About Julia Smith
Where are you in your private practice journey? How’s it going for you? I’m Julia Smith and I’m so glad you’re here.
This podcast is dedicated to help you know exactly how to start your private practice in Canada, while also sharing tips to growing it, filling your schedule, and going from solo to group practice owner. I’ll take you on my journey from starting as a counsellor to totally killin’ it and growing my own practice in Halifax. I also feature expert guests and industry leaders and together, we’ll help you plan, start, and grow a successful private practice in Canada.
Thanks for listening!
Julia Smith
Featured Podcasts
Julia Smith and Jane Donovan: Inside Insight Mental Health Counselling | Ep 158
In 2016, Julia reached out to Jane in her search for a narrative supervisor. Both of them were drawn to narrative therapy - Jane already having many years of experience with the modality, and agreed to be Julia’s supervisor. In 2020, when Julia was building up her virtual practice, she reached out to Jane to see if she would be interested in becoming an associate, and Jane agreed again! Now, their paths have shifted again, and they are colleagues and friends. In this podcast episode, Julia and Jane discuss the origins of their professional connection, what it is like to work together, and the advice that they have for listeners who are curious about Canadian private practice.
Affordable Ways to Start a Canadian Private Practice in 2025 | Ep 157
Hey you! Are you thinking about starting a Canadian private practice in 2025? If so, what is going to help you achieve the first step of your dream affordably and hassle-free? I know exactly what it is like to want to start a Canadian private practice but have no idea how to tackle it. It seems like a mountain of decisions and so many admin tasks. However, I went through it myself, and I’ve put all of my lessons, experiences, and advice into one comprehensive, simple, and free e-course - just for you! And I don’t hold back either. Everything is in there! If you are curiously excited about the prospect of opening up your practice doors within 2025, listen and read on!
Katie Lutes: School Therapist With a Weekend Private Practice | Ep 156
Katie has been working full-time in two different schools with students as a counsellor, family and play therapist as well as has a part-time private practice on Saturdays. When she is not doing virtual sessions with her clients, she sees them outside in nature with her dog. Since she has been working full-time in schools for the last 10 years, Katie is now starting to truly give her private practice the attention and energy it needs for her to develop it more fully. One day she hopes to work solely in her practice full-time, hire a team to work alongside her, and specialize in play therapy. Join us for our conversation today, where we talk about her journey, struggles, and wins throughout this time!
Amy Eriksson: Establishing a Successful Group Private Practice in Canada | Ep 155
Amy worked as a social worker for 20 years in crisis management in tandem with police and emergency services. She saw how intense and difficult the work could be, and wanted to create a place where her clients could receive their therapy that was softer, more welcoming, and curated to their requirements. Now, Amy runs a large private practice in Canada with therapists and staff working together all under the same shared values and goals. In this episode, we discuss building a practice from the ground up, how much therapy changes lives, and how we can create a practice that is tied in with our personal dreams while serving our client’s needs.
Pacific Pines: Working as a Team to Fulfil a Private Practice Dream | Ep 154
Natasha and Cherise met on an internship, became friends, and decided to work together to open up a Canadian private practice that is based on their shared values; accessibility, equity, and transparency. Working with a business partner in private practice is a great way to divide up the stress and double up the ideas. Together, they each handle specific roles, discuss new options, and help each other where they can. Building a practice, whether it is with a like-minded professional or on your own with an accountability partner or coach, can be easier! In this episode, I chat with Natasha and Cherise about their private practice journey, ups and downs, and the advice that they have for you.
Chanel Wainscott: Riding the Waves of Private Practice | Ep 151
Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by stress, from both inside and outside the private practice? How can you distinguish between fear, stress, and what is essential to do? Chanel, my guest today, answers that question to remember and use the power of your “why”. Why did you start your private practice? Why are you working in counselling and therapy? These answers can help give you the fortitude to keep going and weed out the unnecessary stressors (usually in the form of “shoulds”!) with what is important. In today’s episode, Chanel and I discuss the importance of “why” and how you can use it to ride the wave of private practice, reduce your stress, and work more closely and effectively with your values and passions.
Deanna Desantis: Being a Nurse, Psychotherapist, and Equestrian Counsellor | Ep 146
My guest today, Deanna, has followed her passions to a place where she now runs a Canadian private practice, working with horses and their riders while still being a nurse. She has combined her expertise and personal experience so that she can work and make a difference in the lives that she is most drawn to. In today’s episode, Deanna and I discuss her entry into psychotherapy, how she manages to be a nurse while running her practice, and how she has integrated her love for horses and the life of being a rider, including its challenges, into her practice as her professional niche.
Lauren Mallon: Why Niching Is a Practice-Boosting Superpower | Ep 145
When you establish your private practice in an underserved specialty, you increase your chance of being placed under the spotlight. A great niche could offer you an immediate step-up in getting noticed, help to connect with clients, and with potential referral sources. You may also feel that you enjoy your work much more and are more fulfilled when you position the focus of your practice amongst the niche that you are most passionate about working with. In this podcast episode, my guest Lauren and I discuss her entry into psychotherapy and her Canadian private practice which offers her clients sports-related therapy and mental health services. Join us for the conversation, and be inspired!
Jillian Bagan: Growing a Queer-Informed Practice | Ep 143
Sometimes, the most successful path that someone can take is the one that comes organically. By following your passions, seeing what works and what doesn’t, and taking your personal and professional preferences into account, you can make it easier for yourself to develop a balanced lifestyle that fulfills you both inside and outside the counselling room. For my guest today, Jillian did (and is doing) just that. Jillian works closely with their values, knows how to structure the workday to align with their personal and professional goals, and structures private practice around their needs as well as the needs of their clients, to work and enjoy a balanced lifestyle. Listen in on our conversation today to find out more about marketing organically, incorporating your values into your private practice, and connecting with your client niche and your own professional needs.
Flora Gerlai: Hiring the Right Fit for Your Practice | Ep 142
Many therapists may struggle with finding and hiring the best-fit staff for their private practice, and that may include hiring interns and students who want to complete their practicums. So, how do you go about finding them? My guest Flora in today’s episode interviewed more than 30 different candidates for a position at her practice! There’s some trial and error, but once you know more about what you are looking for and what the vision is that you have for your practice, it can help to make things easier.
Blackcy Placidass: Developing a Value-Based Practice | Ep 140
One of the great benefits of building a value-based practice is that it makes it easier for you to return to work each day, remembering why you do the work that you do. It also allows your clients to know exactly what you stand for, and how they can best connect with you and your mission. For example, my guest today has built her private practice around the metaphor of an oak tree, and not only has it enabled her to build a beautiful website that showcases the essence of her practice, but the imagery lets her easily connect with her clients about the importance of staying rooted, learning about the seasons of life, and how to remain strong when the winds blow strong. Join us for today’s podcast episode, where Blackcy and I discuss why we both came into the helper’s profession, how to curb burnout when managing workloads, and why incorporating our values into our practices is a good idea for anyone to consider!
Darbey Carlson: Why Authenticity Is a Secret Sauce to Marketing and More | Ep 139
Everyone knows about authenticity, but if you stop and think about it, why would clients trust a private practice that doesn’t act with integrity, or that comes across as insincere in their marketing? People who are looking for therapy are more likely just looking for professionals who have the skills and expertise that they need, someone they feel they trust and can help them. So, when you bring your authenticity into your marketing, work, and in your relationships with your clients and staff, that genuine care comes across in bounds, often leading to growth as a side effect! In this podcast episode, Darbey and I discuss her entry into private practice, and how being authentic for her has been the one thing which has boosted her private practice successfully.
Dr. Stacey Hatch: Research, Private Practice Tips, and Seeing Clients at Home | Ep 137
Life can take us in many different directions, and what helps is how we can make use of the knowledge that we acquire when exploring these routes. For today’s guest, Dr. Stacey Hatch followed her passion for psychology and working with people all the way from her near two-decade work experience in television to now running her own successful Canadian private practice! In this podcast episode, we talk about her journey into counselling, how she managed to complete her studies while teaching and working, and advice on seeing clients directly out of your home. Listen along for tips!
Paige Abbott: Taking Private Practice at Your Own Pace | Ep 131
It can be easy to get caught up in looking at everyone else’s journey when instead it’s important to focus on your own. When you take private practice at your own pace, and when you incorporate your talents and passions and allow yourself to be guided from one spot to the next, you can more easily find your way in private practice instead of trying to do what everyone else has done with theirs. Paige noticed the signs and the calling when she felt that it was time to open up her private practice. Of course there are bumps along the way, but she trusted the integrity of her desires and put in the effort to bring them to fruition. In this podcast episode, Paige and I discuss her journey into private practice, how she overcame impostor syndrome, and how she’s bringing in her personal passions into her Canadian practice.
Rhea Bridge: Niching in a New Practice to Reduce Burnout | Ep 129
In the beginning of starting a new practice, being a generalist seems like a good idea, especially when you want to welcome clients through the door and the idea of turning away new potential clients seems counterintuitive. However, niching down is not only helpful regarding your marketing or your skill set: niching down is also important for you! Working with your ideal clients and spending time with the community that you feel inspired to work with fulfills you, and helps you to enjoy your everyday work instead of feeling unnecessarily drained. In this podcast episode, I chat with Rhea, who started her virtual Canadian private practice after graduating, and who has built her success around focusing on her ideal clients and in the future hopes to build connections with her community, of both clients and therapists.
Christina Page: Transitioning From Agency to Private Practice | Ep 128
With private practice, Christina, our guest today, went through a challenging experience and found it difficult herself to find the therapy that she needed. When she registered as a social worker and later as a perinatal therapist, she knew that she wanted to fill the niche in the market by serving the families in her community. Today, we discuss her journey into social work, her time working at a hospital, and how she started her thriving, mostly virtual Canadian group practice, and how she incorporated her own values and passions into building a successful practice that meets her client’s needs!
Being Intentional When Starting a Group Private Practice | Ep 127
For many Canadian therapists, the trajectory seems to be that once you start getting full with clients that you should open a group private practice. However, if you blindly consider opening a group private practice without evaluating whether or not it is truly something that you want, then you may end up in a very stressful situation, feeling burned out and confused as to how this happened! Therefore, when you think that it is time to consider this next phase of your career and you are drawn to the idea of growing your solo a Canadian private practice into a group private practice, really give it some intentional thought, so that you can make a decision that is good for YOU! So, if you are trying to weigh up your options, listen to this podcast episode where I ask you a couple of important questions to use when deciding which path to take.
Celissa Vipond & Melissa Lindstrom: From Friendship to Successful Practice | Ep 126
Celissa and Melissa noticed the clear need for mental health services in Ontario over the pandemic, and decided to team up to put their expertise and skills to use to serve the community. As a team, Celissa and Melissa were able to balance starting a practice between the two of them while continuing their social work positions that they love. Their Canadian private practice has now grown into a successful group private practice where they have the benefits of running their own practice while still working jobs that they cherish. In this podcast episode, I chat with the two of them about their progress, their ups and downs, and what they recommend to you for your Canadian private practice career!
Kelly Hoskin: Trusting the Process for Success in Canadian Private Practice | Ep 125
Sometimes people can feel nervous to start their careers since they don’t know where it will end up. Sometimes we may feel like we need to know exactly how the journey will look before we head towards a new destination. However, even though we can never know what may happen before it happens, what we can do is take the action that is within our power. Therefore, even though you may have doubts, focus your efforts on taking the next best steps before you, and soon enough you may find yourself at your destination! In this podcast episode, Kelly and I discuss how she had no intention of working in psychotherapy initially after grad school, but found her way there organically - simply by listening to herself and to the feedback that she received from fellow colleagues and leaders. She discovered more of what she loved along the way, and brought more of it into her now flourishing career!
Michelle Ham: Joining a Collective to Build a Successful Practice | Ep 123
Many therapists may feel daunted by the idea of returning to school to get their masters or a PhD, especially after they have settled into their adult lives. However, it truly is never too late! If you have a desire to take your Canadian private practice to the next level, or you feel frustrated working on someone else’s schedule, and you desire more professional autonomy, taking a step forward with additional training may be very helpful to you. In this podcast episode, I chat with Michelle who did just that. Michelle felt a desire to lead her own way forward, and to manage her own work, and decided to go back to school, become a therapist, and has now opened her own private practice. Listen in to learn more!
Brittany Wells-Pantaleo: Growing a Group Practice Virtually and Ethically | Ep 118
Many counsellors may enter into private practice without expecting to open it into a group practice, since it can be a journey that develops as you explore your niche, assess the needs of your community, and as you develop as a person in your profession. However, if you find yourself on the entrepreneurial path, don’t doubt that it can work! Even though many counsellors are not taught business skills in school, they can be learned, and you can work as an expert in your niche while being profitable and building your dream virtual group practice! In this podcast episode, I chat with Brittany about her experience of launching, managing, and working in her group practice that’s virtual across Canada. She shares her advice and experience from starting without knowing to confidently planning for her future. Join us and listen in!
Courtney Vezina: Incorporating Community Values Into Private Practice | Ep 117
There are many different ways in which you can instill and live out the values that you have founded your Canadian private practice on. For Courtney, the value of community is a driving factor that positively impacts the work that she and her colleagues do. So much so, that her private practice offers a scholarship for students doing their bachelors in social work or psychology! In this podcast episode, Courtney and I discuss her entry into private practice, why she decided to do her doctorate, and how she has found ways to bring the sense of community into her private practice.
Jasmine Bird: Defining Your Success to Live Authentically | Ep 115
Jasmine is a great example of; working to live, not living to work. You do not have to grow your business exponentially just because you can. If you are doing well in your Canadian private practice, but the idea of owning a huge business is daunting to you - you don’t have to take it that far! One of the ways of building a truly successful business that serves your clients - and you - is to structure it around your needs, as well as theirs. Be mindful of your values and intentionally incorporate them into your choices, both personally and professionally, so that you can wake up each day looking forward to your schedule instead of dreading it. In this podcast episode, Jasmine and I discuss her entry into private practice, what she did that worked well and how she’s managing her success into the future.
Veronica Loffreda: Why Diversifying Brings You Success in Private Practice | Ep 113
When we want to do something really well, we may pick one path and stick to it, but hyperfocusing can cause us to develop blind spots to where we could improve. Sometimes there is success and new possibilities available to you when you try new things, diversify your approach, and look at things differently - without a fear of failure! There are multiple ways of helping your community, creating strong referral networks, and finding clients. When you diversify your private practice, success and new opportunities may more easily find their way to you. By being brave in your actions and trying lots of new things, you can develop your skills as a counsellor and a practice owner! In this podcast episode, I chat with Veronica about her amazing experiences - and how being diverse helped her to succeed!
Marlee Rubel: Building an Online Private Practice in Toronto | Ep 111
A lot of counsellors may start private practices because they want flexibility and autonomy in their professional lives, as well as for the fact that they have noticed a direct need that they feel passionate about serving. Marlee, today’s guest, decided to go into private practice for those reasons. From her journey after her degree into working as a psychotherapist in hospitals, addiction centers, and then finally into her own business where she grew from a solo private practice into an online group practice. In this podcast episode, Marlee and I discuss private practice, supporting mental health practitioners, and why building up a strong network - and resting! - are important.
Esther Chu & Richard Tatomir: Working as a Team to Help Canadian Therapists | Ep 107
We all know that working as a therapist can be a lonely job. When we work together, we can help one another reach higher heights in our Canadian practices, grow as professionals, and share the success with more people. This is what Richard and Esther have found on their journey so far. Richard hired Esther as an administrative assistant in the early months of 2020 as his solo practice was full, and together they have developed a thriving practice, and even started a Collective to help therapists do the same. In this podcast episode, I chat with the both of them about their journey, the work that they do, and to show the value of professional partnership and the rewards it can offer.
Ashley Schofield-McEachern: Transitioning From Nursing Into Therapy | Ep 105
Many of the skills that you learn from all your experience throughout your mental health career can be brought into the session room with a client - when done ethically and when asked for! Ashley worked as a nurse for many years in public health before deciding to return to university to get her masters, and move into Canadian private practice. She now uses both psychotherapy and nursing skills in private practice, and can bill insurance companies for both! In this podcast episode, Ashley and I discuss her journey into Canadian private practice, as well as how she works with clients, offering walk and talk therapy, and how she brings in all her expertise in a way that allows her to do her best work with her clients.
Angela Bishop: Build Your Career in Canadian Private Practice | Ep 104
What works for you one day, one year, or one decade may not stay the same. As you change and develop as a person, so will your needs, and what you need from your environment to feel supported and to offer your best work. If there are times when you notice that what used to work for you isn’t working anymore, notice them, and take stock of how you can pivot. There may be times when your career takes a shift. So, consider putting yourself out there when this happens, trust that feeling, and take a leap of faith. In this podcast episode, I talk with Angela who used to have zero interest in running a Canadian private practice but who is now on track to hit her second year of being a solo practitioner! We discuss how she got into therapy, the challenges she faced, and how she is overcoming them.
Nicole Lobo: Turning Lemons Into Lemonade in Private Practice | Ep 102
If you had a tough experience as a counselling intern, you might feel inspired to create a space where future interns could have a different experience. It’s sometimes a healing response to turn the lemons of the past into the lemonade of the present, and that’s exactly what Nicole did. From her practicum, Nicole had a very challenging experience as a counselling intern in a private practice, and vowed to do things differently once she was able to open her own practice. Today, she makes changes that she knows helps those that were once in her shoes. In this podcast episode, Nicole and I discuss her entry into private practice, how she created success, and how she gives back to the community and to upcoming therapists.
Olivia Grigg: How to Host a Wellness Retreat | Ep 101
Which skills do you have that could be carried over into your private practice? Today’s guest Olivia Grigg, who works as a therapist, used to spend her summers running camps, and now she hosts successful wellness retreats! If there is something that you would like to do, whether start a podcast, create an e-course, or even host and launch a retreat, these options are all possible for you. Even if you love counselling but you still feel like there’s something else out there that you want to combine with your standard hours in session, you can find it, and make it happen. In this podcast episode, Olivia and I talk about her journey from working in another group practice to starting her own Canadian practice, and hosting wellness retreats that keep getting full! Join us and listen for the full conversation. As you know I’m all about seeing you succeed in your Canadian private practice, so in the spirit of keeping things real, check out my Tools and Deals page where you can get free access to my online private practice checklist, as well as discount codes and subscriptions specials on EMRs, website builders, and online practice essentials. Visit fearlesspractice.ca/deals to claim your discount codes and to get more info!
Christine Olsen: How to Settle Into Your Niche With Confidence | Ep 99
Has your road to private practice been rocky? Do you struggle with settling into your niche because you feel like you have to be applicable to every person? Do you feel that you need to add more specialities to be more complementary? There are so many different types of niches, and so many people that are looking for help. You may feel like you have to see them all and maybe you want to help them all, but being a one-size-fits-all therapist might leave you feeling burned out and clients not sure if you truly understand their needs. Don’t be afraid to niche down, and be clear on who you serve and what you serve them with. This can make you a more attractive therapist, because it shows clients that you see them, and that you know how to help. In this podcast episode, Christine and I discuss her entry into Canadian private practice, as well as the importance of niching down - and sticking to it. Her advice is this; don’t try to be good at everything! Listen in to find out more.
Why You Shouldn’t Start a Private Practice | Ep 98
Even though you might be hearing about how private practices are all the rage, it is still a choice of preference. Owning and running a private practice may not be well-suited to you, or your goals for your work, and that’s okay. Your work in the mental health industry does not need to look the same as others. It is best for your clients, for you, and your mental health to structure your work environment in the way that best supports these three aspects, and if a private practice isn’t it, then something else will fit you better. If you haven’t felt a pull to start a private practice but you can’t pinpoint why, or if you think you’d like to try one but you’re not sure if it will suit you, then listen in on this episode. Here, I discuss the reasons why you might not be suited to private practice, and what you could do instead.
Shannon Smith: Starting a Second Career as a Therapist | Ep 96
How do counsellors get into the profession? Have you had an idea hanging around your thoughts for the last couple of years about trying something new? Has your mindset held you back from attempting to create some of your new dreams or ambitions? It takes courage for a person to try something new. But education, finances, family, time and so much more can also get in the way of starting. This means it could be years before beginning to build your dream Canadian private practice. In this podcast episode, Shannon and I talk about her process of opening up her Canadian private practice piece by piece, day by day, and step by step. Starting a practice doesn’t have to feel so far away when you allow yourself to try, and to start small. Join us and be inspired!
Shelly Qualtieri: Using Lifelong Experience in a New Private Practice | Ep 95
Do you have a wide and varied range of experience from your years in the helping profession? How can you bring these skills and life experiences together into a Canadian private practice that you can run as your own boss? Are you worried about walking the right path? You can always learn how to incorporate your mental health field experience! Your years working as a student, abroad, or part-time can all lead you to the path that you want to be on. With intention and passion, you will create a life that feels right for you when you take the action to create it. In this podcast episode, Shelly and I discuss how she came to start her own private practice after 30+ years of working in and around the helping profession. She trusted the path and followed her heart, and it brought her to a place where she enjoys doing her daily work. Come listen and learn!
Alanna Beitner: Create the Life You Want Through Private Practice | Ep 93
What does the life look like that you have envisioned for yourself? Are you your own boss with time flexibility and autonomy? Or working in an agency with paid vacations and sick days? There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing whether or not you want to start your own Canadian private practice. The yardstick that you could use is whether or not your future decisions are putting you closer or further away from creating the life that you want. In this podcast episode, Alanna and I discuss how starting private practices helped us to create the lifestyle that feels the most authentic to ourselves, our desires for the future, and how we wanted to improve our lives. If you’re trying to decide whether to start a practice or not, give this podcast episode a listen!
Luc Grey: Following Your Entrepreneurial Calling as a Therapist | Ep 91
Are you working on your masters degree? How can you plan your practicum and private practice journey at the same time? Which great benefits can you enjoy from working with supervisors and counsellors when starting your new practice? There is so much to learn about Canadian private practice! There is no “right” way to go about it, because - as long as it’s legal - you can go about creating your own private practice in a way that suits you. Whether you are just beginning your career or have been a therapist for decades, you can create your business in a way that suits your life as well as the needs of your clients. In this podcast episode, I chat with Luc and their experience as a working student and how he started his private practice journey while finishing his practicum, and what he did to succeed in both.
Michelle Kent: Offering Ecotherapy in Your Canadian Private Practice | Ep 90
Do you love being in nature for your mental health? Have your clients expressed interest in nature walks to clear the mind and process their difficult emotions? Could you combine these two aspects into a service in your private practice? Ecotherapy is a great modality for therapy, and some practices are warming up to it! Of course, with it being outdoors and in an environment that is not easily controlled, it does call for sensitivity around the admin and ethics. However, with a little foresight and a proactive approach, you can offer ecotherapy in your Canadian private practice to the enjoyment and transformation of your clients and your approach to talk therapy. In this podcast episode, Michelle and I discuss her approach to ecotherapy and how she offers it to her clients as well as her experience as a new private practice owner.
Now Is the Time to Start Your Canadian Private Practice | Ep 89
It’s September, the start of a new season! If you’ve been reflecting over summer and you are coming up into the warmth of change with a desire to do something different, then consider this the time where you can get your own business going. Even though there are challenges, don’t let them get you down. There are going to be challenges no matter which way you turn, so choose to work in a direction that will take you where you want to go, and will help you to build a life - personally and professionally - that you want to live. So, come listen! I’ve got tools, deals, tips, resources, and support that will help nourish and boost you to make this change of season in your life one of success!
Ursula Kerr: Take a Risk, Start a Private Practice, and Be Your Own Boss | Ep 87
Ursula Kerr took many risks and leaps of faith, and through those moments of struggle and uncertainty, she has now created a thriving private practice that she enjoys working in each day. Life is not about working, but creating a job that you love doing is a great way to add value (and income) to your life! By hiring a consultant, getting professional help or advice, and working in your passion and niche, you can create a workplace that you are excited to work in each day. You will do your best work when you feel supported and rested, and even though it can take a while to get there when you are your own boss, it is 100% possible and doable. Take the leap! In this podcast episode, Ursula and I discuss her Canadian private practice journey from breaking out of the golden handcuffs of an agency job into building her dream practice. We talk about common struggles, tips, and ways for you to become inspired to take the next step.
Allyson Gassner: From Practicum to Private Practice | Ep 86
What are the essential fundamentals of setting up a private practice while you finish grad school? How can you use QR codes in your marketing to make it easier for your clients to find you? When is the right time or the best-suited time for you to step into Canadian private practice? In this episode, Allyson and I discuss navigating how to structure the approach to working, setting up a new private practice, and seeking out community along the journey into Canadian private practice. We chat about marketing, navigating when to transition into solo practice, and considering the future.
Tamara Reynolds: Building a Canadian Art Therapy Private Practice | Ep 85
Are you thinking about starting an art therapy private practice? Do you struggle with getting clients? Have you tapped into the resources within your network and direct community? The great thing about private practice is that even though the process of building it is unique to you (with your preferences and niche), there are so many things that you can learn from your fellow clinicians – especially from listening and learning from their experiences. So, give this episode a listen to learn some interesting ways to go about Canadian private practice! In this podcast episode, Tamara and I discuss a wide range of topics, from getting involved in the community to networking, the art therapy niche, and working ethically.
Amber Sperling: The Journey From a New Practice to Success and Beyond | Ep 83
For anyone who is building their Canadian private practice, or is thinking about starting, one of the most helpful things that you can do is listen to other therapist’s stories who have gone on this exact journey before you. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel each time! Learning from others is a great way to give you ideas, help you think things through, and see what might – and might not – work for you. In this podcast episode, Amber and I discuss her journey into launching her own Canadian private practice from the end of the pandemic into the success that it is now. Join us to listen, learn, and even level up!
Live Consultation With Julie Burnett: Starting an Online Private Practice | Ep 82
What is your goal with your work? If you could set it up in the way that would best suit you and your long-term future ambitions, what would it look like? How can you create a work-life balance that is personalized to your life, needs, and desires? One great way to learn is to listen to other people’s journeys and stories. You may be in a similar place with your Canadian online private practice; new, curious, and weighing up the pros and cons. In this live consultation, I chat with Julie about her new online private practice. We talk through the basics, how she can bring a new website up to speed, and what she can do to flourish afterward. Join us to learn more!
3 Steps to Starting Your Private Practice While Still in Grad School | Ep 81
Are you going into your master’s degree knowing that you want to start a private practice as soon as you have graduated? Be assured – and inspired – that this is totally possible! With your master’s degree and clinical supervision, you can be well on your way toward your Canadian private practice. There are a couple of things you can do for your private practice while you are in grad school to build a good foundation and to make it easier for you to launch and dive in once you have graduated. In this podcast episode, I go over the three simple steps that you can take to get yourself ready for your private practice – and to get your private practice ready for you! – if you know that this path is one of your goals to walk.
Dr. Marlene Taube-Schiff: Owning a Successful Online Group Private Practice | Ep 75
In the past, Dr. Marlene Taube-Schiff never imagined that she would one day create and own a thriving, online Canadian private practice. She worked full-time in hospitals and in Universities, content with her work and the way her professional life was laid out. However, when covid began and new online options for therapy started, she realized that she wanted to try something different because when life changes, we often find ourselves inspired to try things we never expected we would. If this story resonates with you, or you feel that you are walking a similar path, give this episode a listen. Dr. Taube-Schiff and I discuss her process from working full-time in hospitals to full-time in her own private practice, and how she made the journey!
Rawda Tomoum: Building a Private Practice From Online to In-Person | Ep 73
Have you been stalling on your private practice dream? What holds you back from starting your own Canadian private practice? What does the first step look like? Whether you are concentrating on levelling up your marketing efforts, honing in on your niche, or launching a sustainable private practice, making an investment in that future can feel scary – but in reality it is completely doable. The most difficult point is starting, so remember that everything is “figureoutable”, and take that first step. In this podcast episode, Rawda and I discuss her journey into Canadian private practice – all the way from Egypt to Dubai to the US and then to BC! – and how she navigated trials, tribulations, and successes along the way.
How to Start Your Canadian Private Practice Today! | Ep 72
Are you ready to start your Canadian private practice but don’t know how to build it? Are you looking for long-term successful solutions that can work on a tight budget? Are you searching for something else besides joining a group or a subscription plan to help you start private practice? If any of these questions resonate with you, give this episode a listen. I know what it’s like to want to build your Canadian private practice by hand, your way, and I know that doing anything on a budget is tough. With the lessons I’ve learned along my way into launching my Canadian private practice, I want to help you with yours. If you’re on the fence about whether you want to start a Canadian private practice right now, you can do it! In this episode, I share with you the 3-in-1 Canadian Private Practice Startup Package that you can use to launch your practice. All answers provided, no questions needed.
Kristi Garrido: Building a Group Play Therapy Practice | Ep 71
Does your specialty include working with kids and families? Have you been interested in learning more about the play therapy modality? Can you build a successful private practice from the play therapy niche? Put together a team of skilled and like-minded clinicians, hire a proactive and dedicated admin assistant, put up a website, and let the process develop. In some ways, the process is that simple. Of course, there are some necessary fine print steps that you need to add, but you can do it too! In this podcast episode, I chat with Kristi who started the foundations of her group private practice in the last six weeks of maternity leave! And who is now thriving as a Canadian group private practice owner. Bonus: scroll down to find my helpful paper packet guide!
Julie Lounsbury: How a Leap of Faith Led to Success in Private Practice | Ep 70
What has been holding you back from launching your Canadian private practice? Which challenges have you been nervous about facing that you know others before you have accomplished? What can it take to help you to accomplish them too? There are pros and cons of working in a steady job for another company or organization, and pros and cons of running your own Canadian practice. Neither option is good nor bad in general, but where it matters is what matters to you. Do you want to be in charge of your time, your money, and your work? In this podcast, Julie and I discuss the fear – and success – of taking a leap of faith to launch a private practice. If you are becoming more invested in shedding the “golden handcuffs” of working a government job and striving to launch and run your own Canadian private practice, then give this episode a listen.
Jenniel Taylor: How to Navigate Your First Steps in Private Practice | Ep 67
Have you recently entered private practice? Are you looking for effective marketing strategies to boost your new Canadian private practice? How closely are you working with your values? Starting anything takes courage, especially when it comes to putting your name out there as a counsellor in your community! Whether you are recently licensed or you have freshly completed your master's degree, it’s always helpful to learn from someone who has just finished walking the path that you’re about to step onto. In this podcast episode, I discuss the journey into private practice and how to lay its foundations well for sustainable success with Jenniel Taylor.
