Abundant Practice Podcast Episode #703: How To Prepare Ahead For Private Practice

Host: Allison Puryear
Date: November 8, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Allison Puryear answers a question from an early-career clinician who is already planning for private practice while still working toward licensure. The episode focuses on the optimal timing and strategic steps for preparing ahead, dispelling common myths, and providing an encouraging, step-by-step approach for therapists ready to launch their own practices. Allison emphasizes planning, clarity, and actionable early steps—long before logistics like business registration or insurance even come into play.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Is It Too Soon To Think About Private Practice?

• Direct Answer: "It is absolutely not too early to be thinking about this. In fact ... it's probably the perfect time." (05:15)
  • Allison encourages forward-thinking and reassures listeners that laying the groundwork while finishing licensure is not only appropriate, but ideal.

2. What You Don’t Need to Worry About—Yet

• Skip These for Now:
  • Registering a PLLC or PC
  • Getting an NPI
  • Setting up a business bank account
  • Extra liability insurance (outside requirements for current work)
• "All that back end business setup stuff, yes, you're going to need it eventually ... but right now you get to skip that part." (06:25)

3. Early Steps to Lay Your Foundation

• Get Clear on Your Niche
  • Identify your ideal client, recurring questions, and issues that spark your passion.
  • "It does not have to be perfect, it doesn't have to be permanent. But it helps tremendously to have some clarity on who your ideal client might be..." (07:00)
• Debunking Agency Pay-Your-Dues Myth
  • Going directly into private practice upon licensure is valid if it aligns with your goals.
  • "I don't believe in the whole pay your dues at a soul-sucking agency narrative. If it's not aligned." (08:00)
• Addressing Imposter Syndrome
  • Many early-career therapists struggle with confidence; Allison provides a worksheet to reframe this.
  • "Today's worksheet is going to be all about why newer clinicians are actually great and fantastic as private practice therapists." (09:00)

4. Build a Brand and Voice

• Content Creation
  • Choose a medium—social media, blog, or video—to start creating content for your niche.
  • Simple website recommended; contact features unnecessary at this stage.
  • "Consistency is way more important than perfection here." (10:12)
• Content Focus:
  • Speak to your future clients' concerns.
  • "What are they googling at 2 AM? Start answering those questions in your content..." (10:45)

5. Networking & Community Engagement

• Intentional Networking
  • Connect with therapists in your community and with professionals within your chosen niche.
  • Volunteer, join boards or groups—even before you’re open.
  • Build genuine relationships; focus on service, not transactions.
  • Heads up: Job offers may come your way from networking; balance these opportunities with your big-picture goals. (12:10)

6. Sharpen Clinical Skills

• Ongoing Learning
  • Leverage employer-sponsored continuing education.
  • "Choose trainings that are not just interesting, but also aligned with your future private practice." (14:00)
  • Develop expertise specific to your ideal clientele.

7. Navigating Social Media (If You Choose)

• Platform Optional
  • Social media is not essential for a thriving practice but useful for building a presence early.
  • If you participate:
    • Experiment with different platforms (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok).
    • Engage through reels, carousels, infotainment, and consistent stories.
  • "You do not have to have social media to build a thriving practice. Most people on social media aren't getting clients from it..." (15:05)
  • Find your voice—authenticity and consistency matter more than perfection.

8. Overcoming Perfectionism & Getting Started

• Begin before you feel "ready;" it's okay to be messy and learn along the way.
• "Don't let perfectionism get in the way of starting. You do not need to have it all figured out before you begin." (18:15)
• Every step taken now smooths the eventual launch of your practice.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Allison Puryear (05:15):
  "You are already showing the kind of clarity and motivation that's going to serve you so well when it's time to actually launch your practice."

• Allison Puryear (07:00):
  "It does not have to be perfect, it doesn't have to be permanent. But it helps tremendously to have some clarity on who your ideal client might be."

• Allison Puryear (08:00):
  "I don't believe in the whole pay your dues at a soul-sucking agency narrative. If it's not aligned. That narrative is rooted in scarcity and outdated professional gatekeeping."

• Allison Puryear (15:05):
  "You do not have to have social media to build a thriving practice. Most people on social media aren't getting clients from it..."

• Allison Puryear (18:15):
  "Don't let perfectionism get in the way of starting. You do not need to have it all figured out before you begin."

• Encouragement (20:30):
  "Again, to answer your question directly, no, it is not too early. If anything, you're right on time. The fact that you're asking now tells me that you're going to be way more prepared than most people are when they start."

Timestamps of Important Segments

| Time | Segment | |----------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 05:15 | Is it too soon to prepare for private practice? | | 06:25 | What you don’t need to do yet | | 07:00 | Getting clear on your niche | | 08:00 | Myths about paying your dues in agencies | | 09:00 | Addressing imposter syndrome—worksheet offer | | 10:12 | Content creation and building your voice | | 12:10 | Intentional networking and community involvement | | 14:00 | Choosing the right training for your clinical skills | | 15:05 | Social media strategy (optional) | | 18:15 | Don't let perfectionism stop you from starting | | 20:30 | Reiterating: It’s not too early to begin planning |

Practical Takeaways

• Planning ahead is not only acceptable but advantageous when considering private practice early in your career.
• Skip the business logistics until after licensure; focus now on exploring your ideal clients, building your presence, and growing relationships.
• Fight perfectionism by starting small and being consistent with branding and networking.
• Use current opportunities (networking, CEUs, content creation) to shape your trajectory toward a smooth transition into private practice.
• Don’t wait for permission—your initiative puts you ahead of most therapists at launch.

For today’s worksheet on why new clinicians make great private practice therapists, DM “sheets” to Allison or visit the Abundance Practice site as linked in the show notes.