TINA BELLS: BALANCING NON-PROFIT AND PRIVATE PRACTICE | EP 189
Have you ever felt the need to choose between non-profit and private practice? Is it possible to do both? My guest today, Tina, has found a way to do so!
She believes in sustainability, both in business and her personal life. For Tina, being able to offer her services in the non-profit sector helps her to make sure her expertise is available to people who need the support but can’t easily afford it, and seeing private clients in her solo practice helps her to support herself!
By combining both approaches, Tina can make sure she utilizes both her passion and her skills, and live while working in a way that feels fully integrated with her values. If you want to learn more, come join our conversation!
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MEET TINA
Tina Bells is a Registered Psychotherapist and EMDR therapist based in Toronto, where she also serves as the Grief and Bereavement Coordinator for a local hospice. She is the owner of Grounded Voice Psychotherapy, her Private Practice, where she supports individuals experiencing loss and Spiritual abuse. With a Master’s in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy and over a decade of experience in non-profits, including those such as shelters and correctional services, all of which inform her holistic, compassionate approach.
Learn more about Tina on her practice website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles.
In This Episode
- What motivated Tina to become a therapist
- Going into private practice
- Managing a diverse schedule
- Tina’s goals for 2026
- Tina’s advice to listeners
What motivated Tina to become a therapist
There was no big, sudden moment of realization that Tina had to know she wanted to become a therapist. Instead, pursuing therapy came from a lifetime of interest in other people.
‘I think it was a series of small things over time. I always knew I wanted to support people, that’s what led to the Master’s in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy, and then into the non-profit work that I have been doing for the last two decades.’ – Tina Bells
Initially, Tina worked mostly with people who were struggling with addictions, but with time, her passions shifted, things changed, and she began to focus on grief. That pulled her in and encouraged her to pivot her career.
Going into private practice
While Tina continues to work in the non-profit sector, she has begun her own Canadian private practice to prevent burnout.
‘I think sustainability is an ethical issue, and that private practice allows me to do both [non-profit and private practice work], and allows me to have meaningful work in non-profit and provide for clients in a way that you can’t when you’re in the system.’ – Tina Bells
For Tina, having one foot in both the non-profit sector and private practice enables her to find a clear, sustainable balance between serving her community and her passions while still being able to earn a stable income to support herself.
‘It’s really amazing to serve in that way, and to meet the needs of people who wouldn’t be able to access mental healthcare otherwise. [And] when you’re in private practice, you’re able to meet a need in a different way, so you get more time with people. You get to see some of that long-term [change].’ – Tina Bells
Therefore, Tina can give support and care to people who need assistance through non-profit sectors, and also continue seeing her private practice clients.
Managing a diverse schedule
Since Tina works in both non-profit and private practice, she needs to be strategic with her time.
At the moment, she works for three days in a non-profit and two days in her private practice. With this split, she’s able to work with both groups of people and still afford her lifestyle.
Additionally, her private practice is completely virtual, which helps her manage her work from home on her dedicated practice days.
Tina’s goals for 2026
For 2026, Tina’s main goal is to get groups up and running in her Canadian private practice.
‘I’m trying to generate some interest in that. I would really love to do a group that focuses on the grief around losing a spiritual community. I think that’s a really big piece, and it’s not something that’s often talked about, so that’s my goal … To get a group going.’ – Tina Bells
She has added this option to her Psychology Today profile just to start the process. While she hasn’t gotten any clients for the groups yet, the year has just begun! And Tina knows it will take some time to develop.
Additionally, Tina has goals to expand her marketing efforts, especially when it comes to networking and meeting new people in the community. If you are a non-profit or private practice owner, reach out to Tina and connect!
Tina’s advice to listeners
Don’t underestimate the importance (and power!) of good supervision. Working with an expert and compassionate mentor can help you cover so much ground, especially if you are feeling unsure, nervous, or unsure how to begin this journey into therapy.
Connect With Me
Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:
Nadia and Debora D’Luso: A Sister-Team in Private Practice | EP 188
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 FEARLESS2MO for two months free)
Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free!
Learn more about Tina on her practice website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
About Jules Smith
Jules Smith, MEd, RCT, CCC is a registered Counselling Therapist who owns a group private practice in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They are also the owner of Fearless Practice Consulting and hosts the Fearless Practice podcast. Through the Fearless Practice podcast, they provide invaluable insights and practical advice on starting and growing a successful Canadian private practice.
Jules also has written articles for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy association. You can learn more at www.ccpa-accp.ca/blog/.
