Insights from Experts: Navigating the Twists and Turns of Your Career Path

Navigating the early stages of a career in therapy can be daunting. With the ever-evolving mental health field and so many different career paths available, it can be a challenge to determine which one is the best fit for you. But fear not, as in the latest episode of The Private Practice Pro Podcast, I sat down with seasoned vet, Robert Scholz, to gather some pearls of wisdom.

During this episode, we discuss the pros and cons of social media as a marketing tool for private practice therapists and how to navigate the different paths to a fruitful career in the therapy field. Robert also provides valuable insights on carrying yourself as a young professional, seeking out mentors, and networking with colleagues. You’ll also appreciate Robert’s take on giving back to early-career professionals, including volunteering as a mentor or offering pro-bono services to help guide and support the next generation of therapists in starting a private practice on their road to success.

Whether you are a recent graduate or an experienced professional looking to make a change, Robert Scholz’ valuable tips, guidance and relatable stories are sure to give you something to think about. Be sure to tune in and take notes!

Robert is a licensed marriage and family therapist and professional clinical counselor with over 25 years of experience in the mental health field. He has served in many clinical and leadership roles, including as an Adjunct Professor at my own almamater, Pepperdine University.

From Intern to Expert: How Therapists Can Build a Purposeful Career Path

Starting a career in the mental health field can feel like stepping into an ocean of possibilities and pressure. Between licensure requirements, growing visibility on social media, and deciding whether to work in community mental health, a hospital, or start your private practice, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In a recent episode of The Private Practice Pro Podcast, Kelly Stevens sits down with veteran therapist Robert Scholz, whose dynamic career spans over two decades, to unpack how to create a meaningful and flexible career in therapy.

Building a Career, One Relationship at a Time

Robert’s story is a powerful reminder that your therapy career doesn’t have to follow a rigid, predetermined roadmap. After completing his graduate degree in his early 20s, Robert moved from the Midwest to Arizona and began working in community mental health. Though not the most glamorous setting, this early job offered solid training, mentorship, and the kind of experience that builds real clinical confidence. It was a foundational time that helped him build clinical skills and collaborative partnerships, elements that would later support him in building a private practice.

This early emphasis on team-based therapy, working with psychiatrists and social workers, and attending court hearings provided more than just exposure; it was a masterclass in professional communication. For therapists considering a future in a solo therapy practice or group therapy practice, working in a collaborative environment early on can sharpen your interpersonal skills and build a reputation among peers.

Evolving Into Private Practice and Consulting

Many therapists dream of the freedom that comes with a private therapy practice, but Robert’s path shows that even private practice can come in multiple forms. Today, he balances three main pillars: psychotherapy (often with men in corporate roles), executive coaching, and crisis management consulting. His consulting business, what he calls a third “leg of the stool,” didn’t emerge overnight. Instead, it evolved organically from his clinical work and relationships with organizations and schools.

What’s key here is relationship-building. Robert didn’t start out advertising himself as a consultant. He responded to pain points, listened to organizational needs, and allowed opportunities to unfold naturally. For those looking to grow your private practice or explore avenues beyond direct client work, this story highlights the value of showing up and being of service before chasing a title.

Marketing for Therapists: Social Media vs. Relationships

In an era of TikTok therapy and viral Instagram therapists, it's easy to feel like you're falling behind if you're not a marketing expert. But Robert and Kelly agree: social media is just one tool in the toolbox. While online marketing for therapists can boost visibility, it’s not the only route to success.

Robert shares that the best marketing ideas for therapists often come from cultivating relationships, what Kelly calls your “ecosystem.” For instance, just two to five reliable referral sources, school counselors, physicians, or other therapists, can keep a cash-pay therapy practice thriving. Yes, building a brand on Instagram may look glamorous, but a school counselor is more likely to call the therapist they had coffee with last week than someone they follow online.

If you’re starting a private pay therapy business, it’s essential to balance digital marketing with real-world relationship building. Referrals from trusted professionals are still gold.

Facing the Pressure as an Early-Career Clinician

A recurring theme in the conversation is the intense pressure that newer clinicians feel, especially those just starting a therapy practice. The comparison game is fierce: other therapists seem to have podcasts, thousands of followers, or full caseloads while you're still figuring out SOAP notes.

Robert reminds us that it’s okay not to have it all figured out. Your first few years may feel uncertain, but that doesn't mean you're not on the right track. In fact, some of the most impactful career moments happen in unexpected places, sometimes even in a crowded therapy office shared with other trainees.

Instead of trying to master everything at once, focus on cultivating your clinical skills and professional network. Whether you're building a solo therapy practice or exploring opportunities in out-of-network therapy, take one step at a time. Remember: slow growth is still growth.

Should You Get a Doctorate? What About Dual Licenses?

For many therapists, questions around getting a doctorate or securing multiple state licenses surface at different career points. Robert candidly shares that while he once pursued a Ph.D., he eventually stepped away from the program. Why? His career was already offering opportunities that a doctorate would have opened, and he realized that his success had more to do with competence and connections than credentials.

For those who plan to move or want more flexibility, getting licensed in multiple states (like Robert did in Arizona and California) can help. If you're building a private practice that might include telehealth, it's worth considering what licenses will give you the freedom to practice across state lines.

Managing Dips in Your Caseload

Kelly also shares practical advice for managing dips in client volume, an unavoidable reality in any therapy practice. Whether it's summer vacation or the holiday season, client numbers can drop, especially in the early years. The solution? Anticipate the lull. If you see 20 clients weekly, consider bumping it to 25 during spring to offset a summer slowdown.

These slower periods can also be prime time for marketing therapy private practice efforts, refreshing your marketing guide for therapists, or investing in private practice tools for therapists. You might also take this time to evaluate whether offering sliding scale therapy fees or exploring out-of-network therapy practice options makes sense for your business model.

Giving Back and Growing Forward

One of the most powerful insights from Robert’s career is the value of giving back. Whether it’s mentoring new therapists or helping clients find the right provider, showing up with generosity builds trust and credibility in your community. If your goal is to grow your therapy practice, becoming a resource, even for people you can’t serve directly, can expand your reach and deepen your impact.

Kelly and Robert agree: giving back isn’t just altruistic. It’s a smart way to sustain a successful private practice. Clients, colleagues, and referral partners remember those who take time to care.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out

The truth is, no one has it all figured out. Therapists at every stage of their career are evolving, pivoting, and learning new things. Whether you’re still wondering how to start your private practice or you're looking for advanced strategies to grow your therapy practice, the most sustainable success comes from building meaningful relationships, staying authentic, and trusting your professional evolution.

As Kelly puts it: “You’re going to figure it out. Then you’re going to figure it out again.”