Episode #605: Planning For Maternity Leave

Summary

Abundant Practice Podcast: Episode #605 – Planning For Maternity Leave

Host: Allison Puryear
Guest: Sophie
Release Date: December 25, 2024
Podcast Description:
The Abundant Practice Podcast, hosted by Allison Puryear, is dedicated to helping therapists transition from agency roles to thriving private practices. This episode delves into the intricacies of planning for maternity leave, ensuring therapists can take this significant personal step without jeopardizing their professional success.

---

1. Introduction

In Episode #605 of the Abundant Practice Podcast, host Allison Puryear engages in a heartfelt and informative conversation with Sophie, a therapist preparing for maternity leave. Sophie shares her concerns about maintaining her successful practice during her absence and seeks guidance on effectively managing this transition.

---

2. Understanding Sophie's Situation

Sophie’s Background:

• Experience: Four years in private practice.
• Clientele: Teens and young adults.
• Success: Feels her practice is in an ideal place, balanced, and she is seeing preferred clients.
• Current Concern: Planning to take a three to four-month maternity leave and worries about the impact on her successful practice.

Highlighted Quote:

"I'm pregnant and it's yeah. So thank you so much. And I've had my practice for almost four years and it's in like, I think this is the hard part for me."
— Sophie [02:08]

---

3. Preparing for Maternity Leave

Allison’s Experience:

• Allison has navigated maternity leave twice in her private practice.
• Emphasizes the importance of setting clear expectations with clients.

Key Steps Discussed:

• Informing Clients Early: Sophie plans to notify all clients by the end of the following week.

  Quote:

  "By the end of next week, every single person will know."
  — Sophie [03:34]

• Defining Leave Duration: Setting definitive dates for absence and return to avoid uncertainty.

  Quote:

  "Like, I'm going on maternity leave before or up to this date. And it will be three months from this date that I return."
  — Allison [04:37]

• Paperwork and Legalities: Ensuring all consents and necessary documentation are in order to protect the practice and align client expectations.

---

4. Communicating with Clients

Effective Communication Strategies:

• Definitive Announcements: Clearly state the start and end dates of maternity leave to provide stability.

  Quote:

  "The three to four months off, I find... it’s easier for our clients if we're definitive."
  — Allison [04:26]

• Providing Referrals: Offering referrals to trusted colleagues to ensure clients continue receiving support during the absence.

  Quote:

  "I've got some referrals that I think could be good for you if you want to continue the work that we're doing."
  — Allison [05:11]

• Follow-Up Communications: Sending reminders and maintaining contact to reassure clients of the planned return.

---

5. Managing Referrals and Schedule Changes

Handling Client Transitions:

• Primary Referral Sources: Reaching out to key referral partners to secure ongoing client referrals upon return.

  Quote:

  "Reach out to your primary referral sources... I'm coming back from maternity leave in two weeks."
  — Allison [10:11]

• Flexible Scheduling: Anticipating changes in availability and adjusting the schedule accordingly to accommodate new routines post-maternity leave.

  Quote:

  "I'm four days a week, but I have assumed... probably go down to three."
  — Sophie [10:43]

---

6. Rate Increases During Leave

Strategic Rate Adjustments:

• Timing of Raises: Sophie contemplates raising her fees either before or upon returning from maternity leave.

  Quote:

  "Am I so crazy for thinking that I should raise people now?"
  — Sophie [14:40]

• Allison’s Advice: Suggests aligning rate increases with the return from leave to maintain consistency and client retention.

  Quote:

  "Raise it in January, like have it start in January… clients have an idea. It’s coming."
  — Allison [15:03]

---

7. Marketing Strategies for Maintaining Practice

Sustaining Client Engagement:

• Focus on Proven Strategies: Concentrate efforts on the most effective marketing tactics that contributed to past successes.

  Quote:

  "It's probably two or three [marketing strategies]. And so it would mean when you return, if you need more Clients just going hard on those two or three."
  — Allison [18:26]

• Adapt to Current Trends: Recognize that marketing may require more intentionality and consistency in a post-pandemic landscape.

  Quote:

  "2021, you could like, write a blog post every now and then… now it needs to be more intentional if you want to build at the same pace."
  — Allison [19:06]

---

8. Returning to Practice

Smooth Reintegration:

• Flexible Return Plan: Acknowledge that the return may not be immediate and allow for gradual reintegration based on personal readiness.

  Quote:

  "You're still going to help them progress and move forward. But you might be at 80% a lot of days."
  — Allison [20:07]

• Self-Compassion: Encourage therapists to be gentle with themselves regarding productivity and energy levels upon return.

  Quote:

  "Be gentle with, like, you're not going to be your 100% go, go, go therapist in session when you return. And that's okay."
  — Allison [20:13]

---

9. Insights and Conclusions

Key Takeaways:

• Preparation is Crucial: Thorough planning and clear communication can mitigate the challenges of taking maternity leave.
• Maintain Client Trust: Transparent discussions about leave and return schedules help preserve client relationships.
• Adaptability: Being prepared to adjust schedules and marketing strategies ensures the practice remains resilient.
• Self-Care: Prioritizing personal well-being during and after maternity leave is essential for long-term professional success.

Final Thoughts: Sophie leaves the conversation feeling more confident and equipped with actionable strategies to manage her upcoming maternity leave without compromising her practice's success. Allison emphasizes the importance of an abundance mindset, encouraging therapists to trust in their ability to maintain and grow their practices even during personal transitions.

Highlighted Quote:

"Everything is going to be different when you return… you're still a great fit for that client."
— Allison [20:37]

---

Additional Resources:

• Abundance Party Membership Program: Step-by-step guidance on building a private practice with more free time, increased income, and greater client satisfaction. abundanceparty.com
• Free Private Practice Checklist and Worksheets: abundancepracticebuilding.com
• Support Email: [e-mail]

Join the Conversation:
Listeners are encouraged to share the episode with therapist friends to help colleagues build the practices they desire.

---

End of Summary

Transcript

[Alison]

Foreign. Hi, welcome to the Abundant Practice Podcast. I'm Alison from Abundance Practice Building. I have a nearly diagnosable obsession with helping therapists build sustainable, joy filled private practices. Just like I've done for tens of thousands of therapists across the world. I'm excited to help you too. If you want to fill your practice with ideal clients, we have loads of free resources and paid support. Go to abundance practice building.com Links all right, onto the show. So I've talked about therapy notes on here for years. I could talk about the features and the benefits in my sleep. But there are a couple things I want you to know about therapy notes that doesn't typically make it into an ad script. First is that they actually care if you like their platform. They don't only make themselves available on the phone to troubleshoot so you don't pull your hair out when you get stuck. They also take member suggestions and implement those that there's client demand for. Like Therapy Search, an included listing service that helps clients find you internal and external secure messaging. Clinical outcome measures to keep an eye on how your clients are progressing. A super smooth, super bill process. Real time eligibility to check on your client's insurance. In my conversations with the employees there at all levels, they all really believe in their product and they want you to love it too. Second, they are proudly independently owned. Why should you care about that? Because as soon as venture capital becomes involved, the focus shifts from making customers happy to making investors happy. Prices go way up. Innovation plateaus. Making more money with as little output as possible becomes the number one focus. With over 100,000 therapists using their platform, they've been able to stay incredibly successful and they don't have to sacrifice your experience to stay there. You can try two months [e-mail] with the coupon code Abundant. Hi Sophie, how you doing?

[Sophie]

Hi. Good.

[Alison]

I'm so glad. Thanks for making this time work. I appreciate it. But what would be most helpful today?

[Sophie]

So I'm pregnant and it's yeah. So thank you so much. And I've had my practice for almost four years and it's in like, I think this is the hard part for me. It's in like the perfect spot for me. It feels like more balanced and I'm seeing who I want to see. So leaving it for a little bit seems very hard and I, I, I would like to be off for three or four months. I just think I'm like scared to leave it being successful and then come like I'm like, I guess. Any advice? I'm looking for is, like, how to set it up, where. I don't know, like, the transition back or how best to kind of, like, prepare to go and then also return. You know what I mean?

[Alison]

So. Absolutely. Yeah. And I've done this in private practice twice now. In both circumstances, I was full exactly where I wanted to be and had the same kind of like. Oh, I know. I'm like, this is okay. Yeah.

[Sophie]

But I'm like, I feel like this is my baby.

[Alison]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Sophie]

You know?

[Alison]

Well, here's the good news, is that when I came back. And we'll talk about all the steps, all of them. But when I came back, I think I had, like, two or three spots open when I came back.

[Sophie]

Okay, that's good.

[Alison]

And that felt like. Oh, okay. Yeah.

[Sophie]

Right, right, right, right.

[Alison]

So, yeah. Well, let's talk about the whole process of letting your clients know. Have you let them know yet?

[Sophie]

Yeah, I, like, put it off for a whole month, but I'm actively making myself do it now. So by the end of next week, every single person will know. Yeah.

[Alison]

Okay, cool. And when are you due?

[Sophie]

February 5th.

[Alison]

Okay. Okay.

[Sophie]

Yeah.

[Alison]

Oh, Aquarius, baby. Okay.

[Sophie]

Yes. Which is good. I'm a Taurus, so. There we go.

[Alison]

So you'll have probably, like, late January, early February somewhere in there. We never know.

[Sophie]

Right.

[Alison]

So that's a good amount of time for them to know and to be able to, like, talk through any abandonment stuff that comes up or any of that. So you let them know. And then there's all this paperwork, which we have. I don't know if you've seen it or not in the what to say when course.

[Sophie]

Yes, I think I did.

[Alison]

Yeah. So, like, all the consents that I used are in there that just make sure you've done the CYA stuff you need to do for your practice. And also just make sure that you're all on the same page, you and your. Your clients.

[Sophie]

Okay.

[Alison]

The three to four months off, I find, and I know that this is so hard, but I find it easier for our clients if we're definitive.

[Sophie]

Okay.

[Alison]

Like, I'm going on maternity leave before or up to this date.

[Sophie]

Yeah.

[Alison]

And it will be three months from this date that I return. Give her. And, like, as long as everything goes according to plan, I will email you two weeks before I return with a link to my schedule. And that way, you're not playing phone tag.

[Sophie]

Right.

[Alison]

A link to my schedule so that you can get booked when I return. And I would just set it up that way. In the meantime, I've got some referrals that I think could be good for you if you want to continue the work that we're doing.

[Sophie]

Right.

[Alison]

You're welcome to stay with these referrals if they're feeling like they're right fit for you after the three months. I want what you feel is best for you. That's my goal. And if you want to return, you'll have that link in your inbox.

[Sophie]

Okay.

[Alison]

So just kind of set it up that way. And coming from this abundance mindset of almost everybody's going to come back to you because they've been with you longer, they. They, like, they sought you out. This other person landed in their lap because you gave it to them.

[Sophie]

Right.

[Alison]

And I think there was, with each kid, for me, an instance where they stayed with who they were with. And I was like, all right. Because I do truly just want them to have what they want and need.

[Sophie]

Yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Alison]

And otherwise, everybody came back, and then I think one or two people each time was like, I think I'm good right now. So. Yeah.

[Sophie]

Okay. That's helpful. And I know, I hear that from a lot of people.

[Alison]

Yeah. I think it's the preparation that creates that.

[Sophie]

Okay.

[Alison]

Because I also have talked to people who are like, I lost my whole caseload and had to rebuild completely. But when we talk through what happened, how did it all go down? There weren't clear expectations for the clients would be back at a particular time. And since most of our clients battle with at least some level of anxiety.

[Sophie]

Yes. Yeah.

[Alison]

It. It just helps them to have a date and to know that that date might shift, that there's flexibility with the date based on how things are going for you postpartum and for your baby. Postpartum.

[Sophie]

Right.

[Alison]

But, like, all things going according to plan. Ish. It's. This is the timeline.

[Sophie]

Right. Okay. Okay. That's helpful because it's funny. I do feel like you're, like, inkling is to be like. I mean, could be three, could be two, probably four. You know what I mean? Yeah. Because you just. I have no idea. And I also think, too, because it's my first. I have literally no frame of reference. You know what I mean?

[Alison]

Absolutely.

[Sophie]

Yeah. I'm like, I don't know, Wild.

[Alison]

It's wild. And, you know, having worked in agencies, I'm sure you've worked with people who had six weeks off. It wouldn't have been enough for me. People make it work. Like, really ordinary people are making this work.

[Sophie]

Right.

[Alison]

But I would definitely recommend more since you are the Boss. And you can.

[Sophie]

Yeah. Yes, I know. It's such like the funny double edged sword of private practice where you're like, I did this so I could have more time off. What is wrong with me?

[Alison]

Right, right.

[Sophie]

You know?

[Alison]

Yeah. So it might be like leaning into that maybe if you're thinking three to four months. Maybe three and a half months.

[Sophie]

Yeah.

[Alison]

And that way if you're like, I'm ready to get back on the horse early, which is unlikely.

[Sophie]

Right.

[Alison]

But if you're like, I'm really. Well, I don't know. With my second, I was kind of chomping at the bit. With my first, I was like perfectly ready. At three months. It was like the perfect magical timing. Even with postpartum depression. I don't know how that worked.

[Sophie]

I know some people say it helps them, you know.

[Alison]

Yeah. I don't have the constitution to be at home all day neither. And I also don't. I'm not a patient person and babies require that. Yeah.

[Sophie]

So yes, we will have to have help. Me and my husband will both still be working and you know, all the things. And yeah. Again, like unless I don't. I mean I'm prepared for like whatever I'm gonna feel because I have no idea. You know what I mean? That's the other thing. It's like I'm like, who knows how I'll feel, you know, But I typically am the same. Like I don't like slowing down. It doesn't feel comfy for me and I like going and being super busy and you know what I mean?

[Alison]

Yeah. Yeah. And. And because that's how you're wired and how you've done life so far, there is going to be a gut punch of you will do one thing in a day and that's kind of your limit. Like you did the dishes. And for somebody who is driven and gets shit done, it can be really hard and you can beat yourself up unnecessarily. So go ahead and start with the low expectations of yourself now in terms of productivity.

[Sophie]

Yeah.

[Alison]

In for your partner too because it's, you know, nobody's getting sleep.

[Sophie]

Right. Right. Yeah. And we will be zombies.

[Alison]

Yeah. And it all gets better, you know, like.

[Sophie]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Alison]

Again. So I think that I prepared everything I needed. I also in that what to say when course I've got like that if you go into labor early and unexpectedly, like a therapist friend can sign a baa long before this happens and have everybody's information to communicate with them that you will not be showing up for sessions.

[Sophie]

Okay.

[Alison]

Most of the time, people, like, if you recognize, like, I think this is labor, you can send those emails. You might want to have the draft in the hopper. Just make sure you don't. Make sure you bcc. So then you don't have to work on a HIPAA complaint. Yeah.

[Sophie]

Yes.

[Alison]

Yeah. So you can have it all ready to go so that it's not stuff you're having to like, think through while you're a new parent. Yeah, enough of a cluster.

[Sophie]

Right? Okay, that's helpful. So then with the coming back piece, it's like basically the two weeks before that I would already have set the expectation that clients would be expecting.

[Alison]

Yeah.

[Sophie]

Okay.

[Alison]

Yeah. And if you don't hear from people after a week, send it. Have a follow up email ready, like in your drafts ready to go to those people.

[Sophie]

Okay.

[Alison]

And you can also reach out to your primary referral sources. Like if there are three people that you frequently get referrals from email. And be like, I'm coming back from maternity leave in two weeks. Currently my, my, like current clients are returning to my calendar and. But I may have a couple spots available if you have anyone.

[Sophie]

Okay.

[Alison]

And that way you've got potential referrals coming in as well.

[Sophie]

Yeah. So, like, my population is teens and young adults and I'm a little like, I don't. I have literally no idea, like, what my new schedule will be. Right now I'm four days a week, but I have assumed. I mean, I assume I'll probably go down to three. Did you, like, run into issues with reformatting your schedule? Cause that's like another thing that I'm kind of anticipating of a change, you know, of just like what that looks like. And like, you know, my availability, of course, like, cannot be the same. Like, there's no way, you know what I mean?

[Alison]

Yeah. And I actually did the opposite. I went from three long days to four shorter days.

[Sophie]

Okay. Yeah.

[Alison]

Because of childcare and because of pumping and like, there are all these things that until the baby was born, I didn't know what my schedule was going to be. Right.

[Sophie]

Exactly.

[Alison]

And so to have some flexibility around that, because when you send that email to your clients, you'll be pretty clear. You'll be like, okay, I got to pump a 10, I got to pump a 2, or else my boobs are going to explode or I'm going to leak everywhere, you know?

[Sophie]

Yeah.

[Alison]

So you'll have more of a clear indication. And I packed those tighter than I should have.

[Sophie]

Okay.

[Alison]

I made them instead of having lunch. The eating disorder Therapist had two pumping sessions where I ate while I pumped.

[Sophie]

Right, right, right.

[Alison]

And it was a tight 30 minutes each. And so as somebody who me and pumps didn't do so well, I would get like ducks and things like that. And it was painful. I just did not leave myself enough room. And then I got rigid about it and didn't create more space for myself when I should have after I realized it wasn't working. So don't be me. But like I'd pump for 20 minutes and then it was like a quick, like I gotta clean all the pump parts or get em in the fridge or do whatever in a way that just had it like my breaks were frantic.

[Sophie]

Right.

[Alison]

Which also probably reduced my milk supply.

[Sophie]

Yeah.

[Alison]

So leave space I guess is my advice. My advice is like leave more space than you think you're gonna need. Like if you can pay your bills working a little bit less at first, maybe it's fine if three people don't come back and just leave that space. Because having to have childcare for the first time, you know, I was exactly kind of dependent on nannies where we lived in Seattle because you needed to get on the list for daycare like before you got pregnant.

[Sophie]

So yeah, I definitely want to go the nanny route as well at first, I mean. Yeah. So okay, that's good to know where. When you're coming back. That would be kind of included in like that, that two week back email.

[Alison]

Yeah.

[Sophie]

Okay.

[Alison]

Yeah. And you can just set your schedule if they're able to schedule within it. You don't need to say I'm no longer working until whatever time.

[Sophie]

Yeah, you could just have their time.

[Alison]

Available and they can figure it out.

[Sophie]

Okay. Okay. Yep. I'm like, it's so funny because it's like you're trying to do all this preparation because that is like naturally of course, what feels so warm and fuzzy to me.

[Alison]

Yeah.

[Sophie]

But there's no way, you know.

[Alison]

Yeah.

[Sophie]

There's also this like weird ball of clay that I'm staring at and I'm like, we'll see what, how it forms, you know. So that's good. I think it's good for me to hear this now so that like when I'm in it I can go back to this too and be like, okay, like what? You know what I mean? What am I supposed to do with all of this? Because my third piece for you, which is kind of related but I've been want. So the last time I raised my fee was like two years ago and with working less and like not Having as much availability, I want to raise everybody just up to my current fee, which I would say, like, probably 60% of my caseload is all paying my full fee, which is 250. I have, like, you know, maybe a couple people at my very first fee of, like, 175. And then everybody else is between, like, 200 and 225. Am I so crazy for thinking that I should raise people now?

[Alison]

I raised my rates. I let them know before I went on maternity leave, but I raised my rates for when I returned as well. Like, I think it's like, okay, there's already. Everything's already changing. Right.

[Sophie]

So that's kind of how I feel. I'm like, maybe I just do it now. You know what I mean? Or, like, let them know in that, okay, everybody knows now. Here are, like, full practice updates for you. Like, you know what I mean?

[Alison]

Yeah. And you could. I mean, you could raise it for January.

[Sophie]

Yeah.

[Alison]

Or you could, like, let them know now that when you return. But I think strategically, it might make more sense to raise it in January, like, have it start in January, because that way the people that stay are likely the same people who are going to stay through your maternity leave. Like, they're going to come back, meaning.

[Sophie]

Right.

[Alison]

And I mean, it also depends on your financial situation. If you can afford to lose one or two people before maternity leave, then it also could give you just a little bit more breathing room.

[Sophie]

Right? Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Okay. Because I feel like it's like the two parts. It's like the abundant mindset makes me feel like, of course I should do that, because that makes sense. And like, I. I know I'm going to be more spread thin than I even, like, understand what that means currently. And then the more scarcity part of me is like, oh, I don't want to, like, add another change where people can more easily feel like, well, you know, Sophie's going to be out, and also, like, her fee so much higher, even though for most people it would probably be 25 to $50 raise. You know what I mean?

[Alison]

Yeah. And that's a really reasonable rate.

[Sophie]

Yeah. I mean, my therapist just did that, and she went on maternity lead, and I was like, yes, girl, huh?

[Alison]

Yeah.

[Sophie]

You know?

[Alison]

Yeah.

[Sophie]

But I'm like, I get it, you know, I'm like, I know we're all out here just trying to do our best, you know? So I'm just like, to my clients who obviously aren't in, like, this space, I'm just like, oh, am I, like, asking too Much or. You know what I mean?

[Alison]

Well, people at that price point can. I mean, it's really rare for them to not be able to do 25 more. Right. And similarly, with $50. You might lose a few with the $50 or one or two, but also maybe not.

[Sophie]

Okay, well, that makes me feel better. And I was thinking, too, January, because two years ago, when I raised, it was in January. So it also feels kind of like on schedule almost. You know what I mean?

[Alison]

Yeah. I think it's a really smart idea for us to, like, even build into our informed consent that we raise rates every January, and that way it's. We don't chicken out on it. And, like, clients have an idea. It's coming.

[Sophie]

Yeah. Yep. Okay. And then do you. I'm sure this is probably covered somewhere, but do you typically give 30 days or, like, what's. I don't even remember the last time I did it, how much time I gave.

[Alison]

I usually give four to six weeks.

[Sophie]

Four to six weeks.

[Alison]

Okay. Yeah. Yeah. And since you're also like, boom, I'm also going to be out. I might do six weeks. Like, I might give them just a little bit more time.

[Sophie]

Okay.

[Alison]

Yeah. But I think you're gonna be fine.

[Sophie]

Okay, good. Are you sure?

[Alison]

I'm pretty sure. I'm pretty sure if it follows the pattern that most of my students, you know, have followed, it'll probably be yes.

[Sophie]

And I feel like a lot of this is coming from just like, we're. And I just saw, like, your email talking about this, which was, like, so, like, literally what was on my brain. But is lately or not even lately, probably in, like, the last six months, like, I've totally noticed that things have slowed a little, you know, which is. Which is fine.

[Alison]

But it.

[Sophie]

I think that combined with maternity leave, I'm like, oh, my God. And of course, I picked the worst time to go. You know what I mean?

[Alison]

Yeah.

[Sophie]

I don't know. So is there anything that you notice as far as, like, people who are. My fear is, like, rebuilding so much, you know, which. Who knows if that will even happen? But also, like, with how things have shifted as far as, like, the pace of being able to get clients, like, quicker or not as quick as we used to. You know what I mean?

[Alison]

Yeah. I mean, I think coming from. You have already found success. So, like, looking at the things that have brought you that success, it's probably not all five marketing strategies that you did. Right. It's probably two or three. And so it would mean when you return, if you need more Clients just going hard on those two or three and letting go of the others. Just putting all of the energy you have for work specifically and keeping that home work life as distinct as possible, but putting the work energy you have into those things.

[Sophie]

Okay, so the tactic is pretty much the same. It's just that obviously the expectation is things are a little bit slower.

[Alison]

Yeah, it's a little bit slower. You have to just be more intentional.

[Sophie]

Right.

[Alison]

Like 2021, you could, like, write a blog post every now and then, and, like, that might help, but now it's like, no, you need to write that thing at least once a week and it needs to release on the same day, and you need to SEO that sucker. And, you know, there's just more intentionality if you want to. If you want to build at the same pace as the past. Otherwise, you can just kind of just expect it to be a slower.

[Sophie]

Yeah, okay, that's helpful. And I guess I'll know, you know, when I. Where I'm at. I mean, when I'm on the other side of it, too, of, like, even how much and how quickly I want to get back to things. You know what I mean?

[Alison]

Yeah.

[Sophie]

Because I think that that's like another piece that I just have no idea of anticipating of, like, how fast I'll even want to come back or. You know what I mean?

[Alison]

Yeah. Yeah. So it might be. It might be really nice if some clients fall off.

[Sophie]

Yeah.

[Alison]

Because everything is going to be different when you return.

[Sophie]

Yeah.

[Alison]

And. And I would say also with all the gentleness around, like, not being productive during mat leave, also being gentle with, like, you're not. You're not going to be your 100% go, go, go therapist in session when you return. And that's okay.

[Sophie]

You're still great.

[Alison]

You're still a great fit for that client. You're still going to help them progress and move forward. But you might be at 80% a lot of days.

[Sophie]

Yeah, it's still great.

[Alison]

But I know most therapists I've talked to, and it was certainly my experience, too, of this. Like, I feel dumb.

[Sophie]

Yeah.

[Alison]

Why can't I therapize like I used to?

[Sophie]

Yes.

[Alison]

My clients weren't complaining, and they were still progressing, so.

[Sophie]

Okay, that's helpful. Yeah. Yes. I have had moments of that already, so I can't imagine. I can't imagine what I'll be like on the other side, but. Okay, well, I think those were most of my questions, so very helpful. I feel a lot better, and I'm glad that I have this to, like, come back to in reference, too, when I'm.

[Alison]

Yeah.

[Sophie]

Like, in the thick of it and like, we. What was. You know what I mean?

[Alison]

And I have, like, the longest blog post on Earth about maternity leave and private practice. Have you seen that?

[Sophie]

I think I. I think you DM'd it to me on Instagram, so I think. But it's just something I need to go back and look at for sure. Yeah.

[Alison]

Awesome. Yeah.

[Sophie]

So I will look at that and revisit kind of the forms and things, because I think that's another piece of it where I'm like, oh, it's like, really here. Like, I need to.

[Alison]

Yeah.

[Sophie]

Move on some of this stuff.

[Alison]

Yeah. Because we've got the holidays, which basically means we, like, lose an entire month at least, of life.

[Sophie]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then we'll be like, oh, wow, it is literally here, you know, absolutely crazy. Okay, cool. Well, thank you so much. I appreciate it. And, yeah, feel. Feel a lot better with a. With a plan, of course.

[Alison]

Very cool. Sounds good.

[Sophie]

Yeah.

[Alison]

And congratulations.

[Sophie]

I hope it is, like, thank you, Allison.

[Alison]

Wonderful and incredible and that you get great rest after, too.

[Sophie]

Yes, me too, girl. Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

[Alison]

Take care. Bye. Bye. If you're ready for a much easier practice, Therapy Notes is the way to go. Go to therapynotes.com and use the promo code abundant for two months. Free. If you're listening, you probably need some support building your practice. If you're a super newbie, grab our free checklist using the link in the show Notes. I'd love for you to follow rate and review, but I really want you to share this episode with a therapist friend. Let's help all our colleagues build what they want.