Is Your Private Practice Running You? Here’s How to Take the Reins
By Irrit Mihok
Creating a counseling private practice often starts with a dream of freedom. Whether it be choosing your own hours, seeing the clients you love, or finally escaping the grind of agency life. For many therapists, that dream quickly turns into a different kind of trap. The late night billing, insurance paneling, marketing fatigue and the constant concerns around financial anxiety.
If you’ve ever felt that you are a great clinician but a struggling business owner, you aren’t alone. Most clinicians don’t go to business school yet here you are, running a business. That gap between clinical skill and business savvy is exactly why we are offering the Booked and Balanced in Private Practice course.
Here is why this eight week interactive course is a game-changer for counselors and social workers.
Bridging the "Business School" Gap
Most of you as therapists spent years learning case conceptualization and therapeutic modalities, but you didn’t get a single hour of training on how to set a budget or run a marketing campaign. This course treats your practice like what it actually is, a business.
Led by Khara Croswaite Brindle, a financial therapist and seasoned practice owner, this course helps you move past “trial and error” and gives you a roadmap for professional sustainability. No more questions of, “What should I do?” or “How do I do this?” Having practical concrete steps to successfully run your business will allow you to use your mental energy towards your clients.
Marketing That Actually Works (and Feels Good)
One of the fastest ways to burnout is trying to be “the therapist for everyone”. Which is why this course focuses heavily on clarifying your niche. By identifying exactly who you are meant to serve, your marketing becomes authentic rather than salesy. You’ll learn how to reach the right clients so your caseload is filled with the work that actually energizes you.
In private practice, you shouldn’t feel like you have to take every client that inquires about getting treatment from you in order to stay afloat in your business. Having a plan to reach exactly those clients that are within your scope of practice is important ethically and for your business success.
Conquering "Noble Poverty"
Many helpers struggle with a “noble poverty” mindset, which is the idea that asking for what you’re worth is somehow at odds with being a healer. Because the course facilitator for this course is a certified financial therapist, this course dives deep into your own relationship with money. The areas you will learn about are integral to remaining balanced, happy with your career path and financially responsible. You will learn how to:
- Set sustainable fees that reflect your expertise.
- Manage inconsistent income and overhead costs.
- Explore secondary income streams (like workshops or writing) to diversify your revenue.
Reclaiming Your Time with Systems
If you feel like you’re always on, it’s likely because your systems are scattered. This course teaches you how to streamline your operations, from documentation to scheduling, so that when your last session of the day is over you can actually go home and be present in your own life. Without these you can become overworked, tired, and headed towards burnout.
Community vs. Isolation
Private practice can be a lonely island. One of the most underrated benefits of this class is having the community of accountability. For eight weeks, you are part of a group of peers who get it. You have a safe space to run ideas by others, ask real questions, and build a network of colleagues that lasts long after the course ends. Research has shown the importance of not feeling isolated as a clinician for longevity as a treatment provider.
How We Can Help
The goal of this course isn’t just to help you make more money; it’s to help you build a practice that supports the life you want to live. Whether you are just launching or you’ve been in practice for years and realize you’ve accidentally built yourself another “agency-style” burnout trap, this course provides the tools to pivot.
Ready to find your balance? Our Booked and Balanced in Private Practice course is starting again soon so take the first step toward a practice that is as healthy as the clients you serve.
Author Bio
Irrit Mihok is an administrative assistant with Firelight Supervision who is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado. Irrit has worked as a counselor in residential treatment, community mental health, and owned a private practice. Irrit is also an official with US Figure Skating and a blog author.
