LYBA SULTAN: FROM IDEA TO PRIVATE PRACTICE IN CANADA | EP 160
Lyba’s niche, vision, and mission all revolve around authenticity, connection, and community. She uses community in her marketing networks and in the goals that she sets for herself, as well as a guiding principle for her practice to incorporate the future.
Having this vision in mind is a great guiding light that can help you keep yourself – and your Canadian private practice – on track toward your dreams.
In this podcast episode, Lyba and I talk about her new private practice, how she’s managing working in other practices and agencies while growing her business, and how helpful values are in helping you to build a strong, consistent practice.
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MEET LYBA
Lyba is the founder of The Healing Mosaic, a private practice that integrates eco-somatics to help individuals achieve deep, transformative healing. Her work focuses on building a strong connection between the mind, body, and subtle body, fostering a holistic approach to wellness. Through somatic therapies, Lyba guides clients to become more attuned to their physical sensations, emotions, and energetic states, creating a deeper awareness of their internal world.
Learn more about Lyba on her Instagram, LinkedIn, and Psychology Today profiles and website.
In This Episode
- Why Lyba became a therapist
- Getting into private practice
- Using the power of community
- Advice to listeners
Why Lyba became a therapist
‘In my undergrad, I was seeing a therapist for my own challenges, and she was incredible. She changed my life, and built this space of safety that was impactful and life-changing for me.’ – Lyba Sultan
Before Lyba met her therapist, who also had completed her studies at Yorkville as Lyba would later do, she had not thought about becoming a therapist herself. Lyba was interested in mental health but was not yet sure what she wanted to do with it.
‘At the time I was working in social services, and so I didn’t know what I wanted to do next, and that experience really sparked this idea in me and that’s when I started looking into [therapy] and starting looking at the steps I needed to take to become a therapist.’ – Lyba Sultan
Lyba explains that she didn’t enjoy academia much as a child during school, but when she was completing her therapy training at Yorkville, she loved it!
‘I was engaged, I was interested, and it really just drew me in … Maybe it’s more about being interested in the things that you’re doing, rather than school itself. So, it was great. I loved the way I could think outside of the box and meet other people who were interested in the same things.’ – Lyba Sultan
Getting into private practice
‘It’s been a journey! There have been ups and downs, and lots of learning. I feel like now I am more grounded in my career, but definitely in the beginning it was a huge transition.’ – Lyba Sultan
Lyba went straight into private practice after graduating. She continued working at the private practice where she had completed her practicum, which made the transition earlier.
‘Eventually, I got to a place where I was working at two private practices, and also working at an agency … Now I have my own private practice, and I work at another practice and an agency.’ – Lyba Sultan
At the moment, Lyba explains that it is a little chaotic when it comes to trying to balance the schedules and getting overbooked, but it has been good for her. She says that it’s something that works for her because the agency provides stability while she builds up her practice.
Marketing the private practice
Along with having built her website, Lyba has been exploring different ways of marketing her practice and directing new clients toward it.
‘I’m trying to engage in different community events and trying to niche down as well. I’m trying to branch out and be explorative in my marketing.’ – Lyba Sultan
Lyba uses social media marketing strategies, as well as working with community networks. However, she has found it challenging! But she is making it work with her current schedule as best as possible.
Using the power of community
Lyba wants to use the power of community in her marketing as much as possible because it connects with her niche, which is to work with highly sensitive people, artists, and creatives.
‘My dream is to offer a space where we can break down those barriers … That’s a huge part of the mission I have, which is building that connection with our bodies and the world around us.’ – Lyba Sultan
Lyba wants to collaborate with a team in a physical space in the future to bring her mission to fruition in Hamilton, Ontario. She wants to take many steps to get there, but she’s not thinking about a timeline yet. Lyba wants to let things grow organically while balancing her current work obligations.
‘My values are centered around authenticity, acceptance, and surrendering to this flow. Building connections, and embracing life as it is and yourself as you are, the healing mosaic … It’s this idea that we all have these different parts of us … and somehow they all fit together perfectly, and they create this picture we can’t fully see yet, but we know that it’s all there.’ – Lyba Sultan
Advice to listeners
Slow down, and give yourself breaks. It can be challenging when you start, and give yourself the grace and space to let the progress develop instead of trying to get everything done in a day. It takes time to build a strong and dependable foundation for your practice, so take it slow and steady!
Connect With Me
Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:
Ep 159: Mark Pioro: Ontario Psychotherapy Rules and Regulations
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 FEARLESS for one month free)
Get some help and freebies on your website with WordPress!
Learn more about Lyba on her Instagram, LinkedIn, and Psychology Today profiles and website
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/.
