Abundant Practice Podcast

Episode #717: Making 2026 Better Than 2025
Host: Allison Puryear
Date: December 27, 2025

Overview

In this reflective and pragmatic episode, Allison Puryear tackles a timely listener question: how to assess and intentionally improve your private practice for the new year. The episode centers on the premise that therapists often fall into routines—schedules, fees, niches—that may not align with their real needs or desires. Allison gives listeners a roadmap for evaluating and changing key aspects of their practice to create more free time, better income, and greater fulfillment in 2026. The episode is rich with hands-on strategies, personal anecdotes, and supportive encouragement for therapists ready to make meaningful change.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Embracing Change and Self-Assessment

[04:13]

• When considering practice improvements, self-reflection is crucial—both for new and seasoned therapists.
• Allison emphasizes the significance of readiness for change as the catalyst for a more aligned and fulfilling year.

Memorable quote:
"That readiness is huge. Whether you're brand new or you've been practicing for years, this kind of reflection can set you up for a much more aligned, fulfilling year ahead." — Allison Puryear [04:13]

2. Reclaiming Your Schedule

[05:32]

• Therapists often adopt work hours (evenings, weekends) based on assumptions or external pressure.
• Allison shares how changing clinic hours can dramatically impact well-being, offering language to facilitate these changes with clients.
• She illustrates with an anecdote: a therapist shifted evening slots to midday, expecting client pushback but actually seeing improved energy and little resistance.

Action Tip:
"The anticipatory anxiety about that conversation tends to be way worse than the reality. Your clients can be flexible. They often understand more than we expect." — Allison Puryear [07:25]

3. Re-evaluating Your Niche and Client Population

[08:20]

• Therapists should regularly ask themselves if their current client population still feels energizing.
• It's healthy to pivot toward new interests (e.g., from anxiety to trauma) by gradually adjusting intake, marketing, and professional development.
• The transition should be phased, ensuring current clients are not abruptly dropped.

Memorable quote:
"If you decide to shift your niche, phase out old clients rather than abruptly dropping them. Begin promoting the new niche once you feel clear on what it is." — Allison Puryear [09:12]

4. Pricing and Fees—Aligning Lifestyle and Practice

[10:15]

• Fee structure deeply affects your schedule, client load, and satisfaction.
• Allison recommends a comprehensive assessment: consider lifestyle needs, energy, session volume, expenses, and ideal time off.
• She advises annual reviews and clear, upfront communication about fee changes, emphasizing confidence when stating fees.

Practical advice:
"Also communicate changes in your fee clearly, kindly and with notice. Most therapists find clients are more understanding than they feared." — Allison Puryear [12:43]

5. Setting Actionable, Controllable Goals

[14:01]

• Goals are most effective when focused on actionable steps you can control (e.g., writing a weekly blog post or scheduling outreach), not just outcomes like "more clients."
• Schedule time in your calendar for business tasks and professional development, and treat those blocks as non-negotiable.

Memorable anecdote:
A therapist blocked off Monday mornings for business development and Wednesday afternoons for learning, resulting in steady business growth and less stress. [15:27]

6. Systems & Energy Management

[16:43]

• Address chaos or frustration (e.g., with notes, cancellations, scheduling) using systems, automations, and support staff if possible.
• Build buffers between emotionally heavy sessions and dedicate specific admin time.
• Outsource tasks that drain your energy to maintain workflow and momentum.

Quote:
"Let some of your time just be for paperwork catch-up or accounting or emails, not just clinical work." — Allison Puryear [18:10]

7. Reflection, Celebration, and Honest Evaluation

[19:12]

• Celebrate achievements, even small ones (e.g., raising fees, attending tough trainings).
• Get honest about ongoing drains—overwork, people-pleasing, perfectionism, or inertia.
• Ask yourself what fears are holding you back and plan steps to move forward.

Reflection prompts:

• What moments in the past year made you proud?
• What do you need more of, and what’s consistently draining?

8. Implementing Your Action Plan

[21:00]

• Start with one or two focus areas; avoid trying to overhaul everything at once.
• Use the accompanying worksheet to define your ideal in each area.
• Set concrete next steps and realistic timelines for assessment and implementation.

Memorable encouragement:
"You deserve a practice that nourishes you and allows you to feel energized and alive and proud. Change is uncomfortable, but often the discomfort is just the threshold for growth." — Allison Puryear [22:30]

Notable Quotes & Time Stamps

• "That readiness is huge. Whether you're brand new or you've been practicing for years, this kind of reflection can set you up for a much more aligned, fulfilling year ahead." — Allison Puryear [04:13]

• "The anticipatory anxiety about that conversation tends to be way worse than the reality. Your clients can be flexible. They often understand more than we expect." — Allison Puryear [07:25]

• "If you decide to shift your niche, phase out old clients rather than abruptly dropping them. Begin promoting the new niche once you feel clear on what it is." — Allison Puryear [09:12]

• "Also communicate changes in your fee clearly, kindly and with notice. Most therapists find clients are more understanding than they feared." — Allison Puryear [12:43]

• "Let some of your time just be for paperwork catch up or accounting or emails, not just clinical work." — Allison Puryear [18:10]

• "You deserve a practice that nourishes you and allows you to feel energized and alive and proud. Change is uncomfortable, but often the discomfort is just the threshold for growth." — Allison Puryear [22:30]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [04:13] – Importance of readiness and self-reflection for positive change
• [05:32] – Assessing and restructuring your work schedule
• [08:20] – Considering a niche or client population shift
• [10:15] – Calculating and communicating appropriate client fees
• [14:01] – Setting actionable and realistic business goals
• [16:43] – Improving systems, automation, and energy management
• [19:12] – Reflecting on the past year: celebrating wins and acknowledging drains
• [21:00] – Putting your action plan together step by step

Resources Mentioned

• Free worksheet: DM “sheets” to Allison or check podcast show notes for a planning worksheet.
• Membership program: The Abundance Party for step-by-step practice growth.
• Support for full practices in transition: DM “limitless” for program details.
• Additional resources: Free checklist and worksheet at abundancepracticebuilding.com

Closing Tone

Allison’s advice is pragmatic, encouraging, and laced with gentle humor and reassurance. She normalizes discomfort around business changes, offers scripts and actionable steps, and frequently centers therapist well-being as the core priority—fostering hopefulness and empowerment for listeners committed to making 2026 their best year yet.