Abundant Practice Podcast: Episode #690

Title: Living In Two Countries As A Therapist
Host: Allison Puryear
Date: September 27, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Allison Puryear answers a listener's question about how to sustain an in-person therapy practice while living in two different countries—spending nine months in one and three months in another. She unpacks four creative practice models that can support this kind of “dual country” lifestyle, offering practical strategies, legal considerations, and marketing insights for therapists seeking freedom, financial stability, and balance. Allison’s advice is grounded in her trademark supportive, thoughtful tone, packed with real-world wisdom for therapists eager to build practice on their own terms.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Listener Question (01:17)

• Question: “How can you sustain an in-person practice if you're basically living a dual life—nine months in one country and three months in another?”
• Allison calls this “a brain stretcher in all the best ways” and immediately dives into solution brainstorming.

1. Sabbatical Model / Short-Term Therapy (02:28)

• Summary: Run your practice in cycles, treating the three months abroad as a “sabbatical,” focusing on brief therapy models.
• How it Works:
  • During the nine months at “Home One,” take new clients only up to a certain cutoff before departure.
  • Structure therapy for natural conclusions before your seasonal move.
  • Market your practice as “short-term and focused.”
• Upsides:
  • Clear expectations for clients.
  • Complete clinical freedom while abroad.
• Challenges:
  • Need to accurately estimate client needs.
  • Potential for income gaps during the three-month break.
  • Ongoing marketing required to keep the pipeline warm for your return.
• Metaphor:

  “So think of it like farming: nine months planting and harvesting, three months letting the field mostly rest.” (04:53)

2. Hybrid Model (In-Person & Virtual) (06:00)

• Summary: Offer in-person sessions nine months a year, switch to virtual sessions for three months.
• How it Works:
  • Many clients now accustomed to online/hybrid models.
  • Legal caution: Ensure you’re in compliance with licensure and malpractice when physically practicing abroad, even if clients remain in the same (US) state.
• Transparency:

  “Be really upfront. The very first client call… ‘Nine months of the year, we’re going to meet in person. Three months, I'm going to see you virtually.’ And that transparency… builds trust.” (07:22)

• Resource Mentioned:
  • Episode 628: Interview with Annie Krajewski (therapist working internationally)

    “She’s got some really creative solutions for handling things like time zones and scheduling.” (07:55)

  • Additional training in the Abundance Party membership.

3. Adjunctive Work / Collaboration (09:01)

• Summary: Collaborate with local therapists, providing specialized “adjunctive” services (e.g., EMDR intensives) to their clients during your time in town.
• How it Works:
  • You offer targeted support (e.g., trauma processing) while the primary therapist addresses other goals.
  • After your nine months, clients return to their original therapist.
• Benefits:
  • Provides a clear container for the work.
  • Positions you as a specialist with added value.
• Allison’s Framing:

  “Imagine telling referral sources ‘I’m available for nine months to do this deep, targeted work that supports—not replaces—your ongoing therapy with clients.’” (10:08)

4. Intensives Model (11:10)

• Summary: Run therapy as condensed, high-impact daylong or multi-day intensives, maximizing your earning and scheduling flexibility.
• Why It Works:
  • Enables higher revenue per hour, possibly making nine months of work enough to cover the year.
  • Easily scheduled around your life and travel.
  • Sets you apart from most therapists, creating a niche.
• Personal Note:

  “This is honestly my personal favorite suggestion…” (11:12)

  • Inspired by Episode 565 with Stephanie Feld, who also offers a training in the Abundance Party membership.

  “After that training with her, I started getting my stuff together to be able to do them myself.” (12:09)

Memorable Quotes

• On Flexibility:

  “The beautiful part is… there’s no one right way. You get to design a practice that supports the life you want—not the other way around.” (13:19)

• On Targeted Marketing:

  “With each of these, you're going to need to have a really targeted niche in order to bring people in who aren’t going to be bothered by that at all—or are excited about that.” (13:49)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic/Quote | |:-------:|:----------------------| | 01:17 | Listener question introduction | | 02:28 | Sabbatical model explanation | | 04:53 | “Farming” metaphor for cyclical practice | | 06:00 | Hybrid model & virtual considerations | | 07:22 | Importance of transparency with clients | | 07:55 | Reference to Annie Krajewski’s episode & strategies | | 09:01 | Adjunctive work model | | 10:08 | Pitching adjunctive specialization to referrers | | 11:10 | Intensives model explained | | 12:09 | Allison’s personal experience with intensives | | 13:19 | No “one right way”—build the practice for your life | | 13:49 | Importance of niche marketing for flexible models |

Recap of Practice Models Discussed (12:38)

1. Sabbatical Model: Short-term therapy with scheduled breaks.
2. Hybrid Model: In-person sessions for 9 months, virtual for 3 months.
3. Adjunctive Work: Collaborate for time-limited specialized therapy.
4. Intensives: Offer therapeutic intensives that fit a variable schedule.

Action Items & Resources

• Free worksheet: “Niche vs. Ideal Client”
  • DM “sheets” or follow the Show Notes link to receive it. (13:55)
• Related Episodes:
  • [Ep 628] Interview with Annie Krajewski (hybrid/virtual practice tips)
  • [Ep 565] With Stephanie Feld (intensives deep dive)
• Community & Further Learning:
  • Join the Abundance Party for in-depth trainings from Allison and guests.

Tone and Takeaways

• Encouraging & Empowering: Allison consistently emphasizes that practice design should support your life—not force you to fit a mold.
• Practical & Realistic: Offers both the upsides and challenges of each model.
• Transparent & Relatable: Draws on her experience and others in the therapy community, providing realistic look at what this kind of lifestyle requires.

This episode is essential listening for therapists craving time, income, and lifestyle flexibility, packed with actionable tools and real-world encouragement to build a private practice that makes sense for you.