Fearless Practice

Something has been bubbling up in me after watching a skit from Canada's Baroness von Sketch show a couple of years ago. In this sketch, they highlight how land acknowledgment without material giving can often feel performative or incomplete. So I decided to make a change in my own Canadian private practice. I have started donating a percentage of our monthly gross income to the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In this episode, I'm sharing what “land tax” and “reparations” actually mean, why you may consider incorporating them into your private practice, and how you can start doing this in your practice or business. This may not be the whole answer, but it can be a meaningful step forward. In this episode:  Putting my money where my mouth is  What “land tax” and “reparations” actually mean  Why you should consider donating  How I make the donations in my private practice  Putting my money where my mouth is It's one thing to say we care about something—but in a capitalist society, the reality is that money carries immense power. The good news is, we can choose to direct that power toward justice by being intentional about where and how we spend, invest, and give. The issues of land reparations have always been close to my heart, and I am glad that I have started to practice this value instead of only talking about it.  What “land tax” and “reparations” actually mean Reparations refer to intentionally giving back or redistributing resources, often financial, to communities that have been harmed or dispossessed. In Canada's case, indigenous communities.  Reparations are also not just symbolic, they are material, consistent acts of accountability due to past colonization, land theft, and systemic harm.  Similarly, but distinct, land tax is a grassroots concept. It is not a government-enforced tax. Businesses and people can voluntarily donate money to indigenous communities, acknowledging that they are benefiting from living and working on indigenous land.  Why you should consider donating  Many people feel on the fence about contributing to something like land tax or reparations efforts because they believe that since they didn't personally steal the land, they shouldn't have to make amends for it. To be honest, this is something I've thought about too. But even then, I knew the way things were didn't sit right with me. Here's why you may want to consider paying land tax and reparations too:  1 - You are benefiting from stolen land  ‘Even if you didn't take the land yourself, you are living and working on it. Land that was never sold or surrendered. That benefit: housing, business, income, stability, comes from a colonial system that displaced indigenous peoples.' - Jules Smith  2 - It's about responsibility, not guilt  Land tax isn't about “feeling bad” or being blamed. It's about recognizing that we all have a role in repairing harm — especially if we benefit from systems that were built through dispossession. 3 - It supports indigenous-led solutions  ‘Your contribution helps fund community programs, housing, food security, cultural revitalisation, and other essential work - led by indigenous people for indigenous people!' - Jules Smith 4 - It's a form of reparative justice because it is one small step in a larger process of reconciliation It's one small, material step in a larger process of reconciliation. Words and land acknowledgments are important, but they don't change material conditions. Consistent giving is a way to restore some measure of balance. How I make the donations in my private practice  Each month, I head into my Jane App account and pull my monthly gross income report, which is created before business expenses are taken out.  I calculate the percentage I have committed to donating, and then I e-transfer that amount directly to a donation center I have chosen to partner with. It is that simple!  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 165: Jenny Jonker: Building a Canadian Group Practice with Purpose | EP 165  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!  Mentioned link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlG17C19nYo  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Jenny moved to Canada with her family when she was five years old as a war refugee. As she grew up, she wanted to give back to the community that helped her and her family, and found herself becoming a mental health professional.  Now, as a boss and Canadian private practice owner, Jenny uses her principles and intentions as guideposts to keep her working with integrity and a steadfast commitment to her initial dreams and community. Listen in on our episode today to learn more about how you can build a private practice based on your values, too!  MEET JENNY Jenny Jonker, MSW, RSW, is the founder of Dragonfly Counselling and Wellness, where a human-centered, trauma-informed approach is central to her work. With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in complex trauma and integrates EMDR, CBT, DBT, and ACT. A refugee of war from Nicaragua, Jenny draws on her own lived experiences with resettlement, grief, and PTSD to build authentic, compassionate connections with clients. She and her team are committed to creating safe, welcoming spaces for all, offering therapy, workshops, and clinical support in both local and Indigenous communities like Six Nations. At the core of her work is a belief in healing through connection, cultural humility, and empowerment. Learn more about Jenny on her Psychology Today, Instagram profile, and practice website.  In this episode:  Jenny's entry into therapy  First private practice experience  Marketing and building a group practice  Jenny's advice to listeners  Jenny's entry into therapy  Jenny's first degree was actually in International Relations, and when she graduated, she began working with refugees and immigrants as a way of giving back.  From that inspirational meeting, Jenny went on to complete her BSW and MSW. She worked in school boards, a sexual assault center, and child welfare, and eventually went into private practice when she started working on reserves.  First private practice experience  So far, Jenny has really loved her group private practice work, even though it can be challenging. Her Canadian private practice is in various partnerships with other organizations.  These intentions have helped guide Jenny in her decision-making process, especially when it comes to hiring the right staff and offering the best services for their client base.  Marketing and building a group practice One of Jenny's best marketing practices has been relational marketing.  Jenny knows that when you are intentional and committed, people will find and come to you for help. Therefore, she and her team make it one of the practice's missions to be connected with their community and get to know their client base intimately.  Doing good work and knowing that good people will come relates both to clients and to clinicians.  The future of Dragonfly counselling  Jenny has started to outsource work that she finds tough doing, such as her SEO and various aspects of running the business. Outsourcing marketing is a great way to save up your time to focus on what you love to do, and get your business seen without too much stress and worry.  In the future, Jenny still wants to keep Dragonfly more intimate and small, and would only grow it larger if she saw the need to do so.  Jenny's advice to listeners  Don't be afraid to lead with your story! Because your genuine stories are impactful for clients. Share ethically and openly, because it shows your clients that you are a fellow person going through life, just like they are.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 164: Janet and Jasmine Melo-Thaiss: A Practice Run by a Mother-Daughter Duo | EP 164 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 Jenny on her Psychology Today, Instagram profile, and practice website  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

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!  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  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!  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. 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.  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: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 163: Gender Transitioning in Canadian Private Practice | EP 163 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!  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

There are many changes that can happen in private practice, and they can range, depending on what happens in life, from getting married and changing your name, to rebranding your Canadian private practice and even to discovering more about yourself.  Sometimes, the transition is even more significant—and there's something I'd really like to share with you.  In this episode, I talk about transitioning in a Canadian private practice. This is, both personally and professionally, indeed a significant transition, and with everything so far in my private practice and podcast, sharing tips and advice with you is important to me, especially if you are in a similar boat. Join in to hear, learn, and know how to do more!  In this episode:  Let the necessary parties know  Update your photos and copy  Join a queer and trans therapist network! Let the necessary parties know  ‘If you decide to change your name, let the licensing parties that you are a part of know, even if you are not legally changing your name, it can be beneficial to let them know your preferred name so that they know how to address you.' - Jules Smith  During your transition, it is essential that you continue to keep everything organized and aligned as best you can, since potential and current clients may be searching your name and your Canadian practice's name. Doing this first can help you start the rest of the changes with ease.  Regarding essential communication lines that you may need to change, such as an email address, my provider Hushmail was great in helping me to change my email address without any hassle and they made sure that if someone emails my past email address—those emails will be forwarded to my new email address! Update your photos and copy When you start changing other essential information about you within your business, such as your:  - Photos  - Psychology Today profile information  - Your name  - The copy on your website  - Social media platforms  Be prepared for a possible quiet drop in client outreach. Hopefully it will begin to slowly level out again.  ‘I now present as masculine, so my updated photos look very different, as well as [the fact that] my copy now says that I am a part of the queer and trans community of Halifax—it may take time for clients to recognize and trust my new identity.' - Jules Smith  Either way, before you begin to implement these changes on your website, diversify your income streams or build up an emergency savings fund to keep things financially stable until your Canadian private practice picks up again.  Join a queer and trans therapist network! ‘In Halifax, we have the Queer and Trans Therapists of Nova Scotia … And I really hope that every province has a queer and trans network. If your province doesn't, this is your sign to start one!' - Jules Smith  These networks are incredibly helpful for professional networking with other queer therapists, as well as building community and for possibly finding supervision. There are more links to learn more below in these show notes. I'm so glad that you are here! Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 162: New Scheduling Tips for Private Practice in Canada | EP 162 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!  Mentioned links:  Hushmail link: https://www.hushmail.com/ How to queer your practice: https://www.amazon.ca/Queering-Your-Therapy-Practice-Identities/dp/036782020X  Biographies about trans identities: https://www.amazon.ca/Me-Myself-They-Non-Binary-Life/dp/148700477X  https://www.amazon.ca/Redefining-Realness-Path-Womanhood-Identity/dp/1476709130  https://www.amazon.ca/Beyond-Gender-Binary-Alok-Vaid-Menon/dp/0593094654/ Fictional but informational stories: https://www.amazon.ca/Detransition-Baby-Novel-Torrey-Peters/dp/0593133382/ https://www.amazon.ca/Felix-Ever-After-Kacen-Callender/dp/0062820265/ Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

The one thing I now know is that “The only constant in life is change!” I used to try to find the perfect scheduling system and the perfect way to manage my working hours. However, usually, as soon as I thought I found it, something in life would change, and the “perfect” schedule would no longer be suitable. At first, I thought I just had to keep pushing to find the “right” way to manage my time, but what I have been learning is that I can incorporate more flexibility into my working schedule and consider myself an important factor too.  In this episode, I'll share with you my lived experience through the ordeal of scheduling that many therapists are familiar with, including my newfound knowledge, tips, and what I have decided to do going forward. It may be helpful to you as well! In this episode:  The situation often changes  Practicing being flexible and fluid What I am doing these days  The situation often changes  One of the things I came to learn about myself through private practice is that I used to think there was a perfect way of living. That somehow I could figure out the perfect system, and use it forever! However, that hasn't turned out how I had imagined it would.   ‘When I started private practice, I thought that there was this perfect way to schedule my work life, and that once I found this perfect schedule, I would be set for the rest of my career! That I'd be stress-free, happy, and satisfied … I've tried to find a permanent way to schedule my private practice time, but every time I try to find it … Things change!' - Jules Smith Once I seem to find the perfect system, life changes! My work or personal commitments change, my energy levels change, and the situation simply becomes different and unsuitable for the system I had thought was perfect.  Practicing being flexible and fluid  ‘It has become so clear to me that the quote, “The only constant in life is change”, is so true! So this past year, as I have realised that things are always going to be changing and that I should be more fluid with my schedule, I've started to play around with it.' - Jules Smith Over this past year, I have changed, too. I decided to try incorporating the way I felt more into the work that I was doing instead of allowing the schedule to rule my days, and leave no room for my needs as they changed.  If you want the backstories, you can listen to episode 77 where I talk about trying a 50/50 work-week, and then it's update at episode 97!  What I am doing these days What has been working for me a lot of the time is still following a loose 50/50 work week, where I work Monday through Wednesday, and half of Thursday.  I've been doing this for a couple of years now, and I really enjoy this routine and type of scheduling system, where I complete admin in the morning, have lunch, work out in the afternoon, and then see clients in the evening.  However, even though I enjoy this system, I have been incorporating more flexibility into it, especially if I have some creative energy that I want to use in the business. As long as I can pay the bills, I have begun to give myself more freedom, and it has made a wonderful difference! Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 161: Suki O'Huallachain: Growing a Successful Private Practice in Canada | EP 161  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!  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

You go to school, complete your Masters degree, and juggle multiple jobs while starting your Canadian private practice. What happens now?  Suki, my guest in today's podcast episode, carried her childhood curiosity with her through her academic and professional journey, and it has served her well. Working in alignment with her inner values and principles has helped her stay true to the course.  Now, Suki's practice is full, and she's looking to hire an associate. In today's episode, we discuss her journey and tips for having your own unique, great private practice experience. Listen in!  MEET SUKI Suki O'Huallachain (o-who-la-hon) is a CCC therapist located in Port Coquitlam, BC. She has been a therapist since 2018 and has recently transitioned to private practice after working for almost 6 years in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. Suki is currently navigating hiring an associate and focusing on the “business” side of therapy as her practice is now full after 1 year. Learn more about Suki on her practice website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles.  In this episode:  Suki's therapist origin story  Going through university  Transitioning out of a government job Becoming full in private practice  Suki's advice to listeners  Suki's therapist origin story  Suki had always been interested in people, how and why they act the way that they do, and this powerful curiosity came with her from childhood into her Canadian private practice.  When Suki went to university, she started with science. However, she soon discovered that it was not for her! So, she pivoted direction and completed her degree in health science and biology.  Going through university Once Suki got into her Master's program, she started having to balance her work life with her school responsibilities.  She worked in a recreational mental health program while studying different modalities and spent this time figuring out what she wanted her niche to be.  Suki thoroughly enjoyed her Masters because it allowed her the chance to try out different modalities until she found the one that she felt the most comfortable and best-fit with. It also taught her that she is allowed to change, both in specialty and modality, while still being experienced.  Transitioning out of a government job  Suki worked at a government job for a while when she was in the process of building up her private practice, and it was tough with 10-hour shifts! But now, she has fully transitioned into her private practice.  It was tough for Suki to leave her government job. Some of her clients had been clients of hers for five years, so leaving her position was difficult. Suki wanted to make sure that they got the care and attention they needed and wanted, especially those who have trauma with saying goodbye and changing therapists.  Becoming full in private practice Initially, Suki was subletting an office space in a different community, but she knew that she wanted to be closer to home, and luckily, her clients decided to move with her! Now, in her new location, she's full!  Currently, Suki is working five days a week and trying to find a balance. She wants to navigate the business part of it while still meeting her own needs and being her own boss.  To manage her schedule to her needs, Suki's been using Jane App, and it has made managing her professional and personal life so much easier.  Now, Suki's goals have turned toward hiring a great associate for her private practice. She wants to figure out what success means to her in private practice and then hire a Canadian therapist based on that conclusion. These principles keep her guided and grounded and help her to build a practice that she feels aligned with and proud of.  Suki's advice to listeners  No fixed roadmap or plan will give you all the answers, but if you are eager and curious, you can create a practice that fits you like a glove and serves your clients the best. Remember, if it doesn't work, you are allowed to change!  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 160: Lyba Sultan: From Idea to Private Practice in Canada | EP 160  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 Suki on her practice website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

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.  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  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.  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!  Getting into private practice  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.  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.  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. 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.  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: Instagram Website  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

Today, Julia takes another trip down memory lane, revisiting a gem from the Fearless Practice archives. In this encore episode, Julia talks to Mark, the Deputy Registrar and General Counsel at the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) about the rules and regulations that apply to registered psychotherapists in private practice. You can find the show notes to the original episode here. Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources Mentioned and Useful Links: Ep 158: Julia Smith and Jane Donovan: Inside Insight Mental Health Counselling | ep 158 Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Purchase the workbook on How To Start an Online Canadian Private Practice 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 Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

In 2016, Julia reached out to Jane in her search for a narrative supervisor. Both of them were drawn to narrative therapy - Jane already having many years of experience with the modality, and agreed to be Julia's supervisor.  In 2020, when Julia was building up her virtual practice, she reached out to Jane to see if she would be interested in becoming an associate, and Jane agreed again! Now, their paths have shifted again, and they are colleagues and friends.  In this podcast episode, Julia and Jane discuss the origins of their professional connection, what it is like to work together, and the advice that they have for listeners who are curious about Canadian private practice.  MEET JULIA AND JANE  Julia Smith is a Registered Counselling Therapist and the Clinical Director at Insight Mental Health Counselling in Halifax. Julia specializes in working with teens and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship issues, stress, life transitions, identity challenges, and burnout. They use narrative therapy to help clients find clarity and confidence in navigating life's challenges. Jane Donovan is a Registered Counselling Therapist with over 15 years of experience supporting adults and couples in building healthy relationships. She works with clients experiencing communication difficulties, conflict, and feelings of disconnection. Jane utilizes evidence-based approaches, including narrative, solution-focused, and art therapy, to help individuals and couples develop stronger bonds and achieve their relationship goals.  Learn more about Julia on her LinkedIn and Psychology Today profiles, Jane on her Psychology Today profile, and both of them on the practice website. In this episode:  How Jane and Julia met  Starting to work as a therapist  Guiding values  Advice for listeners in private practice  How Jane and Julia met  Jane and Julia have known one another from a long time back. Even though they are now colleagues and Jane is working at Julia's Canadian private practice, a few years ago, Jane was Julia's supervisor!  Now, they have spent years working together as colleagues and learning from each other in new ways.  Starting to work as a therapist  Jane's desire to work as a therapist started back in high school.  She did love art as well and took up pottery classes and ceramics. However, she later decided to pursue a career in therapy.  For Julia, the process was different.  As a teenager, she struggled with mental health issues and went to see a therapist, but it did not go well. That motivated Julia to learn more about mental health.  Guiding values  Both Jane and Julia have shared and complementary values that allow them to work together well as a team and to run the practice smoothly.  Values like authenticity and respect are important to Jane, especially as guiding lights for working with clients.  For Julia, one of the guiding principles of narrative therapy is viewing the person and the issue at hand as two separate things.  Since Jane and Julia share values and get along well as people and professionals alike, there is no urgent push to grow the practice just for the sake of growth.  Advice for listeners in private practice Jane: Know what it is that you need and want, and go for it! Don't let fear get in your way.  Julia: There are a lot of benefits that come from working with like-minded people.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 157: Affordable Ways to Start a Canadian Private Practice in 2025 | EP 157 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 Julia on their LinkedIn and Psychology Today profiles, Jane on her Psychology Today profile, and both of them on the practice website Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Hey you! Are you thinking about starting a Canadian private practice in 2025? If so, what is going to help you achieve the first step of your dream affordably and hassle-free?  I know exactly what it is like to want to start a Canadian private practice but have no idea how to tackle it. It seems like a mountain of decisions and so many admin tasks. However, I went through it myself, and I've put all of my lessons, experiences, and advice into one comprehensive, simple, and free e-course - just for you! And I don't hold back either. Everything is in there!  If you are curiously excited about the prospect of opening up your practice doors within 2025, listen and read on!  In this episode:  My journey  What you need to know before Keep the bills in mind Create your dream private practice  Get yourself affordable and effective support  My journey  Being my own boss meant to me that I had the freedom of choice. I wanted the freedom to set my own schedule, to counsel clients with therapeutic modalities that I was passionate about, and because I enjoy a bit of a challenge! What you need to know before Of course, before you start your private practice, you want to make sure that you have a Master's degree in counselling and that you are either certified and/or licensed by your provincial college.  Then, you need to decide whether you want an online or an in-person private practice, or even a hybrid version of these two. If you are strapped for cash when you start out, consider starting with an online private practice to save you some money in the initial stages of your practice.  Or, if you are decided to start as an in-person counsellor, you can contact other practices and see if they are willing to rent out their office space to you on weekends or off-peak hours for you to see your clients.  Keep the bills in mind  Whether you are doing in-person or online therapy, it will help you tremendously to have savings in the bank before you embark on this journey.  If you don't have a few months of savings in the bank, you can work part-time in another job or practice while you start your own on the side.  Create your dream private practice Now the fun part begins! Once you have decided on the crucial business steps, you can now start to have some fun with the process and bring everything to fruition one step at a time.  Here are some of the necessary decisions you need to make:  Liability insurance  Your niche  Naming the practice  Registering your practice  Building the website  Choosing an EMR Getting professional photos taken  Designing a logo  Deciding on the prices for your sessions  Installing a business phone  Opening a bank account Get yourself affordable and effective support When I started my private practice nine years ago, there was hardly any Canadian-focused content out there for me to learn from. I had to do it all myself from scratch, so I know the feeling of not knowing what to do or how to do it.  Now, after my nine years in private practice, I have put my ideas, experiences, and lessons learned into a free e-course for new Canadian private practice therapists like yourself! In it, you will find all the answers to the questions above and more.  So, if you want to start a private practice in 2025, I recommend you check out this course which will give you everything you need to know to have your practice doors ready to open in six months.  However, if you are eager to start sooner than six months, I have my purchasable workbook that gets you there faster - and it's under $20 CAD!  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 156: Katie Lutes: School Therapist with a Weekend Private Practice | EP 156  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!  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Katie has been working full-time in two different schools with students as a counsellor, family and play therapist as well as has a part-time private practice on Saturdays. When she is not doing virtual sessions with her clients, she sees them outside in nature with her dog.  Since she has been working full-time in schools for the last 10 years, Katie is now starting to truly give her private practice the attention and energy it needs for her to develop it more fully. One day she hopes to work solely in her practice full-time, hire a team to work alongside her, and specialize in play therapy.  Join us for our conversation today, where we talk about her journey, struggles, and wins throughout this time!  MEET KATIE Katie Lutes is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with experience in education since 2003 and counselling since 2011. She specializes in working with children and adolescents aged 5-19, utilizing modalities like Solution Focused Therapy, CBT, Animal-Assisted Therapy, and Play Therapy. Katie's part-time private practice offers individual, group, and family counselling sessions, both in nature and online. She is passionate about incorporating animals into the healing process  Her practice is based in Victoria, British Columbia. Learn more about Katie on her website, Instagram account, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profile.  In this episode:  Katie's experience with building a private practice Seeing clients  Promoting nature therapy  Overcoming private practice struggles  Katie's hope for the future  Katie's experience with building a private practice  Katie started her private practice in 2015, but only seriously started giving it the attention it needs to grow from 2022 onwards.  Katie has been working in the school system for 10 years now, which is why she has decided to move from working in the school system to working more intentionally with her own clients in her practice. She explains that she wants to stay with clients for longer - to see them through their healing journeys for a longer time than she can with students in schools.   Seeing clients  While still working with students in one school full-time, Katie is seeing clients in her practice too. She usually takes one to two clients at a time.  Due to still working full-time, she sees her clients either on Saturdays or sometimes during weekday evenings when her schedule can fit them in.  At the moment, Katie is working on building up her virtual client base.  Promoting nature therapy  Katie shares a lot about her nature and animal therapy modalities through her Instagram profile. She's used Facebook and Instagram paid ads through Meta.  Additionally, she has begun networking and connecting with doctors, pediatricians, and children-centered spaces to connect with kids and their families for therapy.  Overcoming private practice struggles One of Katie's main issues has been broadening her financial bandwidth so that she can put more money into building up her private practice.  She built her website herself and set up her Psychology Today profile from listening to this podcast but finding the motivation and the financial success to add the rest of the pieces is taking more time than Katie realized.  Katie's hope for the future  Katie wants to be a full-time play therapist! And that is what she is working toward each year. She wants to work half-time, hire some other therapists into her practice with different modalities, and have everyone functioning under a holistic approach to working with their clients.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 155: Amy Eriksson: Establishing a Successful Group Private Practice in Canada | EP 155  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 Katie on her website, Instagram account, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profile Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Amy worked as a social worker for 20 years in crisis management in tandem with police and emergency services. She saw how intense and difficult the work could be, and wanted to create a place where her clients could receive their therapy that was softer, more welcoming, and curated to their requirements.  Now, Amy runs a large private practice in Canada with therapists and staff working together all under the same shared values and goals.  In this episode, we discuss building a practice from the ground up, how much therapy changes lives, and how we can create a practice that is tied in with our personal dreams while serving our client's needs.  MEET AMY Amy is a genuine, empathetic, and caring therapist capable of cultivating meaningful connections with people in an open, honest, and non-judgmental manner.  She is a qualified and respected social worker with 20+ years of frontline community, hospital and clinical experience. Among the population that Amy has served include, youth, adults and seniors who struggle with mental health and addiction issues, relational, stress or crisis, trauma, physical health, diagnosis, and palliation.  Learn more about Amy on her practice website, Psychology Today, Instagram, and LinkedIn profiles.  In this episode:  Being a social worker for 20 years Transitioning from full-time work into private practice Hiring staff and building the practice based on values  Growing her practice Amy's advice to listeners  Being a social worker for 20 years  In March 2021, Amy decided to open up her own private practice after having been in the field for 20 years working for other mental health organisations in Port Hope, Ontario.  Before she opened her private practice, Amy was working full-time for a community hospital in crisis where she worked directly with a police service and attended the 911 mental health calls.  Transitioning from full-time work into private practice  Amy opened her private practice in 2021 but only committed to working in it fully in 2023 once she had built up her client caseload.  Amy knew that she had reached every goal she had wanted to as a crisis worker, and felt like she wanted to open up her professional career and reach by committing more fully to her private practice.  Hiring staff and building the practice based on values  Amy hired people that she had previously worked with into her new practice when she wanted to develop it further. She made sure to hire practitioners who shared the same or similar values that she had founded the practice. Amy wanted a practice that felt like a well-loved home.  Growing her practice Since her passion for her work has grown and she has started hiring more staff, Amy was able to level up her practice from solo to group. She credits part of this success with making the foundation of her practice rest upon the values and principles that she shares with her staff.  Now it's been four years since Amy started her private practice as a solo therapist, and how she is currently hiring for therapist number 18!  She feels grateful for the success that started with her and that has now grown and been encouraged by her team. The practice has grown larger than her and is now supported and furthered by her staff, therapists, and the community around their practice.  Amy's advice to listeners Start your private practice with a solid business plan, consult with an accountant and lawyer, and go slow! Practice self-gratitude and celebrate your small wins.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 154: Pacific Pines: Working as a Team to Fulfil a Private Practice Dream | EP 154  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 Amy on her practice website, Psychology Today, Instagram, and LinkedIn profiles  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Natasha and Cherise met on an internship, became friends, and decided to work together to open up a Canadian private practice that is based on their shared values; accessibility, equity, and transparency.  Working with a business partner in private practice is a great way to divide up the stress and double up the ideas. Together, they each handle specific roles, discuss new options, and help each other where they can.   MEET NATASHA AND CHERISE Pacific Pines Wellness was founded with the mission to create a safe and nurturing space, Natasha and Cherise offer tailored counselling services to help individuals, couples, and families navigate life's challenges. Committed to removing barriers to care, they provide solutions for equitable access, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to receive the support they deserve. They combine evidence-based approaches with a holistic perspective, empowering clients to achieve balance, resilience, and well-being. Learn more about Natasha and Cherise on their practice website. In this episode:  What made Natasha and Cherise become therapists  Funding an equitable cost of therapy  Building an accessible and equitable group practice Working as a team  Advice to listeners  What made Natasha and Cherise become therapists  For Cherise, she started in applied behavioral analysis at the beginning of her studies. Later on, she became drawn to a more personal and collaborative approach to working with clients.  She completed her undergraduate degree in psychology, and while unsure of what to do after she graduated, she worked for a crisis line for a while. That is where she discovered her passion for making therapy more accessible to people who need it.   For Natasha, she actually wanted to become a police officer and completed her undergraduate degree in forensic science! However, during the program, Natasha was often more interested in what happened to the person.  Funding an equitable cost of therapy Natasha and Cherise try to find the sweet spot between being able to afford their own bills while making their services affordable to a broader population.  A percentage of their caseload is reserved for low-cost counselling to service the populations who cannot afford most counselling services.  Both of them have conversations with their clients to figure out what they can each afford at that moment in a collaborative approach to find a comfortable price for everyone.  Building an accessible and equitable group practice  Natasha and Cherise are interested in building out the practice in a group setting.  They would like to one day hire more mental health professionals into the practice. The flat fee that they would offer is to allow the therapist to receive a higher income, instead of asking them to pay a percentage of their income.  Transparency, accessibility, and barrier-free care are the guiding principles and foundations on which Cherise and Natasha lay their practice.  Working as a team  Natasha explains that initially she wasn't sure how to approach a private practice, but in meeting Cherise, they discovered a great team in one another and felt excited to approach the opportunity.  Cherise appreciated Natasha suggesting working together and it has been a great experience for them both!  Advice to listeners  It's not going to be easy but it will be worth it! There will be doubt and you won't always get a “yes”, but with a great business partner or support network, you can keep pursuing your goals. Be kind to yourself in the process!  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 153: An Update on Direct Billing | EP 153 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 Natasha and Cherise on their practice website, and individual Psychology Today (Natasha) Psychology Today (Cherise) profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

In this episode, I'll update you on how direct billing is going in my Canadian private practice. If you have not yet listened to episode 141, I'd recommend that you start there and then return to this episode!  I was apprehensive at first to include direct billing, but now I enjoy using it and the benefits that come along with it!  In this episode: What I love What I had to change  What I don't like  What I love With Jane App (the EMR I use) direct billing works great. It is user-friendly for my clients and me since the platform offers direct billing.  ‘For me what I'm really loving is how they organize claim submissions!' - Julia Smith  A brief description of the parts I love include: Claim submissions are tracked when they are submitted, unsubmitted, or approved  Direct links with insurance company websites on clients' insurance policy files  Access to the Telus Health integrated feature  You can add the direct billing feature to a client's intake form that asks clients to upload their insurance cards (which automatically then go onto the client's file)  ‘[Uploading insurance card details] makes it really easy for you to get the information you need to submit the claim with the insurance company.' - Julia Smith  The main thing that I love about direct billing so far is that clients are grateful and happy to have this option! It allows them to have easier access to therapy because they may not afford to put their therapy session cost on a credit card.  What I had to change  The biggest thing that I had to change was my pricing. In the past, I had different prices for my intake sessions since they often require a lot of energy to get to know the client and the intake notes can take more time, which means that intake sessions would be a bit more expensive than my standard subsequent session price.  But when I started with direct billing, my associate and I decided that we should have one price for our sessions to make it easier for clients and to cut down on admin time.  ‘In making this decision, we decided to value consistency and peace of mind instead of charging for that energy and the extra time it takes to write an intake session note.' - Julia Smith What I don't like  Direct billing does take extra time. Since I have a small practice and enjoy doing some admin work, I decided to take on the extra hours to direct bill.. I'm now adding around an extra hour a week of work to complete my direct billing duties, but that's okay, it is worth it!  I also upgraded my plan so that I could have direct billing, but again, it is still totally worth it!  ‘It feels so good to make my private practice more accessible, and it is totally worth the extra cost to do direct billing through Jane App because they make it so easy to do!'  - Julia Smith Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 152: Mastering Stress in Today's Canadian Private Practice | EP 152 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!  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

I think we can agree that stress is something we'd all like to reduce in private practice! For me, in 2024, I realized that my working life was too stressful. It was something I really wanted to change so that I could relax more and  enjoy my work and life!  I've now come up with three strategies for 2025 that I'll be implementing to see if I can decrease stress and increase a sense of contentment when I log on and off from my Canadian private practice.  In this episode: A quick recap  Addressing the financial stress  Managing email checking  Changing my social media habits  A quick recap  If you haven't listened to previous episodes, in 2024 I realized how stressed out I was feeling. If you want to learn more about how I got out of those stressful situations, you can listen to my podcast episodes 135 and episode 144.  We know, as therapists, that chronic stress is not good for a person's mental or physical health and wellbeing. The goal for my life is to reduce stress as much as possible. I know that I got lost in the stress of private practice and forgot how great it feels to NOT be stressed often!  Addressing the financial stress Over the holiday break, I took 2 weeks off to think about how I could better manage things that were often stressful in my private practice, allowing me to change my work routine for the better.  When I started my practice, a monthly budget worked well, since my clientele was still growing and sometimes unsteady. Some months I would have more personal bills and other months more practice expenses, so money was constantly being moved around, which was stressful to manage! However, now that my practice has grown a bit more, this method was no longer working.   I worked out how much I generally spend, save, and pay for the year, divided it up to find a monthly figure, and now know how much I have to work with instead of leaving everything to the end of the month to figure out.  Basically, I gave myself a salary! And this has been so helpful in managing stress.  Managing email checking  I would check my emails pretty constantly and that led to burn out and also big dopamine hits when emails would come through. It made it harder to stay relaxed. What started as an effort to be efficient spiraled a bit into an unnecessary stressful situation. So now, I've taken my email and slack accounts and hidden their bookmarks from my main view on my internet browser. I now only check them three times a day! So far, this is helping to feel less wired and anxious after a long day of working.  Changing my social media habits We all struggle with balancing social media. It has become a part of our marketing and still remains, for many people, a standard form of communicating. However, I knew that I wanted to change my approach with it because I didn't want it to be taking up so much of my energy. I've even started reading a digital newspaper on my breaks (instead of getting my news from google or the internet), and it has been great! Sure, there's stress with what's happening in the world, but by managing information overload, it is becoming  easier to manage digesting the news and stress.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 151: Chanel Wainscott: Riding the Waves of Private Practice | EP 151 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!  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by stress, from both inside and outside the private practice? How can you distinguish between fear, stress, and what is essential to do?  Chanel, my guest today, answers that question to remember and use the power of your “why”. Why did you start your private practice? Why are you working in counselling and therapy? These answers can help give you the fortitude to keep going.  In today's episode, Chanel and I discuss the importance of “why” and how you can use it to ride the wave of private practice, reduce your stress, and work more closely and effectively with your values and passions.  MEET CHANEL Chanel Wainscott is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) offering in-person and virtual therapy to clients in the perinatal period, helping them navigate the complexities of caregiving, self-identity, and mental health. She is passionate about guiding clients toward resilience against shame, identifying and communicating their needs to their support networks, and supporting the mental health journeys of postpartum fathers. With a focus on authentic self-expression and building strong support systems, Chanel empowers clients to navigate their unique stories. Learn more about Chanel on her practice website, Psychology Today, Open Path Collective, and LinkedIn or Instagram profiles.  In this episode:  Why Chanel became a psychotherapist When Chanel considered private practice  Developing and launching her private practice  Remembering your “why” Chanel's advice to listeners Why Chanel became a psychotherapist Due to her interest in high school, and encouragement from her doctor who knew her well, Chanel completed her Psychology Degree in undergrad - even though her school guidance counsellor told her that her marks were too low initially!  Chanel completed her placement at a community health center and became a mental health counsellor.  When Chanel considered private practice  In 2019, Chanel graduated and was placed in a crisis worker position within her agency.  However, her private practice was placed on the back burner since Chanel went on maternity leave. It wasn't until her second maternity leave in 2022, that she decided to really give private practice a go.  Developing and launching a private practice  In January and February of 2023, Chanel decided to commit to trying out private practice. She did a lot throughout April and May to set up her business accounts and then in June 2023, she was ready to announce it to the world.  Chanel's maternity leave ended in October 2022, but she didn't go back to work at the agency. She used those months to brainstorm and network in preparation for her private practice at the beginning of 2023.  However, Chanel has slowly transitioned from working at the agency and is now in her practice full-time! Remembering your “why” Remembering and focusing on your “why” in private practice is essential because it helps you separate unnecessary stress from necessary to-dos. Your “why” makes it easier to distinguish between worries about what needs to get done, and knowing that getting them done is important for you, your practice, and the clients.  It can give you fortitude and ground you in your passion for this work, especially on tougher days.  Your unnecessary stressors often start with the “shoulds” and you can sift through them with a fine-tooth comb to take them off of your mind when you work through each day.  Chanel's advice to listeners  Cultivate a growth mindset and train yourself to see mistakes as opportunities to further find your “why” and to bring you back to your values.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 150: Delia Petrescu: Canadian SEO and Marketing Insights for Private Practice | EP 150 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 Chanel on her practice website, Psychology Today, Open Path Collective, and LinkedIn or Instagram profiles.  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

If you are on a path for marketing your Canadian private practice, being mindful of your search engine optimization (SEO) may take some time to build momentum, but it is one of the direct routes to success.  In today's episode, Delia and I discuss our interests in SEO, why it is important for marketing our practices successfully, and other topics - including growing a business with interns!  MEET DELIA Delia Petrescu is a Registered Psychotherapist and founder of Get Reconnected Psychotherapy Services. She has over a decade of experience working in the mental health field, supporting clients facing mood disorders, anxiety, infertility, pregnancy loss, relationship difficulties, and stress management. Previously, she worked as a psychometrist in various clinical settings and at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), conducting neuropsychological assessments in the Brain, Body, and Perception research department. Delia has specialized training from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and is an active member of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society and Fertility Matters. Learn more about Delia on her practice website, LinkedIn, and Psychology Today profiles.  In this episode:  What motivated Delia to work in therapy? Starting a private practice Going from solo to group private practice with interns  Building a practice based on values SEO and marketing the practice  The dark side of AI in marketing and SEO Delia's direction for the future  What motivated Delia to work in therapy? Even though Delia always had an inkling of working in therapy, she started her professional career as a psychometrist.  Starting a private practice  In 2021, Delia opened up her practice. As her journey as a business owner developed, she slowly began taking on more of an interest in the back-end of building a successful practice, alongside providing great therapy on the front end.  Going from solo to group private practice with interns  In 2022, Delia's practice was steadily growing and she decided to help its development by purchasing paid ads. She also hired two interns.  To find her interns, Delia posted her job descriptions on Facebook groups and the Yorkville Practicum Portal that she is part of. In September 2022, Delia hired her first interns. She also hired an administrative assistant who was a previous colleague, and another psychologist as an independent contractor.  Now her 2022 interns have graduated and work at her practice as therapists, and she has taken on two new interns!  Building a practice based on values Curiosity is one of the guiding principles that Delia and her team use when working with clients. Beyond curiosity, dedication is another value that Delia uses as a guiding principle in her practice. SEO and marketing the practice Delia tends to avoid using ChatGPT in her marketing efforts because she prefers to use organic content as her personal preference and to help boost her SEO.  Delia has also made sure to section up her website with relevant content in the form of blog posts. The dark side of AI in marketing and SEO However helpful AI tools can be, be careful in how much you rely on them. They are tempting, but practice using them as assistants to your work instead of allowing them to do the whole job.  Delia's direction for the future  For her short-term goals, Delia wants to continue with her affordable therapy program by hiring interns into her practice. Over the next three to five years, Delia has her sights set on opening up more office space downtown.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 149: Alexia Wensing: Can You Make a Brand Out of a “Vibe”? | EP 149  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 Delia on her practice website, LinkedIn, and Psychology Today profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Alexia is Canadian, but spent time living and working in Norway, where she has learned about some of the Scandinavian ways of life, including “Hygge”, the feeling of being cozy and content and slowing down to make space for the enjoyment of life.  This principle has inspired Alexia in her private practice, and she incorporated these values into her daily sessions with clients, encouraging them to actively use gratitude where applicable in therapy. Join us for our cozy chat today about coming into therapy, working intentionally with principles in private practice, and how to find what works for you, whether it is work-life balance or marketing, and life beyond it.  MEET ALEXIA Alexia Wensing is a registered psychotherapist who values the mind-body connection, emphasizing the importance of slowing down and optimizing mental health through physical wellness and fostering a healthy relationship with the body. She works with athletes, families of athletes, and individuals facing challenges such as anxiety, life transitions, and stress, utilizing a rooted, evidence-based approach to support clients. Learn more about Alexia on her practice website and Psychology Today profile.  In this episode:  Why Alexia decided to become a therapist  Working in a hospital setting  Starting a private practice  Incorporating a Scandinavian lifestyle into private practice  Marketing the private practice  Going forward  Why Alexia decided to become a therapist  After completing undergrad, Alexia was interested in pursuing law and even studied for the LSAT exams for a brief period. She then pivoted into a more HR and cultural role in creating a healthy workplace environment for a few years, but again, she felt like something was still missing.  Therefore, Alexia returned to university again to pursue her master's degree in Counselling Psychology. All of this experience had happened in Ontario, but in October 2020, Alexia decided to move to Norway.  Working in a hospital setting Alexia worked as a psychotherapy intern.  Even though Alexia appreciated her hospital work experience, it also taught her the tough lesson of having clients come and go, since that was the nature of working in a hospital.  Starting a private practice  After Alexia's practicum, she got a position at a multidisciplinary practice.  Even though she loved working there and being a leader running the telehealth team, she had to have a tough conversation with her bosses about her going in the direction of opening up her own private practice.  Incorporating a Scandinavian lifestyle into private practice The cultural way of living in Norway gave Alexia firsthand experience and a new perspective on approaching wellness, mindfulness, and a healthy type of comfort when facing life's challenges. She wanted to share the Hygge ‘vibe with other people, whether they were athletes or an individual struggling with a personal issue in life.  Marketing the private practice Even though marketing can be tricky, it is necessary, because it is the way that you are putting the word of your practice out there into the community.  You don't have to be “salesy”. You can be authentic, and genuine, and just want to let people know who you are, what you do, and how you can help them.  Alexia uses Instagram, social media, and her website for marketing. To niche down her practice while simultaneously combining her experience, she brings in the ‘Hygge vibe' as branding for her private practice.  Going forward  Alexia is in Alberta now, considering expanding her practice, where she can continue to apply the Norwegian principles that she loves! Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 148: Mark Pioro: Ontario Psychotherapy Rules and Regulations | EP 148 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 Alexia on her practice website and Psychology Today profile Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Are you a Registered Psychotherapist? Are you licensed through the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)? Do you know what you're allowed and not allowed to do in your private practice?  Today's guest is Mark, the Deputy Registrar and General Counsel at the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. We discuss rules and regulations that pertain to registered psychotherapists in private practice.  MEET MARK Mark Pioro is the Deputy Registrar & General Counsel at the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). CRPO is the regulator, established by the government, which sets the standards for RPs. CRPO acts in the interest of the public, striving to ensure the competent and ethical practice of the profession. Learn more about Mark and the CRPO on the CRPO website.  In this episode:  What is the CRPO? Certification and residency  The CRPO and running private practices  Going from graduation into private practice  Do's and don'ts in advertising  Managing fees and rates ethically  Handling complaints  What is the CRPO? The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) is one of the regulatory bodies for psychotherapy in Ontario. This means that only individuals registered with the CRPO are legally permitted to call themselves Registered Psychotherapists (RPs). But other mental health professionals may be regulated to provide psychotherapy services by different colleges. In 2007, the Ontario government decided to allow the following to provide psychotherapy services: Nurses  Occupational therapists  Physicians  Psychologists  Social workers  Registered Psychotherapists  Certification and residency With Registered Psychotherapists (RPs) you can be a registered RP without having to be in Ontario. You can also easily become a RP if you are registered with another regulated province as a Registered Counselling Therapist. The CRPO and running private practices The College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) offers resources and information regarding regulations and laws related to the practice of psychotherapy. However, the CRPO does not provide training or guidance on the business aspects of running a private practice, including areas such as tax implications, insurance requirements, or other specific business-related advice.  Going from graduation into private practice Essentially, it depends on the therapist. In Ontario, if the student has completed the course work and feels confident enough to run a private practice, they could start a private practice  while finishing their degree. However, the psychotherapist would still need to have supervision and oversight. Remember that every provincial college may have different regulations for when a therapist can start private practice! Do's and don'ts in advertising Make sure your advertising is; Truthful  Accurate  Verifiable  Some inappropriate advertising may include;  Promising results  Using comparisons or superlatives  Concealing advertising  Advertising in a regulated province where you are not licensed Be clear and honest with your advertising. Be ethical, and don't try to sell your services as a fix-all to potential clients in order to get more business. Talk with a Canadian consultant to make sure that you remain ethical while still effective.  Managing fees and rates ethically An RP cannot lure in a client with a low rate and then suddenly increase it once the therapeutic relationship has been established. However, you can raise your fees and rates ethically, since your expertise levels may increase and inflation is an issue sometimes.  Handling complaints  Check your insurance policies, since some insurance companies may offer you a lawyer for the process while others might not  Have a network of support for this challenging time The most serious complaints may go public, but those are very rare and may need evidence and legal findings  Most complaints and investigations are resolved without a disciplinary hearing which has to go public  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 147: Encore episode | EP 147 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) Learn more about Mark and the CRPO on the CRPO website Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Today, Julia takes another trip down memory lane, revisiting a gem from the Fearless Practice archives. In this encore episode, Julia talks to Alison Puryear, a US therapist and consultant, about how to market a new private practice. You can find the show notes to the original episode here. Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources Mentioned and Useful Links: Ep 146: Deanna Desantis: Being a Nurse, Psychotherapist, and Equestrian Counsellor | EP 146 Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Purchase the workbook on How To Start an Online Canadian Private Practice 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 Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

My guest today, Deanna, has followed her passions to a place where she now runs a Canadian private practice, working with horses and their riders while still being a nurse. She has combined her expertise and personal experience so that she can work and make a difference in the lives that she is most drawn to.  In today's episode, Deanna and I discuss her entry into psychotherapy, how she manages to be a nurse while running her practice, and how she has integrated her love for horses and the life of being a rider, including its challenges, into her practice as her professional niche.  MEET DEANNA Deanna is both a Registered Nurse and Psychotherapist! At Evolution Counselling, her mission is clear: to assist individuals in overcoming day-to-day concerns and to empower athletes, especially equestrians, to better understand and manage their mental health. Whether they are striving to excel in their sport or simply seeking support in navigating life's challenges, she is there to provide a safe space and compassionate guidance every step of the way. Learn more about Deanna on her website, Psychology Today, and Facebook profiles.  In this episode:  Deanna's career in therapy  The desire to open a practice  An equestrian therapist Deanna's advice to listeners  Deanna's career in therapy  Deanna completed her nursing degree right after completing high school. She had her sights set on being an ICU nurse. Once she graduated, Deanna had a mental health position as a nurse when she worked with cancer patients in Hamilton.  While Deanna was completing her Masters in Counselling Psychology, she switched between working full-time and part-time as a nurse to support what she needed to do to complete her degree.  She hopes to transition to full-time therapy one day soon, and to grow her Canadian practice into a group private practice. The desire to open a practice  Deanna wanted to open her own private practice rather than work as a therapist in a hospital setting because she wanted to be her own boss.  The flexibility of running her personal and working schedule, and the ability to be in charge of her day, was something that she wanted to align her professional career with.  An equestrian therapist Deanna has the skills and understanding to be a great equestrian therapist.  She had personal experience as a competitive horse rider, and so knew first-hand what the challenges were that many riders faced, both inside and outside of competitions. The stress, the fatigue, and putting themselves last, were all aspects that she had experienced and wanted to help other riders with.  Deanna wanted to encourage riders to also take time and care for themselves, and not to give absolutely all of their attention to their horses so that they can continue to compete and be well overall.  ‘I think one of my biggest successes [has been] the long-term clients that I have, and just [to see] the progress that they've made … Just knowing that I am that person who they can reach out to [is amazing].' - Deanna DeSantis Deanna's advice to listeners  Make connections! Talk with people, ask questions, and don't be afraid to reach out to someone that you look up to. There is a lot of insight available to you when you place yourself in the right circles with the right people.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 145: Lauren Mallon: Why Niching is a Practice-Boosting Superpower | EP 145 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) Learn more about Lauren on her website, Instagram, and Psychology Today profiles. Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

When you establish your private practice in an underserved specialty, you increase your chance of being placed under the spotlight.  A great niche could offer you an immediate step-up in getting noticed, help to connect with clients, and with potential referral sources. You may also feel that you enjoy your work much more and are more fulfilled when you position the focus of your practice amongst the niche that you are most passionate about working with.  In this podcast episode, my guest Lauren and I discuss her entry into psychotherapy and her Canadian private practice which offers her clients sports-related therapy and mental health services. MEET LAUREN Lauren Mallon is a Registered Psychotherapist offering in-person and virtual therapy sessions in Burlington and Hamilton, Ontario. She provides a safe and compassionate space for individuals and families facing a range of challenges, specializing in anxiety, sports performance, and self-esteem. Lauren utilizes a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, empowering clients to take an active role in their journey toward positive change.  Learn more about Lauren on her website, Instagram, and Psychology Today profiles. In this episode:  Why Lauren became a therapist  From being a contractor to opening a practice  Niching in psychotherapy  Can you be successful without a website?  Lauren's advice to listeners  Why Lauren became a therapist  Lauren completed her undergraduate degree in psychology in Ireland, where she's from, and then moved to Canada for employment.  While in Canada Lauren decided to pursue her dream of becoming a therapist and learned that she had to complete a Masters degree to be able to counselling or psychotherapy. She ended up completing her MA in Canada and set out to become a counsellor.  From being a contractor to opening a practice Working as a contractor first in another private practice gave Lauren a sense of the type of work and environment that a therapist usually works in, which made her more sure that she wanted to open a private practice of her own.  Lauren asked herself; “What's the point in waiting?” Once she knew that this was something she wanted to try out. Financially, Lauren wanted to increase her salary since she had personal commitments to take care of.  Niching in psychotherapy  Lauren specialized in sports psychology. She was a dancer herself for 15 years and has always gravitated towards learning more about and working with athletes and their mental health. So, she looked into this niche and found that there weren't many other therapists serving it.  On Psychology Today, Lauren was able to specifically identify that sports is one of her specialties. She also pursued additional courses on her own time to further develop her understanding and ability to treat and work with people in this niche.  Can you be successful without a website?  For Lauren, networking with your community and local doctor's offices and therapists has been a big referral source too. Because she has such a specialized niche, she's able to attract a lot of attention and word-of-mouth marketing without having to put an extensive amount of effort into standard marketing strategies.  She has therefore put off creating an official website because she is currently doing well getting referrals and clients through her referral network system and social media.  Lauren's advice to listeners  Ask for help! Talk to people, network, and be proactive in establishing supportive professional relationships. Learn from others while focusing on your practice so that you can learn vicariously while building a practice that will fit you and your clients like a glove.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 144: Changing My Mindset in Private Practice : Year 8 | EP 144 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) Learn more about Lauren on her website, Instagram, and Psychology Today profiles. Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn  

This year has been characterized by personal changes in mindset and approach to my practice, and professional development within my Canadian private practice and podcast.  Today's episode will be a deep dive into my personal story, in celebration and reflection of year eight in private practice!  In this Episode: November 2023  The beginning of 2024  Spring and summer of 2024  Towards the end of this year The struggles of year eight  Cultivating a “maintain mindset” over a capitalist-growth mindset The future of the Fearless Practice podcast  November 2023 Eight years ago, I started my Canadian private practice in November. Now, every November, I reflect on how far I've come.  A lot of my time and energy at the beginning of this year was focused on finalizing that website. Unfortunately around this time, along with the struggle of the website situation, I had to hire a new admin staff, which added a lot more work to my plate.  The beginning of 2024  I sunk deeper and deeper into a work hibernation for the first few months of this new year. I just focused on the basics which allowed my creativity and urge to work harder to slowly appear again in the Spring, instead of forcing myself to keep pushing when I was feeling burned out. Spring and summer of 2024  One of the biggest changes was that  therapy for registered counselling therapists and psychotherapists became tax-free in the spring of 2024! Going into the summer of 2024, I began to feel the burnout creeping up on me again, so I decided to switch things up and pursue a solo project, which was to get involved in the SEO of the backend of my website.  Towards the end of this year  As you may know from episode 141, I took up the project of adding direct billing in the private practice, which so far has been going really well!  And to end it off, a wonderful twist this year was that my first admin - who had been with me since the beginning - came back!  It's been great to have the three of us back together again, working in private practice as a close-knit and content team.  The struggles of year eight  Even though this year has been lovely on many levels, there have been some tough moments. One of them is that Jane, my associate, and I have yet to complete a second season of our private practice's podcast.  Managing stress has also been another hurdle. Specifically, financial stress has been a concern. Running a podcast is expensive! And it got even tougher when the usual financial pattern of the year was different.  Cultivating a “maintain mindset” over a capitalist-growth mindset  Due to money stress, I focused on ways to grow my practice and income but that mindset ended up not being helpful. What this experience has taught me is that adopting a perpetual-money-growth mindset can cause you even more anxiety.  Now, I'm approaching my work as maintenance of my professional and personal dream life that is based on satisfaction and peace.  The future of the Fearless Practice podcast  We're thrilled that Jane App is sponsoring the podcast for another year!  This means there will be a whole other year of the Fearless Practice podcast! Thank you to my podcast editing team along with Joel, Niam, Brittany, Claire, and you, our audience! We look forward to another year of sharing stories and knowledge about Canadian private practice.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:  EP 143: Jillian Bagan: Growing a Queer-Informed Practice | EP 143  Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website   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) Listen to my private practice story and journey here!  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Sometimes, the most successful path that someone can take is the one that comes organically.  By following your passions, seeing what works and what doesn't, and taking your personal and professional preferences into account, you can make it easier for yourself to develop a balanced lifestyle that fulfills you both inside and outside the counselling room.  For my guest today, Jillian did (and is doing) just that. Jillian works closely with their values, knows how to structure the workday to align with their personal and professional goals, and structures private practice around their needs as well as the needs of their clients, to work and enjoy a balanced lifestyle.  MEET JILLIAN Jillian Bagan (they/she) is a strong advocate for mental health and wellness, infusing their expertise in the field with a queer-identified perspective. As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Registered Canadian Art Therapist, and Certified Canadian Counsellor with a Masters in Art Therapy from Concordia University, they bring over 7 years of experience to their private practice in Vancouver. Jillian's expertise extends to direct support for the LGBT2SQ+ community, addressing trauma and other mental health challenges across diverse economic and ethnic backgrounds. Learn more about Jillian on their Instagram and Psychology Today pages, and their website.  In this episode:  What motivated Jillian to become an art therapist  Opening a private practice  Incorporating values into private practice  Advertising the practice  Jillian's goals for the future  What motivated Jillian to become an art therapist?  Jillian developed their understanding of art therapy by first applying its principles and practicing alone before she felt capable enough and ready to begin working with clients.  They graduated in 2019 and started working in a private clinic to work with children in the welfare system. When the pandemic hit in 2020, they had to go online, which allowed Jillian to learn how to use tools of art therapy online.  Opening a private practice  Jillian moved to Vancouver because it had a bigger queer population, which allowed Jillian to work more directly with her niche, which is art therapy with a queer-centered focus.  While Jillian was working in their private practice, she was still taking up some contract work here and there, some virtual and some in-person. So in April of 2023, Jillian became her own boss!  These days, Jillian works with clients in their private practice both in-person and virtually.  Incorporating values into private practice Creativity is a core value for Jillian, and it is utilized throughout the private practice. Jillian puts effort into the visual aspects of the private practice creatively, and then also practices creative problem-solving when coming to grips with the nuances of running a business.  Advertising the practice Jillian was approached by a local charity to do an interview.  It was a great experience that happened organically and allowed them to get the word out about their practice.  At the moment, Jillian is using Instagram ads and Psychology Today. They're also thinking about applying for Canada's Grow Your Business Online grant - which you can also research and see if you're eligible to apply for as well!  Jillian's goals for the future  At the moment, Jillian wants to maintain the private practice as it is. She's just enjoying the work and allowing it to grow organically.  As for their professional expertise, Jillian has a goal of becoming a supervisor in the next few years to support other therapists in their area.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 142: Flora Gerlai: Hiring the Right Fit for Your Practice | EP 142  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) Learn more about Jillian on their Instagram and Psychology Today pages, and their website Listen to the episode on the Canada Grow Your Business Online Grant!  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Many therapists may struggle with finding and hiring the best-fit staff for their private practice, and that may include hiring interns and students who want to complete their practicums. So, how do you go about finding them?  My guest Flora in today's episode interviewed more than 30 different candidates for a position at her practice! There's some trial and error, but once you know more about what you are looking for and what the vision is that you have for your practice, it can help to make things easier. MEET FLORA Flora Gerlai is an RP and founder of Flora Psychotherapy. She provides a safe space for clients to navigate life's challenges using an active, empathetic, and detailed approach. Flora believes all behaviors reflect underlying needs and tailors her integrative techniques to each client, drawing on various therapeutic models like CBT, Narrative Therapy, and Mindfulness. She's also a Certified Mental Health and Nutrition Clinical Specialist, passionate about the connection between food, mood, and mental well-being. Learn more about Flora on her website, Psychology Today, and Instagram profiles.  In this episode:  How Flora became a psychotherapist  Launching a private practice  Adding staff and clients to the practice  Finding a good practicum fit for your practice  Flora's advice for listeners  How Flora became a psychotherapist  Flora noticed that in the mental health services field, especially when it came to psychotherapy, there can be long wait lists and a large number of clients looking for a way to access care.  This realization and observation sparked Flora's transition into psychotherapy specifically. Once she finished her Masters degree, Flora remained working in the foster care system for a while before transferring to a group private practice.  After working there for a while and trying out this new work experience, Flora opened her own virtual private practice.  Launching a private practice  Currently, Flora is in her second year of running her own virtual Canadian private practice, while she continues working part-time at another in-person clinic.  For Flora, opening up her own Canadian private practice was a large learning curve. There were many aspects of running a business that she had to learn from scratch, especially as the boss.  Adding staff and clients to the practice Finding clients ebbs and flows, but most of the time Flora finds new clients through either word-of-mouth, through existing clients, or her Facebook and Instagram ads. Once she felt steady enough running her private practice, she hired another therapist from outside Toronto to also see clients online.  Flora reminds herself that the busyness comes and goes. For many therapists this year, September has been uncharacteristically quiet, and this was the case for Flora as well. She reminds herself to stay in the present and keep going, even when it's tough. Finding a good practicum fit for your practice Flora knew that she wanted to work with students. When it came to hiring, it has been a trial and error process that has taught her what to look out for; the good, the bad, and the potential. She tries to have a blend of questions that are both clinically significant and others more open and low-key, while in a professional setting.  Flora's advice for listeners  Hone in on what your core values and beliefs are for your practice because they will help to inform your niche.  Take your time in figuring out your niche, and be okay with the nature of the field, and how much it can change and fluctuate.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 141: Adding Direct Billing to Your Canadian Private Practice | EP 141 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) Learn more about Flora on her website, Psychology Today, and Instagram profiles  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

If you have been a long-time listener, you'll know that ever since I started my Canadian private practice, I have never offered direct billing to clients.  There were many reasons for this, such as when I started eight years ago, there weren't many insurance companies covering registered counselling therapists. Plus, each insurance plan seemed to have a different rule or agreement on whether a registered counselling therapist could be covered, and if so, by what percentage.  Until now! In 2024, there's been a big change where TELUS Health is now allowing registered counselling therapists and psychotherapists to be part of their platform, and the TELUS platform offers many different types of insurance companies. Listen in to find out more!  In this Episode: TELUS Health and Jane App  Discovering the offered insurance companies  How to integrate direct billing with your Jane App  TELUS Health and Jane App  ‘TELUS Health is now allowing registered counselling therapists and psychotherapists to be a part of their platform, and on their platform [are] many different types of insurance companies … Which makes it so much easier to direct bill.' - Julia Smith I really started to think about offering direct billing once I heard that TELUS Health integrates with Jane App.  I knew that if I could offer direct billing through my EMR, Jane App, and it would only take a couple of minutes that it would be worth looking into, and adding into my practice structure.  ‘The last thing I want to do is add another 15-30 minutes to each session having to deal with billing, but if it's only going to take five minutes to do direct billing, I know my clients would really appreciate that, and therapy would become more accessible for people that are looking for direct billing and therapy services!' - Julia Smith  Discovering the offered insurance companies  From talking with clients, I know that the three main insurance companies that people use are;  Sun Life  Manulife  Blue Cross  Unfortunately, TELUS Health only has Manulife, but then a tonne of other insurance companies. I started to talk with other therapists about Blue Cross to see if it's worth it to apply for direct billing with them, even though they're not part of the TELUS Health system.  Then, I started the process of adding direct billing to my private practice through TELUS Health and Blue Cross.  ‘Luckily in Canada as therapists we don't have to apply for an insurance panel, like therapists do in the states, as long as you have the degrees needed you can just apply to TELUS Health, to Blue Cross, and then any insurance program that offers therapy and accepts registered counselling therapists or psychotherapists, you'll be covered!' - Julia Smith How to integrate direct billing with your Jane App ‘Luckily, Jane App did not disappoint!' - Julia Smith  There were two videos that answered all of the pressing questions that you may have about linking insurance with your Jane App EMR - you can watch these videos here, and here, and learn how to integrate insurance with your Jane App as well! If you're ready to give Jane App a go, use my code FEARLESS to receive one month free!  ‘With your schedule, Jane App also shows a little insurance badge with the clients who are using insurance, so that can make it a lot easier to know which client's are going through insurance and which clients aren't.' - Julia Smith  With Jane App, you can reduce the amount of admin that you will have to do with each client!  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:  EP 140: Blackcy Placidass: Developing a Value-Based Practice | EP 140  Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website   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) Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

One of the great benefits of building a value-based practice is that it makes it easier for you to return to work each day, remembering why you do the work that you do. It also allows your clients to know exactly what you stand for, and how they can best connect with you and your mission.  Join us for today's podcast episode, where Blackcy and I discuss why we both came into the helper's profession, how to curb burnout when managing workloads, and why incorporating our values into our practices is a good idea for anyone to consider! MEET BLACKCY Blackcy Placidass is a registered social worker and psychotherapist with 14 years of experience. She has served a multitude of populations across the GTA in Ontario. Currently, Blackcy is a care coordinator with Ontario Health atHome and has been running a part-time private practice for the past seven years. Her specialties include addictions, trauma, and grief and loss. Learn more about Blackcy on her Psychology Today and Instagram pages, or her website.  In this episode:  Why Blackcy decided to become a social worker  Opening a private practice  Avoiding burnout  Developing a value's based practice  Blackcy's advice to listeners  Why Blackcy decided to become a social worker  For Blackcy, she always had volunteering and helping people as something at the back of her mind when she started thinking about going to university. When she completed her undergraduate degree for Psychology, she discovered how competitive it is to be accepted into a Master's degree and further studies for Clinical Psychology. Therefore, she decided to try a different route, and in 2010 she started studying addiction and completed her certificates.  She decided to complete her Master's in Social Work to see where it would take her.  She made the transition to become a care-coordinator, and in this field she saw that this type of work had a lot more to do with the social worker skills that she felt she innately had, and could bring to the table.  Opening a private practice  In 2017, Blackcy opened up her Canadian private practice. She learned early on about the importance of networking, and so has become proficient in it.  Blackcy made sure to connect with other therapists who were running private practices and asked them about their experience, and for any advice or tips.  By working with universities, other therapists, and even medical practices, Blackcy is able to welcome in many new clients and keep her Canadian private practice full and well.  Avoiding burnout  Blackcy is working full-time while building up her private practice on the side, and managing both work loads can be challenging, as most private practitioners will know.  For her, Blackcy has been in communication with her husband to plan their homelife better a week in advance when she knows that the upcoming week is going to be full of clients.  Developing a value's based practice  Much of Blackcy's private practice is built up from the metaphor of an oak tree, and the values that you can learn from it, such as remaining strong with deep roots, how the wind may blow you at different times, how there are seasons to life, and so forth.  Using this imagery allows you to express values in a way that connects you with your clients, and makes the work that you do more easily understood.  Blackcy's advice to listeners  If you are considering starting your own Canadian private practice, take the leap!  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 139: Darbey Carlson: Why Authenticity is a Secret Sauce to Marketing and More | EP 139 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) Learn more about Blackcy on her Psychology Today and Instagram pages, or her website Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Everyone knows about authenticity, but if you stop and think about it, why would clients trust a private practice that doesn't act with integrity, or that comes across as insincere in their marketing?  People who are looking for therapy are more likely just looking for professionals who have the skills and expertise that they need, someone they feel they trust and can help them.  So, when you bring your authenticity into your marketing, work, and in your relationships with your clients and staff, that genuine care comes across in bounds, often leading to growth as a side effect! In this podcast episode, Darbey and I discuss her entry into private practice, and how being authentic for her has been the one thing which has boosted her private practice successfully.  MEET DARBEY Darbey is a Registered Psychotherapist with a focus on trauma, attachment and ADHD. She is EMDR Certified and has a passion for creating a treatment space that connects the mind and body and avoids band-aid interventions. Darbey is also owner of FIKA mental health, an online Canadian pp where values building confidence in other clinicians and being a lifelong learner. Learn more about Darbey on her practice website, LinkedIn, and Psychology Today profiles.  In this episode:  Why Darbey pursued therapy  Starting a private practice  Leading a group practice  Looking to the future  Authenticity for marketing an online private practice  Darbey's advice to listeners  Why Darbey pursued therapy  For Darbey, she always felt drawn to therapy as a way of understanding human behavior and it held a strong point of interest for her.  Additionally, she went through a difficult period as a teenager and went to therapy herself, which showed her how impactful psychology and supportive therapy can be.  Starting a private practice  Darbey had the feeling that she would like and be good at being her own boss, and so naturally being a therapist, opening up a private practice was a great way to do that.  She loved the idea of flexibility, the challenge of problem-solving and building a business.  Leading a group practice At first, she was happy to work on her own but she started to consider having a team of clinicians around her, since she had begun to also feel lonely which is a common struggle for solo practitioners.  Now, Darbey is managing eight clinicians in her virtual Canadian private practice!  Looking to the future  Growth at the moment is not a big goal for Darbey, since she's focused more on building up a strong foundation of her practice.  On a more personal note as the boss, Darbey is also motivated to be a continual learner and is also taking on additional courses herself to develop her expertise, such as doing a yoga teacher training course to bring in an additional layer of somatic treatment into her practice's services.  Authenticity for marketing an online private practice Darbey's “secret sauce” to marketing her Canadian online private practice well is simple; authenticity. It's something that you clients can pick up on, when you are being genuine, and it carries over in your marketing efforts.  On a more personal level, this authenticity can often bring in more business, since people are drawn more to sincerity.  Darbey's advice to listeners  Know your boundaries! Recognize what you feel comfortable with when it comes to your time management or schedule, and what you aren't comfortable with, and then hire people to fill those roles, instead of forcing yourself to do everything even when help is available.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 138: Build a Canadian Values-Based Practice | EP 138 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) Learn more about Darbey on her practice website, LinkedIn, and Psychology Today profiles  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Do you want to build a values based private practice? And are you thinking; “What does that actually mean?”  Many people may shy away from the business-aspect of running a practice because they feel awkward following the standard, capitalistic model of working with employees and clients, and where the goal is solely to maximize profits. I'm here to tell you that you don't need to do it this way! You can run a Canadian private practice that you are proud of, that makes you enough money, and that does good work in your community. Listen in on this episode to find out how!  *Insert the JANE App logo and sponsorship script linking to www.jane.app/mentalhealth  In this Episode: What is a value based practice?  With clients  Incorporating other values  What is a value based practice? ‘It focuses more on integrating personal and ethical values into your private practice, rather than focusing on profit-driven motives [only].' - Julia Smith  What this means in my Canadian private practice is that any support staff that I hire, like my admin assistant, that they start off working with me for a living wage and for my associates I offer them a percentage split that is above market. If you want to hear more about this topic, I encourage you to listen to episode 135.  ‘Does this mean that I have to spend more for an admin assistant? Of course! But my decision isn't based on that profit-driven motive of, “How cheaply can I hire someone for this position?” because it doesn't align with my values.' - Julia Smith  With clients A value based practice also takes clients into consideration. As much as I am not trying to pay my contact employees as little as legally possible, I am also not trying to charge my clients as much as legally possible.  ‘It is also now how we are basing our rates, of, “What is the lowest rate that we can charge without resenting this work?” as well as making sure that we can pay our bills and have a happy, healthy life, and not be burned out!' - Julia Smith  Now, I base my decisions on “How low can I go without resenting the work?” instead of, “How high can I go?”  Incorporating other values Of course, you can bring in other important values that resonate with you and your vision and mission into your practice, such as;  Offering equitable access to therapy through providing opportunities for sliding scale payments or pro-bono services  Hiring an intern who can charge a very reduced rate for more accessible therapy  Practicing what you preach by getting involved in social justice issues  Participating in community initiatives to create broader, social change  ‘We are therapists, we're here to help people! Yes, we deserve to be paid a wage that reflects the work that we do and we deserve to not get burned out. But … we do value making ethical decisions! We do need to make profits in private practice, but capitalism should not be running the show - at least that's my personal opinion!' - Julia Smith  So, I encourage you to reflect on your personal and ethical values. How can you brainstorm in small or larger ways of bringing these values to fruition in your Canadian private practice?  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:  Ep 137: Dr. Stacey Hatch: Research, Private Practice Tips, and Seeing Clients at Home | EP 137  Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website   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) Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn Mentioned episode: https://www.fearlesspractice.ca/podcasts/raising-and-lowering-rates-ep-135/

Life can take us in many different directions, and what helps is how we can make use of the knowledge that we acquire when exploring these routes. For today's guest, Dr. Stacey Hatch followed her passion for psychology and working with people all the way from her near two-decade work experience in television to now running her own successful Canadian private practice!  In this podcast episode, we talk about her journey into counselling, how she managed to complete her studies while teaching and working, and advice on seeing clients directly out of your home. MEET STACEY Stacey is a clinician-educator-researcher. She is a registered psychotherapist and worked in primary mental healthcare at the Prince Edward Family Health Team for ten years, where she saw patients across the lifespan. She also served as the mental health lead and coordinator of the Mint Memory Clinic for seven years. She has a private practice in Prince Edward County where she sees clients in person and virtually. She provides psychotherapy within a trauma-informed approach in inclusive and equitable spaces. Dr. Hatch also holds adjunct professor positions at Athabasca University and Yorkville University and is a post-doctoral fellow at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.  Learn more about Stacey on her website and Psychology Today profile.  In this episode:  Stacey's career  Pursuing a private practice while researching and teaching  Balancing work commitments  Offering therapy from your home  Marketing tips  Dr. Hatch's private practice advice  Stacey's career  Stacey's successful therapy career that she's thriving in now started many years ago as a job in television!  Dr. Hatch's journey to her private practice today has been a roundabout route, but she took many of her lifelong inspirations and interests forward and brought her experience together to now do what she is passionate about.  After her years working in television, Stacey began doing volunteer work in her local hospice, and that's when the desire to work in therapy really clicked into place for her.  From launching the hospice with the board, Stacey started taking psychology classes and completed her Master's Degree in Counselling Psychology. Afterward, Dr. Hatch spent time working in a primary care clinic, and it's an experience that she recommends to every therapist and counsellor.  Pursuing a private practice while researching and teaching Even though some things ended up coming together serendipitously, many of the threads that wove Dr. Stacey Hatch's career up until now did support one another and were built into her career together.  Balancing work commitments  Slowly but surely, Dr. Hatch is finding her work/ life balance.  It may have taken some time, but she is discovering that the more she puts in systems and helpful routines or mindsets, the more that she can do without becoming overly stressed or pressured.  Stacey also offers virtual sessions, and she even takes clients for sessions in a home office room.  Offering therapy from your home  Marketing tips  Some of Dr. Hatch's most used marketing tools are;  A website that she loves and that showcases her Canadian private practice well  Uploading up-to-date blogs for new potential clients to read over  Connecting her website with her consultation platform to allow clients to book an initial consultation immediately  Maintains a Psychology Today profile and updates it regularly  Dr. Hatch's private practice advice Find out when you feel the brightest and work the best! Pace yourself, and work in the periods throughout the day when you are excited and open to working with them, rather than forcing yourself to work in periods when you struggle to do any work at all.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 136: Maureen Codispodi: Building an Accessible Virtual Private Practice with Reduced Rates | EP 136  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) Learn more about Stacey on her website and Psychology Today profile Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Are you interested in offering affordable and accessible therapy in your private practice? We all know that one of the main barriers to care is cost, and it is an issue that many Canadians face. However, there are ways to incorporate low cost fees in your private practice! In this podcast episode, I talk with Maureen, who owns Help Clinic Canada. She noticed a strong need across her community, and brought her passion from her decades of working in mental health along with her to serve this need as best she could. Now with a powerful vision, Maureen and her team are trying to make a difference in therapy accessibility.  MEET MAUREEN Maureen Codispodi, founder and director of Help Clinic Canada, is a force of change in the landscape of mental health support in Canada. As a seasoned mental health and education professional, she is committed to breaking down barriers to mental health services and, with the support of her team, is making an impact in the lives of Canadians. Learn more about Maureen on her website, business website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles. In this episode:  How Maureen got into therapy  Starting a private practice  Growing a private practice  What's working and what's not working  How Maureen got into therapy After Maureen completed her undergraduate degrees, she worked with brain injuries and other brain-related issues for about five years as a front line worker. However, in these roles she experienced a lot of burnout.  She then transitioned into case management, but it was. At this point, she trained again and decided to become a teacher, and got her Masters in teaching and worked as an international school teacher.  After teaching for almost 20 years, Maureen transitioned into special education where she was leading teams and managing cases again.  ‘Whenever I've had breaks in work … I've always gone back to mental health work as opposed to education because back then there weren't a lot of teaching jobs … Only very recently I retrained to become a therapist, but I felt like I had walked the path for a long time and I was ready to take on more clinical-based work.' - Maureen Codispodi Starting a private practice Apart from Maureen's inner knowing and passion to open a private practice, she also knew that she had a lot of life experience that she could bring into her practice and in working with her clients. So, she felt confident and inspired to go into this space.  Even while she was working on her private practice, her early ideas for Help Clinic Canada were already on her mind.  Growing a private practice  Primarily, Maureen wanted to break down barriers to therapy and counselling for Canadians. So in her private practice, they decided to offer therapy at the low price of $25! Maureen and her team are excited to support people in their communities across Canada, and to give people access to therapy virtually, no matter where they are.  What's working and what's not working Help Clinic Canada is growing and gaining recognition as fellow practices, therapists, counsellors, and clients begin to network with them; however, progress is slow, and Maureen needs to find the right people to outsource tasks and secure funding for marketing, though she has started to find great people for the team. While there have been bumps in the road, Maureen says that they have been lucky so far and they are excited about the road ahead! Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 135: Raising and Lowering Rates | EP 135 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) Learn more about Maureen on her website, business website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Today we're going to get a little more personal! I'm going to share more about my Canadian private practice and how I run it, especially when it comes to raising and lowering my rates.  In the spirit of integrity and authenticity, I want to share these things with you! In this episode, I'm going to be talking about how I raised my rates and then lowered them, and the reasons why I chose to do this, and what I have learned along the way.  In this episode:  Playing the market  Managing the stress of raising rates  Staying connected with community  The unexpected solution!  Playing the market  Around eight years ago, I started at $125 per session. At this point that price was considered high for a Registered Counseling Therapist, let alone a candidate, which I was at the time. Over the years, I got up to $300 for intake and $275 for subsequent sessions, and I had remained at this price for the past two years.  The reason why I wanted to play the market was because I was curious to see what my worth was financially. I had gotten burned out a few years ago, and was encouraged to raise my rates so that I could see fewer clients but still pay the bills. Managing the stress of raising rates  I noticed that I felt a significant amount of stress each time I decided to raise my rates but was not sure why. What I noticed in the beginning was that I would slowly adjust and feel more comfortable with the new price, and then the stress would reduce. But as my rates got higher and higher, I was unable to destress from the price increase. Staying connected with community I realized I started to feel disconnected from my community because, as you raise your rates, fewer and fewer people can afford your services There are other ways to help community, such as hiring other therapists who can see clients at a lower rate or referring to other awesome therapists. But I love being a therapist and doing the work with clients. I wanted to help my community in a way that worked for me as well as for them.  The unexpected solution! In the spring, I realized that I wanted to lower my rates. I was scared to do it though, because I was nervous that I would reduce my income too much and I wouldn't be able to afford the bills. However, the solution to my problem arrived unexpectedly!  I received news that Registered Counselling Therapists and Registered Psychotherapists in Canada no longer have to charge tax! This meant that I could adjust and lower my rates more easily and become more accessible to my community. My associate and I wanted to find a price range that would be more affordable for clients, enable us to cover our expenses, and allow us to maintain a balanced work schedule without needing to work five days a week. Within one day of the tax being taken off, we decided our range and posted it on our Instagram and website, and emailed our clients to let them know, and jumped right in!  It's a great feeling to know that you could charge more but you choose not to because you want to live and work in alignment with your values.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 134: Encore episode  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) Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Join Julia for an encore presentation of her 2022 conversation with Heidi Sturgeon. It's a thought-provoking episode that has an unexpected twist at the end! You can find the show notes here.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:  Ep 133: Canada's new tax exemption on regulated therapy services | EP 133  Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website   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) Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Today we are celebrating that Registered Counselling Therapists and Registered Psychotherapists no longer have to charge tax! There are decades of work behind the scenes to bring this to fruition, so it is a big deal! Thank you to the CCPA for making this happen! In this podcast episode, I'll give you all the information about what this means and what you should do next so that you're in the loop and on the right track.  In this Episode: Who doesn't have to charge tax anymore? What does this mean?  Addressing the change with clients  Who doesn't have to charge tax anymore? Last month in June 2024, Bill C59 received royal ascend and that means that GST and HST can successfully be removed from counselling and psychotherapy services in provinces that regulate the profession.  What does this mean?  What this means for therapists across Canada is that if you are in a province that regulates psychotherapy or counselling therapy, which includes;  Ontario  Quebec  New Brunswick  Nova Scotia  Prince Edward Island  You no longer have to charge tax on therapy services! However, if you are certified in an unregulated province, it can be a little tricky. You may or may not be able to take tax off of your services, because it depends on if you have the relevant qualifications with a regulated province, what your provinces rules are specifically, and other factors.  ‘So before taking off tax in an unregulated province, you will want to speak to your MPs [and] to the board where you are certified just to make sure that you can legally do that.' - Julia Smith   The CCPA is still advocating for those unregulated provinces so that Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCC) may become included in not having to charge tax anymore, because this is currently not the case.  No matter what, you should still contact the CRA to discuss your individual situation on whether or not to deregister your HST or GST number. Click here to find the CRA link!  Addressing the change with clients  Are you going to take the tax off of your therapy fee? Or are you going to keep the therapy fee the same and give yourself a little bit of a raise? There's no judgment if you do decide to go with the latter, since inflation has been tough these last few years.  First and foremost, you may want to put yourself in your client's shoes because by not taking the tax off your fee and keeping it the same - depending on how you word it - your clients may not appreciate that, especially since for them it has also been difficult with inflation and rising costs.  ‘If you do decide to give yourself a raise, you want to explain to your clients why you are doing this, so that they understand and can respect it!' - Julia Smith  Some therapists may not tell the clients that they are doing this because the final fee includes the tax in the price, so the tax could be removed without the clients noticing. But by not informing your clients of the change, it may bring up big issues in the therapeutic alliance if a client finds it out and feels cheated or lied to, so being transparent is usually the best route!  In my private practice, we've decided to pass the benefits to our clients.   With Jane App, it is super simple to do to change this feature!  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:  Ep 132: Destin Jones: Creating Canadian Therapist Communities | EP 132  Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website   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) Canada Revenue Agency  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Do you have a community of clients, peers, or professionals that you work alongside? How can communities open up new opportunities? Have you considered starting a community that isn't focused solely on sales?  Community is a bit of a buzzword in marketing and private practice these days, but it's still truly valuable and a worthwhile investment to make.  In this podcast episode, I chat with Destin, the Director of Community at Jane App, about everything to do with community and what every Canadian therapist needs to know to start, find, and support one!  MEET DESTIN Destin is the Director of Community at Jane.app, an online platform for health and wellness practitioners that makes it simple to book, chart, schedule, bill, and get paid. Destin has been working in tech and community for over 15 years and is a passionate advocate for community-led growth and how community can help businesses big and small connect with their customers in a real, human way to build authentic relationships while also achieving their goals.  Learn more about Destin on her LinkedIn Profile.  In this episode:  How Destin joined Jane App The benefits of multidisciplinary communities  How therapists in Canada can build community online  Which communities you can create  Destin's advice to listeners  How Destin joined Jane App  For Destin's philosophy, being part of the Jane App team inherently means to value community, and bring in community principles into the work that the Jane App team does with their customers.  Destin started working in marketing and communications and various agencies, which all showed Destin that she really liked to work with people, and in positions where client relationships are at the forefront of the business.  After a few years, social media began taking off for business as a marketing tool, around 2008 and 2009, and this is where Destin's epiphany and understanding of the value of community in business became apparent, to unite and grow a bigger customer base.  The benefits of multidisciplinary communities Something unique about Jane App is that it offers a community space for you to tap into where all the business owners can share and learn from each other about how to personalize the app for their practices.  You can work with the Jane App team, and learn from other people who are using it too, because the platform in itself is inherently creative and customizable.  How therapists in Canada can build community online  It can be tricky to navigate building an online community if you're a therapist since there are different rules and regulations across colleges and provinces.  The landscape for building community is big since you can include so many different platforms, so just pick one and start small to build up that momentum.  Additionally, Destin recommends starting a professional profile instead of merging your personal social media with a new professional branch to it.  And remember to add a disclaimer that your professional social media community isn't a substitute for formal, in-session therapy.  Which communities you can create  Apart from the more obvious communities that you can create with your audience and client base, Destin wants you to consider building up a community that's based on your fellow practitioners, peers, and professional network.  Destin's advice to listeners If you're not ready yet or you don't have the time, don't force it, but do consider it in the long-run since communities are keys to greater success, networks, income, and friendships along the way too.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 131: Paige Abbott: Taking Private Practice at Your Own Pace| EP 131 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) Learn more about Destin on her LinkedIn Profile  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

It can be easy to get caught up in looking at everyone else's journey when instead it's important to focus on your own. When you take private practice at your own pace, and when you incorporate your talents and passions and allow yourself to be guided from one spot to the next, you can more easily find your way in private practice instead of trying to do what everyone else has done with theirs.  In this podcast episode, Paige and I discuss her journey into private practice, how she overcame impostor syndrome, and how she's bringing in her personal passions into her Canadian practice.  MEET PAIGE Paige Abbott is a Registered Psychologist and founder of Sana Psychological in Alberta. Paige has been a Psychologist since 2009 and running her private practice since 2019. Paige expanded from solo to group practice in 2023. Learn more about Paige on her practice website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles.  In this episode:  Paige's interest in and pursuit for psychology  Heading towards private practice  Overcoming impostor syndrome  Marketing authentically and successfully  Paige's goals for the future  Advice for listeners  Paige's interest in and pursuit for psychology  For Paige, becoming a psychologist was a collection of different circumstances that stretched over a few years. Initially, she wanted to be a writer, and was passionate about the written word and she knew that it was something she wanted to take forward into a future career.  In her undergrad, Paige took psychology and really enjoyed it, and it came to feel like “a match made in Heaven”. Afterward, Paige got her Masters in Psychology and began her career as a psychologist in Alberta. After the assistance program, Paige worked as an outpatient psychologist for almost a decade and after that she began to dip her toes into private practice in 2020, where she is now, with her own fully established private practice! Heading towards private practice  Even though Paige always wanted to work for herself, she got caught up working in agencies for many years before finally listening to the inner call to open up her own practice.  Once she committed to being her own boss and working on her private practice, she found that she enjoyed the daily tasks and inner workings of managing and taking care of a business.  Paige also uses Jane App, and it allows her to streamline her practice with more efficiency as well as allowing her that sense of creativity and ownership to set things up as she likes!  Overcoming impostor syndrome Paige initially held back from expanding her solo practice into a group practice because she felt unsure. Often with impostor syndrome, it helps to remind yourself of all the times you have succeeded in the past. Marketing authentically and successfully  Paige prioritizes digital marketing since for her it's the thing that works. It's more than having the profile on Psychology Today, it's about showcasing your business truly in an effort to find the best-fit clients. Paige's goals for the future  In the upcoming months, Paige is looking to scale down on the amount of hours she spends in session so that she can find a more holistic work/ life balance.  Paige wants to move from more direct client work to more mentorship, as both a change in her hourly work and as a progress that she wants to experiment with in her career.  Advice for listeners Do it! Get into private practice. There's never going to be a perfect moment, so if you hear the call, honor it and get started. Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 130: How to Create a Summer Schedule that Works for You! | EP 130  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) Learn more about Paige on her practice website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

As many therapists may have experienced with their practices, there's usually a summer slump. Everybody is either away on vacation or taking time off work, and as such their schedules have changed, albeit temporarily, and this can make it challenging for therapists to maintain their usual steady stream of clients.  More than that, you also want a holiday! It's important for everyone, including therapists, to enjoy the nice weather and to take time off, wherever applicable and useful.  In this podcast episode, I share with you some of the tips and approaches I use to make sure that I can also relax and take a breather, without  In this Episode: Some ideas to deal with a summer slump  What I'm trying this year! Managing my time  Slowing down  Some ideas to deal with a summer slump  While everyone is outside and enjoying the warmer weather after winter, businesses and practices can suffer a little financially. Luckily, there are some things that you can do to help keep your business afloat and top of mind, such as:  Increased marketing your business leading up to the summer  Adding a niche with a summertime focus  Saving money throughout the year to help you manage the slower summer months  Adding an additional stream of income  Hiring new therapists to your practice  What I'm trying this year  From the suggestions I've given above, there are a couple of things that I am trying this year for summer 2024.  What I'm doing;  1 - Reminding myself that this is a phase. I know that there are trends of busyness that come and go throughout the year, and to keep calm and make adjusted actions is the best way to go.  2 - Be proactive and productive. I use the client summer slump to work on my business in other ways, making tweaks and adjustments where it may be needed that I might not have the time to do during the rest of the year.  3 - You can network too. Networking is an ongoing investment that you are making in your business, and these ring true and could bring you some valuable clients before, during, and after the summer months.  Managing my time  So, the way that I manage my time over these summer months with my other work priorities is to simply slot them into my usual clinical working hours, where I would've been clients. This way I maintain my usual schedule, keep my own routine, and still work within the hours that I am used to.  Blocking out that time in my own schedule means that I keep working, and I don't see an empty client slot as “free” time.  Slowing down  Another thing that I am doing this summer is slowing down, and taking time off as well! One of the most annoying things of the summer is having one client booked on a clinical day, and no one else.  When that happens, I book the rest of the hours off to focus on that one summer work priority, and also to relax! Where possible, I'll bunch those client hours onto a day or two so that I work in batches, and can then manage my time so that I'll have a solid block of working time, and then rest.  If you want to hear more about how I portion out my time so that I can enjoy both my clinical work and enjoying my personal life, listen to this episode for some tips and advice!  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:  Ep 129: Rhea Bridge: Niching in a New Practice to Reduce Burnout | EP 129 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website   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) Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

In the beginning of starting a new practice, being a generalist seems like a good idea, especially when you want to welcome clients through the door and the idea of turning away new potential clients seems counterintuitive. However, niching down is not only helpful regarding your marketing or your skill set: niching down is also important for you! It helps you to enjoy your everyday work instead of feeling unnecessarily drained.  In this podcast episode, I chat with Rhea, who started her virtual Canadian private practice after graduating, and who has built her success around focusing on her ideal clients and in the future hopes to build connections with her community, of both clients and therapists.  MEET RHEA Rhea is a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario, mom of 2 and business owner. Her practice is focused on mood and anxiety disorders, life transitions, BIPOC and cultural issues, as well as the perinatal period. Learn more about Rhea on her website, Instagram, and Psychology Today profiles.  In this episode:  How Rhea developed her career in therapy  Starting a solo practice  Marketing the practice Overcoming issues  Thinking on the future  How Rhea developed her career in therapy  In Rhea's previous work life she was working with clients with autism. She ended up leaving the field, and wasn't sure what to do.  When she was working with patients with autism, she did feel like she wanted to do more for them but felt constrained by the role that she was employed under.  So, after Rhea left that job, she took some time to think about what she wanted to do and considered the things that she enjoyed doing to shift these passions into a career. She ended up finding a masters program that enabled her to unite her interests with counselling in a way that she was excited about.  Starting her solo practice  Even though Rhea was uncomfortable and a little scared about the unknown, she started exploring what she needed to do to set up a new practice. She started looking for only a few clients in the beginning to get a feel of what it would be like.  Rhea worked part-time and had some financial support from her husband while she was launching her practice, both of which helped her to navigate the uncertainties in the beginning before her practice was more fully established.  Marketing the practice  Rhea launched a Psychology Today profile for herself and her practice to advertise herself and her business.  She also opened up accounts on a few other free platforms where clients often may search for therapists, as well as launching a small Instagram account.  Within her community, Rhea's practice is starting to gain some traction by word-of-mouth as well. Overcoming issues For Rhea, a common problem that she is working on resolving is the issue of scheduling, and of finding a time that works well for her and for clients to have a session.  Additionally, niching was something that Rhea had to work on and to find the right fit. Once she niched down, things became easier.  A powerful bonus of working within your niche and within your skill set and with the clients that you want to work with also reduces your risk of burnout.  Thinking on the future  Rhea is focused on making more connections in her community within the next six months to a year. Having one or two specific goals can help you to figure out your direction..  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 128: Christina Page: Transitioning from Agency to Private Practice | EP 128 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) Learn more about Rhea on her website, Instagram, and Psychology Today profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

With private practice, Christina, our guest today, went through a challenging experience and found it difficult herself to find the therapy that she needed. When she registered as a social worker and later as a perinatal therapist, she knew that she wanted to fill the niche in the market by serving the families in her community.  Today, we discuss her journey into social work, her time working at a hospital, and how she started her thriving, mostly virtual Canadian group practice, and how she incorporated her own values and passions into building a successful practice that meets her client's needs! MEET CHRISTINA Christina Page is a Registered Social Worker, Certified Perinatal Therapist and the owner of Whole Family Psychotherapy, a primarily virtual Ontario based group practice specializing in perinatal mental health. Christina and her team of RSW's are also parents themselves, and believe supporting parents in all stages of their journey allows for family systems to thrive. Learn more about Christina on her practice website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles.  In this episode:  How Christina became a social worker Opening up a private practice  Developing the solo practice into a group practice A client login for Jane App  How Christina became a social worker  Initially in school, Christina really wanted to be an actor! Upon coming to this life changing realization, Christina dropped out of acting school and spent a couple of years getting to know herself while working different jobs here and there. She went to therapy herself, and discovered that it was something that she felt a natural calling to do too.  Opening up a private practice Christina spent a while working in the hospital system as a social worker, however she knew that there was something else that she wanted to try. While Christina was still on maternity leave, she decided that she wanted to move out of working in the hospital system and to open up her own practice.  Christina wanted to gain more expertise, and found some Canadian perinatal mental health trainings in Toronto that she loved, and where she completed a bunch of certificates with course work and supervision which helped her to feel competent and ready to market herself in her new practice.  Developing the solo practice into a group practice In 2022, once Christina's children were in school and daycare, she really committed to networking in her area and meeting every midwife and doctor that she felt fit with her niche and approach.  Once 2023 came around, Christina felt the need to expand her solo practice into a group practice.  Even though Christina didn't initially want to be a boss, she found herself warming up to the idea. Now, it's been a year since Christina has been running her group practice.  Christina was motivated to lay a strong foundation for her practice that wasn't only solid on operation, skill sets, expertise, and student services for affordable therapy, but also on ethics. She hired an attorney to make sure that everything was done by the book. A client login for Jane App  Having a client login option for your practice website so that your existing clients can have access to their receipts or other documentation is a great way to keep the client journey piece in mind within your business operations.  It shows your clients that you are considering their needs too, and that you are incorporating their experience into how you structure your services to serve their needs.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 127: Being Intentional when Starting a Group Private Practice | EP 127 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) Learn more about Christina on her practice website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles.  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

For many Canadian therapists, the trajectory seems to be that once you start getting full with clients that you should open a group private practice.  However, if you blindly consider opening a group private practice without evaluating whether or not it is truly something that you want, then you may end up in a very stressful situation, feeling burned out and confused as to how this happened!  Therefore, when you think that it is time to consider this next phase of your career and you are drawn to the idea of growing your solo a Canadian private practice into a group private practice, really give it some intentional thought, so that you can make a decision that is good for YOU!  So, if you are trying to weigh up your options, listen to this podcast episode where I ask you a couple of important questions to use when deciding which path to take.  In this Episode: Is it your passion? Do you like managing people? Will it impact your work-life balance? Are you following the crowd?  Is it your passion? There are so many reasons why people decide to open a group private practice, so make sure that if you are considering this path it is something that you are prepared to do because YOU have the desire to do it!  A lot of people will encourage private practice owners to open a group private practice as a ‘natural next step', when this isn't necessarily a formulaic process, because it has to be intentional.  Remember that passion and an active drive to pursue something are powerful ingredients for success. So don't follow the crowd just because everyone else is, and take your genuine interests and passions into account when figuring out your next steps.  Do you like managing people?  Do you want to add more therapists to your private practice so that more people in your community can receive help? Do you want to make passive income? Even more so, do you want to be a boss and a manager?  Being a manager is a skill that has to be developed, and something that you can learn from consultants or courses.  Will it impact your work-life balance?  If you are considering changing your solo practice into a group practice, imagine your current life and what it could be changed into if you do make this switch.  In the book, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing by Bronnie Ware, a palliative care nurse who noted the top five regrets that people had as they were passing away, and they are;  I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me I wish I hadn't worked so hard  I wish I had the courage to express my feelings I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends  I wish I had let myself be happier  Are you following the crowd? Do you want to open a Canadian group private practice only because that is what consultants and supervisors say is the next step?  Sure, it can be difficult to untangle what you want alone instead of what you think you want from looking at what worked for others. Figure out what works for you, and develop that!  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:  Ep 126: Celissa Vipond & Melissa Lindstrom: From Friendship to Successful Practice | EP 126  Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website   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) Books mentioned in this episode: The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing by Bronnie Ware Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Celissa and Melissa noticed the clear need for mental health services in Ontario over the pandemic, and decided to team up to put their expertise and skills to use to serve the community.  As a team, Celissa and Melissa were able to balance starting a practice between the two of them while continuing their social work positions that they love. Their Canadian private practice has now grown into a successful group private practice where they have the benefits of running their own practice while still working jobs that they cherish.  In this podcast episode, I chat with the two of them about their progress, their ups and downs, and what they recommend to you for your Canadian private practice career! MEET CELISSSA AND MELISSA  Celissa and Melissa are the owners of Virtual CBT, a private psychotherapy practice specializing in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for clients in Ontario that are struggling with symptoms of depression, anxiety, phobias, OCD, and trauma. Learn more about Celissa and Melissa on their practice website and Instagram profile.  In this episode:  How Celissa and Melissa found their niche Working as a team  Using Jane App  The future of Virtual CBT Melissa and Celissa's advice to listeners How Celissa and Melissa found their niche Both Celissa and Melissa are social workers. Between the two of them, they had dabbled in different sectors trying to find what suited them both best before specializing further.  Melissa thoroughly enjoyed working within CBT and she found it effective and helpful for both her services as a therapist and for her client's needs.  For Celissa, the path was a little different in that she only knew that she wanted to become a social worker after she graduated.  Celissa's expertise has become more narrow as the years have passed, from CBT and DBT to specialized CBT and others. Working as a team  Over the pandemic, both Celissa and Melissa were working for a not-for-profit organization when the public mental health system was being flooded with referrals.  Also, over the pandemic they went from working completely in person to completely virtual almost overnight.  One day, a doctor connected with Celissa asking if she had a private practice, and she ended up texting Melissa to see what she thought about it. They decided to work together to launch their own private practice since they could see that the need was there.   Using Jane App  Melissa recommends to all practice owners that Jane App is a great investment to commit to early on in your private practice journey since it streamlines so many processes in a way that they complement one another, helping you to stay organized and helping your clients to easily book appointments.  Jane's intuitive and automatic systems that you can customize to your needs allows it to help you with what you want help with.  The future of Virtual CBT Since September 2023 their practice has grown so much, which is why they have decided to take a step back and rest a bit before continuing to expand their practice together.  Diversifying your practice is also a good idea to consider because it can take away some of the stress and allows for the owners and staff to engage with clients and modalities in new and innovative ways.  Melissa and Celissa's advice to listeners Be willing to invest in your business, whether it is finances or time and effort, if you want to have a strong foundation and a successful practice. Be patient with the process as well!  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 125: Kelly Hoskin: Trusting the Process for Success in Canadian Private Practice | EP 125  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) Learn more about Celissa and Melissa on their practice website and Instagram profile  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Sometimes people can feel nervous to start their careers since they don't know where it will end up. We may feel like we need to know exactly how the journey will look before we head towards a new destination.  In this podcast episode, Kelly and I discuss how she had no intention of working in psychotherapy initially after grad school, but found her way there. She discovered more of what she loved along the way! MEET KELLY Kelly Hoskin (BSW, RSW) is a registered social worker and psychotherapist passionate about supporting teenagers and adults, Indigenous peoples, and those grieving the loss of a pet. Kelly lives in Angus, Ontario and provides sessions virtually and in-person, including walk and talk therapy. She feels strongly in meeting clients where they're at and staying flexible to their needs. The client is the expert in their own life, and Kelly helps them to navigate their healing journey. Learn more about Kelly on her Instagram and Psychology Today profiles.  In this episode:  Kelly's entrance to social work  From social work into private practice  Working in NIHB  Kelly's advice for listeners  Kelly's entrance to social work  Kelly got her bachelor's degree after high school, and then she worked for a few years at an employee assistance program. Eventually, she decided to complete her bachelors of social work.  After she graduated from her bachelors of social work, it took her another few years to figure out what to do with her degree.  From social work into private practice  Kelly worked as the coordinator in a collective of therapists, and she was well-known there. She did potential client's risk assessments and recommended them to a therapist in the collective.  Kelly was then motivated to start a private practice, with just a Bachelors of Social Work. She wanted to make sure that there wasn't a specific rule stating that she wasn't allowed, and within her province, it is allowed - but maybe not always recommended! Since further studying is often encouraged or required. Always check with your college!  Kelly approached the team as joining a psychotherapist, and was met with a warm welcome. They were supportive of her trying it out, and it just took time, her confidence, and support from other psychotherapists - with peer supervision - but Kelly did get there!  Working in NIHB People who have status, either Inuit or indigenous, can access this service and they can receive up to 22 counselling sessions per calendar year. The therapist is paid directly from the government, so the client doesn't have to pay at all.  In order to be a part of this program you can fill out an application as to why you would be competent to be part of this program.  You can learn more about this service on their official website. Kelly markets to her clients via her social media platforms, as well as receiving clients through her referral network. Additionally, Kelly hosts a networking event each month for both fellow practitioners as well as clients, which allows more people to find out about her work, as well as allowing her to provide a platform for more therapists and clients to meet.  Kelly's advice for listeners  You are not the only one who doesn't know what they are doing with the business side of private practice!  Connect with your community of fellow therapists and practitioners, so that you have people to learn from and lean on, this is not a journey that you have to walk alone.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 124: Seeking Out and Mastering Work/ Life Balance | EP 124 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) Learn more about Kelly on her Instagram and Psychology Today profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

We always hear about “optimization”, and to the extent that many folks may be influenced to outsource everything possible so that they have more free time.  But imagine this; if you had all this extra free time, after the time to rest, exercise, and spend time with loved ones, what would you be doing? If you had more free time and the mental capacity for tasks that you enjoy, what would they be?  You don't have to outsource all the parts of your private practice, maybe only the parts that you either need help with, or that you really don't like doing. If you're a great therapist, but you also love marketing or SEO (like me!) then there's nothing wrong with structuring your tasks so that you still get to do these tasks that you enjoy doing in your practice. Work-life balance is just that, a balance that you have to test out to discover where it lies for you. This is what I've done, listen in to learn more! In this Episode: Some background on my experience so far The reality of my choices  Do things because you love doing them  Some background on my experience so far Sometimes therapists can only stay in the profession for a while because they can get severely burnt out, and I didn't want that to happen to me.  When I started my Canadian private practice part-time, I was still working at university as a therapist. Even though I loved both jobs, I could tell that I was getting burnt out. So, once I fully transitioned into private practice, things started to slowly get better! And I started to finally achieve some more work-life balance. I share more about this on this podcast episode; a 50/50 work week. Additionally, I share how having more free time helped me to overcome some obstacles that cropped up during this time.  The reality of my choices At a time, this 50/50 work week split was great because it provided me with the chance to get to everything I needed to in my practice while allowing myself to rest on the off days.  However, with this additional extra time, I was getting a little bored. I started to ask myself what fills my soul, beyond doing the therapy work that I love. I could sense that there was something more that I wanted to do and contribute to with my time and energy; I just had to figure out what that was.  What I came to understand was that by outsourcing everything that I possibly could, there were types of work that I was no longer doing that I did enjoy doing.  Do things because you love doing them So, even though a business owner could technically outsource every single thing in their business to someone else - besides only what they can do - that's not something that you have to do! You can still find the balance between hiring outside assistants and help, and still doing the tasks that you enjoy doing!  Remember that you don't have to follow everyone else's example. Take advice and learn from other people's experience, but at the end of the day, you are the one who can build a system that is best-suited for your needs and desires.  Some questions for you to think about could include:  What do you enjoy doing?  How do you make time for it?  What can you outsource so that you have the time to do these things?  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:  Ep 123: Michelle Ham: Joining a Collective to Build a Successful Practice | EP 123 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website   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) Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Many therapists may feel daunted by the idea of returning to school to get their masters or a PhD, especially after they have settled into their adult lives. However, it truly is never too late!  If you have a desire to take your Canadian private practice to the next level, or you feel frustrated working on someone else's schedule, and you desire more professional autonomy, taking a step forward with additional training may be very helpful to you.  In this podcast episode, I chat with Michelle who did just that.  MEET MICHELLE Michelle Ham, C.C.C., is a compassionate and dedicated psychotherapist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. With a Bachelor's Degree in Family Social Sciences and a Master's in Counselling Psychology, Michelle brings over a decade of experience in social work to her practice. She is committed to creating a safe and inclusive space. Michelle's therapeutic approach is rooted in a holistic, integrative, and person-centered framework, allowing her clients to collaboratively navigate their pathway to change. Through evidence-based modalities such as Internal Family Systems, somatic-based work, narrative therapy, EMDR, and mindfulness, Michelle provides personalized therapy sessions that empower her clients to find healing, understanding, and growth. Learn more about Michelle on her website, Instagram account, and Psychology Today profile In this episode:  Michelle's journey into psychotherapy  Michelle's steps into private practice  The lessons learned thus far Marketing a private practice  Michelle's advice for new therapists or practice owners  Michelle's journey into psychotherapy  Michelle graduated with an undergraduate degree in family social sciences in 2008. She then started working in the social work world, holding various different positions. Following this desire to have more autonomy over her time, Michelle returned to school in 2021. She took her masters in counselling psychology online so that she could manage her course work, while continuing with her job, and being a mom.  Michelle's steps into private practice  Once Michelle graduated, she opened up a sole-proprietorship for her own private practice, and she rents office space in a local collective. The office space is shared with other therapists, and Michelle is able to reap the benefits of an extensive referral network through her collective's director, as well as enjoying the professional company of others while scheduling and working her own hours.  The lessons learned thus far  Even though there has been so much change and trial and error moments, as Michelle explains, she also says that she enjoys having the chance to set her own hours, set her own schedule, and to see the clients that she wants to.  Marketing a private practice  Even though Michelle's only been in private practice for a few years, her caseload is already filling up. She credits this partially to the well-connectedness of the collective, which networks with the local community.  Additionally, when Michelle was still a student, she was intentional about working on her social media platform to slowly and organically begin growing an online presence.  Michelle's advice for new therapists or practice owners  Michelle encourages listeners to explore what is most suitable for them in terms of whether they want to do a sole-proprietorship or to take another approach. You can tailor the way your business works to your preferences - that's important to do! Whether you want to open an in-person Canadian private practice or offer therapy services online, make sure that it is what you want to do, feel qualified in doing, and that you have a strong support network around you.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 122: Embracing the Dynamic Nature of Niching | EP 122 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) Learn more about Michelle on her website, Instagram account, and Psychology Today profile Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

As the saying goes; “the only constant thing is change”, and it's true for Canadian private practices too. Sometimes you will set up a system that works well, but after months or years the practice has changed, and so the systems need to be updated.  Or, the offering that you used to love doing with your clients is no longer something that used to light your spark - because you've most likely changed as a person and a therapist along the way - so you decide to change it up.  The point is that niching can be a great way to build your business, but it can also be necessary to change your niche over time. It's something that I have experienced as well, so listen in on this episode if you're searching for some guidance! In this Episode: Why niching is important  How to niche  My experience with niching Why niching is important  If you want a further, more in-depth episode into niching in Canadian private practice, I recommend that you listen to my previous episode on this topic! However, for a short recap, niching is important because it:  Helps you to stand out from the crowd  Helps you to focus on the issues that you are passionate about serving  How to niche  Some of the factors that you can keep in mind when you are figuring out your niche may include:  The size of the population of this niche  What you like working with clients through What you are qualified to do  My experience with niching  Private Practice With my website: I actually had a little mis-step with niching in my own private practice this past year! When I was redoing my website, I hired a website developer to give it a full make-over, as well as a copy editor. Overall, I realized that I had become way too excited about all the possibilities with the new website and adding services. I hadn't niched down enough, which  made it overwhelming for a potential client to browse through. In the end, I reduced the specialty pages on the menu so that they only relate to our main private practice focuses. Fearless Practice With my consulting: over five years ago I started my private practice consultation because I couldn't find any in Canada.  So, I started Fearless Practice to help other Canadian counsellors get the help that they needed with their private practices. Over the years, I created the workbook about how to start an online Canadian private practice, as well as scripts to send clients, private practice paperwork, an e-course, and more! ‘But as I continued to create these things, my consulting became irrelevant, because it's all in the workbook! As well as with the podcast … There have been so many episodes where I have interviewed other Canadian counsellors … There's just so much information that I have now on my website for Canadian counsellors, where you don't have to pay extra to have a one-on-one with me.' - Julia Smith  Additionally, I nowadays direct people to take courses from LinkedIn and Google since they offer insightful and helpful courses for therapists to take. So, my consulting days have changed, and I niched down - again! I now focus specifically on helping Canadian private practice owners recover from burnout by helping them to restructure their practice so that it suits their needs and desires.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:  Ep 121: Mila Arsenijevic: Balancing Growth in a Canadian Private Practice | EP 121 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website   Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Listen to my previous episode on niching, why it is important, and how to do it! Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free) Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Do you feel pressured to always be scaling and growing your Canadian private practice? In modern business, the idea is usually to push growth - but that's not always the case! Sometimes not growing can also help private practice.  Every now and then you need to intentionally stop growing and instead focus on the foundations of your private practice, so that any future growth down the line actually holds and sticks because growth for growth's sake is not necessarily everyone's preference.  In this podcast episode, Mila and I discuss how she launched her practice and how sometimes not aiming for growth is the best way to success! MEET MILA Meet Mila, the driving force behind Toronto Therapy Practice. With over a decade of experience specializing in perinatal mental health at esteemed institutions such as Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Mila is a compassionate and dedicated therapist committed to fostering trust and connection with her clients. Her journey in the mental health field began as a social worker, evolving into her role as the founder of Toronto Therapy Practice.  Learn more about Mila on her Psychology Today profile and her Canadian practice website.   In this episode:  How Mila became a social worker  Getting into private practice  Mila's advice on scaling via hiring  Dreams and aspirations for a growing practice  How Mila became a social worker Since Mila had experience traveling internationally, she decided to study International Relations in Canada. She didn't enjoy it as much as she thought she would, but Mila did take psychology as a minor and ended up loving it enough to focus on social work in her masters.  In her second year of placement in the masters program, Mila was at Sunnybrook hospital providing counselling. The job that she worked there went well enough that once she completed her studies, she decided to get a more permanent position and started her work experience.  However, she was offered a position in England which she ended up taking, and went to London to live and work. Mila was in England for some time before returning to Canada.  Getting into private practice  While Mila was working at the hospital, she was doing outpatient counselling.  She experienced some limitations in terms of how she was able to provide therapy within the hospital system. Mila noticed long wait lists, loads of people seeking access and care, and within the specific hospital rules, she thought that she could offer these necessary services in another way.  Mila's advice on scaling via hiring One associate hired was a friend of Mila's, one was through word of mouth, and the other two were through Indeed.  With a flexible schedule system that all her associates have, Mila is able to connect clients and clinicians on schedules that suit both of their needs. Additionally, Mila's practice and her associates have a hybrid model of offering in-person and online therapy.  Dreams and aspirations for a growing practice  Even though Mila has a lot of dreams for her private practice, she wants to make sure that she firmly establishes it now.  With appropriate scheduling, processes, and systems in place, Mila wants to give her private practice the best shot at success as she can, and that means taking the time and making the effort to lay strong yet flexible foundations for it - and her - to depend on.  There are also so many ways to get to the same place, so explore to find out what works well for you! Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 120: 5 Ways to Tackle Isolation with an Online Private Practice | EP 120 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) Learn more about Mila on her Psychology Today profile and her Canadian practice website Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Do you sometimes feel lonely working as a therapist? Do you have an online practice, and sometimes wish you could chat with a colleague between sessions to let off some steam or to get an ethical second opinion? How do you deal with isolation as an online therapist?  Working as a therapist can be an isolating experience in and of itself, since you can't talk about the details of your work with friends or family. If you work from home like me, then I'm sure that you know that the isolation can be two-fold! In this episode, I share with you some tips that I have figured out to help myself - and you - enjoy your work as a therapist while still making time for life beyond it. If you are stuck trying to choose between how to handle the challenge, I invite you to listen in!  In this Episode: Be intentional  Get out of your apartment  Create peer-to-peer consultations  Meet with your assistants Make time for a weekly activity  Be intentional  Between your work days and work weeks, it can be so tempting to just unwind alone at home, without having to exert yourself further by going outdoors and trying something new after a potentially challenging or long day.  However, don't isolate yourself further just because you may be nervous about going outdoors. Find hobbies that you enjoy that get you outside of your home - and that are separate from therapy - so that you can unwind and relax in the company of like-minded people while doing something that you enjoy.  Get out of your apartment  Sure, you can enjoy hosting friends at your home. However, if you also work from home and then you socialize at home, there is very little variation in your routine, and you may begin to feel a bit suffocated!   This is even more important if you live alone at home, because staying connected with your friends and with your personal life beyond just working from home is important.  Create peer-to-peer consultations  If you have associates in your Canadian private practice, make sure to schedule a monthly peer-to-peer meeting so that you can consult together to stay connected and on the same page about the practice, and as well as about what's happening in your lives.  Connect with your team to talk about client cases or maybe have some fun! Having and maintaining relationships with other therapists can help to ease that isolation since they know what it feels like to work in the profession.  Meet with your assistants If you have a virtual assistant, schedule a 30-minute meeting weekly with them.  This is not only important to discuss business issues, but also to stay connected to your staff so that you don't pass one another by like ships in the night.  Make time for a weekly activity Something that I do which I love is going to the gym in the afternoon. It's a lovely way to get out of the apartment, exercise, and to be around other people!  No matter which one you choose, there will be challenges, so you just need to figure out which challenge is the one that you feel most comfortable to work with so that you can make the most of your obligations while enjoying yourself.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:  Ep 119: What I Learned from Going to the CCPA Conference | FP 119 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website   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) Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Have you ever been to a counselling conference? Are you considering going to one this year for the first time, or are you a regular attendee?  Whether you are more introverted or an extrovert, conferences offer spaces for both! Not just quiet workshops or long tables filled with fascinating people, but also where you can learn and develop your skills as a professional while enjoying time spent with other interesting therapists.  I got out of my comfort zone a bit and went to a CCPA conference last year, and it was great! Going forward, I know what I'm looking for now, and how to find other great therapists. If you're interested in finding out how, listen in! In this Episode: What is the CCPA? Conferences can be a lot of fun! Choosing conferences going forward  What is the CCPA? ‘If you don't know, CCPA stands for Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, and usually the conference that they have each year is in the springtime, but last year in 2023 they had it in October in Toronto.' - Julia Smith  Usually, going to a conference for me is nerve wracking on a couple of levels! I was going alone to this conference, and I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy it or not. However, I was able to select the speakers that I was interested in, but it can be a hit-and-miss!  However, going to conferences also contributes to your CEC credits that all members of the CCPA need to get each year. So, keeping all this in mind, I pushed myself to go! Conferences can be a lot of fun! ‘With the CCPA conferences, you're expected to network. It is encouraged to talk to other counsellors. You don't look silly going up to people and starting conversations … Once I got into the swing of things, it was really fun to have conversations with counsellors from all over Canada!' - Julia Smith  If you felt like you were getting a little over socialized, you could go see some of the workshops and talks that were happening around at any given time.  I really liked that there were options to be silent and listen, or to put yourself out there and socialize! Even during lunches, it felt comfortable to sit down at a table with people that I didn't know and to strike up a conversation, since this is encouraged by the CCPA conference guidelines. Everyone's in the same boat! Choosing conferences going forward  Despite the great time I had, I know that I want to be intentional about choosing the future conferences I'll go to. Specifically, I want to be mindful about going to conferences which will give certain information that I want to learn about.  The CCPA conference is great for learning about many different things in the counselling world, from research to different types of therapy techniques to private practice information. Although, I know what I love! And so I would love to go to a conference on narrative therapy for therapists, because that is what I want to learn more about.  ‘So for you, as you're considering your budget for this year, I'd highly recommend budgeting some money for going to a conference, and honestly I'd really just start with the CCPA conference! The workshops are so diverse, everybody is a Canadian counsellor, and you get CECs for going!' - Julia Smith  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:  Ep 118: Brittany Wells-Pantaleo: Growing a Group Practice Virtually and Ethically | EP 118  Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website   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) Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Many counsellors may enter into private practice without expecting to open it into a group practice, since it can be a journey that develops as you explore your niche, assess the needs of your community, and as you develop as a person. However, if you find yourself on the entrepreneurial path, don't doubt that it can work! Even though many counsellors are not taught business skills in school, they can be learned, and you can work as an expert in your niche while being profitable and building your dream virtual group practice! In this podcast episode, I chat with Brittany about her experience of launching, managing, and working in her group practice that's virtual across Canada. She shares her advice and experience from starting without knowing to confidently planning for her future.  MEET BRITTANY Brittany Wells-Pantaleo, MSW, RSW, is the Founder and Clinical Director of Moncton Counselling and Wellness. With a Master's degree in Social Work and as a Registered Social Worker, she has dedicated my career to supporting individuals in their mental health journeys. In 2021, she established Moncton Counselling and Wellness with the goal of providing compassionate and effective counselling support. Her organization has since grown, serving individuals and couples across Canada. Learn more about Brittany on her LinkedIn profile, practice website, and Instagram page.  In this episode:  Why Brittany became a social worker  Starting a private practice  Developing a group private practice  Using Jane App for a virtual practice  Navigating virtual counselling ethically  Why Brittany became a social worker  Brittany's social work journey began in Ontario in 2016. While she was completing her undergrad, she began working in social worker positions. Brittany worked in the shelter system with a women's shelter and a youth shelter.  Brittany applied and luckily got in the first round for her masters, and started in-person, but with the COVID-19 pandemic she had to move online for the last six months of her two and a half year program.  Even though it was an intense experience, Brittany explains that it provided her with invaluable experience and skills which she brought with her on her journey to today.  Starting a private practice  In 2021, Brittany moved to Moncton, New Brunswick and began working for another private practice before venturing out on her own.  By connecting with a fellow therapist, Brittany began receiving some referrals and building up her referral network and learning from this more experienced practitioner.  However, Brittany's father was diagnosed with cancer, and she decided to take a risk and go out on her own so that she could stay closer to family during this time.  Developing a group private practice  Once Brittany understood what the mental health landscape looked like in Moncton, she came to find that there were lots of people seeking therapy and that there were a lot of waitlists.  Since no other therapists were taking clients and Brittany's waitlist also began to grow, she considered opening up a virtual wing of her private practice.  Using Jane App for a virtual practice  Brittany highly recommends Jane App for managing her virtual group practice. Technology is all-encompassing these days, and so choosing a software managing system is important because it becomes an integral part of what your Canadian private practice develops around.  Navigating virtual counselling ethically  Since starting her private practice, Brittany has learned that it is slightly different for social workers.  It is always good practice to work with your attorney or legal advisor, and get in touch with the relevant associations or colleges before you start working in a province, in-person or virtually. Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 117: Courtney Vezina: Incorporating Community Values into Private Practice | EP 117 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) Learn more about Brittany on her LinkedIn profile, practice website, and Instagram page

There are many different ways in which you can instill and live out the values that you have founded your Canadian private practice on.  For Courtney, the value of community is a driving factor that positively impacts the work that she and her colleagues do. So much so, that her private practice offers a scholarship for students doing their bachelors in social work or psychology!  In this podcast episode, Courtney and I discuss her entry into private practice, why she decided to do her doctorate, and how she has found ways to bring the sense of community into her private practice. MEET COURTNEY Courtney is a Registered Psychotherapist who owns a group clinic; Courtney James Counselling and Psychotherapy, with locations in Kemptville and Brockville, Ontario. Courtney is currently completing her Doctorate of Counselling and Psychotherapy and is excited to engage in the further development of this amazing field of work. In her clinical work, Courtney uses a humanistic, trauma-informed lens and specializes in relational difficulties and developmental trauma. Courtney's clinical work and Doctoral studies are focused on her work within the foster care and adoption community. Learn more about Courtney on the practice website, Psychology Today, and Instagram profiles.  In this episode:  Why Courtney decided to become a psychotherapist  Starting a doctorate  Courtney's private practice  Growing the private practice  Offering group sessions  The mental health scholarship! Why Courtney decided to become a psychotherapist  Right after high school, Courtney started her psychology studies and then went into the field to gain frontline experience after graduating. Afterward, she shifted into the mental health field with a position in a school board. It was during one of her maternity leaves that she started her masters program in Counselling Psychology in 2017. Starting a doctorate  Most counsellors can open a Canadian private practice with only a masters degree, but Courtney went further and is working towards completing her doctorate.  For Courtney, the doctoral program that she's in is not specifically research-based, and it encourages a different style of approaching this field that's specific to psychotherapy.  Courtney's private practice  While Courtney was completing her masters program, it was her intention to start a private practice.  Even though Courtney began as a solo practitioner, she quickly hired colleagues into her private practice.  Growing the private practice  Courtney was mindful of where the needs were in her community, and so she therefore decided to open a second and third location in areas of her city where she knew that the population didn't have as much access to mental health care.  The point is to take calculated risks for your business. You don't have to know if something is going to work before you try it - sometimes you have to try first to gain insight, and to then take informed action moving forward.  Offering group sessions  Courtney's practice is creating emotional regulation groups that she brainstormed with a few of her colleagues.  Even though there is an interest in offering group therapy, Courntey and her team are working on the fine print and structural components of it before they fully provide this additional service to their clients.  The mental health scholarship  For students that are accepted into undergraduate programs in psychology or social work, Courntey's practice is offering a scholarship!  This will be the fourth year that the scholarship is being offered, and her intention behind offering it comes from the same community piece that is vital to her and is one of the foundational pillars of the practice.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 116: Samantha Sarty: Setting Business Boundaries to Grow Private Practice | EP 116 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) Learn more about Courtney on the practice website, Psychology Today, and Instagram profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Building a practice is a tricky task because we know that it is going to be difficult sometimes. The question is, when have we gone too far and are perhaps risking burnout? It can feel difficult to maintain your personal and professional boundaries when you are the boss and things depend on you, but in essence, your business does depend on you, so it's important to take care of yourself.  Whether you are a part-time Canadian private practice owner, or you work full-time, there's always something that you can learn from another counsellor's story. On today's episode, I chat with Samantha and we discuss growing your business without compromising on your boundaries, marketing with social media, and giving back to the therapeutic community.  MEET SAMANTHA Sam Sarty is a Registered Social Worker and Registered Nurse practicing in Dartmouth, NS, Canada - the land of the Mi'kmaq people. She specializes in working with trauma particularly in the first responder and veteran population. She is currently working in solo private practice (Following Seas Psychotherapy) after working in the public mental health system for the last decade as well as part-time work for a group practice. Learn more about Samantha on her Psychology Today and LinkedIn profile, and private practice website.  In this episode:  How Samantha became a social worker  Using Jane App for managing a business  Expanding the business with boundaries  Using social media in private practice  How Samantha offers sliding scale  How Samantha became a social worker  After completing university, Samantha pursued nursing but didn't want to go through the traditional route, and instead completed a mental health course, and then found her passion with that type of nursing work.  Once Samantha completed nursing school, she went onto working at the local children's hospital before coming back to adult mental health in 2016.  Using Jane App for managing a business  Samantha uses the Jane App in her private practice, and for her it's incredibly useful and helpful.  Without any associates or admin assistants, Samantha does all the work in her private practice currently, from taking the calls, replying to emails, and billing.  Expanding the business with boundaries Samantha wants to grow the business while being mindful of her own personal boundaries at the same time. Since the business depends on her effort, she knows that it's important to scale the business while doing it intentionally with her needs so that she doesn't have to exchange the success of the business on a loss of her health or wealth.  Using social media in private practice  For Samantha, it was important to use social media as a tool to spread knowledge and information instead of disinformation. Not to give her clients or audience therapy through social media, but actionable tools, awareness, and information.  In this way, social media can become a way to not only market your Canadian private practice, but it also becomes a way to serve the community.  Even though Psychology Today is currently one of her strongest referral sources that brings her the most clients, Samantha has found that word-of-mouth referrals as well as referrals from doctors have been the most successful.  How Samantha offers sliding scale  Samantha does clinical supervision, and offers sliding scales for other therapists because she wants to help invest in the profession itself.  Looking to the future  With regards to what's up ahead, Samantha is considering the possibility of offering intensives to future clients.  She's found that they can be incredibly helpful to clients looking to process traumatic events, so Samantha is wanting to incorporate this into the future of her Canadian private practice.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 115: Jasmine Bird: Defining Your Success to Live Authentically | EP 115 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) Learn more about  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn