Redefining Success: Expert Insights on the Modern Mental Health Field
Prepare to be inspired as host Kelley Stevens takes you on a captivating journey into the dynamic world of modern mental health. In this week’s episode, Kelley engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Mary Beth Somich, a licensed therapist and an expert in social media and marketing coaching for therapists.
Are you ready to dive into the inspiring world of modern mental health? In episode 18 of The Private Practice Pro Podcast, I sit down with Mary Beth Somich, who is a licensed therapist and the driving force behind renowned private practice, Your Journey Through. In addition to running her own private therapy practice, she is also a mom, a mental health content creator, and a social media marketing coach for therapists.
If you are wondering how she stays true to her values and manages her time while wearing so many hats, that’s what you’ll learn in this episode. Mary Beth shares her secrets to maintaining integrity and authenticity while managing a demanding schedule and thriving in both her personal and professional life. We also discuss her goals and aspirations for the future, including plans to write a book and expand her group therapy practice.
This episode has something for mental health professionals and any career stage, but if you are just starting a therapy practice out in the field, you definitely won’t want to miss Mary Beth’s advice for new therapists. It turns out, they don’t teach you everything in grad school. Did your courses seem to leave critical information about marketing your brand and expanding your reach as a therapist? What about using social media as a therapist – was that on your syllabus? Mary Beth shares valuable insights on the benefits of social media, and she wants you to know that embracing your entrepreneurial spirit as a therapist is more than okay. In fact, it may be the key to leveraging your potential and building a successful career.
Mary Beth’s passion for helping others is truly inspiring, and her wisdom will leave you feeling motivated, uplifted, and ready to embark on your own private practice journey. So, don’t miss this episode!
Mary Beth Somich is a licensed therapist with a group private practice located in North Carolina called Your Journey Through. She completed her graduate training at Columbia University and specializes in family dynamic work with teens and adults. Mary Beth is passionate about promoting modern mental health and making therapy accessible and relatable. She offers courses and business coaching to therapists to help them expand their reach on social media, build thriving private practices, and generate passive income streams. Check out her podcast, “My Therapist Thinks.”
Website: yourjourneythrough.com
Email: marybeth@yourjourneythrough.com
Instagram: @businessoftherapy
TIkTok: @yourjourneythrough
Redefining Success in Private Practice: A Modern Therapist’s Guide
Starting your private practice is more than just an exciting milestone, it’s a bold move toward independence, flexibility, and meaningful impact. But what does success in private practice actually look like today? In a recent episode of The Private Practice Pro Podcast, Kelley Stevens sat down with Mary Beth Savage, a licensed therapist, group practice owner, and course creator, to explore how therapists can redefine success, balance personal and professional life, and harness modern tools like social media marketing, ethical collaborations, and scalable income streams.
Whether you're a solo therapy practice provider, part of a group therapy practice, or just figuring out how to start a private therapy practice, this blog will provide a fresh, inspiring look at how to build and grow your therapy practice while staying true to your values.
The Evolving Definition of Success in Therapy Practice
In the past, private practice therapists were told to expect long hours, limited income, and few opportunities for growth outside traditional one-on-one therapy sessions. But therapists like Mary Beth are flipping the script.
With two therapy office locations in North Carolina and a thriving online business, Mary Beth’s journey shows how therapists can pursue financial freedom, meaningful work, and flexibility without burning out.
“Success used to mean a full caseload and eight-hour days,” she says. “Now, it means doing work I love, creating passive income through coaching and courses, and being home when my daughter gets back from preschool.”
That’s the heart of modern private practice: designing a lifestyle that supports your mental health, your income goals, and your family.
Building Private Practice with Purpose
When starting a private practice, many therapists fall into the trap of overbooking, undercharging, and assuming they must accept every client. But as Kelley and Mary Beth explain, this mindset isn’t sustainable.
“I remember asking clients their availability and building my schedule around them,” Kelley laughs. “Now, I set my own hours, and clients find a way to make it work.”
By establishing clear boundaries, therapists can maintain energy, prevent burnout, and still provide high-quality care. Whether you're starting a solo or group therapy practice, this clarity allows for intentional growth, time for self-care, and opportunities to build alternative income streams.
Tools and Courses That Empower Therapists
Mary Beth offers two powerful courses: Insta Growth for Therapists and The Connected Collab. These aren’t just Instagram tutorials, they’re therapist-approved marketing strategies that teach you how to increase your visibility ethically and effectively.
These tools for therapists help you:
Understand the basics of online marketing for therapists
Attract your ideal clients to your private therapy practice
Leverage marketing ideas for therapists without feeling salesy
Learn how to collaborate with brands in an ethical, values-aligned way
By integrating social media into your business model, you can grow your cash-pay therapy practice or out-of-network therapy practice without relying solely on referrals.
Marketing for Therapists: Doing It Your Way
Too often, marketing for therapists is viewed as inauthentic or pushy. But both Kelley and Mary Beth agree: it doesn’t have to be.
“We already recommend journals, apps, and self-help books in therapy,” Mary Beth explains. “Doing it online isn’t selling out, it’s helping more people.”
In fact, today’s most successful therapists are those who blend therapeutic integrity with smart strategy. Whether you’re marketing a therapy private practice through blogs, social posts, or newsletters, you’re not just promoting your services; you’re advocating for mental health in a noisy digital world.
The Sliding Scale of Success: From Solo to Group Therapy Practice
As your practice grows, you may consider expanding from a solo to group therapy practice. For Mary Beth, maintaining intimacy and quality has been essential.
“I don’t want to be a huge agency,” she says. “I want to keep it boutique and really connected.”
Her team meets regularly, values clinical independence, and stays grounded in ethics, especially important as laws in some states prevent practice owners from also being clinical supervisors.
Expanding your therapy practice doesn’t mean sacrificing your vision. Whether you’re adding new therapists, offering sliding scale therapy fees, or integrating digital tools like SOAP notes or marketing platforms, it should align with your long-term goals.
Parenting, Therapy, and Flexibility: A Balancing Act
Many therapists, especially those with young children, seek careers that offer flexibility. For Mary Beth and Kelley, the roadmap to private practice includes space for preschool pickups, long walks, and dinners at home.
“When I was newly licensed, I worked until 9 p.m. Now, I work while my son’s in preschool and I’m home in time for dinner,” Kelley shares.
This balance wouldn’t be possible in many traditional jobs, but in private practice, it’s achievable. And with the right marketing tools and therapist guides, it’s also profitable.
Private Practice Tools That Make Life Easier
One standout recommendation? Simple Practice, an all-in-one HIPAA-compliant platform that streamlines scheduling, billing, and documentation. Whether you’re growing a cash-pay therapy practice or managing a team, these tools help you maintain both professionalism and peace of mind.
When combined with a strong business mindset and a few creative revenue streams, tools like these allow therapists to focus on what matters most is helping clients and building a meaningful life.
The Takeaway: You Get to Define Your Success
Whether you’re just exploring how to start your private practice, or you’ve been in the field for years, Mary Beth and Kelley remind us that private practice is not one-size-fits-all. Your version of success may include:
Solo therapy practice with a limited caseload and ample free time
Group practice ownership with a small, intimate team
Growing your audience through online marketing for therapists
Offering services via private pay therapy or out-of-network therapy
Creating passive income through courses, content, or ethical collaborations
Whatever your path, the goal is to build a sustainable, satisfying business that aligns with your values, whether that’s more time with family, more freedom in your schedule, or more impact in your community.
Ready to Grow Your Private Practice?
If you’re looking to grow your private practice, find marketing ideas for therapists, or simply build a life that feels more aligned with your goals, be sure to explore Kelley’s Private Practice Roadmap Course and Mary Beth’s tools at yourjourneythrough.com. These resources offer practical guidance for building private practice success on your terms.
Because in today’s world, being a therapist means more than just seeing clients. It means designing a life and business you love.