Frequently asked questions
How to start you own private therapy practice
How do I start a private therapy practice?
Once you’re fully licensed, it’s a great idea to learn the basics so that you can set up a legitimate therapy business whether you choose to do in-person sessions, telehealth, or both. While every state has their own requirements, the foundational steps are similar and it’s important to get that done the right way the first time. Once that’s in place, it is helpful to set up a business infrastructure that helps you work efficiently and effectively.
How do I start my own counseling practice?
It can be helpful to know what kind of work you’re interested in doing first. Are you someone who is great with kids? Loves working with older adults? Has a passion for running groups or working with high conflict couples? Once you have an idea of who you want to work with, you can go about establishing yourself as a business entity in your state and get all of the necessary paperwork in place so you can effectively start marketing to your ideal clients.
How do I start a therapy business?
First things first, take and pass the full licensure exam. After you have that paper in hand (or a digital copy), you’re ready to start the next phase, which is getting established as a legitimate business in your state. From there, you will work through some basic tasks related to practicing therapy and figure out things like whether or not you want to take insurance, what your fee will be, and identifying your ideal client. You’ll want to market yourself and make sure you have all of the paperwork needed to see your first client.
How do I build and grow a successful private therapy practice?
There are lots of private therapy practices out there. But, did you know that about 20% of all small businesses fail within the first year? Since we know you don’t want to be included in that statistic, it’s important to get the right guidance from an expert consultant who has also had their own successful private practice. There are tips and tricks to use to stand out from your colleagues so that you will be successful in the first year and beyond. Once you learn what those are, you’ll be well on your way to having the private therapy practice of your dreams.
How do I market myself as a therapist?
I get asked this question ALL the time. Sure, you could pay a company to help you market yourself. But, I’ve learned that you don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of money to market yourself and to be successful at running a private therapy practice. With the right strategy and a little market research, you’ll figure out what will help you stand out from your colleagues.