Abundant Practice Podcast Summary
Episode: #660: How To Change Your Niche
Host: Allison Puryear
Release Date: June 21, 2025

Introduction

In Episode #660 of the Abundant Practice Podcast, host Allison Puryear delves into the intricacies of changing your niche within a private therapy practice. Addressing a common concern among therapists, Allison provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to successfully navigate the transition, ensuring both personal satisfaction and professional growth.

Understanding the Motivation Behind Changing Your Niche

Allison begins by emphasizing the importance of introspection before making any drastic changes to your practice. She advises practitioners to pause and reflect on their reasons for wanting to switch niches. This differentiation helps determine whether the desire stems from genuine misalignment or temporary challenges.

Allison [02:30]: "There is a big difference between 'this population doesn't feel aligned anymore' and 'I had a slow month and now I'm panicking.' One is wisdom and the other is fear dressed as logic."

By discerning the underlying motivations, therapists can make informed decisions rather than reactive ones.

Step 1: Clarity Before Visibility

Before announcing any changes publicly, Allison stresses the need for clarity. She cautions against impulsively altering your website or marketing materials without a well-defined plan.

• Identify Your Ideal Client: Determine who you want to work with and understand their specific struggles.
• Assess Your Fit: Reflect on why you're uniquely equipped to assist this new demographic, possibly leveraging your own experiences or previous clinical work.

Allison [05:45]: "Don't immediately post 'I'm now working with new moms to navigate grief' just because you had a good session with someone's aunt last Thursday."

This foundational clarity ensures that subsequent actions are aligned with your professional objectives.

Step 2: Quiet Experimentation

Allison recommends testing the waters discreetly before fully committing to a new niche. This phase involves subtly integrating elements of the desired niche into your existing practice to gauge interest and viability.

• Content Creation: Publish blog posts addressing common issues faced by your new target audience.
• Social Media Engagement: Share Instagram stories or posts that resonate with the frustrations and needs of your potential clients.
• Website Adjustments: Update language to reflect both your current and prospective niches, seeking areas of overlap.

Allison [12:15]: "This is your soft launch. You're testing the waters while still keeping the business side stable."

Successful experimentation will often manifest through increased inquiries and client engagement from the new niche.

Step 3: Layering in the New Niche

Rather than eliminating your existing niche abruptly, Allison advises a gradual integration of the new focus. This approach minimizes financial risks and eases the psychological transition.

• Maintain Current Operations: Continue accepting and serving clients from your existing niche while slowly incorporating the new one.
• Shift Marketing Efforts: Gradually adjust your marketing strategies, networking efforts, and messaging to emphasize the new niche.

Allison [18:50]: "Slow and steady shifts are not only safer financially, especially in this economy, but they also help your nervous system not completely freak out."

This method ensures continuity and stability, allowing your practice to evolve organically.

Step 4: Updating Your Messaging

Once you're ready to fully embrace the new niche, it's crucial to revamp your messaging to clearly communicate your new focus to potential clients and referral sources.

• Be Specific: Clearly articulate who you work with and the type of support you provide.
• Consistent Branding: Ensure that your website, directory listings, and elevator pitches uniformly reflect the new niche.

Allison [24:30]: "Don't keep one foot in the old niche with vague messaging like 'I work with teens and also high-powered CEOs and also couples.' You're not a Cheesecake Factory Menu. Be specific."

Clear and consistent messaging helps in establishing authority and attracting the right client base.

Step 5: Communicating with Referral Sources

Effective communication with those who refer clients to you is essential during a niche transition. Allison provides strategies to inform referral partners without causing confusion or alienation.

• Direct Communication: Reach out to referral sources with a concise update about your new focus.

  Allison [28:10]: "Hey, I've been working more with new moms navigating anxiety and identity shifts, and it's been a really great fit. If you know someone in that boat, I'd love to help."

• Maintain Relationships: Assure them that you're still available to assist clients, albeit in a new capacity, thus ensuring they continue to feel confident in referring clients to you.

Addressing Common Challenges

Allison also prepares therapists for potential obstacles that may arise during the transition:

1. Temporary Dip in Referrals or Inquiries:

   • Solution: Recognize this as a normal phase of building momentum and remain patient.

2. Imposter Syndrome:

   • Solution: Acknowledge your expertise and the value you bring as a seasoned clinician, even when venturing into new territory.

3. Guilt Over Letting Go of the Previous Niche:

   • Solution: Understand that overextending yourself due to guilt can lead to burnout. Focus on serving the new niche with intention and respect.

Allison [33:45]: "You're the one doing the work. You should like the work you're doing."

Conclusion and Encouragement

Allison wraps up the episode by reiterating that changing your niche is not only permissible but often necessary for sustained professional fulfillment and growth. She encourages therapists to approach the transition with intention, planning, and self-compassion, trusting that such changes lead to a more authentic and thriving practice.

Allison [35:20]: "The best version of your practice is the one that really fits who you are now, not who you were five years ago. You've got this."

Additional Resources

• Free Worksheet: Things to Explore Before Changing Your Niche

  • Access: Visit abundancepracticebuilding.com or DM Allison the word "sheets" to receive it directly.

• Support: For personalized assistance through the niche transition process, DM the word "limitless" on the platform.

• Membership Program: Abundance Party

  • Features: Step-by-step guidance on optimizing your practice hours, income, and client relationships.
  • Learn More: www.abundanceparty.com

Connect with Allison Puryear

For further support or to have your questions addressed in future episodes, reach out via email at help@abundancepracticebuilding.com or explore the Ask Allison resources on the YouTube channel.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements and non-content segments to focus solely on the valuable insights and actionable steps provided by Allison Puryear in guiding therapists through the process of changing their niche.