Unlocking the Entrepreneurial Mind: Ask a Therapist About the Motivation Behind Launching a Private Practice

Welcome to another post in my “Ask A Therapist” blog series.

This week I dive deeper into the motivations behind therapists venturing into private practice. In this insightful journey, we’ll explore the diverse factors that drive therapists to embark on the entrepreneurial path. From the entrepreneurial spirit that propels them forward to the personal fulfillment and professional freedom they seek, each aspect sheds light on the multifaceted motivations behind this career choice. Through candid conversations with therapists, we’ll delve into their experiences, challenges, and triumphs, offering invaluable insights into their motivations.

Join us as we uncover the driving forces behind therapists’ decisions to pursue private practice and discover how these motivations shape their professional journeys. Whether you’re a therapist considering your own venture or simply curious about the motivations driving this career choice, this series promises to be a fascinating exploration into the world of private practice. So, let’s dive in and explore the myriad motivations that fuel therapists on their entrepreneurial endeavors!

Exploring Entrepreneurial Drive

When therapists tap into their entrepreneurial drive, it’s all about passion and purpose. They’re fueled by a deep desire to innovate and make a positive difference in people’s lives through their practice.

It’s more than just a career choice; it’s a mindset that propels therapists to constantly seek new ways to connect with their clients and enhance their services. This drive pushes them to step outside of their comfort zones, take risks, and continually evolve their approach to therapy.

When I first started my therapy practice, I wanted to focus more on helping spouses of those impacted by head injury. In my agency work, I was seeing primarily the patients from the hospital because this was the billable client for the department, leaving the spouses with limited support options. By going out on my own, I could see both survivors of injury AND spouses and did not have to be instructed on who I was permitted to see.

Enough about me, lets hear what others had to say…

Ask a therapist: What did others have to say?

Question Asked: What motivated you to start your own private practice instead of continuing to work in agency settings?

I wanted to be able to design a practice in the ways that I believe people heal and thrive. This includes the length of therapy appointments, the atmosphere and decor that I wanted to set up in my practice space and the kinds of services that I wanted to offer, which are more alternative, including psychodrama, Family Constellations, sand tray and other action and experiential methods.

Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP (Started Practice in 1995; States Licensed: PA & WI)

I always knew I wanted to own my own group practice. Having spent a lot of my training years in agencies and inpatient settings the burnout was significant. After spending a few years with another group practice, I eventually had the itch to go off on my own. It was an exciting and anxiety provoking decision, but one that I am truly thankful for. The biggest motivation for going off on my own was greater autonomy.

Dr. Cynthia Shaw (Started Practice in 2022; State Licensed: NY and all PsyPact states)

Further Reading: 7 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting A Private Practice

Personal Fulfillment and Professional Freedom

Transitioning from traditional employment to entrepreneurship as a therapist can be both daunting and exhilarating. It involves embracing uncertainty, managing financial risks, and cultivating an entrepreneurial spirit that fuels creativity and resilience.

Therapists who embark on this journey often find themselves redefining success on their own terms, breaking free from the constraints of conventional employment structures, and experiencing the thrill of building something uniquely theirs.

For me, having my own practice gives me the freedom to create an environment that reflects my values and style of therapy, making it uniquely mine. This independence allows me to tailor my services to meet the specific needs of each client, fostering a more personalized experience.

It is incredibly motivating to be able to set my own schedule and choose the clients I work with, ensuring that I am constantly engaged and passionate about the work I do. Owning my practice also enables me to develop deep connections with clients, providing them with a sense of trust and security. This level of autonomy empowers me to continuously evolve and grow in my practice, leading to a stronger sense of professional fulfillment.

Overall, having my own private practice allows me to fully embrace my role as a therapist and create a space where both myself and my clients can thrive.

Ask a therapist: What did others have to say?

Question Asked: What motivated you to start your own private practice instead of continuing to work in agency settings?

I was motivated to start my own practice because I wasn’t fully satisfied at my previous position. It always felt like something was missing and a big part of that was the freedom and independence that comes with having your own practice.

Jordan Brown (Started Practice in 2020; States Licensed: WI)

Further Reading: How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome As A Private Practice Owner With These 8 Tips

Flexibility and Work-Life Balance

Are you tired of the traditional nine-to-five routine and craving more control over your work-life balance? Private practice could be the gateway to a more flexible schedule that aligns with your personal and professional goals.

Embracing the challenge of building a private practice can ignite your passion for helping others while offering you greater autonomy in how you structure your days. It’s an adventure worth exploring if you’re ready to create a work environment that best supports both your professional expertise and personal well-being.

Picture this: setting your own hours, choosing the clients you want to work with, and tailoring treatments to fit your style. It’s like being the captain of your own ship! And guess what? This newfound control doesn’t just stay in the office; it spills over into your personal life too.

With a flexible schedule, you can finally achieve that elusive work-life balance we all dream of. So, if you’ve been itching to break free from the nine-to-five grind and chart your own course, private practice might just be the adventure you’ve been waiting for.

But don’t just take it from me, lets see what others had to say…..

Ask a therapist: What did others have to say?

Question Asked: What motivated you to start your own private practice instead of continuing to work in agency settings?

I wanted more control over my schedule and caseload number. I also wanted more control over the population I was seeing.

Dr. Nikki Lacherza-Drew (Started Practice in 1019; States Licensed NJ, NY, FL, VT)

Schedule flexibility, I want to use the tools I ask my clients to do and wanted a healthier life style.

Claudia Christina Soddano (Started Practice in 2022; States Licensed: NY)

I needed to have much more control over my own schedule and better work-life balance.

Augustin Kendall (Started Practice in 2019; States Licensed: MN)

Further Reading: The Side Hustle Struggle: How to Make Time for Your Private Practice

Financial Incentives and Career Advancement

Another key motivator for therapists to venture into private practice is the potential for increased financial stability and earning potential. Operating a successful private practice can be financially rewarding, offering therapists the opportunity to build a profitable business while doing meaningful work. This financial incentive can be particularly appealing for those looking to have more control over their income and career growth in an increasingly competitive field.

Running your own practice means you’re not just a therapist; you’re a business owner too. And guess what? That can mean big bucks since you are holding a large chunk of the profits (minus expensed of course). With the right strategy, owning a practice can open doors to increased earning potential and opportunities for career advancement. So, if you’ve been dreaming of a career that’s not just fulfilling but also financially rewarding, private practice might just be the golden ticket you’ve been searching for.

Lets see what others had to say about the impact private practice had on their finances and career progression…

Ask a therapist: What did others have to say?

Question Asked: What motivated you to start your own private practice instead of continuing to work in agency settings?

I was working more hours than I desired and giving 50% of my income to the group practice. After working in group practice for over 6 years, I had a full client load and good retention and the timing felt right

Greta Bellinger (Started Practice in 2023; States Licensed: FL, TX)

I realized that I was making significantly less when working in an agency, but doing the same amount of work, or sometimes even more, then I would have in a private practice. Having such a significant cut of my pay taken from me started to frustrate me, and I was starting to resent it. The resentment then started to affect my care for my clients. When therapists are being paid appropriate salaries/fees then they can show up for their clients. Sessions can just be sessions, instead of counting how many you need to do to make a certain amount each week, which I did not want to do anymore.

Elizabeth Hamm (Started Practice in 2023; States Licensed: NY)

Further Reading: What Does It Take To Break Free From Insurance Panels?

Impact on Client Care and Treatment

Private practice settings offer a unique opportunity to provide clients with personalized and tailored treatment approaches that prioritize their individual needs and goals. Therapists in private practice have the autonomy to create customized treatment plans based on each client’s specific issues, preferences, and strengths. This personalized approach can significantly enhance the quality of care by fostering a deeper therapeutic connection and facilitating more effective interventions.

Clients benefit from feeling heard, understood, and empowered in their healing journey. The flexibility of private practice also allows therapists to explore innovative techniques and modalities that may not be readily available in traditional settings. Overall, the individualized care provided in private practice can lead to greater client motivation, engagement, and progress in therapy. Ultimately, the collaborative partnership between therapist and client in a private practice setting can lead to more effective outcomes and improved overall well-being for clients seeking mental health support.

Ask a therapist: What did others have to say?

Question Asked: What motivated you to start your own private practice instead of continuing to work in agency settings?

I found agency caseloads to be ridiculously high. In one agency, I had a quota to see 27 clients a week. I also felt restricted by the work I could do and not having a creative outlet.

Jennifer Rowe (Started Practice in 2020; States Licensed: NY)

The agency I worked for stressed quantity over quality and I just didn’t align with that philosophy

Ashley Steineger (Started Practice in 2010; States Licensed: NC)

Further Reading: Unlock the Power of Progress: The Benefits of Outcome Measures

Family Priorities

Family needs and priorities often serve as powerful motivators for therapists embarking on the journey of opening their own private practices. Behind every decision lies a deeply personal story, shaped by the desire for flexibility, work-life balance, and the well-being of loved ones. As therapists navigate the complexities of their professional lives, they are confronted with the challenge of harmonizing their careers with their familial responsibilities. In the following narratives, therapists share their candid experiences, shedding light on the pivotal role that family played in their decision to pursue entrepreneurship in the realm of private practice. Let’s delve into their stories and explore how the pursuit of family-centric values has fueled their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Ask a therapist: What did others have to say?

Question Asked: What motivated you to start your own private practice instead of continuing to work in agency settings?

What motivated me to start my own practice was one needing the flexibility with having a newborn at that time and wanting more work life balance. I also wanted to be able to provide more accessible services to clients and meet them with genuine empathy and compassion. It allows me to be present for my clients and value their care over just the money.

Anna Brewer (Started Practice in 2022; States Licensed: OH, NM, & WV)

My wife

Kabian Brown (Started Practice in 2018; States Licensed: GA, NY, FL)

The hospice company that I was working for was working me to death. I landed in the hospital and my husband and I decided that for the sake of my health and our 6 month old daughter at the time, it was best for me not to return to that toxic environment.

MacKenzie Bradke (Started Practice in 2007 – part-time; 2017 full-time; States Licensed MO, AZ)

I had never pictured myself as owning my own practice until circumstances forced me to give it some serious thought. My mother in law passed away unexpectedly two years ago and she was our main child care and go-to person. When she passed, so much fell on me and it was getting more difficult to manage a typical 7:30am-3:30pm, M-Fr position with the demands of parenting two young boys with some mild special needs. My husband was also struggling and was having difficulty managing his own stuff and getting the kids ready in the morning. It made sense to start considering something with more flexibility so I could be home more and available to the boys and my husband. The hope of work/life balance and being able to make a change that benefitted all of us was the big motivating factor.

Megan Tavares (Started Practice 2023; States Licensed: MA)

Further Reading: 9 Secrets to Surviving Maternity Leave As A Therapist

Conclusion

For therapists contemplating the transition to private practice, I encourage you to delve into your motivations with curiosity and courage. Take the time to reflect on what drives you professionally and personally. Whether it’s the desire for greater autonomy, the opportunity to create a more flexible schedule, or the dream of making a bigger impact on your clients’ lives, exploring your motivations can illuminate the path forward. Embrace the journey ahead with confidence, knowing that your unique skills and passion for helping others will guide you as you take the leap into private practice. Your potential for growth and fulfillment awaits on the other side, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

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