How to Start a Private Practice as a Therapist: A Step by Step Guide
Have you ever thought about starting your own private practice but then immediately felt overwhelmed by everything that comes with it? Maybe you've thought:
Where do I even start?
Do I need an LLC?
Should I take insurance or private pay?
How much should I charge?
How am I going to find clients?
What about an EHR? Business licenses? Taxes? Marketing?
The reality is, most of us went to school to learn how to be therapists not how to run a business and there’s no reason why we would know how to do that. Then one day, you're expected to know how to do both.
That's why we created Build a Thriving Practice 101.
A Course for Therapists Who Want to Start (or Grow) a Private Practice
We created this course to help make the process feel a little less overwhelming. It's a self paced course with over two hours of content across seven modules that walks you through many of the questions that come up when you're thinking about starting a private practice. We created this to give you the information and things to think about so you can make decisions that actually make sense for you.
We cover a lot of the questions that come up when you're getting started.
Should You Start a Private Practice?
Private practice can be incredibly rewarding, but it's not for everyone. That’s something that doesn’t get mentioned a lot. We talk about some of the benefits, challenges, and realities of being your own boss so you can decide if it's the right move for you.
The Legal Basics
LLCs, S-Corp, EINs, NPIs, and business licenses aren't exactly the most exciting part of being a therapist but they're important.
We give you an overview of some of the basics you'll want to understand as you're getting your practice off the ground.
Insurance or Private Pay?
This is a big one that we see therapists really struggle with deciding:
Should you take insurance? Should you go private pay? Can you do both?
We talk through some of the pros and cons of each option and things to consider when deciding what's right for your practice.
Setting Up Your Practice
There's a lot that goes into actually getting your practice up and running. We talk about things like EHRs, virtual vs. in person work, business setup, and some of the practical details that can feel like a lot when you're trying to figure them out on your own.
Pricing and Budgeting
How much should you charge?
How much is it actually going to cost to run your practice?
And how many clients do you need to see to reach your income goals?
We walk through some of these questions so you can start thinking about your numbers and creating a plan.
Marketing and Getting Your First Clients
You can have the best practice in the world, but people have to know you exist.
We talk about marketing, writing your bio, figuring out your niche, and thinking about how to connect with the people you actually want to work with.
The Stuff No One Really Talks About
Starting a private practice isn't just about making money or getting clients.
It's also about building a life and a career that works for you.
We talk about some of the things that don't always get discussed like burnout, boundaries, and the reality of running your own practice.
You Don't Have to Have It All Figured Out
If you're thinking about starting a private practice, you don't need to have every single detail figured out before you begin. You can take it one step at a time. And you can change things along the way.
Our hope is that Build a Thriving Practice 101 gives you a place to start and helps you feel a little more confident about what's ahead.
And if you want more personalized support, our Gold Tier includes the full course plus a 50 minute one on one consultation where we can talk through your questions, goals, and where you are in the process.
Please note: This course is for educational purposes and is not legal, financial, or business advice. Requirements vary by location, so be sure to consult the appropriate professionals regarding your specific situation.
