JANET AND JASMINE MELO-THAISS: A PRACTICE RUN BY A MOTHER-DAUGHTER DUO| EP 164
What unfolds when a mother and daughter turn their lifelong bond into a shared practice? Would you be curious to know how they manage it while keeping their personal relationship secure?
In this podcast episode, I chat with Janet and Jasmine, two Canadian therapists from Ontario who have recently launched their private practice. We discuss what’s working, what’s not, what they are doing about it, and some advice for your Canadian private practice journey. Come sit in!
Jane is an all-in-one health and wellness practice management platform designed to be helpful to you, no matter how or where you practice. Available online and on any device, Jane offers branded online booking, beautiful scheduling, insurance management, customizable charting, online intake forms, patient reminders, integrated payment processing, online appointments (telehealth) and more! Use the code FEARLESS at signup to receive your first month completely free!
MEET THE SOUL TREE THERAPY TEAM
Soul Tree Therapy was born from the deep bond and shared vision of a mother-daughter duo who are passionate about personal healing, growth, and connection. As cofounders, they have combined their unique perspectives, experiences, and expertise to create a virtual therapy clinic that reflects their core values of compassion, nonjudgment, and collaboration. The team uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to equip clients with the tools and insights necessary to navigate life’s challenges and cultivate emotional resilience.
Learn more about Soul Tree Therapy on the website, Instagram page, and Facebook.
In This Episode
- The origins of Soul Tree Therapy
- Running a family practice professionally
- Setting boundaries between work and family time
- Advice for listeners
The Origins of Soul Tree Therapy
‘It started out as a joke! I was in the middle of doing my PhD in something completely different and decided I wanted to get into psychotherapy. As I was doing this, Jasmine was already on her way to finishing her Master’s of Social Work … I turned to her and said, “Hey, wouldn’t it be funny if we ended up opening a practice together!” – Janet Melo-Thaiss
Jasmine is a Registered Social Worker, and Janet, her mother, is a Registered Psychotherapist.
She and her mother began talking about the possibility of working together, and a few months after they both completed their Masters and PhDs, respectively, and opened up their private practice in December 2024!
‘I really appreciated the flexibility and creativity that it allowed me to build … and that really helped me see the potential in combining entrepreneurial thinking with therapeutic practice.’ – Jasmine Melo-Thaiss
Running a family practice professionally
Both Jasmine and Janet see their clients individually, either in person or virtually.
Interestingly, they don’t conduct client sessions together—a fact that often surprises people. However, this approach allows each of them to focus fully on their individual clinical work, while collaborating closely on the business side. They’ve found that this balance enables them to do their best work, both as therapists and as partners in running their practice.
‘We have separate niches that evolved from our separate experiences.’ – Jasmine Melo-Thaiss
In maintaining the practice, Jasmine runs its marketing aspect. As such, she’s often improving her marketing skills by learning new tools and trying out new strategies. Janet works on the administrative and managerial side of the business, so their team is balanced in skill and expertise.
‘I think the general model that we use [in our practice] is consistency over time, which applies to a lot of different things! … We try to keep our core values aligned and make sure that our marketing comes across [sincerely].’ Jasmine Melo-Thaiss
Setting boundaries between work and family time
‘I think I was more nervous about how it was going to go than it actually went … We set healthy boundaries between work and family time, and honestly, I have to give Jasmine complete kudos because I’m a workaholic!’ – Janet Melo-Thaiss
The mother-daughter duo has mastered not working themselves to the bone, and also how to keep their personal and professional relationships separate. By being open and honest with one another, they keep each other accountable with honest compassion. They encourage and gently nudge each other to stick to their roles and grow within them, too.
‘We also disagree respectfully, which is also what I think has been working for us.’ – Janet Melo-Thaiss
Advice for listeners
If you can, when you notice any self-doubt creeping in, focus on what you can do and what is in your control.
A lot of things can be challenging, and there are many different types of fears which go around that people have in the field, but remember to stay consistent over time and be clear about who you want to help to keep yourself clear-headed and calm.
Connect With Me
Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:
Ep 163: Gender Transitioning in Canadian Private Practice | EP 163
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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/.
