Abundant Practice Podcast

Episode #716: Moving From Group Practice To Your Own Practice

Host: Allison Puryear
Guest: Daniel
Date: December 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on supporting therapists transitioning from group practice to starting their own private practice, with special attention on defining a niche, establishing effective marketing strategies, navigating professional insecurities, and long-term career planning. Host Allison Puryear consults with Daniel, a therapist close to completing licensure, as he strategizes his path toward private practice specializing in self-worth and confidence issues for women, especially those experiencing perimenopause and midlife transitions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining & Marketing a Niche (02:15–09:58)

• Daniel’s Background: Two and a half years post-grad, finishing licensure, building a trauma-informed niche focused on self-esteem and perfectionism in women, particularly those 40+.

• Challenges: Group practice lacks marketing/networking support, leaving Daniel responsible for client outreach.

• Target Populations for Networking:

  • OB/GYN offices (though difficult to access directly)
  • Homeschool mom groups—leverage shared background and understanding of unique pressures
  • Women’s ministry leaders at local churches (“I imagine them feeling more comfortable talking to, like, a women's ministry leader type of person.” – Daniel, 04:11)
  • Couples and child therapists who might encounter struggling mothers
  • Yoga teachers (less reliable as a referral source)

• Allison’s Feedback: Suggests prioritizing homeschool groups and PTOs of private schools for presentations, noting the intensity of “mom guilt” and the convergence of perimenopause and parenting pressures.

  “Trying to be an A at everything in your life is exhausting. And I think what a lot of type A women are just trying to do constantly.”
  – Allison, 06:10

  • Suggests framing presentations around compelling topics (e.g., “boundaries”) for busy moms.
  • Advises on the realistic impact of outreach to yoga studios and emphasizes clear, compelling presentation titles.

2. Developing a Sustainable Marketing Strategy (10:05–12:40)

• Preferred Tactics:

  • Blogging for SEO value (“At this point in 2025, because so many people are watchers and not readers these days. The primary benefit of a blog is SEO.” – Allison, 11:42)
  • Public speaking (Daniel enjoys it and receives good feedback)

• Social Media Hesitation: Daniel wary of engaging on Facebook due to not wanting to manage comments.

  “If you're not engaging, you're probably not going to get any clients from it.”
  – Allison, 11:17

• Allison’s Guidance: Blogging and speaking are solid; SEO should support blog visibility. Video content could build trust and connection, possibly via YouTube embedded on a website or as intro videos.

3. Communicating Your Value—Even with a ‘General’ Specialization (13:00–19:29)

• Daniel’s Concern: How to market a more relational, “softer” therapy style and not feel imposter syndrome when others can handle similar clients.

  • Feels challenged marketing interpersonal techniques over structured ones (“It feels harder to market that because it's more vague…” – Daniel, 13:47)

• Allison’s Approach: Center the website/message around the client’s needs—not just modalities. Use simple, client-focused language.

  • “Most of the time, the average therapy seeker doesn't care or even know that we do different things…They're just like, I feel like shit, and I want to feel better.” (13:58)

• Addressing Referral Source Conversations:

  • Most providers won’t ask in-depth about modalities, but it’s good to have a clear description ready (“primarily relational, sometimes using EMDR, MI, or ACT”).

  “We get sick in relationships, and we get well in relationships, and it is my job to be one of the healthy relationships in your life so that you can expand that.”
  – Allison, 14:34

  • Naming unique strengths (e.g., being a supportive male therapist for women dealing with trauma) can compellingly differentiate Daniel.

• Therapist Networking and Insecurities:

  • Allison affirms that not everyone is trauma-competent; Daniel offers needed expertise.
  • Focus networking on therapists who are full or refer out certain clients rather than those who can retain similar cases.

  “There's plenty. There's plenty of clients out there. There's plenty of space for you.”
  – Allison, 19:26

4. Planning for Independent Practice and Office Space (20:04–24:29)

• Daniel’s Vision: After licensure and insurance credentialing, wants to move from group practice to a shared office model (subletting spaces to other therapists rather than a conventional group model).

• Allison’s Practical Advice:

  • Research lease options (e.g., triple net vs. full service) and demand for in-person therapy offices, especially with more therapists online now.
  • Develop a new marketing plan to attract tenants, leveraging existing networks and therapist community groups.
  • Be explicit about policies for shared vs. personal resources (tissues, supplies, etc.).

  “Being really clear about what's mine is mine and what's yours is yours and what's shared is shared. And here's what's shared…”
  – Allison, 23:49

5. Integrating Academic and Supervisory Ambitions (24:29–27:45)

• Daniel’s Long-Term Goal: Earn PhD in counselor education and supervision; teach at the master’s level.

• Considerations:

  • Allison notes academia pays less than private practice but provides fulfillment and other benefits such as access to supervisees.
  • Suggests considering adjunct positions if full-time academia feels financially limiting—allows “scratching the teaching itch” without significant loss of income.

  “Adjuncts make no money, but you'd make no money, but it wouldn't take up as much of your life…that might scratch the, like, your community service.”
  – Allison, 27:33

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |------------|-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:33 | Allison | “They hit the, like, I'm done with the shit that perimenopause very graciously provides to us.” | | 06:10 | Allison | “Trying to be an A at everything in your life is exhausting.” | | 11:17 | Allison | “If you're not engaging, you're probably not going to get any clients from [Facebook].” | | 13:58 | Allison | “The average therapy seeker is just like, I feel like shit, and I want to feel better.” | | 14:34 | Allison | “We get sick in relationships, and we get well in relationships...” | | 19:26 | Allison | “There's plenty. There's plenty of clients out there. There's plenty of space for you.” | | 23:49 | Allison | “Being really clear about what's mine is mine and what's yours is yours and what's shared is shared...” | | 27:33 | Allison | “Adjuncts make no money...but it wouldn't take up as much of your life...that might scratch the...service.” |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Introducing Daniel & Situation Overview – 02:00–04:00
• Niche & Networking Strategy – 04:00–09:58
• Marketing Channels: Blogging, Speaking, Social Media – 10:05–12:40
• Communicating Style & Value (to clients/referrals) – 13:00–19:29
• Office Space Planning & Practice Transition – 20:04–24:29
• Academic Ambitions & Counseling Supervision – 24:29–27:45

Tone and Takeaways

Allison’s approach remains encouraging, direct, and practical, emphasizing authenticity, strategic outreach, and clarity about personal and professional values. Daniel’s questions and concerns echo the anxieties of many early-career therapists, and Allison’s responses are validating and filled with actionable guidance—balancing professional growth with personal fulfillment.

Summary in a Nutshell

This episode provides a grounded roadmap for therapists looking to leave group practice and build a sustainable, autonomous private practice. It highlights the importance of niche specificity, the realities of effective marketing (and the pitfalls of avoiding engagement), the need for self-assurance when defining one’s unique value—even with a “general” population—and realistic considerations for expanding into office space and academia. Allison’s advice centers on clarity, confidence, and strategic connections—all within a voice that’s equal parts knowledgeable mentor and supportive peer.