KATIE McLEAN: COMBINING TWO MASTER’S DEGREES INTO ONE PRACTICE | EP 202
Some doors close so that others can open: when Katie didn’t get accepted into the original Master’s Education in Counselling program she wanted, it was disappointing.
However, she ended up following another piece of her passion, and got her Master’s in Teaching and Education. Then, once she had graduated, she pursued her second Master’s in Counselling Psychology, achieving the degree she was initially looking for!
Today, Katie runs her fully booked private practice where she combines her passion for education and psychology into one. Join us today as we discuss how she opened her practice, strategically marketed it with networking to become full, and built community to support her goals.
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 FEARLESS2MO at signup to receive your first month completely free!
MEET KATIE
Katie is a Registered Provisional Psychologist in Calgary with a “just do it” attitude. She launched her private practice in November 2025 and has a bustling practice focusing on ADHD, Anxiety, OCD, and perinatal care. She is also the co-host of the Happiness of the Commons Podcast.
Learn more about Katie on her private practice website, Psychology Today, Instagram accounts, and podcast.
In This Episode
- Why Katie decided to start a private practice
- Registering as a Psychologist
- Completing two Master’s degrees: Teaching and Psychology
- Marketing the practice
- Why Jane App makes private practice easier
Why Katie decided to start a private practice
‘I think the biggest factor for shifting into private practice was that the math wasn’t mathing anymore working at a group practice! I worked at a great group practice when I started my provisional hours, the loveliest people, but unfortunately it’s like the more clients you take at group practice, you’re still getting the same split.’ – Katie McLean
While Katie loved working at a group practice initially for her provisional hours, once she was qualified and certified, she wanted to open her own Canadian private practice.
Ultimately, for Katie, opening her own private practice meant two things: bringing more income home and having more freedom in her schedule.
‘I wanted full control over what I was doing. I think sometimes when you’re working for an agency or a group practice, you’re a contractor, there’s some expectations around what hours you take or how many clients you’re taking … For my well-being, private practice was a better fit because I can take as many clients as I want, and if I am feeling wiped or burned out … Nobody is going to bat an eye!’ – Katie McLean
Registering as a Psychologist
In Alberta, you can register as a psychologist with only a Master’s degree: you go through a provisional period, which includes 1600 hours working under supervision with a registered psychologist.
‘I have other Registered Psychologists right in our office, so that helps a lot with safety, oversight, and all those pieces. So I literally have the perfect setup, which is really lucky!’ – Katie McLean
Once Katie’s hours are completed, she won’t have to pay for supervision any longer. She also has her Master’s in Education, so Katie explains that she’d like to teach.
Completing two Master’s degrees: Teaching and Psychology
Katie has always had a passion for psychology, so she completed her undergraduate degree in psychology. While studying, she worked in student affairs for some time, which included leadership, mentorship, and event planning, and it was something she really loved.
Initially, Katie applied to complete her Master’s of Education in Counselling. Unfortunately, she wasn’t accepted into that course, but she was accepted into a Master’s of Education in Teaching and Learning because, at that time, she was working in higher education. However, later on she was accepted to complete her Master’s in Counselling Psychology.
‘TI think it would be a good asset if I do decide to climb the ranks in higher ed. So, that’s how I ended up doing my Master’s of Teaching and Learning, and then again, I was still on Plan B … So I applied again and got in to do my Master’s of Counselling Psychology somewhere else, and then I did that!’ – Katie McLean
It was back-to-back Master’s degrees, and Katie took six months off of school afterwards!
Marketing the practice
Now, Katie’s practice is full, and her biggest and most successful marketing strategy has been networking.
‘I really try to build a lot of relationships with other therapists … It comes from such an authentic place that I want to meet other therapists and be in the community with them,.’ – Katie McLean
Katie puts a lot of effort into networking with therapists adjacent to her practice, because she knows that when the relationship is strong and solid, people trust and depend on each other, and can easily send referrals between practices.
Why Jane App makes private practice easier
Katie lists plenty of the reasons why she enjoys using Jane App in her private practice and encourages listeners to do the same:
- Clients can book sessions online directly, including a series of appointments a few weeks in advance
- Clients can also book many sessions in advance and can cancel one if they need to at least 24 hours before the session is due to begin
- Billing is incredibly easy
- Taxes are easy to manage
- All data is centralized in one spot
‘[Jane App] takes off so much admin load for me … If I didn’t have Jane, maybe it would be worth paying for a split where I was getting an admin … Most of the admin is right in Jane. Like, you can do all your booking, billing … I literally can’t even imagine doing billing without Jane [App]!’ – Katie McLean
Katie’s advice to listeners
Private practice is not impossible. There are challenges, but it can be done. Don’t underestimate it, but you don’t need to overestimate it either: with a good mentor or membership community, you can definitely open your own practice!
‘Lean on community! You don’t have to do it by yourself. Get some support, connect with your community, and just don’t hold yourself back just because some fears are cropping up … With the right help, for sure you can [do it]!’ – Katie McLean
Connect With Me
Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:
Sandra Karlin: From Tech to Therapist in Private Practice | EP 201
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 Katie on her collective practice website, private practice website, Psychology Today, Instagram account, and podcast
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/.
