Just because I enjoying owning and running a private practice, doesn’t mean you will too. Everyone’s journey is complex and unique!

Some people hate the logistics of running a business (e.g. billing, replying to phone calls, paying taxes) and just want to focus on providing therapy.

Consider what it is that you really seek right now and long term, and if owning a business will bring you the joy, freedom, and peace you are looking for.

Pros Of Private Practice

• More Freedom & Choice

• To dictate your own hours, fees, policies, systems

• Lifelong Learning

• Requires learning and understanding of legal, ethical, financial, administrative, and technical aspects of running a therapy business

• You’re In Charge Of Everything

• You like making decisions

• You want to create your own management/work systems

• Higher Income Potential

• Than community mental health, non profits, and traditional organizations/systems

• Seeing less clients while making more or the same amount of money

• Preventing Burn Out

• No more listening and adhering to managed care/insurance

• No more seeing 25-35 clients weekly

• Taking time off whenever you want to (rather than requesting time off and asking for coverage weeks/months in advance)

• The Ability To Create A Life You Desire & Crave

• Making a certain income (unlimited potential, especially once if/once you scale from beyond 1:1 therapy to groups, workshops, speaking engagements, consultation)

• Your ideal work schedule (you could work 2-3 days a week if you’d like)

• A certain ideal client population (not feeling ill equipped and incompetent while also working within your scope of practice)

Cons Of Private Practice

• Isolating & Lonely Working Alone

• You’ll find your own support through supervision and peer consult

• Multiple Roles Required

• Billing: Unless you hire someone to support you like a biller or office manager

• Admin: You’ll be in charge of responding to emails, phone calls, payment collection, appointment reminders

• Marketing: Other logistical duties like marketing, advertising, and networking

• Responsibility As A Business Owner

• Everything is your job (unless you hire out)

• Owning a business is inherently risky

• No Retirement Plan Matched By Employer

• You can invest in one of your choice as a pre-tax deduction such as SEP IRA, Roth, etc.

• Lack of CEU Fund Or In House Training/Education

• You’ll need to save money for your desired workshops/trainings

• Seasonal Income Based On Decreased Client Engagement

• Some seasons will be busier, others will be slower; summer vacation, winter break, holidays

• You’ll need to save accordingly to account for months you’ll make less money due to client cancellations or when clients end therapy with you

Questions To Ask Yourself

• Why do I want to start a private practice?

• What is motivating me?

• Money?

• Flexibility?

• Working with ideal clients?

• Seeing less clients?

• Having more control over my work?

• Who is my target/ideal client for private practice?

• What resources and support do I have to help me launch my practice?

• Mentors

• Femtors

• Former colleagues, supervisors, professors

• Facebook groups

• Peers

• Am I willing to learn the basics of operating and running a small business? Am I motivated and passionate?

• Do I have other obligations that will prevent me from committing to private practice?

• Children

• Caring for others

• Working another job

• Attending school or training program

• Would there be a much better time for me to start a business other than now?

• Can I open a private practice one day a week before quitting my full time job?