LEADING WITH AUTHENTICITY IN PRIVATE PRACTICE: YEAR 9 | EP 180
This is a very special episode: my ninth annual yearly review!
In this episode, I share insights into how my Canadian private practice has been going this year. Including the significant changes that have occurred, how their impacts landed, and where we are going from here … into Year 10 in 2026!
Thank you to my listeners for being on this path alongside me. I’m so excited for another great year of episodes ahead! Onwards and upwards!
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!
In This Episode
- Direct billing has been great
- Success with lowered prices
- Monthly land tax donations
- My transition
- Here’s to year 10!
Direct billing has been great
As you may have heard, from year eight we implemented direct billing and that has continued to be an asset.
‘[Direct billing] is really helping clients out and it’s really easy to do on Jane App, so it was a great decision that we made. I highly recommend it if you’re interested in doing direct billing.’ – Jules Smith
If you are interested in learning more about the process of including direct billing and how I did it, you can listen to this podcast episode. Or, if you’re sitting on the fence and still deciding whether or not you want to use direct billing, and some more information could be useful to you, you can listen to this episode.
Success with lowered prices
Last year we decided to lower our rates and haven’t looked back!
‘My associate and I also decided to lower our prices last year. That has been going really well, and we’re really happy with the price that we settled on for therapy services – and don’t plan to change that!’ – Jules Smith
If you want some more information and guidance on lowering or raising your rates, check out this episode I did discussing this exact topic.
Monthly land tax donations
The third change we’ve been implementing since the middle of this year has been donating monthly to the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Again, if you are interested in doing the same or you want to learn more, you can listen to this episode.
My transition
If you’re a long-time listener (hello!) you may have heard the episode on my personal big change which happened in the middle of last spring, where I shared the personal story of my transition.
In episode 163 I talk about coming out as trans nonbinary, and why I decided to share this news on this platform, and with my audience.
‘I’m really feeling like it’s important, if you have the privilege to do so, to be visible in this moment in time.’ – Jules Smith
In fact, when this episode airs and you are listening to it, I’ll be healing from top surgery!
‘I am so excited for this next part of my journey. I feel so lucky that I am able to get top surgery, I just can’t wait for it to happen.’ – Jules Smith
However, while this change has been profound and important, my biggest fear about transitioning in an established private practice was realized: my client intake dropped significantly. It can take time to build trust and I think it may be due to the inconsistencies in branding as I redo my professional photos and video. As this episode airs, my private practice website should be finished with my updates! Luckily my associate’s intakes have remained steady, and my current client caseload has sustained itself, but I won’t lie that it was stressful initially when the dip happened.
‘I forgot a bit about how difficult it is when you are starting a private practice, and how stressful it can be to brand yourself. So, I have a renewed sense of respect for all the Canadian therapists out there that have decided to go into private practice! It can be stressful, but I’m here with you, and we’ll get through it together!’ – Jules Smith
Here’s to year 10!
There will be another year of the Fearless Practice Podcast thanks to Jane App! I truly enjoy working with them and love using their EMR 🙂
Additionally, Jane App decided to upgrade the promo code so that you can now have a two-month grace period when you sign up! The new code is: FEARLESS2MO.
Thank you so much to my podcast team and lastly, thank you to my audience. Here’s to another year of podcasting together!
Connect With Me
Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:
Ep 179: Grace Kim: How Therapy Sparked a Private Practice | EP 179
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 some help and freebies on your website with WordPress!
Check out my private practice
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/.
