Avsnitt
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In the beginning of starting a new practice, being a generalist seems like a good idea, especially when you want to welcome clients through the door and the idea of turning away new potential clients seems counterintuitive.
However, niching down is not only helpful regarding your marketing or your skill set: niching down is also important for you! It helps you to enjoy your everyday work instead of feeling unnecessarily drained.
In this podcast episode, I chat with Rhea, who started her virtual Canadian private practice after graduating, and who has built her success around focusing on her ideal clients and in the future hopes to build connections with her community, of both clients and therapists.
MEET RHEA
Rhea is a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario, mom of 2 and business owner. Her practice is focused on mood and anxiety disorders, life transitions, BIPOC and cultural issues, as well as the perinatal period.
Learn more about Rhea on her website, Instagram, and Psychology Today profiles.
In this episode:
How Rhea developed her career in therapy
Starting a solo practice
Marketing the practice
Overcoming issues
Thinking on the future
How Rhea developed her career in therapy
In Rhea’s previous work life she was working with clients with autism. She ended up leaving the field, and wasn’t sure what to do.
When she was working with patients with autism, she did feel like she wanted to do more for them but felt constrained by the role that she was employed under.
So, after Rhea left that job, she took some time to think about what she wanted to do and considered the things that she enjoyed doing to shift these passions into a career. She ended up finding a masters program that enabled her to unite her interests with counselling in a way that she was excited about.
Starting her solo practice
Even though Rhea was uncomfortable and a little scared about the unknown, she started exploring what she needed to do to set up a new practice. She started looking for only a few clients in the beginning to get a feel of what it would be like.
Rhea worked part-time and had some financial support from her husband while she was launching her practice, both of which helped her to navigate the uncertainties in the beginning before her practice was more fully established.
Marketing the practice
Rhea launched a Psychology Today profile for herself and her practice to advertise herself and her business.
She also opened up accounts on a few other free platforms where clients often may search for therapists, as well as launching a small Instagram account.
Within her community, Rhea’s practice is starting to gain some traction by word-of-mouth as well.
Overcoming issues
For Rhea, a common problem that she is working on resolving is the issue of scheduling, and of finding a time that works well for her and for clients to have a session.
Additionally, niching was something that Rhea had to work on and to find the right fit. Once she niched down, things became easier.
A powerful bonus of working within your niche and within your skill set and with the clients that you want to work with also reduces your risk of burnout.
Thinking on the future
Rhea is focused on making more connections in her community within the next six months to a year. Having one or two specific goals can help you to figure out your direction..
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources mentioned and useful links:
Ep 128: Christina Page: Transitioning from Agency to Private Practice | EP 128
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Learn more about Rhea on her website, Instagram, and Psychology Today profiles
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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With private practice, Christina, our guest today, went through a challenging experience and found it difficult herself to find the therapy that she needed.
When she registered as a social worker and later as a perinatal therapist, she knew that she wanted to fill the niche in the market by serving the families in her community.
Today, we discuss her journey into social work, her time working at a hospital, and how she started her thriving, mostly virtual Canadian group practice, and how she incorporated her own values and passions into building a successful practice that meets her client’s needs!
MEET CHRISTINA
Christina Page is a Registered Social Worker, Certified Perinatal Therapist and the owner of Whole Family Psychotherapy, a primarily virtual Ontario based group practice specializing in perinatal mental health. Christina and her team of RSW’s are also parents themselves, and believe supporting parents in all stages of their journey allows for family systems to thrive.
Learn more about Christina on her practice website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles.
In this episode:
How Christina became a social worker
Opening up a private practice
Developing the solo practice into a group practice
A client login for Jane App
How Christina became a social worker
Initially in school, Christina really wanted to be an actor!
Upon coming to this life changing realization, Christina dropped out of acting school and spent a couple of years getting to know herself while working different jobs here and there. She went to therapy herself, and discovered that it was something that she felt a natural calling to do too.
Opening up a private practice
Christina spent a while working in the hospital system as a social worker, however she knew that there was something else that she wanted to try. While Christina was still on maternity leave, she decided that she wanted to move out of working in the hospital system and to open up her own practice.
Christina wanted to gain more expertise, and found some Canadian perinatal mental health trainings in Toronto that she loved, and where she completed a bunch of certificates with course work and supervision which helped her to feel competent and ready to market herself in her new practice.
Developing the solo practice into a group practice
In 2022, once Christina’s children were in school and daycare, she really committed to networking in her area and meeting every midwife and doctor that she felt fit with her niche and approach.
Once 2023 came around, Christina felt the need to expand her solo practice into a group practice.
Even though Christina didn’t initially want to be a boss, she found herself warming up to the idea. Now, it’s been a year since Christina has been running her group practice.
Christina was motivated to lay a strong foundation for her practice that wasn’t only solid on operation, skill sets, expertise, and student services for affordable therapy, but also on ethics. She hired an attorney to make sure that everything was done by the book.
A client login for Jane App
Having a client login option for your practice website so that your existing clients can have access to their receipts or other documentation is a great way to keep the client journey piece in mind within your business operations.
It shows your clients that you are considering their needs too, and that you are incorporating their experience into how you structure your services to serve their needs.
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources mentioned and useful links:
Ep 127: Being Intentional when Starting a Group Private Practice | EP 127
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Learn more about Christina on her practice website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles.
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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For many Canadian therapists, the trajectory seems to be that once you start getting full with clients that you should open a group private practice.
However, if you blindly consider opening a group private practice without evaluating whether or not it is truly something that you want, then you may end up in a very stressful situation, feeling burned out and confused as to how this happened!
Therefore, when you think that it is time to consider this next phase of your career and you are drawn to the idea of growing your solo a Canadian private practice into a group private practice, really give it some intentional thought, so that you can make a decision that is good for YOU!
So, if you are trying to weigh up your options, listen to this podcast episode where I ask you a couple of important questions to use when deciding which path to take.
In this Episode:
Is it your passion?
Do you like managing people?
Will it impact your work-life balance?
Are you following the crowd?
Is it your passion?
There are so many reasons why people decide to open a group private practice, so make sure that if you are considering this path it is something that you are prepared to do because YOU have the desire to do it!
A lot of people will encourage private practice owners to open a group private practice as a ‘natural next step’, when this isn’t necessarily a formulaic process, because it has to be intentional.
Remember that passion and an active drive to pursue something are powerful ingredients for success. So don’t follow the crowd just because everyone else is, and take your genuine interests and passions into account when figuring out your next steps.
Do you like managing people?
Do you want to add more therapists to your private practice so that more people in your community can receive help? Do you want to make passive income? Even more so, do you want to be a boss and a manager?
Being a manager is a skill that has to be developed, and something that you can learn from consultants or courses.
Will it impact your work-life balance?
If you are considering changing your solo practice into a group practice, imagine your current life and what it could be changed into if you do make this switch.
In the book, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing by Bronnie Ware, a palliative care nurse who noted the top five regrets that people had as they were passing away, and they are;
I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me
I wish I hadn’t worked so hard
I wish I had the courage to express my feelings
I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends
I wish I had let myself be happier
Are you following the crowd?
Do you want to open a Canadian group private practice only because that is what consultants and supervisors say is the next step?
Sure, it can be difficult to untangle what you want alone instead of what you think you want from looking at what worked for others. Figure out what works for you, and develop that!
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:
Ep 126: Celissa Vipond & Melissa Lindstrom: From Friendship to Successful Practice | EP 126
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Books mentioned in this episode: The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing by Bronnie Ware
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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Celissa and Melissa noticed the clear need for mental health services in Ontario over the pandemic, and decided to team up to put their expertise and skills to use to serve the community.
As a team, Celissa and Melissa were able to balance starting a practice between the two of them while continuing their social work positions that they love. Their Canadian private practice has now grown into a successful group private practice where they have the benefits of running their own practice while still working jobs that they cherish.
In this podcast episode, I chat with the two of them about their progress, their ups and downs, and what they recommend to you for your Canadian private practice career!
MEET CELISSSA AND MELISSA
Celissa and Melissa are the owners of Virtual CBT, a private psychotherapy practice specializing in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for clients in Ontario that are struggling with symptoms of depression, anxiety, phobias, OCD, and trauma.
Learn more about Celissa and Melissa on their practice website and Instagram profile.
In this episode:
How Celissa and Melissa found their niche
Working as a team
Using Jane App
The future of Virtual CBT
Melissa and Celissa’s advice to listeners
How Celissa and Melissa found their niche
Both Celissa and Melissa are social workers. Between the two of them, they had dabbled in different sectors trying to find what suited them both best before specializing further.
Melissa thoroughly enjoyed working within CBT and she found it effective and helpful for both her services as a therapist and for her client’s needs.
For Celissa, the path was a little different in that she only knew that she wanted to become a social worker after she graduated.
Celissa’s expertise has become more narrow as the years have passed, from CBT and DBT to specialized CBT and others.
Working as a team
Over the pandemic, both Celissa and Melissa were working for a not-for-profit organization when the public mental health system was being flooded with referrals.
Also, over the pandemic they went from working completely in person to completely virtual almost overnight.
One day, a doctor connected with Celissa asking if she had a private practice, and she ended up texting Melissa to see what she thought about it. They decided to work together to launch their own private practice since they could see that the need was there.
Using Jane App
Melissa recommends to all practice owners that Jane App is a great investment to commit to early on in your private practice journey since it streamlines so many processes in a way that they complement one another, helping you to stay organized and helping your clients to easily book appointments.
Jane’s intuitive and automatic systems that you can customize to your needs allows it to help you with what you want help with.
The future of Virtual CBT
Since September 2023 their practice has grown so much, which is why they have decided to take a step back and rest a bit before continuing to expand their practice together.
Diversifying your practice is also a good idea to consider because it can take away some of the stress and allows for the owners and staff to engage with clients and modalities in new and innovative ways.
Melissa and Celissa’s advice to listeners
Be willing to invest in your business, whether it is finances or time and effort, if you want to have a strong foundation and a successful practice. Be patient with the process as well!
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources mentioned and useful links:
Ep 125: Kelly Hoskin: Trusting the Process for Success in Canadian Private Practice | EP 125
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Learn more about Celissa and Melissa on their practice website and Instagram profile
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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Sometimes people can feel nervous to start their careers since they don’t know where it will end up. We may feel like we need to know exactly how the journey will look before we head towards a new destination.
In this podcast episode, Kelly and I discuss how she had no intention of working in psychotherapy initially after grad school, but found her way there. She discovered more of what she loved along the way!
MEET KELLY
Kelly Hoskin (BSW, RSW) is a registered social worker and psychotherapist passionate about supporting teenagers and adults, Indigenous peoples, and those grieving the loss of a pet. Kelly lives in Angus, Ontario and provides sessions virtually and in-person, including walk and talk therapy. She feels strongly in meeting clients where they’re at and staying flexible to their needs. The client is the expert in their own life, and Kelly helps them to navigate their healing journey.
Learn more about Kelly on her Instagram and Psychology Today profiles.
In this episode:
Kelly’s entrance to social work
From social work into private practice
Working in NIHB
Kelly’s advice for listeners
Kelly’s entrance to social work
Kelly got her bachelor’s degree after high school, and then she worked for a few years at an employee assistance program. Eventually, she decided to complete her bachelors of social work.
After she graduated from her bachelors of social work, it took her another few years to figure out what to do with her degree.
From social work into private practice
Kelly worked as the coordinator in a collective of therapists, and she was well-known there. She did potential client’s risk assessments and recommended them to a therapist in the collective.
Kelly was then motivated to start a private practice, with just a Bachelors of Social Work. She wanted to make sure that there wasn’t a specific rule stating that she wasn’t allowed, and within her province, it is allowed - but maybe not always recommended! Since further studying is often encouraged or required. Always check with your college!
Kelly approached the team as joining a psychotherapist, and was met with a warm welcome. They were supportive of her trying it out, and it just took time, her confidence, and support from other psychotherapists - with peer supervision - but Kelly did get there!
Working in NIHB
People who have status, either Inuit or indigenous, can access this service and they can receive up to 22 counselling sessions per calendar year. The therapist is paid directly from the government, so the client doesn’t have to pay at all.
In order to be a part of this program you can fill out an application as to why you would be competent to be part of this program.
You can learn more about this service on their official website. Kelly markets to her clients via her social media platforms, as well as receiving clients through her referral network.
Additionally, Kelly hosts a networking event each month for both fellow practitioners as well as clients, which allows more people to find out about her work, as well as allowing her to provide a platform for more therapists and clients to meet.
Kelly’s advice for listeners
You are not the only one who doesn’t know what they are doing with the business side of private practice!
Connect with your community of fellow therapists and practitioners, so that you have people to learn from and lean on, this is not a journey that you have to walk alone.
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources mentioned and useful links:
Ep 124: Seeking Out and Mastering Work/ Life Balance | EP 124
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Learn more about Kelly on her Instagram and Psychology Today profiles
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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We always hear about “optimization”, and to the extent that many folks may be influenced to outsource everything possible so that they have more free time.
But imagine this; if you had all this extra free time, after the time to rest, exercise, and spend time with loved ones, what would you be doing? If you had more free time and the mental capacity for tasks that you enjoy, what would they be?
You don’t have to outsource all the parts of your private practice, maybe only the parts that you either need help with, or that you really don’t like doing. If you’re a great therapist, but you also love marketing or SEO (like me!) then there’s nothing wrong with structuring your tasks so that you still get to do these tasks that you enjoy doing in your practice.
Work-life balance is just that, a balance that you have to test out to discover where it lies for you. This is what I’ve done, listen in to learn more!
In this Episode:
Some background on my experience so far
The reality of my choices
Do things because you love doing them
Some background on my experience so far
Sometimes therapists can only stay in the profession for a while because they can get severely burnt out, and I didn’t want that to happen to me.
When I started my Canadian private practice part-time, I was still working at university as a therapist. Even though I loved both jobs, I could tell that I was getting burnt out.
So, once I fully transitioned into private practice, things started to slowly get better! And I started to finally achieve some more work-life balance. I share more about this on this podcast episode; a 50/50 work week. Additionally, I share how having more free time helped me to overcome some obstacles that cropped up during this time.
The reality of my choices
At a time, this 50/50 work week split was great because it provided me with the chance to get to everything I needed to in my practice while allowing myself to rest on the off days.
However, with this additional extra time, I was getting a little bored.
I started to ask myself what fills my soul, beyond doing the therapy work that I love. I could sense that there was something more that I wanted to do and contribute to with my time and energy; I just had to figure out what that was.
What I came to understand was that by outsourcing everything that I possibly could, there were types of work that I was no longer doing that I did enjoy doing.
Do things because you love doing them
So, even though a business owner could technically outsource every single thing in their business to someone else - besides only what they can do - that’s not something that you have to do!
You can still find the balance between hiring outside assistants and help, and still doing the tasks that you enjoy doing!
Remember that you don’t have to follow everyone else’s example. Take advice and learn from other people’s experience, but at the end of the day, you are the one who can build a system that is best-suited for your needs and desires.
Some questions for you to think about could include:
What do you enjoy doing?
How do you make time for it?
What can you outsource so that you have the time to do these things?
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:
Ep 123: Michelle Ham: Joining a Collective to Build a Successful Practice | EP 123
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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Many therapists may feel daunted by the idea of returning to school to get their masters or a PhD, especially after they have settled into their adult lives. However, it truly is never too late!
If you have a desire to take your Canadian private practice to the next level, or you feel frustrated working on someone else’s schedule, and you desire more professional autonomy, taking a step forward with additional training may be very helpful to you.
In this podcast episode, I chat with Michelle who did just that.
MEET MICHELLE
Michelle Ham, C.C.C., is a compassionate and dedicated psychotherapist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. With a Bachelor's Degree in Family Social Sciences and a Master's in Counselling Psychology, Michelle brings over a decade of experience in social work to her practice. She is committed to creating a safe and inclusive space. Michelle's therapeutic approach is rooted in a holistic, integrative, and person-centered framework, allowing her clients to collaboratively navigate their pathway to change. Through evidence-based modalities such as Internal Family Systems, somatic-based work, narrative therapy, EMDR, and mindfulness, Michelle provides personalized therapy sessions that empower her clients to find healing, understanding, and growth.
Learn more about Michelle on her website, Instagram account, and Psychology Today profile
In this episode:
Michelle’s journey into psychotherapy
Michelle’s steps into private practice
The lessons learned thus far
Marketing a private practice
Michelle’s advice for new therapists or practice owners
Michelle’s journey into psychotherapy
Michelle graduated with an undergraduate degree in family social sciences in 2008. She then started working in the social work world, holding various different positions.
Following this desire to have more autonomy over her time, Michelle returned to school in 2021. She took her masters in counselling psychology online so that she could manage her course work, while continuing with her job, and being a mom.
Michelle’s steps into private practice
Once Michelle graduated, she opened up a sole-proprietorship for her own private practice, and she rents office space in a local collective. The office space is shared with other therapists, and Michelle is able to reap the benefits of an extensive referral network through her collective’s director, as well as enjoying the professional company of others while scheduling and working her own hours.
The lessons learned thus far
Even though there has been so much change and trial and error moments, as Michelle explains, she also says that she enjoys having the chance to set her own hours, set her own schedule, and to see the clients that she wants to.
Marketing a private practice
Even though Michelle’s only been in private practice for a few years, her caseload is already filling up. She credits this partially to the well-connectedness of the collective, which networks with the local community.
Additionally, when Michelle was still a student, she was intentional about working on her social media platform to slowly and organically begin growing an online presence.
Michelle’s advice for new therapists or practice owners
Michelle encourages listeners to explore what is most suitable for them in terms of whether they want to do a sole-proprietorship or to take another approach. You can tailor the way your business works to your preferences - that’s important to do!
Whether you want to open an in-person Canadian private practice or offer therapy services online, make sure that it is what you want to do, feel qualified in doing, and that you have a strong support network around you.
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources mentioned and useful links:
Ep 122: Embracing the Dynamic Nature of Niching | EP 122
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Learn more about Michelle on her website, Instagram account, and Psychology Today profile
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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As the saying goes; “the only constant thing is change”, and it’s true for Canadian private practices too. Sometimes you will set up a system that works well, but after months or years the practice has changed, and so the systems need to be updated.
Or, the offering that you used to love doing with your clients is no longer something that used to light your spark - because you’ve most likely changed as a person and a therapist along the way - so you decide to change it up.
The point is that niching can be a great way to build your business, but it can also be necessary to change your niche over time. It’s something that I have experienced as well, so listen in on this episode if you’re searching for some guidance!
In this Episode:
Why niching is important
How to niche
My experience with niching
Why niching is important
If you want a further, more in-depth episode into niching in Canadian private practice, I recommend that you listen to my previous episode on this topic! However, for a short recap, niching is important because it:
Helps you to stand out from the crowd
Helps you to focus on the issues that you are passionate about serving
How to niche
Some of the factors that you can keep in mind when you are figuring out your niche may include:
The size of the population of this niche
What you like working with clients through
What you are qualified to do
My experience with niching
Private Practice
With my website: I actually had a little mis-step with niching in my own private practice this past year! When I was redoing my website, I hired a website developer to give it a full make-over, as well as a copy editor. Overall, I realized that I had become way too excited about all the possibilities with the new website and adding services. I hadn’t niched down enough, which made it overwhelming for a potential client to browse through.
In the end, I reduced the specialty pages on the menu so that they only relate to our main private practice focuses.
Fearless Practice
With my consulting: over five years ago I started my private practice consultation because I couldn’t find any in Canada.
So, I started Fearless Practice to help other Canadian counsellors get the help that they needed with their private practices. Over the years, I created the workbook about how to start an online Canadian private practice, as well as scripts to send clients, private practice paperwork, an e-course, and more!
‘But as I continued to create these things, my consulting became irrelevant, because it’s all in the workbook! As well as with the podcast … There have been so many episodes where I have interviewed other Canadian counsellors … There’s just so much information that I have now on my website for Canadian counsellors, where you don’t have to pay extra to have a one-on-one with me.’ - Julia Smith
Additionally, I nowadays direct people to take courses from LinkedIn and Google since they offer insightful and helpful courses for therapists to take. So, my consulting days have changed, and I niched down - again! I now focus specifically on helping Canadian private practice owners recover from burnout by helping them to restructure their practice so that it suits their needs and desires.
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:
Ep 121: Mila Arsenijevic: Balancing Growth in a Canadian Private Practice | EP 121
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Listen to my previous episode on niching, why it is important, and how to do it!
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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Do you feel pressured to always be scaling and growing your Canadian private practice? In modern business, the idea is usually to push growth - but that’s not always the case! Sometimes not growing can also help private practice.
Every now and then you need to intentionally stop growing and instead focus on the foundations of your private practice, so that any future growth down the line actually holds and sticks because growth for growth’s sake is not necessarily everyone’s preference.
In this podcast episode, Mila and I discuss how she launched her practice and how sometimes not aiming for growth is the best way to success!
MEET MILA
Meet Mila, the driving force behind Toronto Therapy Practice. With over a decade of experience specializing in perinatal mental health at esteemed institutions such as Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Mila is a compassionate and dedicated therapist committed to fostering trust and connection with her clients. Her journey in the mental health field began as a social worker, evolving into her role as the founder of Toronto Therapy Practice.
Learn more about Mila on her Psychology Today profile and her Canadian practice website.
In this episode:
How Mila became a social worker
Getting into private practice
Mila’s advice on scaling via hiring
Dreams and aspirations for a growing practice
How Mila became a social worker
Since Mila had experience traveling internationally, she decided to study International Relations in Canada. She didn’t enjoy it as much as she thought she would, but Mila did take psychology as a minor and ended up loving it enough to focus on social work in her masters.
In her second year of placement in the masters program, Mila was at Sunnybrook hospital providing counselling. The job that she worked there went well enough that once she completed her studies, she decided to get a more permanent position and started her work experience.
However, she was offered a position in England which she ended up taking, and went to London to live and work. Mila was in England for some time before returning to Canada.
Getting into private practice
While Mila was working at the hospital, she was doing outpatient counselling.
She experienced some limitations in terms of how she was able to provide therapy within the hospital system. Mila noticed long wait lists, loads of people seeking access and care, and within the specific hospital rules, she thought that she could offer these necessary services in another way.
Mila’s advice on scaling via hiring
One associate hired was a friend of Mila’s, one was through word of mouth, and the other two were through Indeed.
With a flexible schedule system that all her associates have, Mila is able to connect clients and clinicians on schedules that suit both of their needs. Additionally, Mila’s practice and her associates have a hybrid model of offering in-person and online therapy.
Dreams and aspirations for a growing practice
Even though Mila has a lot of dreams for her private practice, she wants to make sure that she firmly establishes it now.
With appropriate scheduling, processes, and systems in place, Mila wants to give her private practice the best shot at success as she can, and that means taking the time and making the effort to lay strong yet flexible foundations for it - and her - to depend on.
There are also so many ways to get to the same place, so explore to find out what works well for you!
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources mentioned and useful links:
Ep 120: 5 Ways to Tackle Isolation with an Online Private Practice | EP 120
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Learn more about Mila on her Psychology Today profile and her Canadian practice website
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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Do you sometimes feel lonely working as a therapist? Do you have an online practice, and sometimes wish you could chat with a colleague between sessions to let off some steam or to get an ethical second opinion? How do you deal with isolation as an online therapist?
Working as a therapist can be an isolating experience in and of itself, since you can’t talk about the details of your work with friends or family. If you work from home like me, then I’m sure that you know that the isolation can be two-fold!
In this episode, I share with you some tips that I have figured out to help myself - and you - enjoy your work as a therapist while still making time for life beyond it. If you are stuck trying to choose between how to handle the challenge, I invite you to listen in!
In this Episode:
Be intentional
Get out of your apartment
Create peer-to-peer consultations
Meet with your assistants
Make time for a weekly activity
Be intentional
Between your work days and work weeks, it can be so tempting to just unwind alone at home, without having to exert yourself further by going outdoors and trying something new after a potentially challenging or long day.
However, don’t isolate yourself further just because you may be nervous about going outdoors. Find hobbies that you enjoy that get you outside of your home - and that are separate from therapy - so that you can unwind and relax in the company of like-minded people while doing something that you enjoy.
Get out of your apartment
Sure, you can enjoy hosting friends at your home. However, if you also work from home and then you socialize at home, there is very little variation in your routine, and you may begin to feel a bit suffocated!
This is even more important if you live alone at home, because staying connected with your friends and with your personal life beyond just working from home is important.
Create peer-to-peer consultations
If you have associates in your Canadian private practice, make sure to schedule a monthly peer-to-peer meeting so that you can consult together to stay connected and on the same page about the practice, and as well as about what’s happening in your lives.
Connect with your team to talk about client cases or maybe have some fun! Having and maintaining relationships with other therapists can help to ease that isolation since they know what it feels like to work in the profession.
Meet with your assistants
If you have a virtual assistant, schedule a 30-minute meeting weekly with them.
This is not only important to discuss business issues, but also to stay connected to your staff so that you don’t pass one another by like ships in the night.
Make time for a weekly activity
Something that I do which I love is going to the gym in the afternoon. It’s a lovely way to get out of the apartment, exercise, and to be around other people!No matter which one you choose, there will be challenges, so you just need to figure out which challenge is the one that you feel most comfortable to work with so that you can make the most of your obligations while enjoying yourself.
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:
Ep 119: What I Learned from Going to the CCPA Conference | FP 119
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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Have you ever been to a counselling conference? Are you considering going to one this year for the first time, or are you a regular attendee?
Whether you are more introverted or an extrovert, conferences offer spaces for both! Not just quiet workshops or long tables filled with fascinating people, but also where you can learn and develop your skills as a professional while enjoying time spent with other interesting therapists.
I got out of my comfort zone a bit and went to a CCPA conference last year, and it was great! Going forward, I know what I’m looking for now, and how to find other great therapists. If you’re interested in finding out how, listen in!
In this Episode:
What is the CCPA?
Conferences can be a lot of fun!
Choosing conferences going forward
What is the CCPA?
‘If you don’t know, CCPA stands for Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, and usually the conference that they have each year is in the springtime, but last year in 2023 they had it in October in Toronto.’ - Julia Smith
Usually, going to a conference for me is nerve wracking on a couple of levels! I was going alone to this conference, and I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy it or not. However, I was able to select the speakers that I was interested in, but it can be a hit-and-miss!
However, going to conferences also contributes to your CEC credits that all members of the CCPA need to get each year. So, keeping all this in mind, I pushed myself to go!
Conferences can be a lot of fun!
‘With the CCPA conferences, you’re expected to network. It is encouraged to talk to other counsellors. You don’t look silly going up to people and starting conversations … Once I got into the swing of things, it was really fun to have conversations with counsellors from all over Canada!’ - Julia Smith
If you felt like you were getting a little over socialized, you could go see some of the workshops and talks that were happening around at any given time.
I really liked that there were options to be silent and listen, or to put yourself out there and socialize! Even during lunches, it felt comfortable to sit down at a table with people that I didn’t know and to strike up a conversation, since this is encouraged by the CCPA conference guidelines. Everyone’s in the same boat!
Choosing conferences going forward
Despite the great time I had, I know that I want to be intentional about choosing the future conferences I’ll go to. Specifically, I want to be mindful about going to conferences which will give certain information that I want to learn about.
The CCPA conference is great for learning about many different things in the counselling world, from research to different types of therapy techniques to private practice information. Although, I know what I love! And so I would love to go to a conference on narrative therapy for therapists, because that is what I want to learn more about.
‘So for you, as you’re considering your budget for this year, I’d highly recommend budgeting some money for going to a conference, and honestly I’d really just start with the CCPA conference! The workshops are so diverse, everybody is a Canadian counsellor, and you get CECs for going!’ - Julia Smith
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:
Ep 118: Brittany Wells-Pantaleo: Growing a Group Practice Virtually and Ethically | EP 118
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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Many counsellors may enter into private practice without expecting to open it into a group practice, since it can be a journey that develops as you explore your niche, assess the needs of your community, and as you develop as a person.
However, if you find yourself on the entrepreneurial path, don’t doubt that it can work! Even though many counsellors are not taught business skills in school, they can be learned, and you can work as an expert in your niche while being profitable and building your dream virtual group practice!
In this podcast episode, I chat with Brittany about her experience of launching, managing, and working in her group practice that’s virtual across Canada. She shares her advice and experience from starting without knowing to confidently planning for her future.
MEET BRITTANY
Brittany Wells-Pantaleo, MSW, RSW, is the Founder and Clinical Director of Moncton Counselling and Wellness. With a Master's degree in Social Work and as a Registered Social Worker, she has dedicated my career to supporting individuals in their mental health journeys. In 2021, she established Moncton Counselling and Wellness with the goal of providing compassionate and effective counselling support. Her organization has since grown, serving individuals and couples across Canada.
Learn more about Brittany on her LinkedIn profile, practice website, and Instagram page.
In this episode:
Why Brittany became a social worker
Starting a private practice
Developing a group private practice
Using Jane App for a virtual practice
Navigating virtual counselling ethically
Why Brittany became a social worker
Brittany’s social work journey began in Ontario in 2016. While she was completing her undergrad, she began working in social worker positions. Brittany worked in the shelter system with a women’s shelter and a youth shelter.
Brittany applied and luckily got in the first round for her masters, and started in-person, but with the COVID-19 pandemic she had to move online for the last six months of her two and a half year program.
Even though it was an intense experience, Brittany explains that it provided her with invaluable experience and skills which she brought with her on her journey to today.
Starting a private practice
In 2021, Brittany moved to Moncton, New Brunswick and began working for another private practice before venturing out on her own.
By connecting with a fellow therapist, Brittany began receiving some referrals and building up her referral network and learning from this more experienced practitioner.
However, Brittany’s father was diagnosed with cancer, and she decided to take a risk and go out on her own so that she could stay closer to family during this time.
Developing a group private practice
Once Brittany understood what the mental health landscape looked like in Moncton, she came to find that there were lots of people seeking therapy and that there were a lot of waitlists.
Since no other therapists were taking clients and Brittany’s waitlist also began to grow, she considered opening up a virtual wing of her private practice.
Using Jane App for a virtual practice
Brittany highly recommends Jane App for managing her virtual group practice. Technology is all-encompassing these days, and so choosing a software managing system is important because it becomes an integral part of what your Canadian private practice develops around.
Navigating virtual counselling ethically
Since starting her private practice, Brittany has learned that it is slightly different for social workers.
It is always good practice to work with your attorney or legal advisor, and get in touch with the relevant associations or colleges before you start working in a province, in-person or virtually.
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources mentioned and useful links:
Ep 117: Courtney Vezina: Incorporating Community Values into Private Practice | EP 117
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Learn more about Brittany on her LinkedIn profile, practice website, and Instagram page
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There are many different ways in which you can instill and live out the values that you have founded your Canadian private practice on.
For Courtney, the value of community is a driving factor that positively impacts the work that she and her colleagues do. So much so, that her private practice offers a scholarship for students doing their bachelors in social work or psychology!
In this podcast episode, Courtney and I discuss her entry into private practice, why she decided to do her doctorate, and how she has found ways to bring the sense of community into her private practice.
MEET COURTNEY
Courtney is a Registered Psychotherapist who owns a group clinic; Courtney James Counselling and Psychotherapy, with locations in Kemptville and Brockville, Ontario. Courtney is currently completing her Doctorate of Counselling and Psychotherapy and is excited to engage in the further development of this amazing field of work. In her clinical work, Courtney uses a humanistic, trauma-informed lens and specializes in relational difficulties and developmental trauma. Courtney’s clinical work and Doctoral studies are focused on her work within the foster care and adoption community.
Learn more about Courtney on the practice website, Psychology Today, and Instagram profiles.
In this episode:
Why Courtney decided to become a psychotherapist
Starting a doctorate
Courtney’s private practice
Growing the private practice
Offering group sessions
The mental health scholarship!
Why Courtney decided to become a psychotherapist
Right after high school, Courtney started her psychology studies and then went into the field to gain frontline experience after graduating.
Afterward, she shifted into the mental health field with a position in a school board. It was during one of her maternity leaves that she started her masters program in Counselling Psychology in 2017.
Starting a doctorate
Most counsellors can open a Canadian private practice with only a masters degree, but Courtney went further and is working towards completing her doctorate.
For Courtney, the doctoral program that she’s in is not specifically research-based, and it encourages a different style of approaching this field that’s specific to psychotherapy.
Courtney’s private practice
While Courtney was completing her masters program, it was her intention to start a private practice.
Even though Courtney began as a solo practitioner, she quickly hired colleagues into her private practice.
Growing the private practice
Courtney was mindful of where the needs were in her community, and so she therefore decided to open a second and third location in areas of her city where she knew that the population didn’t have as much access to mental health care.
The point is to take calculated risks for your business. You don’t have to know if something is going to work before you try it - sometimes you have to try first to gain insight, and to then take informed action moving forward.
Offering group sessions
Courtney’s practice is creating emotional regulation groups that she brainstormed with a few of her colleagues.
Even though there is an interest in offering group therapy, Courntey and her team are working on the fine print and structural components of it before they fully provide this additional service to their clients.
The mental health scholarship
For students that are accepted into undergraduate programs in psychology or social work, Courntey’s practice is offering a scholarship!
This will be the fourth year that the scholarship is being offered, and her intention behind offering it comes from the same community piece that is vital to her and is one of the foundational pillars of the practice.
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources mentioned and useful links:
Ep 116: Samantha Sarty: Setting Business Boundaries to Grow Private Practice | EP 116
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Learn more about Courtney on the practice website, Psychology Today, and Instagram profiles
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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Building a practice is a tricky task because we know that it is going to be difficult sometimes. The question is, when have we gone too far and are perhaps risking burnout? It can feel difficult to maintain your personal and professional boundaries when you are the boss and things depend on you, but in essence, your business does depend on you, so it’s important to take care of yourself.
Whether you are a part-time Canadian private practice owner, or you work full-time, there’s always something that you can learn from another counsellor’s story. On today’s episode, I chat with Samantha and we discuss growing your business without compromising on your boundaries, marketing with social media, and giving back to the therapeutic community.
MEET SAMANTHA
Sam Sarty is a Registered Social Worker and Registered Nurse practicing in Dartmouth, NS, Canada - the land of the Mi'kmaq people. She specializes in working with trauma particularly in the first responder and veteran population. She is currently working in solo private practice (Following Seas Psychotherapy) after working in the public mental health system for the last decade as well as part-time work for a group practice.
Learn more about Samantha on her Psychology Today and LinkedIn profile, and private practice website.
In this episode:
How Samantha became a social worker
Using Jane App for managing a business
Expanding the business with boundaries
Using social media in private practice
How Samantha offers sliding scale
How Samantha became a social worker
After completing university, Samantha pursued nursing but didn’t want to go through the traditional route, and instead completed a mental health course, and then found her passion with that type of nursing work.
Once Samantha completed nursing school, she went onto working at the local children’s hospital before coming back to adult mental health in 2016.
Using Jane App for managing a business
Samantha uses the Jane App in her private practice, and for her it’s incredibly useful and helpful.
Without any associates or admin assistants, Samantha does all the work in her private practice currently, from taking the calls, replying to emails, and billing.
Expanding the business with boundaries
Samantha wants to grow the business while being mindful of her own personal boundaries at the same time.
Since the business depends on her effort, she knows that it’s important to scale the business while doing it intentionally with her needs so that she doesn’t have to exchange the success of the business on a loss of her health or wealth.
Using social media in private practice
For Samantha, it was important to use social media as a tool to spread knowledge and information instead of disinformation. Not to give her clients or audience therapy through social media, but actionable tools, awareness, and information.
In this way, social media can become a way to not only market your Canadian private practice, but it also becomes a way to serve the community.
Even though Psychology Today is currently one of her strongest referral sources that brings her the most clients, Samantha has found that word-of-mouth referrals as well as referrals from doctors have been the most successful.
How Samantha offers sliding scale
Samantha does clinical supervision, and offers sliding scales for other therapists because she wants to help invest in the profession itself.
Looking to the future
With regards to what’s up ahead, Samantha is considering the possibility of offering intensives to future clients.
She’s found that they can be incredibly helpful to clients looking to process traumatic events, so Samantha is wanting to incorporate this into the future of her Canadian private practice.
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources mentioned and useful links:
Ep 115: Jasmine Bird: Defining Your Success to Live Authentically | EP 115
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Learn more about
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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Jasmine is a great example of; working to live, not living to work. You do not have to grow your business exponentially just because you can. If you are doing well in your Canadian private practice, but the idea of owning a huge business is daunting to you - you don’t have to take it that far!
One of the ways of building a truly successful business that serves your clients - and you - is to structure it around your needs, as well as theirs. Be mindful of your values and intentionally incorporate them into your choices, both personally and professionally, so that you can wake up each day looking forward to your schedule instead of dreading it.
In this podcast episode, Jasmine and I discuss her entry into private practice, what she did that worked well and how she’s managing her success into the future.
MEET JASMINE
Jasmine Bird is the Founder of SOAR Counselling - Group Practice - located in South Surrey, British Columbia. She is a passionate and dedicated Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), who specializes in working with children, youth, caregivers, and families impacted by mental health challenges. Jasmine has over a decade of experience working across various mental health settings, such as Child and Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatry with BC Children’s Hospital and Surrey Memorial Hospital and Community Child and Youth Mental Health Outpatient Programs with Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and Fraser Health Authority.
Learn more about Jasmine on her website, Psychology Today profile, and Instagram account.
In this episode:
Why Jasmine became a therapist
Starting and growing a private practice
What’s on the horizon?
Jasmine’s advice for listeners
Why Jasmine became a therapist
Ever since Jasmine was young, she was intrigued by people. She was curious about how they thought about life, the way that they approached it, and their stories and experiences.
Jasmine completed her counselling education in B.C. and worked in organizations before starting her own private practice. She knew that she loved helping youth and their families and wanted to make a difference.
Starting and growing a private practice
Jasmine built her Canadian private practice in South Surrey. She felt lucky in the fact that her practice has been successful from when it opened its doors, so she was able to continue developing it over the years, with some minor financial dips here and there.
Jasmine was also able to get some advice and help from her husband, who has completed a masters degree in business.
In terms of building a successful business, Jasmine noticed a desperate need in an area of her community and decided to set up her practice there.
Now Jasmine has five associates, and everyone is fully booked, including her!
What’s on the horizon?
After Jasmine’s business quickly scaled, she noticed that something wasn’t feeling quite right.
Now that her business has grown and is on the path to continue doing so, Jasmine wants to be intentional about structuring her business so that it doesn’t get overwhelmingly busy and run away with her.
Therefore, Jasmine’s now decided to actually scale back a bit and to not continue growing the business, without intention. Her Canadian private practice is successful now, and she’s focusing on maintaining that success at this level so that she can remain a successful niche business without getting swept away.
Jasmine’s advice for listeners
Remember the power of vulnerability and the importance of being authentic, especially as a leader. And bet on yourself!
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources mentioned and useful links:
Ep 114: Imogen McIntyre: Using Your Niche to Build a Private Practice | EP 114
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Learn more about Jasmine on her website, Psychology Today profile, and Instagram account
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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How can you market your practice successfully in a big city? Do you have a specific niche that you want to figure out how to use well to connect with your best-fit client? Are you on the verge of considering to open two practices?
Everyone talks about niching down, but it’s always helpful to speak to someone that did it and made it work well!
In this podcast episode, Imogen and I discuss the entry into becoming a clinical social worker, launching and running two Canadian practices, and really knuckling down into a niche to allow the business to flourish.
MEET IMOGEN
Imogen Mcintyre is a Registered Clinical Social Worker who has founded two private practices, one focused on LGBTQ and neurodivergent issues, the other focused on couples therapy for sticky topics: the ones that can be hard to talk about with friends or family (think infidelity recovery, mismatched libidos or sexual preferences, shifts in gender or sexual identity, mental illness and relationships, and many more). Imogen practices from IFS, Gottman, and EFT informed approaches and strives to provide couples therapy without shame or blame.
Learn more about Imogen on their Psychology Today profile, and private practice website.
In this episode:
Why Imogen decided to become a clinical social worker
Building your own Canadian private practice
A clinical social worker as opposed to a social worker
Imogen’s unique service offering
Marketing in a big city
Why Imogen decided to become a clinical social worker
In 2015, Imogen got their Bachelors of Social Work. At the time, Imogen was a single mom and decided to go into social work.
Imogen started in Vancouver before practicing in other places, and also worked for the government at the start of their career. They worked in youth work for a year, and even though it was an enjoyable experience, it wasn’t financially sustainable, so Imogen went back to school to complete a masters degree.
After completing their masters, Imogen was hired by a health authority and greatly enjoyed working with the team, but then went on maternity leave.
Building up your own Canadian private practice
One of the drivers for Imogen to open and pursue their own business was to have more freedom and autonomy with time.
Now, Imogen has more autonomy in terms of time, and is working in an environment where they can meet their needs as well as the needs of their family.
A clinical social worker as opposed to a social worker
The clinical social worker designation is new in Canada, so it’s not widely known yet, sometimes even in professional circles.
With the RCSW, Imogen can diagnose things like ADHD and anything within the DSM, although there are some things that Imogen won’t diagnose for due to not personally feeling fully qualified yet.
Imogen’s unique service offering
Imogen noticed with their existing clients that people were asking for letters for different purposes, and Imogen wanted to figure out a way to offer clients this service while still being billed for the time and effort it takes to write them.
Doing it through the Jane App platform means that the time during the sessions is dedicated specifically to the clients needs, and not for writing the letter itself.
Marketing in a big city
Imogen was able to build up their clientele in Vancouver relatively quickly, which is a challenge!
Therefore, having a very in depth niche is what greatly helped Imogen to build their practice up relatively quickly and successfully.
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources mentioned and useful links:
Ep 113: Veronica Loffreda: Why Diversifying Brings You Success in Private Practice | EP 113
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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When we want to do something really well, we may pick one path and stick to it, but hyperfocusing can cause us to develop blind spots to where we could improve. Sometimes there is success and new possibilities available to you when you try new things, diversify your approach, and look at things differently - without a fear of failure!
There are multiple ways of helping your community, creating strong referral networks, and finding clients. When you diversify your private practice, success and new opportunities may more easily find their way to you.
By being brave in your actions and trying lots of new things, you can develop your skills as a counsellor and a practice owner! In this podcast episode, I chat with Veronica about her amazing experiences - and how being diverse helped her to succeed!
MEET VERONICA
Veronica is a licensed psychologist and certified counsellor with 20 + years experience. She owns a private practice in Quebec and specializes in complex trauma, multicultural groups, and immigrant populations.
Learn more about Veronica on her LinkedIn profile and her website
In this episode:
Veronica’s journey into counselling
Starting a private practice
Diversifying your clientele in private practice
Learning a new language to work with clients
Veronica’s journey into counselling
Veronica completed her bachelor's degree in psychology, and it encouraged her to finish her masters degree in psychology, which is where she got her certification.
Afterward, Veronica got her licensing as a psychologist and went to a university in Montreal to finish her doctorate degree.
Veronica wanted to make sure that she wouldn’t accidentally close herself off from opportunities. Therefore, to have more opportunities for clinical work, Veronica made sure to get the correct licensing and certifications.
Starting a private practice
In the beginning of Veronica’s career after her bachelor years, Veronica worked in a community centre.
Even though she was so excited and resolved on opening her own Canadian private practice, Veronica felt strongly that she first had to gain more experience in the field.
After many years, Veronica was working with a boss that she fundamentally disagreed with when it came to providing the right care for clients. So, Veronica decided to put her efforts elsewhere.
Diversifying your clientele in private practice
In the beginning of her private practice, Veronica had an “open door” policy.
Veronica built up her referral network, and she was fully booked. She worked from 09:00 to 21:00 in her first year, and even though she had $0 profit, all her debts were paid off.
When Veronica is working with government groups, she learnt to work with multiple groups at once since their payments don’t always come in at the same time. So, you need to be working with different entities so that you can often have an income stream. Veronica’s advice is that you need to fulfil your client base with different areas, because this is what will keep your Canadian practice afloat.
Learning a new language to work with new clients
Apart from developing herself with professional skills, Veronica went the extra mile and learned an additional language to be able to work with clients who were seeking counselling that could not speak English or French.
As a fluent polyglot, Veronica understands the power of a mother tongue, and the emotional language that a bi- or multilingual person has. To understand a person also means to speak to them in their language, and that’s what Veronica did.
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources mentioned and useful links:
Ep 112: Great Platforms You Can Use in Your Private Practice | EP 112
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Learn more about Veronica on her LinkedIn profile and her website
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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Do you know some of the sweet spots to streamline your business processes? Is your Canadian private practice set up to support you, while you support your clients? Are you looking for some tips and tools that you can use to simplify your practice needs?
There are so many different platforms and apps out there that it can seem overwhelming. If you are looking for some guidance and advice from lived experience, listen and read on!
In this podcast episode, I share the different services and platforms that I personally use and recommend in my practice with you.
In this Episode:
Slack
Hushmail
Google Drive
Jane App
Slack
You probably already receive loads of emails each day, and it can be frustrating when admin emails get lost in between client emails, and all the rest. With Slack, you can keep any and all business-related topics, queries, requests, and ideas in one place.
Some of the great features of Slack include:
Using it as a quick easy way to chat with colleagues and staff
Video calls that you could use for monthly meetings
Quick ways to tell your staff that you are unavailable, or on vacation
Option to have specific group chats
If you decide to get the paid plan, you then get access to the video calls feature, as well as control of when you want communication to be deleted. Since Slack messages are not encrypted, using this option for added security can be useful.
Hushmail
If you are emailing sensitive information then you should definitely consider using Hushmail! With their opt-in or -out encryption feature, you can either select that someone receives an email with a link to open it, or not.
It’s great for sending sensitive information because it’s hack-proof!
‘As a therapist, I believe that you really need to have that option of having emails encrypted. Sometimes we have to send things to insurance, sometimes we have to send things to an employer, or sometimes we have to send things to clients, and if you don’t have any options for encrypting emails, that can be unethical and dangerous.’ - Julia Smith
Hushmail offers affordable pricing, for only 11.99 USD a month. If you want to check it out, learn more and sign up here!
Google Drive
I’ve used Google Drive to write manuals for all of my assistants.
It’s a great tool because they are essentially “living” documents that can be edited by the owner as well as whoever you decide to share it with, meaning that the information can always be updated and shared.
‘One tip is every year I would copy that doc and save it on your computer … So that you have a document that isn’t online in case something were to happen with Google Drive, that you have that document on your computer so it’s not only living on the internet.’ - Julia Smith
Jane App
‘This is the number one thing and the first thing that you should invest in. It is private practice in a box!’ - Julia Smith
Jane App can do your:
Billing
Invoicing
Bookings
Charting
Group private practice feature - for an extra 15 CAD (plus tax) a month
Their in-platform video service is included in their monthly subscription price, which is 79 CAD (plus tax). Their features are also customizable, like their online-booking platform, so you can change things to complement your Canadian practice!
If you are ready to try it, use my code FEARLESS to that you can receive your first month for free when you sign up!
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:
Ep 111: Marlee Rubel: Building an Online Private Practice in Toronto
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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A lot of counsellors may start private practices because they want flexibility and autonomy in their professional lives, as well as for the fact that they have noticed a direct need that they feel passionate about serving.
Marlee, today’s guest, decided to go into private practice for those reasons.
In this podcast episode, Marlee and I discuss private practice, supporting mental health practitioners, and why building up a strong network - and resting! - are important.
MEET MARLEE
Marlee Rubel (she/her) is a Registered Psychotherapist offering clinical consultation, supervision, trainings, and program development to individuals, hospitals and various agencies within Toronto. Operating from a social justice oriented and trauma-informed lens, she specializes in complex trauma, queer experience, and relationship therapy in her clinical practice. She is the Clinical Director of Soft Landings Psychotherapy.
Learn more about Marlee on her website, LinkedIn profile, and practice website
In this episode:
How Marlee started her private practice
Supporting the not-for-profit sector with consulting
Owning a virtual practice
Marlee’s tips for listeners
How Marlee started her private practice
After completing her counselling degree, Marlee started working in a hospital as well as working part-time in a group private practice.
Marlee only worked in the hospital for a year before changing to work in an addiction treatment program with a great team, but it was tough and challenging work to do.
When Marlee was working in the addiction program and before in the hospital, she found that most people she worked with were burned out, and she knew that for her career that she wanted to do something different so she could provide care while also caring for herself.
Supporting the not-for-profit sector with consulting
One of the aspects of Marlee’s work is that she supports and helps counsellors working in the not-for-profit sector to not get burned out.
Counsellors and therapists know how strained the mental health system is, and so many workers get burned out so easily since the need is so great but the system isn’t designed to support mental health practitioners when the strain inevitably gets too much.
Owning a virtual practice
Marlee hasn’t had many clients be upset or leave the practice due to it being a virtual business. In many ways, the virtual therapy offers additional support, such as:
Accessing therapy when they are ill at home
Attending a session if a child is at home sick
Not having to pay for gas or travel expenses
If a client is dealing with anxiety about leaving their home
After some time, Marlee decided to develop her Canadian private practice into a group practice by listing her business on job platforms and hiring new clinicians.
Since Marlee had some experience working previously in group private practices, she knew both what she wanted (a sense of community and professional respect and support amongst staff), and what she didn’t want (for burnt out to be rampant or the expected norm).
Marlee’s tips for listeners
Don’t operate from a scarcity mindset. The need for mental health is increasing, and there will always be people that require and seek help. So, know that your skills and your work will always be needed, you just need to show up, be authentic, and build the foundation of your business on your mission and values.
Additionally, network! Build up your network as soon as you can.
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources mentioned and useful links:
Ep 110: What to Consider when Setting Your Private Practice Rates | EP 110
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Learn more about Marlee on her website, LinkedIn profile, and practice website
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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Are you having trouble deciding on a starting rate for your private practice?
There are so many ways to figure out how to start off. For example, your college or association may have a recommendation, or basing your rate on what other therapists are charging in your area - but these guidelines may not be enough to allow you to be profitable!
You may need to look at your budget to know where to set your rates in order to give your Canadian private practice the best shot at being successful. In this podcast episode, I talk you through a basic exercise that you can do to help you decide what your rate should be.
In this Episode:
Make it personal
How to find your starting rate
Final thoughts
Make it personal
You have to personalize your budget, and therefore your therapy rate. Sure, you can look at what other therapists in your area are charging to make sure that you’re not pricing yourself too high or too low, or you could check in with your associated college to see what they say.
However, whatever advice you get, you need to tailor it to what your personal and professional needs are. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to budgeting; you’re going to have to understand your numbers and you’re going to understand your needs!
It is a bit of a dance to figure out what to do in this situation, and I know because I’ve been there! If you want some more in-depth advice, you can download my free e-course or purchase my workbook.
How to find your starting rate
One of the main reasons why people start private practices is because they want work-life balance. So, let’s say:
At a maximum that you want to see four people a day for five days a week, that’s 20 people per week
You want to take four weeks of vacation
You take 10 sick or personal days
There are five holidays
With these calculations, you’ll probably be working around 45 work weeks per year. Now, a common rate is $150 CAD, which I’ll use in this example. If you charge:
$150 CAD x 20 clients, that is $3000 per week
$3000 CAD x 45 weeks, that is a total of $135,000
This may seem like a lot of money, but you have to take income tax into account, as well as your business expenses. I recommended subtracting 50% right away for income tax and business expenses, and whatever is left is your bonus for the year.
‘But, for that 50%, it would go towards rent if you’re seeing people in person, your practice management software and I use Jane App for that - it’s fairly affordable, around $80 CAD a month … You may have hired VAs, clinical insurance, clinical supervision, accountants, website development … So many things that you have to pay for!’ - Julia Smith
So, once you subtract this 50%, you could be left with $67,500 CAD.
With retirement, it’s recommended that you put away 10-15%, and now you are left with a total of: $57,375.00 and divided by 12 months, that is $4,781.25 CAD.
Final thoughts
In Canada, $150 CAD may not be enough to charge for a session, but I know that it can be difficult to charge more. There are lots of factors to consider, but don’t lose hope! There is a sweet spot that you can find with your numbers when you start working with them.
So, consider doing this exercise to get clarity about the rate that you would like to get to!
Connect with me:
Instagram
Website
Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:
Ep 109: How to Build a Private Practice Website | EP 109
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
- Visa fler
