Abundant Practice Podcast

Episode #686: When You Need A Full Practice ASAP
Host: Allison Puryear
Date: September 13, 2025

Main Theme

This episode is focused on helping therapists quickly build a full private practice so they can confidently quit their agency job. Allison addresses a listener’s question about the three most important actions to grow a caseload rapidly, providing practical strategies and reassurance for anyone in this difficult transitional phase. Throughout, the episode maintains an encouraging, direct, and supportive tone, emphasizing efficiency and clarity over overwhelm.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Acknowledge the Challenge: You Are Not Alone

• [02:11]

  • Allison opens by normalizing the exhaustion therapists feel juggling a day job and launching a private practice.

    “You are not alone and you’re not doing anything wrong by being tired. Building a practice while still working full time is no joke… but it’s also one of the smartest ways to build because you’re setting yourself up for freedom with a financial safety net under you.”
    — Allison Puryear [02:20]

• She encourages self-compassion, emphasizing this is a temporary but smart investment in future freedom.

2. Step Zero: Do the Math—Know Your Target

• [04:09]

  • Before any marketing or networking, therapists must determine the exact number of clients they need to leave their job.
    • Calculate: Current take-home pay ➔ Private practice income target ➔ Overhead expenses ➔ Fee per session ➔ Sessions needed.
    • Many underestimate how few clients may be required.

    “Most people skip this. It’s not flashy like a new logo or a cool Instagram post, but it’s really essential… What if I told you that you might only need 12 clients to replace your income? Sometimes even fewer?”
    — Allison Puryear [04:47]

• She offers a free worksheet to guide therapists through this calculation process.

3. Step One: Choose a Niche Based on Client Pain, Not Credentials

• [06:11]
  • Therapists should define their niche around the urgent, relatable problems clients are aware of—not their own modalities or a vague demographic.
    • The niche should capture clients’ specific pain points, in their own words.

    “Your niche is about the very specific pain that brings your ideal client to therapy. It's the problem they know they have, the thing that they're lying awake at night thinking about, in their words.”
    — Allison Puryear [06:37]

  • Example: Instead of “EMDR for trauma recovery,” use “therapist for high-achieving women struggling with anxiety, burnout, and overwhelm.”
    • Clients are searching for solutions to what they feel, not clinical terms.

4. Step Two: Build a Website That Speaks Directly to That Niche

• [08:29]

  • Clarity and focus on the website matter more than listing every possible specialty.

  • Speak directly to your client’s situation so they immediately recognize themselves.

    “When we try to speak to everyone, we end up connecting to no one. When we try to look competent by putting a million things, we look like we don’t really know how to focus on one thing.”
    — Allison Puryear [08:43]

  • Illustration: A new mom with postpartum anxiety will feel more seen by a website that describes “helping new moms who feel anxious, overwhelmed, and disconnected from themselves,” than a generic list of services.

  • Emphasizes: You only need to attract a few dozen, not thousands.

5. Step Three: Network Where Your Clients Already Go

• [09:48]

  • Effective networking is building real relationships with people already trusted by your ideal clients (e.g., primary care providers, doulas, school counselors, yoga teachers).

  • Networking isn’t about sales—it’s about rapport:

    “If networking feels gross or salesy, it’s only because you’re imagining it the wrong way. Real networking is about building relationships with real people who are already trusted by your ideal clients.”
    — Allison Puryear [09:53]

  • Start small: Build one authentic relationship at a time; don’t rely on cold DMs or awkward networking events.

• Other Therapists: Don’t forget partnering with therapists who are full and need referrals.

6. Recap & Encouragement

• [11:20]

  • Steps for fast success:
    1. Get clear on numbers: Know exactly how many clients you need to quit.
    2. Choose a niche: Centered on what potential clients are worried about right now.
    3. Website: Make clients feel understood, not overwhelmed.
    4. Network strategically: With people your clients already trust.
  • Reassures listeners: “You are not behind. You are building something real and you're doing it smart.”
    — Allison Puryear [11:55]

• Listeners can DM “sheets” for the free client number worksheet, or “niche” for a $27 course on identifying their ideal focus.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I want to make sure every minute you spend on your practice is actually moving the needle. No spinning wheels, no wasted energy, just really clear direction.”
  — Allison Puryear [03:19]

• “If your website says EMDR for trauma recovery, she might scroll right past it. But if your website says therapy for high achieving women struggling with anxiety, burnout, and overwhelm? Ding ding ding, she’s going to pause. She sees herself there.”
  — Allison Puryear [07:21]

• “You don’t need volume, you need resonance.”
  — Allison Puryear [09:09]

• “As a full therapist, you don’t have to go to networking events. You don’t have to cold DM a bunch of people on LinkedIn. Start with one relationship at a time. Follow up. Be generous. Be human.”
  — Allison Puryear [10:33]

• “Growth doesn’t have to take forever. You can absolutely build a part time practice into a sustainable full time income and finally give notice at the job that’s draining you.”
  — Allison Puryear [11:48]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:11] Normalizing the exhaustion of growing a practice while working full time
• [04:09] Step Zero: Do the math before anything else
• [06:11] Step One: Choosing a niche based on client pain
• [08:29] Step Two: Website focus and resonance
• [09:48] Step Three: Human-centered networking
• [11:20] Recap of all steps and encouragement

Resources Mentioned

• Free worksheet to calculate clients needed: DM “sheets” to Allison or visit abundancepracticebuilding.com
• “Know Your Niche” mini-course: DM “niche” for a direct link

Tone:
Allison’s approach is pragmatic, optimistic, and deeply empathetic. She encourages therapists to minimize overwhelm by focusing on what genuinely drives growth, and empowers them to create a private practice that prioritizes freedom, purpose, and alignment with their ideal clients.

For Therapists Who Haven’t Listened:
This episode is a direct, actionable guide for any therapist who wants to build a full practice fast—and do it the smart, sustainable way. The practical steps, memorable analogies, and warm reassurance make it a must-listen (and this summary a handy resource) for anyone seeking private practice liberation.