practitioner that you know to have a coffee with you. Your goal could be to meet up once or twice a month, which allows you to really develop a working relationship with them. ‘The goal is to enjoy the coffee hangs, so don’t put pressure on yourself!’ - Jules Smith Building partnership referrals over cold intros. Stay consistent, and remember that trust compounds slowly. Putting up posters/pamphlets as “silent salespeople” to ensure that you leave your practice’s mark within your community without unnecessary social stress. ‘Once you figure out your offline marketing strategy, these are systems that you can set up once and maintain, making sure that you’re doing one to two coffee hangs a month with fellow practitioners, joining groups that you find fun, and finding sponsorships in your community. All you have to do is maintain! Which can fit with introverted therapists who prefer consistency and clear structure.’ - Jules Smith Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) and get one month for free! Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/40509840

Taylor Nelson: Growing a Group Private Practice Through Passion | Ep 193 03/11/2026

Taylor Nelson: Growing a Group Private Practice Through Passion | Ep 193 How do you get the word out about your private practice in your local community organically, and in a way that shows you really care about your clients? Do you really need a Psychology Today profile? How can you build a space for creativity to flourish? These are some of the questions that my guest today, Taylor, has asked herself throughout her journey so far in Canadian private practice. Upon discovering that the only thing she loved about journalism was people’s stories, she pivoted to therapy and has never looked back. In our conversation today, we discuss opening a private practice, creative marketing strategies, and ways in which to keep working with intention. Come and join! MEET TAYLOR Taylor Nelson is a Certified Play Therapist and Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work (MSW) who specializes in child and youth mental health. She is the owner of Family Tree Therapy in Belleville, Ontario, where her group practice focuses on expressive, play-based approaches for children, teens, and families. Taylor enjoys helping young people feel safe, seen, and supported as they build resilience and strengthen relationships. Learn more about Taylor on her , , , and profiles. In this episode: How Taylor became a Registered Social Worker Why Taylor opened her own private practice Marketing the private practice Taylor’s advice to listeners How Taylor became a Registered Social Worker Taylor studied journalism, but quickly realized that it wasn’t for her. She discovered that the only part of journalism she really enjoyed was learning about people’s stories, which led her into the therapy world, where that plays a large part. While Taylor loved working in a clinical setting initially, it began to take a toll. Therefore, she pivoted and started working solo to continue serving her community on more of her own terms. Why Taylor opened her own private practice In 2023, Taylor opened up her private practice while she was still working in an agency to help make the transition a little easier financially. She started her private practice by renting space to see her first clients one day a week, and she instantly knew that it was the best fit for her - to see clients as a practitioner. Initially, Taylor kept her private practice as a solo practitioner. After a few years, she began hiring her first staff. Now, building a space where practitioners feel creative, filled up, and filled with possibility is one of Taylor’s practice mottos, and the type of system she’s designing for her clinicians and clients. Marketing the private practice While Taylor has maintained her network from when she was a solo practitioner into becoming a group practice owner, there are a few networking techniques that she uses to make sure her clinicians have clients coming in often: Dropping off print materials at various locations, such as pediatrician offices, schools, and local community centers Following up regularly with networking points of contact Making sure that they have their most up-to-date contact information Being clear with expectations for referrals As the practice grows, Taylor is intentional about staying in touch with the practice’s heart-centered approach to their work, and to make the practice a place where the practitioners can also rest, nest, and be creative. Taylor also invests a lot in building community networks, so most of the practice’s marketing comes from this community connection, which brings along warm referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations. In a more fun marketing technique, Taylor’s private practice has sponsored a local children’s sports team, so the kids’ jerseys will have the practice name! Taylor’s advice to listeners There’s longevity in this work. So many people are starting from the beginning, or are further down the road, but all of this work is needed, necessary, and you are part of it! Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) and get one month for free! Learn more about Taylor on her , , , and profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/40386525

Sonya JF Barnett: Becoming a Private Practice Sex Therapist as a Second Career | Ep 192 03/04/2026

Sonya JF Barnett: Becoming a Private Practice Sex Therapist as a Second Career | Ep 192 Sonya joined a life drawing class as a participant over 15 years ago. Little did she know at the time that this decision would end up leading her to hosting her own art sessions, taking it in a sexually inclusive and explorative angle, and later become a sex therapist who completed her Master’s in her 40s and now runs her own (mostly) virtual private practice. As you can see, she has a unique story to share! In this podcast episode, Sonya and I discuss her exciting journey from start to finish, and share some insights from her lessons learned. MEET SONYA Sonya JF Barnett is a Registered Psychotherapist, certified sex educator, and lover of trees. She has a varied history in art direction, feminist erotica production, intimacy coordination, and fierce feminist organizing. She has written about, filmed, spoken on, studied, and is a fierce activist for sexual rights, education, and wellbeing. Learn more about Sonya on her , , and profiles. In this episode: From art into therapy How Sonya became a therapist Running a private practice What’s next for Sonya From art into therapy Before joining the profession, Sonya had another career working as an art director for design agencies. After trying out a few life drawing classes, Sonya started hosting her own classes. Later, the classes turned into a larger-than-anticipated community, which had a big focus on sexuality. Sonya’s work with life drawing and the deeper exploration was called “Keyhole Sessions”, and it was her hobby alongside her career as an art director. However, over the course of a few years, Keyhole Sessions encouraged Sonya to step into counselling and become a therapist. How Sonya became a therapist Sonya played around with the idea of creating something more official and tangible from her work with Keyhole Sessions, which led up to her decision to become a sex therapist. She got involved in as much sexual therapy education as she could get into at the time, which, compounded over time, led her to become a fully fledged therapist. She completed her undergrad at the University of Toronto. From there, Sonya completed an online program for her Master's in Counseling Psychology, which was in 2016. Running a private practice Sonya sees most of her clients virtually, but also offers walk-and-talk sessions outdoors in natural settings. She enjoys using nature-based therapy and wants to help her clients by incorporating the benefits of being outdoors during therapy sessions. In running her practice, Sonya also uses to run her systems and complete admin tasks. If you’d like to give it a try, use Jules’ code FEARLESS2MO for a two-month discount! Sonya also enjoys experimenting with her schedule in her Canadian private practice. She enjoys finding ways to take care of her practice and clients while also taking care of herself. What’s next for Sonya Sonya explains how she has been feeling the lack of community while working as a virtual therapist. While she prefers running a solo private practice, since she sees her clients virtually or for nature-based walk-and-talk therapy, she does miss the community that one has when working with more people. Therefore, one of her upcoming goals is to build a peer group. Furthermore, Sonya is designing and building out a 2026! Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) and get one month for free! Learn more about Sonya on her , , and profiles Click here to check out ! Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/40294065

Dr. Anusha Kassan: Purchasing a Group Private Practice in Canada | Ep 191 02/25/2026

Dr. Anusha Kassan: Purchasing a Group Private Practice in Canada | Ep 191 After 10 years of working as a Registered Psychologist and dabbling initially in private practice, Dr. Anusha Kassan and her cofounder, Alyssa Hasham, purchased and freshened up an already existing Canadian private practice. With creativity, passion, and drive, they have developed the space into a community that they share with other clinicians to thrive in. In this podcast episode, Anusha and I discuss her journey into therapy, private practice, and the experiences she’s had in recent years both as a psychologist and a practice owner. MEET ANUSHA Anusha Kassan, PhD, RPsych (she/her), resides and works on the traditional territories of the people of Treaty 7 in Southern Alberta and Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6). She also works on the territories of the Musqueam People; she is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia. She is also the co-owner of The Psychology Group, a private practice in Calgary. Anusha’s scholarship is influenced by her own bicultural identity and is informed by an overarching social justice lens. She is a Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association, and she recently received the organization's Award for Public, Community Service, and Human Rights and Social Justice in Psychology. Learn more about Anusha on , , , and . In this episode: Why Anusha became a psychologist When Anusha started private practice Purchasing a private practice Marketing the private practice What Dr. Kassan is looking forward to Why Anusha became a psychologist Anusha explains that her path to becoming a psychologist was paved by both purposeful and spontaneous events. When she had to choose an undergraduate major, Anusha applied to programs in the helping professions, such as psychology and education. Later on, when she had to choose one, she chose psychology because it offered a wider scope. Dr. Kassan explains that within her family, there was a near-death experience, and she met incredible mentors. These events encouraged her to keep going and pursue additional training and schooling, which led her to complete her PhD at McGill University, and later to join the faculty at British Columbia University. When Anusha started private practice It took about 10 years! Dr. Kassan completed a lot of clinical work through her grad school, and dabbled in private practice part-time. However, for a few years after, Anusha’s priorities shifted, and she focused more on building her career and caring for her young children, and so private practice was placed on the back burner for the time being. Her private practice started as a small one, and mostly as a way for her to keep her skills fresh and engage with people, since being in private practice helped her to be a better teacher, and teaching helped her succeed in her private practice. However, it has now turned into something larger. She took over from the previous owners and purchased the psychology group where she was working. Together with her cofounder, Alyssa Hasham, Anusha now runs her growing Canadian group collective. Adopting a private practice Alyssa, Dr. Kassan’s co-founder, had many conversations about starting this collective practice. They shared an office and had conversations about expanding slowly and bringing on clinicians. Things were already laid out; they just freshened up the group private practice. However, Anusha has had to learn a few skills quickly when she became one of the founders, and that process will continue as she and the practice grow and develop over the years. Marketing the private practice Right now, Anusha and Alyssa are still figuring out what works best for their practice in terms of marketing the collective to potential clients. Anusha and her team have invested some money into Google Ads and SEO to help boost their marketing efforts, and she has implemented some helpful tips from the Fearless Practice Podcast, too! What Dr. Kassan is looking forward to In the upcoming months and years, Anusha is looking forward to more stability and security, since their group private practice has undergone a few changes and shifts. Additionally, Anusha wants to expand her creativity in business and implement it more into their collective. Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) and get one month for free! Learn more about Anusha on , , , and Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/40220170

Christina Page: Private Practice Lessons in Growth | Ep 190 02/18/2026

Christina Page: Private Practice Lessons in Growth | Ep 190 In this first installment of my series, “Where Are They Now?”, I'll be interviewing past Canadian therapists that I've had on the show to see how their private practice is doing. Today, I’m checking in with Christina Page! Tune in to gain extra insight into where she was when we first spoke, and see the progress she has made! We discuss the surprising discoveries she has made along the way, the discomfort she has overcome, and the wonderful lessons that she has learned from both. Join our conversation, and see if you can pick up an informative gem to help you on your path in Canadian private practice! MEET CHRISTINA Christina Page is a Certified Perinatal Therapist and the owner of Whole Family Psychotherapy - a collective of heart-centered perinatal specialists offering virtual counselling services across Ontario to parents and parents-to-be. Christina’s team offers individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, group therapy, and parenting support sessions for folks through pre-conception journeys, during pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond into later stages of family life. The team at Whole Family understands that when parents feel whole, family systems thrive. Learn more about Christina on her , , and profiles. In this episode: A quick recap Christina’s group practice update to today Stepping fully into the CEO role The importance of having an emergency savings fund Christina’s goals for the future A quick recap Christina re-listened to her as well, and she discusses how much it brought back for her. At the beginning of her group private practice journey, Christina wore most of the hats. She was the clinical director, admin, and saw a full caseload of clients, all while being a mother to young children. While she loved it too, she knew that it wasn’t sustainable. Therefore, over the year and a half since our first podcast episode, she has smoothed and straightened out her practice to the extent that she can take a step back and enjoy it more, rather than just running from task to task. Christina’s group practice update to today Her practice has grown! They are now a team of seven therapists, including an intern. She has full admin support, which Christina explains has been one of the biggest benefits to date. As Christina explains, the most crucial element for success that she has seen in her private practice over the months is to support its flexibility. The businesses needed to handle an increased number of clients coming in, admin requests, and paperwork, which meant the business’s foundation needed to be broadened, strengthened, and made as autonomous as possible so that Christina herself didn’t become the bottleneck. Secondly, Christina’s next biggest lesson was learning how helpful it can be to slow down. Not everything needs to be treated as a crisis, and not everything needs your response right away. Stepping fully into the CEO role Another big change that Christina hadn’t ever thought would happen is that she has stopped seeing clients herself! She has since stepped fully into the role of being the practice CEO, the leader of her team, and the business entity. Christina took a leap of faith and trusted the process. She was able to work through the initial discomfort of not knowing what might happen and navigating uncertain financial situations, and while things are still not yet where she wants them to be financially, they are improving. All this was made possible by her recognizing that it would be good for her practice to take a step back from seeing clients and step forward into a more leadership role. The importance of having an emergency savings fund Having an emergency fund is crucial, and specifically for two reasons: 1 - To give you leeway to make changes in your practice, such as Christina going from a full caseload of clients to being the full-time boss only, and having some financial cushioning can help you make these transitions easier 2 - To make it through uncertain times in the economy or when client conversion rates dip, which is common in private practice Take good care of yourself and your nervous system, because tolerating the uncertainty of business in private practice, in our world today, requires you to have a sense of groundedness. Christina’s goals for the future Now, Christina’s goals for the future are to create stability for the practice to support and nurture what they are currently doing well. She’s going to remain open and flexible in terms of what’s to come! Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) and get one month for free! Learn more about Christina on her , , and profiles Listen to ! Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/40140820

Tina Bells: Balancing Non-Profit and Private Practice | Ep 189 02/11/2026

Tina Bells: Balancing Non-Profit and Private Practice | Ep 189 Have you ever felt the need to choose between non-profit and private practice? Is it possible to do both? My guest today, Tina, has found a way to do so! She believes in sustainability, both in business and her personal life. For Tina, being able to offer her services in the non-profit sector helps her to make sure her expertise is available to people who need the support but can’t easily afford it, and seeing private clients in her solo practice helps her to support herself! By combining both approaches, Tina can make sure she utilizes both her passion and her skills, and live while working in a way that feels fully integrated with her values. If you want to learn more, come join our conversation! MEET TINA Tina Bells is a Registered Psychotherapist and EMDR therapist based in Toronto, where she also serves as the Grief and Bereavement Coordinator for a local hospice. She is the owner of Grounded Voice Psychotherapy, her Private Practice, where she supports individuals experiencing loss and Spiritual abuse. With a Master’s in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy and over a decade of experience in non-profits, including those such as shelters and correctional services, all of which inform her holistic, compassionate approach. Learn more about Tina on her , , and profiles. In this episode: What motivated Tina to become a therapist Going into private practice Managing a diverse schedule Tina’s goals for 2026 Tina’s advice to listeners What motivated Tina to become a therapist There was no big, sudden moment of realization that Tina had to know she wanted to become a therapist. Instead, pursuing therapy came from a lifetime of interest in other people. ‘I think it was a series of small things over time. I always knew I wanted to support people, that’s what led to the Master's in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy, and then into the non-profit work that I have been doing for the last two decades.’ - Tina Bells Initially, Tina worked mostly with people who were struggling with addictions, but with time, her passions shifted, things changed, and she began to focus on grief. That pulled her in and encouraged her to pivot her career. Going into private practice While Tina continues to work in the non-profit sector, she has begun her own Canadian private practice to prevent burnout. ‘I think sustainability is an ethical issue, and that private practice allows me to do both [non-profit and private practice work], and allows me to have meaningful work in non-profit and provide for clients in a way that you can’t when you’re in the system.’ - Tina Bells For Tina, having one foot in both the non-profit sector and private practice enables her to find a clear, sustainable balance between serving her community and her passions while still being able to earn a stable income to support herself. ‘It’s really amazing to serve in that way, and to meet the needs of people who wouldn’t be able to access mental healthcare otherwise. [And] when you’re in private practice, you’re able to meet a need in a different way, so you get more time with people. You get to see some of that long-term [change].’ - Tina Bells Therefore, Tina can give support and care to people who need assistance through non-profit sectors, and also continue seeing her private practice clients. Managing a diverse schedule Since Tina works in both non-profit and private practice, she needs to be strategic with her time. At the moment, she works for three days in a non-profit and two days in her private practice. With this split, she’s able to work with both groups of people and still afford her lifestyle. Additionally, her private practice is completely virtual, which helps her manage her work from home on her dedicated practice days. Tina’s goals for 2026 For 2026, Tina’s main goal is to get groups up and running in her Canadian private practice. ‘I’m trying to generate some interest in that. I would really love to do a group that focuses on the grief around losing a spiritual community. I think that’s a really big piece, and it’s not something that’s often talked about, so that’s my goal … To get a group going.’ - Tina Bells She has added this option to her just to start the process. While she hasn’t gotten any clients for the groups yet, the year has just begun! And Tina knows it will take some time to develop. Additionally, Tina has goals to expand her marketing efforts, especially when it comes to networking and meeting new people in the community. If you are a non-profit or private practice owner, and connect. Tina’s advice to listeners Don’t underestimate the importance (and power!) of good supervision. Working with an expert and compassionate mentor can help you cover so much ground, especially if you are feeling unsure, nervous, or unsure how to begin this journey into therapy. Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) and get one month for free! Learn more about Tina on her , , and profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/40062745

Nadia and Debora D’Iuso: A Sister-Team in Private Practice | Ep 188 02/04/2026

Nadia and Debora D’Iuso: A Sister-Team in Private Practice | Ep 188 Can siblings work well together? How do family-led businesses run in the mental health space? Sisters Debora and Nadia both experienced the same childhood trauma, which sparked an interest in mental health for them from a young age. While they went their separate ways for a few years to study and pursue their careers, their paths have converged again in opening a private practice as co-founders! In this podcast episode, Nadia, Debora, and I discuss their history from past to present, what led them into therapy, and how it is running a business with your sibling. MEET NADIA AND DEBORA Dr. Nadia and Dr. Debora D’Iuso are a sister team of highly trained psychologists who believe effective therapy starts with genuine connection, empathy, and actionable strategies. Their approach combines compassion and collaboration, delivering proactive support as your mental well-being evolves through life’s stages. Together, they lead Crosstown Psychology & Wellness, a Toronto-based clinic offering personalized, evidence-based care for adults, teens, and couples navigating life’s challenges. Learn more about Nadia and Debora on their , , and profiles. In this episode: How Nadia and Debora became therapists Building a private practice together Marketing the private practice How Nadia and Debora became therapists Both Nadia and Debora experienced grief in their youth: their uncle, whom they were close to, died by suicide. This moment became a turning point for them both, because they turned their grief into a passion for helping others. ‘I’ll never forget when I heard the news, I’ll never forget every moment of that experience. It stayed with me for a long time, but what really drew me to understanding what I wanted to do with my life was that experience of grief … I remember thinking, “How do I help my family through this? What do I do with this?” … It led me into this thought of, “I want to help others.”’ - Dr. Nadia D’luso Debora remembers when their mother came back from seeing a therapist, and how much she remarked that the experience had helped her process her grief, and it stuck with her. In their early 20s, Nadia encouraged Debora to study psychology. Since then, they both fell in love with the subject, which has steadily developed into a career that they share together. ‘I think for me, my decisions to … pursue a PhD in psychology were driven by research. I was part of a psychotherapy process group, and what really attracted me to the research was studying what worked in therapy, and that’s a bit of my mindset, where it is just the recognition of, “What are we doing? What is working, what isn’t working?” and it spoke to my curiosity.’ - Dr. Nadia D’luso Both sisters completed their PhDs separately, which helped them to develop independently and then regroup later to start a Canadian private practice. Building a private practice together Now, Nadia and Debora have been able to link arms in a shared private practice, continue learning together, and pool their skills and expertise - coupled with sibling compassion and understanding - into an aligned practice. ‘We had spent a number of years working in different settings … Having worked in hospital settings, I loved my experience, but I remember having conversations: “I wish I could do more” … Ultimately, we know in real life that change takes time, and therapy takes time, and we came together with that idea of, “Let’s hone in on our strengths, on our specializations, and really come together to build a practice that was consistent with how we saw effective therapy.’ - Dr. Debora D’luso So far, it has been going really well! Being in private practice for Nadia and Debora has been an incredible experience for both of them. They purchased to help them launch their new private practice together, which helped them tremendously. They took the information and applied it day by day, and week by week, to slowly create the most aligned practice that they could. Marketing the private practice Thinking about marketing their private practice was made so much easier when they considered what their brand would be. Discovering and building their brand helped them to stay consistent and aligned with their values throughout the process of thinking through their business, and how they would put the word out about it into the digital and local spheres around them. ‘Thinking about our brand … and writing posts that were also consistent with our voice, and consistent with our values and being able to express that on [social media] platforms was something that was really exciting! So I know that we all talk about marketing as feeling initially quite scary … but it was also something for me [that was] really exciting with that opportunity of being able to speak to how I saw myself as a clinician and how I wanted to forge that connection with potential clients down the road.’ - Dr. Debora D’luso For Nadia, authenticity was a big part of how she and Debora were able to market their practice effectively as well. Marketing authentically translates into marketing effectively, because it clearly brings in the best-fit clients for your practice. To better connect with their audience, the sisters have started using newsletters alongside social media to diversify their marketing efforts and give their audience a way to know them that is not entirely based on social media, which is effective in an age when people are intentionally reducing their scrolling. Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) and get one month for free! Learn more about Nadia and Debora on their , , and profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/39984415

How to Prevent Burnout by Scheduling Breaks in Private Practice | Ep 187 01/28/2026

How to Prevent Burnout by Scheduling Breaks in Private Practice | Ep 187 Are you a telehealth therapist? Do you see most of your clients virtually? As a fully remote Canadian private practice owner, I have done lots of trial and error to find the daily routine that works for me, helps me prevent burnout, and allows me to feel recentered between each client. Of course, there are some days when I need to change things up, but now I have found a system for taking breaks throughout the day so that I am fresh and grounded before each virtual session - while avoiding burnout. If you’re looking for some inspiration for a schedule or a guideline for breaks to try out, feel free to give this episode a listen! In this episode: Preventing burnout Take a short morning break A mindful lunchbreak Afternoon break and evening breaks Taking breaks throughout the week Preventing burnout ‘For me, burnout is me feeling wired but tired. I’m feeling tense and jittery; my nervous system is probably overactive. I’m tired, but I have adrenaline, and a feeling of “Go-go-go!” and I start to push myself, and in this state I get a lot done - but it’s really not worth it, because once I stop working, I find it really hard to relax and wind down.’ - Jules Smith Burnout can be tricky to manage because it doesn’t happen overnightt. While it may seem like it helps you to get more done and work a lot, it often comes at a cost. You feel overwhelmed and tired, but too wired to fully rest. This means that you don’t replenish your spent energy, leaving you slowly but surely burning out until you physically can’t go on. ‘Even though I get a lot done in this “wired-but-tired” state, it’s really not worth it in the long-run, because it just leads to burnout. So, this year I’m going to be organizing and using my breaks differently to prevent this wired-but-tired feeling!’ - Jules Smith Take a short morning break In the past, Jules used to wake up and get ready for the day, log in to work, and complete tasks until lunchtime. However, they noticed that working for such an extended period of time created a tense feeling by midday. So, this year, Jules is trying out a new schedule. Rather than working in a block of time from the start of the day until lunch, Jules is taking a short break between emails and work to give their mind a break and a short rest. ‘So far, what I’m noticing is just taking that little break in the morning has been really helpful in not feeling on edge by the time I take my lunch break … In the past, I would tell myself I’d take a break, but then get lost in work, and then forget to take a break. But now, because I still need to get ready for the day, I take that break each morning.’ - Jules Smith If you don’t work from home, maybe try giving yourself a short 15-minute coffee or tea break in between your tasks so that you have some time to recenter. A mindful lunchbreak The quick answer: No more scrolling while eating on lunchbreaks! Give audiobooks a try instead. Jules used to often scroll during their lunchbreaks, but as the therapists listening will know, social media and reels are sensory overloads to our minds. Time on social media often leaves us feeling way more jittery and wired than rested after we’ve spent some time scrolling. ‘Our brains are processing a ton of information in just a few seconds, and doing that over and over and over again, obviously, isn’t going to help me feel rested after the break is over. So, instead of going on Instagram and watching reels during lunchtime, I’m now going to be listening to audiobooks while I eat my lunch. So far, that has been really calming and relaxing!’ - Jules Smith Therefore, instead of mindless scrolling, Jules is trying mindful listening, and the results have been hugely positive. Try listening to audiobooks or a quiet podcast while you eat - if you want to do something extra while eating! Afternoon and evening breaks Jules always makes an effort to head outside or go to the gym in the afternoon, since no matter which season it may be, there’s a good chance the sun will be out! Secondly, (and this is something Jules has done in the past already), Jules takes a 30-minute break between each client throughout the day. ‘After my afternoon break, I get home, and I set up for my clinic hours, which are in the evening, and in between each client, I always take a 30-minute break. During this time, I do the billing, I write my notes … I plan to move around, maybe eat something, look outside my window, take some breaths, and maybe do some stretching.’ - Jules Smith During these 30-minute breaks, Jules also recommends staying away from your devices to minimize the risk of scrolling through social media because it can disrupt your intentional choice to rest. Protect your energy and your peace by being mindful of how you spend your breaks. Taking breaks throughout the week In the past, Jules tried out a 50/50 workweek. If you are interested in learning more or trying it out, where Jules describes the process, pros, and cons. For the start of 2026, Jules is making Thursdays a day to focus on SEO and have clinical meetings with their associate. So far, this system is working out great for them! Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get some help and freebies on your ! Check out my Listen to my podcast episode on ! Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/39894840

Anabeli Jackson: Secure Email Solutions for Canadian Therapists | Ep 186 01/21/2026

Anabeli Jackson: Secure Email Solutions for Canadian Therapists | Ep 186 As a Canadian therapist in private practice, you are probably often needing to send and receive sensitive, private information. How often have you worried about these documents’ security and safety? What should you do to secure email communications and keep unnecessary stress at bay? This is where Hushmail comes to the rescue. For less than $20 CAD per month, you can completely insure, assure, and secure your entire email inbox, including your forms and signatures. They pride themselves on security and simplicity, leaving you with a solution that you can start using right out of the box from the minute to sign up. In this episode, I chat with Anabeli about everything to do with Hushmail. We answer your questions and provide clear solutions to help you start 2026 with both digital email security and peace of mind. MEET ANABELI Anabeli Jackson is the Marketing Manager at Hushmail, where she leads content strategy and helps therapists understand secure communication with clarity and confidence. She focuses on removing the overwhelm from topics like encryption, compliance, and secure communication so clinicians can protect client trust and stay compliant with confidence. Anabeli has been with Hushmail since 2014 and brings a strong foundation in communication and marketing. Her work supports mental health providers across Canada and the U.S. who depend on Hushmail to communicate securely with their clients. Learn more about Anabeli on her . In this episode: What is Hushmail? Why Canadian therapists should use Hushmail What encryption is and why you need to use it How you can get started with Hushmail What is Hushmail? ‘Hushmail is a secure email platform … built specifically for healthcare and therapy practices. It lets you send and receive secure, encrypted emails, and it helps you build secure forms where you can collect information securely with legally binding signatures - and it’s all in one place.’ - Anabeli Jackson The two cornerstones of Hushmail are focused on client and clinician security when sending sensitive emails and documents online, and simplicity since you don’t need to do any tech implementation yourself! These essential emails and documents are securely sent and kept private and secure by using encryption to protect them. Why Canadian therapists should use Hushmail You may be asking: Why should I pay to use Hushmail instead of the available, free services? The answer is this: Canadian therapists handle highly sensitive information from multiple clients. Using a free email provider simply does not provide enough security and protection, while Hushmail guarantees it. ‘We make it really practical to have [your client’s private information] safeguarded, because encryption is the one step … that you can put in place to have your information secure … So [Hushmail] supports federal law, but also with provincial privacy laws.’ - Anabeli Jackson Hushmail provides the security that you and your clients need to send private information without concern in an easy, simple way. Plus, it is a Canadian company that is PIPEDA and HIPAA compliant! What encryption is and why you need to use it Encryption is essentially a method of scrambling the information contained in emails and documents so that it cannot be understood by any third party, other than the intended recipient. With Hushmail, you have a key that both scrambles and unscrambles the message which only you and your client has access to. '[Encryption] is relevant because nowadays the online risk and cyber security … there’s a lot of bad actors out there, and you don’t want this information out there. You don’t want this information to be seen by people who are not the intended recipients. So, encryption is a very easy way to protect that information.’ - Anabeli Jackson How you can get started with Hushmail Take the step now to secure your communications with clients, and save both them and yourself the stress and anxiety of worrying whether the information is safe. And with Hushmail, that peace of mind will not break the bank. For purely email purposes, you can get Hushmail for $16.99 CAD. If you want to include the forms and signatures, it is $24.99 CAD. If you are listening to this episode and want to try Hushmail out, and get your first month entirely free of charge! Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) and get one month for free! Learn more about Anabeli on her Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/39795595

Regan Swerhun: Expanding Private Care to Northern Communities | Ep 185 01/14/2026

Regan Swerhun: Expanding Private Care to Northern Communities | Ep 185 Have you ever felt a persistent pull toward work that feels more aligned with who you are, even when it means leaving something secure behind? Regan had the same feeling, and made the decision to lead a Canadian private practice with fellow colleagues that was built on their shared values. In this episode, Regan and I talk about her non-linear journey into therapy. We explore how she and her practice are finding creative ways to serve rural and Northern First Nations communities, and how she is thinking about safety and accessibility for virtual clients. We also dive into marketing with authenticity, building trust through your website and social media, and why community-building has been at the heart of her growth. Join in for the conversation! MEET REGAN At 26, Regan Swerhun left a stable community counselling job to follow her passion for trauma-focused work and build a private practice in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She now focuses on EMDR and trauma-informed therapy, offering both in-person and online sessions. Regan also provides counselling to youth in Northern First Nations communities and uses social media to make mental health conversations more real and accessible. Learn more about Regan on her , , and profiles. In this episode: Why Regan pursued a career in therapy Leaping into private practice Creative ways of offering safe spaces for therapy Marketing the private practice Why Regan pursued a career in therapy ‘Honestly, therapy was not my first choice. It was kind of a roundabout life journey to get to where I am now.’ - Regan Swerhun Though Regan began a degree in business, she decided to switch and focus on social work. While completing her Master’s degree in Social Work, Regan began working in a hospital in Toronto. There, she quickly discovered that she enjoyed doing patient intake and hearing people’s stories and their unique life experiences. This signaled to her that something lay beyond. Once moving back to Thunder Bay, she focused on clinical work at a not-for-profit. ‘I got a good position at one of our not-for-profit organizations in town. So, I was with that company for three years, so really, as of recently - this Fall - made the transition, but in the time that I was with the community programs, I learned a lot.’ - Regan Swerhun The same itch that Regan had while working in the hospital came back again when she worked at the organization and she craved to run her own private practice. Leaping into private practice Regan was asked by a colleague who had already been in private practice for a long time if she would be interested in working with him. However, due to some differences in provincial laws and regulations, she cannot co-own it. So, they split it up as leaders. ‘It has made it feel like I’m immensely leading this group practice, but I have the support [from him] … because there is so much start-up.’ - Regan Swerhun Creative ways of offering safe spaces for therapy Regan and her team’s long-term goal is to serve rural communities that don’t have easy access to therapy and its services. While Regan drives twice a month up to a northern, more rural community to see clients, she also is planning to offer more virtual services. ‘Our ongoing plan is to connect with other community buildings in the areas and create a partnership … where someone can open up the door for them, someone can help to have the laptop ready … and then leave that space.’ - Regan Swerhun Marketing the private practice Regan and her team have worked a lot on the practice website. One of their main goals was to really make an effort to show what their office space looks like, and feels like, to interested clients. ‘The whole basis of our marketing strategy right now is just to build community. We’re new, we’re here, this is what we’re about, and this is all of the inside that we can let you see through before you step into our world!’ - Regan Swerhun Regan combines website and social media efforts to showcase the Canadian private practice and notes that it has now grown enough to also attract clients through word-of-mouth. If you need extra support for your marketing efforts, you can ! Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Create your ! Learn more about Regan on her , , and profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/39713290

Dana Etherington: SEO Tips for a Thriving Canadian Private Practice | Ep 184 01/07/2026

Dana Etherington: SEO Tips for a Thriving Canadian Private Practice | Ep 184 Have you ever found yourself loving the work of therapy, but feeling frustrated by systems that make it difficult for your clients to receive the help they need? Dana reached that crossroads and made a brave, intentional leap toward a practice that supports both her clinical values and her personal well-being. In this podcast episode, Dana and I talk about her path into psychotherapy, and what it looked like to slowly and thoughtfully transition from hospital work into full-time private practice. We also dive into learning SEO as a solo practitioner, using AI without losing your human voice, and why giving your practice time to grow organically can be a powerful choice. There’s so much practical wisdom in this conversation, and I’m excited for you to listen in! MEET DANA Dana is an occupational therapist who practices psychotherapy and the owner of Cedar Tree Therapy, a private practice in Whitby, Ontario. With close to a decade of mental health experience, Dana sees individuals with anxiety, eating disorders, and OCD. Learn more about Dana on her and profile. In this episode: Dana’s academic background and current practice Going from clinical work to private practice How Dana’s private practice has evolved The therapist book club Researching marketing and SEO best practices Dana’s advice for listeners Dana’s academic background and current practice While Dana’s private practice is situated in Whitby, Ontario, she completed her Master's degree in occupational therapy at McGill University in Montreal. ‘I came back to Ontario after finishing my Master’s, and in Ontario specifically … occupational therapists are one of the six regulated healthcare professionals that can practice controlled active psychotherapy. So, my practice is entirely psychotherapy, and my license type is that I just happen to be an occupational therapist.’ - Dana Etherington Due to Ontario’s regulatory laws, Dana can practice psychotherapy with an occupational therapy background. Remember to always check your province’s regulations when planning your future Canadian private practice! The bridge between Dana’s occupational therapy background and her current psychotherapy-focused practice is built on her appreciation for her clients. ‘I loved spending the day getting to know people, and it felt like such an honor to hear people’s stories. From then on, I knew that was how I wanted my career to go, and it feels so special to be trusted by clients to hear some really complicated and vulnerable parts of their lives.’ - Dana Etherington Going from clinical work to private practice After graduating, Dana didn’t immediately go into private practice. She first spent time working at a psychiatric hospital beforehand. ‘I was working my nine-to-five at the psychiatric hospital, and then I started my private practice part-time. I’d see maybe four clients a week after I was done with my hours at the hospital.’ - Dana Etherington Dana felt frustrated by the systemic barriers that made it difficult for people who needed support and help to find it, and that passion encouraged her to begin offering therapy in her own Ontario private practice. When Dana became a mother, she knew that she had to choose between working in the hospital and committing to her private practice. ‘I knew I couldn’t go on working both these jobs any longer. I was at this point where I had to make a choice: I either had to leave private practice behind or I had to jump in with both feet. So, I chose to jump in … And I have been full-time ever since 2023!’ - Dana Etherington How Dana’s private practice has evolved ‘I think it’s the best decision I've ever made. It allows me to be the therapist I want to be, and also the mother that I want to be, too. It offers me that flexibility, it allows me to have time and space to also take care of myself. I couldn’t think of a better career choice for me.’ - Dana Etherington Right now, Dana has an in-person office in downtown Brooklyn as well as sees clients online. In terms of staff, Dana currently has a contractor. She is open to expanding one day, but not right now. At this moment in time, she enjoys the time, space, and energy, and is giving the practice the chance to grow organically. The therapist book club As a way to create more community, Dana and some of her fellow therapy colleagues have decided to launch a local therapist’s book club in one of the members’ offices. They meet in person over an evening once a month, where they can discuss therapy, private practice-related work, and books that they are collectively reading about their work and specialties. Researching marketing and SEO best practices Since Dana is running her Canadian private practice, she threw herself into researching everything there is to know about SEO. Some of the tips she has for listeners are: Get clear on your niche Don't be afraid to commit to your niche Try as best you can to consider what your ideal client is Googling when they are looking for someone like you to help them When it comes to using AI, Dana recommends it for creating content that you may use for marketing, such as blogs. However, always humanize your work, because SEO is strongest when it is person-written and person-focused. Dana’s advice for listeners Remember that marketing is part of your job now. It is not an extra luxury piece; it is part of reaching your ideal client and making a positive impact in the community around you. So, don’t fear it, embrace it! Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Create your ! Learn more about Dana on her and profile Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/39624330

Jillian Bagan: Growing a Queer-Informed Practice | Ep 183 11/26/2025

Jennifer Bonilla: Building a Culturally Responsive Private Practice | Ep 182 11/19/2025

Jennifer Bonilla: Building a Culturally Responsive Private Practice | Ep 182 Have you noticed gaps in your community where there are needs that require attention? Are you hearing the same or similar pains over and over in the lives of the people around you? This is what happened to Jennifer, and she took the initiative to provide services to those whom she saw needed them the most. In this episode, Jennifer and I discuss how she based her new, growing Canadian private practice on the values of cultural awareness, belonging, and identity, and how she is making the transition to solo practice financially stable. We also talk about blogs, working with AI, instilling balance, and why adaptability is an important gift that you should give yourself when working in this mental health field. There are many gems to share, so welcome our conversation! MEET JENNIFER Jennifer Bonilla is a Registered Psychotherapist and the founder of Therapy Across Seasons, serving adults and families online across Ontario. She specializes in helping clients understand how attachment and family dynamics shape their confidence, boundaries, and relationships. Guided by compassion and cultural awareness, Jennifer supports people in moving through life’s seasons with greater clarity, connection, and resilience. Learn more about Jennifer on her , , and profiles. In this episode: Why Jennifer decided to become a therapist Starting a private practice Centering Culture in Private Practice Financial prep to curb fear Marketing the practice Jennifer’s advice for listeners Why Jennifer decided to become a therapist Jennifer started in the mental health field as a child and youth worker. While Jennifer enjoyed working with youth and children in Toronto, she saw gaps in care. Starting a private practice Jennifer appreciated the experience that she had working in other group practices, but she knew that she wanted to start her own practice because she wanted to lay her own foundation. Apart from wanting to ground her practice on a specific set of goals and values, Jennifer also wanted to live a professional life that had more flexibility to it. She wanted to create her own schedule, rather than follow one from someone or something else. Centering Culture in Private Practice Jennifer noticed that many of her clients kept having the same or similar issues around culture, identity, belonging, and self-assurance. These conversations kept coming up, and Jennifer noticed that at the core of some of her clients’ anxieties were anxieties around cultural identity. Financial prep to curb fear Jennifer is working in phases. She still has a caseload in the other group private practice, and sees clients on the side in her new, growing private practice. She’s slowly transitioning out of one and into the other as her income grows to make this change carefully and intentionally, without risking her income and livelihood. By taking it slowly, such as building up emergency savings, relying a little on contract work, and slowly transitioning into private practice, Jennifer can keep making her professional choices from a place of intentionality, not fear. Marketing the practice Jennifer is going full-tilt on marketing her solo practice. When she has the time - or makes the time - she writes blogs, vlogs, and networks to get her business off the ground. When it comes to writing blogs, Jennifer does use AI tools to help her with prompts, but is careful to keep her words her own. Furthermore, Jennifer is brainstorming about the possibility of hosting workshops from 2026 onwards. Jennifer’s advice for listeners Take a seasonal perspective. Remember that things come and go, times change. What is sustainable overall? How can you adapt throughout the times? Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Create your ! Learn more about Jennifer on her , , and profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/39081855

Affordable Ways to Start a Canadian Private Practice in 2025 | Ep 181 11/12/2025

Leading With Authenticity in Private Practice: Year 9 | Ep 180 11/05/2025

Leading With Authenticity in Private Practice: Year 9 | Ep 180 This is a very special episode: my ninth annual yearly review! In this episode, I share insights into how my Canadian private practice has been going this year. Including the significant changes that have occurred, how their impacts landed, and where we are going from here … into Year 10 in 2026! Thank you to my listeners for being on this path alongside me. I’m so excited for another great year of episodes ahead! Onwards and upwards! In this episode: Direct billing has been great Success with lowered prices Monthly land tax donations My transition Here’s to year 10! Direct billing has been great As you may have heard, from year eight we implemented direct billing and that has continued to be an asset. If you are interested in learning more about the process of including direct billing and how I did it, you can listen to . Or, if you’re sitting on the fence and still deciding whether or not you want to use direct billing, and some more information could be useful to you, you can listen to . Success with lowered prices Last year we decided to lower our rates and haven’t looked back! If you want some more information and guidance on lowering or raising your rates, I did discussing this exact topic. Monthly land tax donations The third change we’ve been implementing since the middle of this year has been donating monthly to the in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Again, if you are interested in doing the same or you want to learn more, . My transition If you’re a long-time listener (hello!) you may have heard the episode on my personal big change which happened in the middle of last spring, where I shared the personal story of my transition. I talk about coming out as trans nonbinary, and why I decided to share this news on this platform, and with my audience. In fact, when this episode airs and you are listening to it, I’ll be healing from top surgery! ‘I am so excited for this next part of my journey. I feel so lucky that I am able to get top surgery, I just can’t wait for it to happen.’ - Jules Smith However, while this change has been profound and important, my biggest fear about transitioning in an established private practice was realized: my client intake dropped significantly. It can take time to build trust and I think it may be due to the inconsistencies in branding as I redo my professional photos and video. As this episode airs, my private practice website should be finished with my updates! Luckily my associate’s intakes have remained steady, and my current client caseload has sustained itself, but I won’t lie that it was stressful initially when the dip happened. ‘I forgot a bit about how difficult it is when you are starting a private practice, and how stressful it can be to brand yourself. So, I have a renewed sense of respect for all the Canadian therapists out there that have decided to go into private practice! It can be stressful, but I’m here with you, and we’ll get through it together!’ - Jules Smith Here’s to year 10! There will be another year of the Fearless Practice Podcast thanks to Jane App! I truly enjoy working with them and love using their EMR :) Additionally, Jane App decided to upgrade the promo code so that you can now have a two-month grace period ! The new code is: FEARLESS2MO. Thank you so much to my podcast team and lastly, thank you to my audience. Here’s to another year of podcasting together! Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get some help and freebies on your ! Check out my Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/38907200

Grace Kim: How Therapy Sparked a Private Practice | Ep 179 10/29/2025

Grace Kim: How Therapy Sparked a Private Practice | Ep 179 Have you ever had a therapy experience so powerful that it clarified exactly how you want to help others? Has a specific modality inspired your niche in private practice? That’s exactly what happened to Grace Kim, whose experience shaped her path as a Canadian private practice therapist. Once she experienced EMDR therapy, Grace changed her career path, and the journey that she’s taken has been nothing short of exciting and fulfilling. MEET GRACE Grace Kim, MSW, RSW, is the founder of REM Therapy Services, a small and growing group practice based in Markham, ON. The practice specializes in EMDR therapy, supporting high-achieving yet heavy-hearted individuals, as well as those who feel stuck in the past. REM Therapy Services offers EMDR intensives for clients seeking faster relief in therapy, along with clinical consultations for trauma therapists learning the EMDR modality. With a vision to grow as expert providers and educators of EMDR, REM Therapy Services is committed to serving both the local community and beyond. Learn more about Grace on her , , and profiles. In this episode: How Grace became a therapist Taking off the golden handcuffs Going from client to therapist Building up a solo private practice Grace’s advice to listeners How Grace became a therapist As Grace explains, her journey to becoming a therapist and running a group private practice in Canada today has been a winding road. While she started grad school with a certain plan in mind, by her graduation, the plan had changed. At first, after graduation, she worked in child welfare, community mental health, and in some hospitals. Taking off the golden handcuffs Grace joined this group private practice in 2018, six years after she graduated. It was a scary transition for her at first, going from a secure, salary job to a billable hours-based income. At that time, however, Grace was newly married and living in a home with her partner where they enjoyed dual income streams, so the risk of going into a financial red zone, so to speak, was low. Going from client to therapist In 2018 and early 2019, EMDR therapy entered into Grace’s professional picture, which changed her path and steered her more towards the idea of opening up her own Canadian private practice after she had a strong personal experience with it. After Grace first experienced EMDR therapy, it sparked her interest in offering it as a modality herself as a therapist for other clients. She started practicing it, saw great results, and got strong, positive feedback: all of which encouraged her to nurture her own small side private practice while still working for the other, larger group practice. Building up a solo private practice Grace’s milestone and goal to quit working in the other group practice and go full-time on her own was when she had 10 clients per week. That was what she was working towards, and once she hit that goal - and she did - she made the jump. Now, Grace has recently hired her first associate and is developing her solo practice into a group practice! Grace’s advice to listeners Networking is your friend! You can be a wonderful, highly skilled clinician, but you need to get your name and your practice’s name out there. Connect with other brilliant therapists to plug into the referral and sharing network. The more we support each other, the more clients get seen, the more good work gets done, and the more we all change our communities for the better. Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS for one month free) Get some help and freebies on your ! Learn more about Grace on her , , and profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/38808185

Alexina Picard: Starting a Private Practice After Graduation | Ep 178 10/22/2025

Alexina Picard: Starting a Private Practice After Graduation | Ep 178 Third time’s the charm sometimes, and it was the case for Alexina! She had to be persistent and resilient, and was able to find a way through financial troubles to finish her Master’s degree and start her own solo Canadian private practice. In this podcast episode, we discuss why she chose to go solo rather than join an already-existing group practice and how she got to where she is today. If you’d like some tips, advice, or just a good story of resilience from a fellow therapist, give this episode a listen! MEET ALEXINA Alexina is a Registered Clinical Counsellor practicing in North Vancouver, BC. She opened her solo private practice 4 months ago, immediately upon registration with the BCACC, something she had never imagined she would do. Alexina has over 10 years of healthcare and mental health experience, from pharmacy assistant to the past Executive Director of the BC Psychological Association. When she's not working, she’s either watching TV or running the trails on the North Shore. Learn more about Alexina on her , , and profiles. In this episode: Becoming a therapist Why go back to school after working? Going into solo private practice How the practice is going Alexina’s advice to private practitioners Becoming a therapist Alexina’s route to working as a therapist was roundabout. Alexina applied to Yorkville and got in, but couldn’t afford the tuition because she was accepted on such short notice, and didn’t have enough time to sort out student loans and payment plans. She was then suggested to try out Adler University, and that route worked! Alexina was the Executive Director of BC Psychological Association for two of the four years that she worked there, and it provided her with the financial means to go back and complete her Master’s degree. Why go back to school after working? While Alexina enjoyed working as the Executive Director of the BC Psychological Association, she kept her eye on the prize of completing her Master’s degree, and this was partially due to being motivated by the people around her. Working allowed her the financial freedom to continue with her studies, and the motivation from her colleagues pushed her to return to school and complete her qualification. Going into solo private practice From Alexina’s work, she knew about the different options that were available to her. She applied to organization jobs, but didn’t hear back and decided to try reaching out to group practices. However, she ultimately decided not to go with a position in an already-established group practice. Therefore, Alexina turned towards starting her own Canadian private practice, because she began to think more deeply about the benefits of solo practice. How the practice is going Right now, Alexina’s practice is getting off the ground slowly. ‘It’s really difficult when you’re a new practitioner of any kind in the community for people to find out that you exist, unless you’re working with an existing practice or clinic somewhere.’ - Alexina Picard Alexina’s been working hard to get her practice’s name out there, but she has learned that these things simply take time, no matter how hard you work, and she’s gotten okay with that. Alexina’s advice to private practitioners Learn as much as you can yourself. If you need to, consider putting your money to use by hiring a few professionals to set things up instead of spending money trying to do it yourself. Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS for one month free) Get some help and freebies on your ! Learn more about Alexina on her , , and profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/38725650

Alison Chisholm: Building More Than a Private Practice | Ep 177 10/15/2025

Alison Chisholm: Building More Than a Private Practice | Ep 177 Everyone comes to private practice from different paths, but there can be a common thread between them: wanting to help others. For my guest today, Alison, she had a very personal experience of becoming a mother, and noticed that there was a gap in the market wherein many new parents needed pre- and peri-natal support. This sparked a passion project to fill that need and spread support, ultimately helping both clients and clinicians along the way. In this podcast episode, join us to learn more about building a collective, an affordable website, and how to live and work by your values. MEET ALISON Alison is a Registered Psychotherapist with over 10 years of experience across diverse practice settings. She co-founded Collectivus Psychotherapy in response to the increased isolation often experienced in private practice. Alison is passionate about fostering spaces where both clients and clinicians can thrive. She believes that when clinicians are connected and supported, their work becomes more authentic: helping clients truly thrive. Learn more about Alison on her profile and . In this episode: Getting into private practice Building a collective Setting up a private practice website Incorporating your values Getting into private practice For Alison, getting onto her private practice path came from a very personal experience. Throughout Alison’s work with youth in her previous years in mental health, she always made an effort to support the parents too. Now, with her personal experience of becoming a mother, she wanted to combine and align these values into her new private practice. Building a collective Alison, her partner, and her best friend are all therapists and decided to go all-in on building up this new private practice. It was a shared passion project, and in 2025, they decided to rebrand and shift the practice to welcome more clinicians and therapists, since they were getting a lot of inquiries about hiring additional staff. This is why Alison and her team wanted to create the collective: to serve therapists and clinicians who can then better serve their clients. Setting up a private practice website At the beginning of a private practice journey, things can get costly very quickly. Alison and her team built up their website using some affordable stock images and videos, but as their business grows, they edit, upgrade, and elevate their website piece by piece. Alison and her team also invested in some marketing experts at the beginning to help them launch their practice online with their best foot forward. Incorporating your values Collaborating with experts, professionals, and other therapists is a central pillar of Alison’s business approach, both when it comes to hiring people to help maintain the business, and to help give the clients the best experience. She firmly believes that when therapists come together to support each other, their clients end up benefiting as well. Therefore, the business that Alison strives to create nourishes and meets the needs of professionals and clients alike. Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS for one month free) Get some help and freebies on your ! Learn more about Alison on her profile and Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/38578300

Finding Clients in a Saturated Market | Ep 176 10/08/2025

Finding Clients in a Saturated Market | Ep 176 Do you own a Canadian private practice and are finding it hard to attract clients? Have you found yourself with your head in your hands, trying to figure out how to stand out and get noticed? Over the last few months, I’ve been tweaking my marketing strategies to test what works and what doesn’t, and along the way, I have found some helpful results. In the following podcast episode, I’ll be sharing my discoveries and tips with you. In this episode: The situation in Canada right now It’s often said but still true: niche Splitting the niches with staff Maintaining Psychology Today profiles Keep up to date with AI practices The situation in Canada right now If you have been listening to my recent interview episodes with guests, you will have heard a lot of Canadian therapists pointing out one thing: the market is saturated. ‘Over the past couple of years, our profession has tripled! Which is so great for people who are trying to find a therapist, but it can lead to some challenges when it comes to marketing your private practice.’ - Jules Smith So, today, I wanted to share a few tips with you that I’m using myself to stand out from the crowd! It’s often said but still true: niche ‘Niching is so important and I feel sometimes like a broken record to always bring it up in the podcast, but it is so important!’ - Jules Smith Three important things happen when you niche down in your Canadian private practice: Clients instantly know that you’re the right fit Other professionals can refer to you more easily because you’re a specialist rather than a generalist You can use it to tailor your marketing message If you want to learn more about nichings, feel free to , which dives in deep! Splitting the niches with staff Instead of giving long lists about all the ways in which we can help our clients, we decided to reorganize our approach in this way: we each have three specialties, and we share two specialties. Now, , they can see exactly which therapist can help them with what, making it easy to find and decide who to reach out to. Maintaining Psychology Today profiles The next thing is to monitor and make sure your social media profiles, and especially therapy directory pages like Psychology Today, are consistently updated Also, Psychology Today recently added HST for Canadian therapists using the platform, meaning that it costs more money to have a profile on their directory. So make sure that your Psychology Today profile is worth it to have! If you want to get involved and elevate your Psychology Today profile, making it look sharp and effective, for the full scope of advice. Keep up to date with AI practices Disclaimer: I use WordPress because I love that I own my website (unlike website builders)s. If you want to learn more about this, you can listen to . Now, one of the things that you can do on your WordPress website is to add an LLMS.txt file. It has been designed to help AI assistants know what your website is all about. ‘This file is designed to help AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini better understand your website, especially when they are answering questions about it.’ - Jules Smith Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS for one month free) Get some help and freebies on your ! Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/38496060

Marta Evans: Mastering Growth in Canadian Private Practice| Ep 175 10/01/2025

Marta Evans: Mastering Growth in Canadian Private Practice| Ep 175 It is Marta’s third career shift, becoming a psychotherapist, after 20 years in healthcare and having worked in academia before! Across this wide career and lived experience, she knew that she wanted to bring it all into her work in her private practice. Additionally, Marta had been helped by many people when she was getting started, which is what encouraged her to pay it forward by offering supervision and mentorship to new and upcoming clinicians. In this podcast episode, Marta and I discuss pivoting from full-time to work full-time in private practice, how to hire the right people, and how to maintain the soul of therapy within the growing business. Join us for a great conversation! MEET MARTA Marta Evans, RP, M.Ed., C.C.C., is a psychotherapist and certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist based in Hamilton, Ontario. She’s the founder of Evans Family Counselling & Psychotherapy, a heart-led group practice specializing in transformational therapies like IFS and EMDR for individuals navigating complex trauma, grief, and life transitions. Known for her warm, authentic presence and “gentle but spicy” approach, Marta is a strong advocate for trauma-informed care that challenges the limitations of the traditional medical model. At EFCP, she and her team prioritize respectful, collaborative care that supports deep healing and change by addressing root causes rather than just managing symptoms. Learn more about Marta on her , , and profiles. In this episode: Starting private practice Diversifying your experience Building up a group practice Marta’s advice to listeners Starting the private practice As Marta explains, being a psychotherapist is her third career. She worked for a long time in academia and as a radiation therapist in oncology before transitioning to psychotherapy. With her private practice, Marta started it part-time initially before getting to the point where she had enough clients to move into working in the practice full-time. She worked for some time in a group private practice while building up her own. Diversifying your experience After Marta completed her Master’s degree, and while she was building up her private practice and working in another group practice, she got as involved as she could over the span of about seven years - before going full private practice - to soak up as much experience as possible. She knew that her degree was valuable, but that she simultaneously wanted to have a lot more experience under her belt, which can only be acquired through working directly with people. Building up a group practice Marta developed her solo practice into a group practice in January 2024s. She decided to grow her private practice because she wanted to have a community of therapists around her, she wanted to stop turning clients away, and she wanted to start supervising and mentoring new clinicians. Now, Marta has associates and mentees - she wants to help them nourish their passions and to provide an essential service that she herself benefited from. In a way, she’s paying it forward. Marta’s advice to listeners Slow is fast! Be intentional. Don’t lose the soul of therapy by getting too caught up in the business aspects of running a private practice. Work closely with your values while heading closer to your goals. Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS for one month free) Get some help and freebies on your ! Learn more about Marta on her , , and profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/38409730

Kayleen Edwards: Private Practice Growth and Planning for Maternity Leave | Ep 174 09/24/2025

Kayleen Edwards: Private Practice Growth and Planning for Maternity Leave | Ep 174 Are you currently building out your Canadian practice and unsure of how to grow? Or, are you growing your family and having children? How do you manage these two types of growth as a business partner and new parent? In this episode, my guest Kayleen talks about how she places community above competition. We discuss how her value-driven approach to running her practice brought back most of her interns as associates, how she managed planning for maternity leave as a busy practice owner, and her tidbits of advice for listeners. MEET KAYLEEN Kayleen is an RP and cofounder of Roots in Wellness, a group therapy practice in Hamilton, Ontario. She is a validated clinical supervisor with the OAMHP and a council member for the CRPO. Kayleen is passionate about perinatal mental health and helping both clients and supervisees through the transition of parenthood. She is a mama of three littles herself, and a lover of all things nature! Learn more about Kayleen on her , , and profiles In this episode: What are the OAMHP and CRPO? Managing a private practice while being a committee member Growing a private practice Planning a maternity leave? Mistakes made and lessons learned Advice for listeners What are the OAMHP and CRPO? The OAMHP stands for the , and the CRPO stands for the ! Kayleen has been a council member of the CRPO since 2024, but has been working for them since 2019. Managing a private practice while being a committee member Between her commitments to her roles within the CRPO and the OAMHP and running her own Canadian private practice, Kayleen definitely has a lot on her plate! Before the beginning of her private practice journey, Kayleen graduated in 2014 and started working at an agency for a number of years. It was demanding work with a lot of travel and tough cases, and even though Kayleen learned a lot from that experience, she knew at the time that it wasn’t something she would do forever. Growing a private practice Kayleen jokes that the growth snuck up on them over time. Initially, in 2019, Kayleen started supervising and took on her first student. This opened up a whole new world for her, as she loved being a supervisor and enjoyed the practice, because many of the interns ended up coming back to work at the practice full-time. Kayleen still sees clients, although she spends more time networking and opening up her practice to the community in new ways - like with a book club! Planning a maternity leave? One of the many tips that Kayleen would give you when it comes to preparing for maternity leave is to give yourself a hefty dose of grace! She also recommends being flexible. Understand that there are many ways of going about maternity leave, so you don’t have to do it the same way that other people in different jobs do. Mistakes made and lessons learned Along the way, some of the most prominent lessons that Kayleen learned include: The importance of having boundaries around your notifications and not always being accessible or available. Get admin help sooner than you think you need it! To stop putting so much pressure on yourself to make it as big or successful as soon as possible. Put boundaries down with yourself, and allow yourself to rest as well. Put some money away into an emergency savings fund. Advice for listeners Value your community over competing with them! Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS for one month free) Get some help and freebies on your ! Learn more about Kayleen on her , , and profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/38326705

Compensation Models for Contract Therapists in Canada | Ep 173 09/17/2025

Compensation Models for Contract Therapists in Canada | Ep 173 Every private practice is a little different in how it goes about business, especially when it comes to having contract therapists. Usually, the practice owner and contractor figure out the best system that works for them, which means there is generally more than one way around a problem! Regarding compensation for my contract therapist, we have tried and tested a few options before settling on what works best for us: a percentage-based compensation system with an invoice-accrued model. If you’d like some tips on how I manage this process each month (or you want to know what this even means!), welcome to this podcast episode. In this episode: My experience with growth Why finding the right compensation model matters How to pay a contract therapist How to use the invoice-accrued model My experience with growth If you’ve been following my private practice journey over the past few years, you’ll know that I've grown my solo practice into a small group private practice by hiring my first contract therapist. Why finding the right compensation model matters Each practice may do things differently. It is important to find the right compensation model for the therapist contractors in your practice, because how you pay them will directly affect their financial stability, as well as their job satisfaction. I decided to hire a contractor instead of an employee because I run a smaller business. Having a contract therapist means less paperwork, more financial stability, and tax headaches for me, and it also gives the contractor more freedom, flexibility, and potential to earn more each month. How to pay the contract worker First, we decided it would be a monthly payout, rather than a bi-weekly payout. Then, we had to decide on the payout model: invoice-accrual-based pay or cash-based pay. If you want a quick recap on the definitions: 1 - Invoiced (Accrual-Based) Pay: Payment is based on services rendered within a calendar month, regardless of whether the clinic or practice has been paid by the client or insurer. Example: If a therapist delivers 20 sessions in August, they get paid for 20 sessions at the end of August or early September — even if the client hasn’t paid yet. 2 - Collected (Cash-Based) Pay: Payment is based on what the clinic has actually collected from clients or insurers. Example: If only 12 of the 20 August sessions have been paid by clients, the therapist is paid for only those 12 — the rest is delayed until collected. We then tried the cash-collected method for a couple of months, when I switched to direct billing last year. I decided to do this switch because sometimes insurance companies do not pay out quickly! It could sometimes take more than a month. However, this led to more unpredictability for my contract therapist regarding how much she was going to be paid each month as well as more time spent on discussions about billing. So I decided to switch back to the invoice-accrued method. How to use the invoice-accrued model You may be wondering how I figure out how much to pay my contractor with the percentage-based pay. Honestly, Jane App does it all! Some of my tips include: Go into settings Then billing settings Select the “accounting method”, either cash or accrual Then go to “Reports”, select “Payroll” and then “Compensation”, the staff member and the date range, and it will show you their commission in the payment model you have selected! Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 172: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS for one month free) Get some help and freebies on your ! Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/38237405

Micheal Sorsdahl: Ccpa’s New Ethics Case Book and Why You Must Read It | Ep 172 07/30/2025

LIV Noël Dakkak: Niching With Your Passion in Private Practice | Ep 171 07/23/2025

LIV Noël Dakkak: Niching With Your Passion in Private Practice | Ep 171 Do what you love, and you won’t work a day in your life? Close, but not quite! Niching down and working within your passion and ideal client group will still take effort and work, but it can be easier than staying a generalist, especially if you are dreaming about working more intentionally with the groups of people you care the most about helping. In today’s episode, I speak with Liv (they/them) about niching down, starting a private practice, and running workshops, all of which they started in an effort to reshape their life around their needs, dreams, and desires. So, it’s maybe not about not working at all, but about doing the work that feels right for you! MEET LIV Liv (they/them) is a registered social worker who works primarily with queer, neurodivergent and disabled folks who have experienced trauma. They are guided by anti-oppressive, strength-based, trauma-informed care and use methods such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to get to the root of what you are struggling with. They offer services to individuals and partners, youths and adults, virtually across Ontario and in-person in Cornwall. Learn more about Liv on their profile and . In this episode: Why Liv became a social worker Starting a private practice Partnering with aligned organizations Niching down to boost success Advice for listeners Why Liv became a social worker From Liv’s personal experience, as well as seeing people struggle with mental health, they felt drawn to becoming a Registered Social Worker to help people go through life a little more easily. Additionally, Liv works primarily with queer, neurodivergent, and disabled folks because they have these life experiences too. Starting a private practice After Liv’s extensive experience working in the public sector, they started to consider opening up a Canadian private practice. This was partially due to burnout, a need to structure work around their health more, and simply a desire for something new in their career. Starting a private practice allowed Liv to create the life that they wanted to live. One that was professionally structured around their personal needs, and that supported a happier, healthier, freer lifestyle with less stress and more flexibility. After working in the public sector, Liv worked in another group practice, but after a few months, they started their own private practice, which is what Liv is doing now. Partnering with aligned organizations Liv’s private practice is going well! Now that they’re able to work more freely, Liv can build the practice from the ground up in close alignment with their values. Also, Liv has started to partner with organizations where they see drop-in clients. Liv explains that they know things take time, so they are making professional moves to increase clients, market the practice, and collaborate with like-minded organizations while slowly growing the solo practice each month. Niching down to boost success To stand out and connect with their ideal clients, Liv has made a big effort to niche down. Niching down in private practice is not only a great business strategy for success, but also a method for you to really integrate your work with your passion. Liv has also begun participating in workshops to expand their client base and strengthen their professional network. Advice for listeners Things take time! Be patient, especially in the first few months of private practice. Don’t let impostor syndrome get you down, since sometimes you will need to put in lots of effort before you see a return on it. So, be patient, keep going, and work with your passion! Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS for one month free) Get some help and freebies on your ! Learn more about Liv on their profile and Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/37506200

Catharine Martin: Inside Jane App’s AI Scribe | Ep 170 07/16/2025

Catharine Martin: Inside Jane App’s AI Scribe | Ep 170 You have heard about AI everywhere, and now it is being used within EMR services. If you feel unsure about this topic or you want to learn more, then definitely play this episode and join us for the conversation! In this podcast episode, Catharine from Jane App and I discuss how Jane App incorporates AI into their EMR, including some general best practice guidelines about how you can use to use Jane’s AI Script services ethically and safely in your practice. MEET CATHARINE Catharine Martin is the Privacy and Compliance Manager at Jane App, where she plays a key leadership role in shaping and overseeing the company’s privacy and regulatory strategies. With a strong background in data protection and compliance, she works closely with healthcare practitioners to ensure their practices meet evolving privacy requirements while also finding practical ways to reduce administrative burden. Beyond her work at Jane, Catharine is also a dedicated Pilates instructor, bringing the same focus and discipline to her teaching as she does to her professional work. Learn more about Catharine on her . In this episode: Working with Jane App AI Scribe AI in client diagnostics It is all up to you Jane’s appearance in The Globe and Mail Working with Jane App Catharine, 20 years ago, after giving birth, had a radical and unexpected medical event that left her in a brief coma, experiencing multiple organ failure. However, due to her incredible doctors, her strength, and a lot of luck, she survived and kept all her organs, without needing any transplants, and went on to make a full recovery. How did this bring her to work for Jane App? After what Catharine went through, she felt so drawn to Jane App’s vision to “Help the helpers”, that she started working for the company to further their mission. AI Scribe Jane App offers an AI scribe feature. It essentially charts notes from your sessions with clients in your own voice. Jane secured a third-party vendor who is known for their robust privacy practices, which are all compliant with the required ethical laws and privacy legislation, to help them integrate the AI tool. AI in client diagnostics ‘As part of using Jane’s AI Scribe, therapy notes are included, but not diagnostic suggestions. As in, diagnostic suggestions are not coming from any AI-powered tool. Diagnostic suggestions are coming from a human, providing care to another human.’ - Catharine Martin Even though Jane App makes use of AI in some of their service offerings, they are critical of making sure that it is being used ethically and appropriately, and only for admin-related tasks. The care suggestions and client diagnostics will still only come from you, the client’s therapist, based on your sessions together. It is all up to you With your Jane App subscription, when it comes to AI, it is all up to you. You don’t have to make sure of it, even though it is being offered to you. You can easily opt in or out of using it within your Jane App subscription, hassle-free. Also, consider the risk of any tool that you use when you are weighing up whether to use it or not. Jane’s appearance in The Globe and Mail for reaching a $1.8-billion valuation. Jane App is looking to adopt AI on a grand scale by continuing to explore its benefits ethically to help more helpers. Connect with me: Resources mentioned and useful links: Learn more about the that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on (use code FEARLESS for one month free) Get some help and freebies on your ! Learn more about Catharine on her Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on , , , and /episode/index/show/fearlesspractice/id/37414740

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