Expectations vs Reality: The Journey to Private Practice
The path is rarely what we expect it to be, and that isn’t always a bad thing! Whether you are in pre-licensure or a seasoned therapist, this episode will resonate and offer support. Join Kelley and The Private Practice Pro Alum Kate Sayers MS LPC as they take you through their personal experiences navigating expectations vs reality in prelicensure, hospitals, group practices and finally private practice. Share in the vulnerable moments and personal triumphs of a fellow clinician as she found her strength to bet on herself and came to realize that she had what it takes to market and grow her business all along.
Have you been toying with the idea of starting your own private therapy practice? In the latest episode of The Private Pro Podcast, I brought on Kate Sayers, Owner and Therapist at Safe Place Therapies to give insight on the intricacies of the process of leaving a group therapy practice and starting your own.
Kate and Kelley share stories, exploring the bustling dynamics of hospital work and the pivotal transition to private practice. Ethical considerations, marketing strategies, networking, and the successful drive of young therapists are spotlighted, revealing the benefit of the balance a private practice’s lifestyle provides. Learn more about the therapist community and gain practical advice from two experienced therapists. From licensing to private practice, this podcast encapsulates the experience of a therapist’s journey, offering a concise roadmap to success.
Before you make the jump to starting your own private practice, listen to these trusted therapists discuss their process and highlight what’s important. Get the base knowledge and tips on how to be your own boss!
Kate Sayers is a licensed therapist with over a decade of clinical experience. She is the owner of Safe Space Therapies, a private practice based in Glendale, WI. Kate specializes in treating adults who’ve experienced trauma, serving her peers in the LGBTQ+ community, and working with young professionals experiencing anxiety disorders. She identifies as queer and is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Website: www.safespacemke.com
Instagram: @safespacemke
Building a Private Therapy Practice from the Ground Up
Starting your private practice can feel like a dream, or a leap into the unknown. For many therapists, the transition from agency or hospital work into private practice is full of uncertainty, imposter syndrome, and big questions about money, marketing, and mental health. But what if the process wasn’t as intimidating as it seems? What if building a private practice was less about perfection and more about following a roadmap?
In this blog, inspired by Kate’s story on the Private Practice Pro podcast, we dive into what it really looks like to grow your private therapy practice. Challenges, marketing strategies, and the very real moments in between.
Starting Your Private Practice: The Real Beginning
Many therapists enter the field thinking they'll work in hospitals or community centers forever. Private practice often feels like a far off “someday” goal, something to consider 20 years into your career. But today, more therapists are realizing that solo therapy practice is possible much earlier, especially with the rise of online marketing for therapists and tools for private practice.
Kate, a therapist in Glendale, Wisconsin, shared how she transitioned from a tough case management role to a hospital setting, and eventually into a cash-pay therapy practice. Like many clinicians, she didn't have exposure to private practice in grad school, nor did she believe it was attainable right away. But real life challenges like burnout, divorce, and the pandemic pushed her to reevaluate everything.
The “Dumpster Fire” That Lit the Way
The idea of launching a private practice during a personal crisis sounds counterintuitive. But for Kate, it was exactly what fueled her courage. After ending a marriage, selling her home, and leaving her hospital job during COVID-19, she decided to fully step into the unknown and start her private therapy practice.
And she didn’t do it alone. With encouragement from her spouse and support from Kelly Stevens’ Private Practice Roadmap course, Kate took small but intentional steps. She created a website, listed herself on Psychology Today, and networked within her local mental health community.
It wasn’t a giant leap. It was a series of small, therapist-approved marketing strategies that paid off.
Growing Your Private Practice Through Real Relationships
If there’s one consistent takeaway from Kate’s story, it’s this: relationships matter. While sliding scale therapy fees, private pay options, and SOAP notes are all important to running a therapy office, none of it works without real human connection.
In her early days, Kate relied heavily on her professional network. One major referral source? A nurse practitioner friend who had shared her training journey and went on to become a trusted prescriber. Their ongoing collaboration continues to bring in new clients.
Networking doesn’t always look like handing out business cards or attending formal events. In the world of mental health, networking often means catching up over coffee, being generous with referrals, and staying in touch with former colleagues who respect your work.
Marketing for Therapists: Keeping It Simple and Intentional
Marketing a private practice doesn’t require a massive budget or thousands of Instagram followers. In fact, Kate attributes much of her success to following Kelly’s simple marketing guide for therapists:
Build an authentic brand (even if it’s just a clear elevator pitch)
Optimize your website and directories like Psychology Today
Reach out to your existing network
Give excellent therapy to the clients you already have
Word-of-mouth marketing for therapists is still incredibly effective. As Kate put it, when you give good therapy, even to just one client, that client often becomes your best referral source.
From Solo Therapy Practice to Group Practice
Kate’s story doesn’t stop at filling her caseload. Within a year of starting Safe Space Therapies, she rented an entire therapy office suite with a cozy blue couch and all. Her plan? To grow her therapy practice by subletting to other clinicians and eventually offering supervision or collaborative opportunities.
This transition from private pay therapy to group therapy practice isn’t uncommon. As therapists become more confident, some realize they want to expand not just in size but in impact. Creating a group practice allows clinicians to share resources, divide responsibilities, and build something bigger than themselves.
Setting Boundaries and Designing Your Lifestyle
One of the most appealing parts of being a private practice therapist is the freedom to design your own schedule. Kate, for example, now works a four-day week and sets clear boundaries around her time. Like many in private practice, she’s discovered that protecting your energy is key to avoiding burnout.
Whether you want to work 23 clients a week or just 10, a private pay or out-of-network therapy practice allows you to tailor your workload to your lifestyle. And thanks to online tools like Simple Practice, an all-in-one HIPAA-compliant solution, therapists can streamline billing, scheduling, and documentation without administrative overwhelm.
The Non-Compete Hurdle and Why It Shouldn’t Hold You Back
One reality many new clinicians face is the dreaded noncompete clause. Kate was lucky. She joined a group before the company was bought by a larger organization. If she had signed just two months later, she would have been restricted by a noncompete.
If you're starting a therapy practice, it’s essential to review contracts carefully. Noncompetes can be hard to enforce in many states, especially as mental health needs rise and laws evolve. Always consider consulting a lawyer or business mentor before signing employment contracts.
Therapist-Approved Tools and Private Practice Tips
For therapists looking to grow their therapy practice sustainably, here are a few key takeaways from Kate’s experience:
Start slow and steady. You don’t need a full caseload overnight. Begin with a few clients and grow from there.
Invest in therapist tools. Use platforms like Simple Practice, build a clean website, and get listed in therapy directories.
Focus on relationships. Whether it’s with past classmates, supervisors, or prescribers, your network is a powerful marketing tool.
Stay authentic. Choose a niche that reflects your passions. For Kate, that included supporting the LGBTQ+ community and working with adults with PTSD.
Set clear policies. From therapy fees to late cancel rules, having strong paperwork keeps your practice protected.
Holiday in Private Practice: Can You Really Take Time Off?
One fear many therapists have before going solo is whether they can take a holiday in private practice. The answer? Yes, but only if you plan for it. Setting clear boundaries, automating admin tasks, and communicating with clients in advance all make it possible.
The freedom to take breaks and still run a successful therapy practice is part of why more clinicians are leaving agency jobs and choosing private practice.
Final Thoughts
The journey from uncertainty to a thriving private therapy practice isn’t without bumps. But with the right mindset, a supportive community, and clear steps, it’s more than possible. It’s transformative.
Whether you're still figuring out how to start a private therapy practice, navigating cash-pay therapy practice challenges, or planning to grow your therapy practice into a group, remember this: you don’t need all the answers on day one. Start with what you know. Build on it. And just like Kate, you might find yourself with a full caseload, a dream office, and a life you truly love.