Episode #757: New Therapist, New Practice

Summary

Abundant Practice Podcast – Episode #757: New Therapist, New Practice

Date: May 13, 2026
Host: Allison Puryear
Guest: Liz (newly licensed therapist)

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Allison Puryear coaches Liz, a newly licensed therapist navigating the launch of her private practice. Their discussion covers challenges new therapists face—especially around setting appropriate fees, building confidence, finding clients as a private-pay-only provider, clarifying a niche, and managing the stress of multiple jobs. Allison provides guidance on marketing strategies, networking, website optimization, and professional identity, all aimed at helping therapists create a more financially and emotionally fulfilling practice.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Initial Practice Status & Fee Dilemma

• Liz’s Situation: She has just started her practice—currently with two private-pay clients, a set fee of $85 (recently lowered from $125), and is limited by her provisional license (cannot accept insurance).
• Liz is working two additional therapy jobs (one at her former internship site, another new role), feeling stretched thin, and is unsure about marketing and setting fees.

Notable Quote:

"So it's like two clients. So new. I'm a limited licensed so it has to be private pay right now and I'm really struggling with getting private pay clients. My fee is $85."
— Liz (02:08)

• Allison’s Response:
  Allison immediately identifies the low fee as a core problem, explaining that too-low fees can suggest to potential clients that the therapist lacks experience or skill, creating a barrier rather than opening doors.

Notable Quote:

"That's why, it's because your fee is so low. So there's this assumption that you're not great so they should just go ahead and use their insurance."
— Allison (02:19)

• Economic Trends:
  Allison notes a surprising trend—premium fee therapists are doing better even in difficult economic times, while low-fee and insurance-based therapists are struggling more. Clients who can afford premium fees are less affected by economic pressures and more willing to pay for perceived expertise.

Timestamp:
03:03 – 03:26
Allison:

"I'm actually seeing people who take insurance have a harder time. And low fee people have a harder time than premium fee therapists... the people who can afford premium fee aren't... impacted in the same way... if you are marketing to them with clarity and confidence... they're like, okay, this person's good."

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2. Niche Development and Confidence Building

• Liz is EMDR trained, with a passion for working with trauma, especially childhood abuse and personality disorders like BPD.
• Allison emphasizes that loving to work with individuals with personality disorders is a unique selling point and an asset in networking with other therapists.

Timestamp:
05:34 – 06:18
Allison:

"When people love working with personality disorders, you are such a great resource for the therapists who don't... you are a safe haven for folks."

• Networking with Other Therapists:
  Liz hesitated to approach other therapists for fear of judgment as a “baby therapist.” Allison encourages her to own her expertise and trust in her multiple supervisors, urging her to connect confidently and clearly communicate her interest in trauma/BPD referrals.

Timestamp:
09:25 – 10:59
Allison:

"You don't look old. So they're going to be like, oh, like, are you new? You can say, like, yeah, I'm pretty new... I have two supervisors I really trust that I meet with regularly, and I really love and want to continue developing my skills working with folks with trauma and personality disorders."

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3. Supervision, Ethics, and Boundaries

• Liz shares that she has three supervisors and has witnessed questionable clinical practices at one site. She feels more supported by her other supervisors.
• Allison validates her pursuit of trustworthy mentorship and encourages continued learning and self-trust.

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4. Marketing and Website Tips

• Marketing on a Budget:
  Allison suggests virtual coffee dates with therapists as affordable networking and targeting those who treat trauma/BPD but may be full or uninterested in such clients—positioning Liz as their go-to referral.

Timestamp:
11:24 – 12:40
Allison:

"You could do some virtual networking... Just like a small cup of black coffee. Look at the other therapists who are treating trauma and BPD... If they're full, they need somebody to refer to."

• Website Content:
  Allison guides Liz to make her website and profile copy highly specific—describing the challenges and experiences of her ideal clients, especially those with BPD and C-PTSD, so that visitors feel recognized.

Timestamp:
20:53 – 21:10
Allison:

"If you describe what they're experiencing... spend 90% of your website copy just saying things that they're gonna nod their head to... your website was like you were in my head."

• Platform Recommendations:
  Squarespace is recommended for website building (affordable and DIY-friendly), and TherapyNotes for EHR—using Allison’s promo code for a free trial.

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5. Navigating Professional Identity and Impostor Syndrome

• Liz calls herself a “baby therapist,” expressing insecurity about charging a full fee and being new.
• Allison challenges this language and encourages reframing:

Timestamp:
16:21 – 16:48
Allison:

"I also take issue with the term baby therapist... You're a grown ass woman who knows what you want to do with your life and you're just honing the details at this point. I would love for you to take off the baby therapist mantle."

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6. Niche Marketing Clarity

• They discuss conflicting advice around listing “everything you treat.” Allison insists on clarity and focus—state your specific specialties (e.g., trauma, BPD, C-PTSD) rather than being broad/generic.
• Allison highlights how speaking directly to misunderstood and underserved populations (like those with BPD) builds immediate trust.

Timestamp:
17:12 – 18:23
Allison:

"Don’t say you treat everything... If you speak to them and you talk about that very clearly, just finding your website will feel like a good resting place for them... here’s one place where I am seen and understood and not judged."

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7. Caseload, Self-Care & Pacing

• Liz is balancing three jobs and feeling rushed to build a full caseload. Allison encourages patience, pacing, and boundaries to avoid burnout.
• “Your nervous system is vital for this work. Right. So take good care of it.” (24:29–24:36)

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8. Ethics of Starting a Practice as a Limited License Holder

• Liz asks if it’s wise (and ethical) for a limited-license therapist to start solo. Allison says yes: with supervision, strong ethical grounding, and a growth mindset, it is absolutely possible and appropriate.

Timestamp:
25:37 – 26:19
Allison:

"I get some heat for that...a lot of the more recent research, you have three supervisors. Right. There’s nobody looking over my shoulder... And you're somebody who wants to learn and wants to do it right."

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9. Bio Revisions

• Liz reads her bio—Allison suggests removing generic therapist “buzzwords” and instead centering the content around the client’s experiences and needs, especially those relevant to her niche.
• Example: “I love working with people with CPTSD and personality disorders, including Borderline. I believe that you deserve to feel safe... especially if you've been in situations where you haven't been heard or believed.”

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Memorable Quotes

• On Fee Setting:

  "The people who can afford premium fee... they're not impacted in the same way that the majority of people are." (03:03)

• On Specializing:

  "You are such a great resource for therapists who don’t [enjoy personality disorder cases]." (06:05)

• On New Therapist Confidence:

  "You’re a grown ass woman who knows what you want to do with your life and you’re just honing the details at this point." (16:21)

• On Speaking to Ideal Clients:

  "If you describe what they're experiencing... your website was like you were in my head." (21:10)

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Important Timestamps

• 02:08 – Liz explains her current situation and fee structure
• 03:03 – Allison on why low fees can backfire in marketing
• 05:34 – Liz describes her training and niche; Allison encourages specialty focus
• 09:25 – Building confidence when networking as a new therapist
• 11:24 – Budget-friendly networking strategies
• 16:21 – Reframing “baby therapist” mindset
• 17:12 – The importance of a clear niche in marketing
• 20:53 – Making a website that resonates with ideal clients
• 24:29 – Importance of self-care and pacing growth
• 25:37 – The ethics and value of starting a practice while under supervision
• 27:43 – Crafting a niche-centered therapist bio

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Actionable Takeaways

• Set Premium Fees with Confidence: Don’t undercut yourself, especially as a new therapist. Low fees can undermine client trust.
• Clarify & Claim Your Niche: Specializing in trauma and personality disorders (with a focus on BPD and C-PTSD) makes you more referable.
• Make Your Website Speak to Your Ideal Client: Use specific, relatable language. Avoid generic therapist jargon.
• Network with Intention: Reach out to therapists who don’t want to work with your niche and position yourself as a referral partner.
• Balance Growth with Self-Care: Slow, steady progress is sustainable; your well-being is non-negotiable.
• Embrace Your Professional Identity: New does not mean inadequate—celebrate your expertise and ongoing desire to learn.

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Final Thoughts

Allison empowers Liz (and the broader audience) to shed insecurity, charge what she’s worth, focus niche marketing, and trust the process—even if it’s messy at the start. New therapists can thrive with clarity, community, and compassion, both for their clients and themselves.

Transcript

[A]

Foreign.

[B]

Hi, welcome to the Abundant Practice Podcast. I'm Alison from Abundance Practice Building. I have a nearly diagnosable obsession with helping therapists build sustainable, joy filled private practices. Just like I've done for tens of thousands of therapists across the world. I'm excited to help you too. If you want to fill your practice with ideal clients, we have loads of free resources and paid support. Go to abundance practice building.com Links all right, onto the show. So I've talked about therapy notes on here for years. I could talk about the features and the benefits in my sleep. But there are a couple things I want you to know about therapy notes that doesn't typically make it into an ad script. First is that they actually care if you like their platform. They don't only make themselves available on the phone to troubleshoot so you don't pull your hair out when you get stuck. They also take member suggestions and implement those that there's client demand for. Like Therapy Search, an included listing service that helps clients find you internal and external secure messaging, clinical outcome measures to keep an eye on how your clients are progressing. A super smooth super bill process, real time eligibility to check on your client's insurance. In my conversations with the employees there at all levels, they all really believe in their product and they want you to love it too. Second, they are proudly independently owned. Why should you care about that? Because as soon as venture capital becomes involved, the focus shifts from making customers happy to making investors happy. Prices go way up. Innovation plateaus. Making more money with as little output as possible becomes the number one focus. With over 100,000 therapists using their platform, they've been able to stay incredibly successful and they don't have to sacrifice your experience to stay there. You can try two months [e-mail] with the coupon code Abundant. Hello is right, you go by Liz?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Well, what would be helpful today? Where's your practice right now? Where do you want to be?

[A]

So it's like two clients. So new. I'm a limited licensed so it has to be private pay right now and I'm really struggling with getting private pay clients.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

My fee is $85.

[B]

Okay. That's why.

[A]

Okay, okay.

[B]

That's why it's because your fee is so low. So there's this assumption that you're not great so they should just go ahead and use their insurance.

[A]

See and I've heard so many like flip flop things of like oh your feet because my fee was 125 before someone said that's too low and then someone said, you know, you're saying that 85 is too low. And I'm like, I don't know what I'm doing.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. I mean it. I totally understand why you price that way. And I would encourage you to have the. I will say right now, in this weird economy, in this terrible political situation, I am actually seeing people who take insurance have a harder time. And low fee people have a harder time than premium fee therapists.

[A]

Interesting. Okay.

[B]

And I think that that's because the people who can afford premium fee aren't like, they don't even know what the cost of eggs is. Like, they're not impacted in the same way that the majority of people are. Right. And so if you are marketing to them with like clarity and confidence, then when they find you, they find you, you know, and they're like, okay, this person's good. I have a good feeling about it.

[A]

So, okay, perfect. So it was 125, wasn't. I got two people off of that. And I do work on a sliding scale of what as well, but no one has needed the sliding scale, thankfully. But I. I lowered it because a supervisor at the time was telling me that my fee was too high and that's why I wasn't getting people. So I was like, okay, I'll lower to 85 and still put a sliding scale up there. I work right now, like I said, two people telehealth. And I work two different jobs as well. I work Saturdays because I'm very newly licensed. So I work Saturdays at a private practice that I did my internship at. Which is an hour away. Yeah. So I'm trying to move away from that. And then I work Tuesday through Friday, 10 to 7 at another private practice.

[B]

Okay, so Monday, how is the client flow in those two places?

[A]

Client flow at Saturdays, I have five clients there. Five or six, not too bad. But they're the clients I've had since internship, so I didn't really get any new clients. She also doesn't market. She just has her website, word of mouth. She was a teacher, so that kind of thing. This new place I started two weeks ago and I already have two, three, four, five, six, seven clients there.

[B]

Okay, and are they private pay or insurance based?

[A]

1099. So I am all insurance right now. No one's private pay.

[B]

Okay. All right, so it sounds like, is your goal ultimately like full private practice?

[A]

Yeah, that is, that is the goal. I just, I couldn't afford the overhead without having another job.

[B]

Yeah, totally get that. Yeah. Okay, so here's the way I like to, like, frame. That is, like, you are supporting yourself in the ways that you need to in order to have the practice you want.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And so while your bills are being paid by these other practices, essentially, I would like for you to really be intentional about what you want for your practice. I want you to set the rate you want. Do you. Do you have a solid niche? Do you feel good about your niche?

[A]

I am EMDR trained, so I work with trauma and doing emdr. Okay.

[B]

Okay. Specific. Any specific kind of trauma. Any.

[A]

I do really like to work with people who've had, like, childhood abuse, that kind of thing, sexual abuse. And then I. I have a few clients with borderline that I love working with. And I. I love personality disorders. I love working with them.

[B]

Oh, Liz. Okay. So when people love working with personality disorders, you are such a great resource for the therapists who don't.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I mean, you know, like, so many therapists say disparaging things about folks with bpd and, you know, when you love trauma work and you love personality disorders, like, you are a safe haven for folks.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So I would love for you to get your name out there as hard as you can with other therapists and tell them, like, I love working with personality disorders.

[A]

Okay. I. So what I was doing was going to doctor's offices. I did get a few referrals with them, but they kind of just fizzled out. And I ended up taking one because I couldn't take her insurance was Medicaid. So I did put her through the practice. I go to Tuesday through Wednesday, so I did that. So I, I went to a few doctor's offices. I went to a few obgyn. I'm trying to think what else. I just didn't go to other therapists because I didn't know how. How that would be perceived.

[B]

Yeah, some therapists are going to be assholes because some people are assholes.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And if you feel, like, competent and confident working with these clients that so many people don't feel confident and competent working with, or they just simply don't like.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Then even if it's a typically snobby therapist, they might make an exception. Yeah, they might be less snobby with you. So what is your primary concern in going to other therapists? I don't want to, like, project.

[A]

Yeah, it was kind of just like, I don't know how to be perceived. I, you know, I only graduated last month. I've. Congratulations. I'm a baby. So I. And I have a supervisor who has not been the most helpful is the best way. Okay. When it comes to having my own practice. Right.

[B]

How is your. How are they clinically?

[A]

Clinically? Yeah. I. I wouldn't do some of the things that they do clinically.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Is the best way to put it. Her clients love her. They, you know, they keep going back and everything. But when I sat in during my internship on a few sessions, I definitely was like, I wouldn't do that. But I have three supervisors.

[B]

Oh.

[A]

Yeah. I have a male supervisor because I don't really work with men, and I want to have that male outlook on things. One through my other job that she helps me bi weekly, and then this one I see weekly at the other practice. And there was something that happened ethically that I did not agree with and when it was coming to client billing, and I. Yeah, I'm not going to go too much detail, but basically I. I moved away from that a little bit more after that, so.

[B]

So you have to. The other two supervisors, do you trust them clinically?

[A]

Yeah, Yeah. I actually just had Supervision today at 12:30 with another. With the mail, and I. Oh, my gosh, it was so helpful.

[B]

Okay, great.

[A]

Great guidance. Yeah, it was great. I only have two male clients, so I was like, I don't know what I'm doing. Like, help. And he gave great guidance and clinical input.

[B]

Wonderful. So I think, like, if you're talking to other therapists, you're not working with other therapists. You could, like, own it. You don't look old. So they're going to be like, oh, like, are you new? Yeah. And to. You can say, like, yeah, I'm pretty new to the field. I have two supervisors I really trust.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

That I meet with regularly. And I really love and want to continue developing my skills working with folks with. With trauma and personality disorders.

[A]

Yeah. Because, like, that's ultimate. And the supervisor that I see weekly for the practice, I'm on Saturdays. She does not work with personality disorders. The guidance that I get with personality disorders is not helpful because she doesn't work with them. Right, right. Versus the other people.

[B]

Yeah. So you've got. I mean, like, you have made sure that you've created a support system around what you need.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So I know that I remember being a new therapist and how it felt like everybody who'd been around for a while, like, had it all figured out and I didn't, and they were going to see right through me.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And like, yeah, there are some things you're going to figure out along the way. And you were drawn to this profession for a reason. And so you have a lot of natural ability, most likely, and you've got the clinical skills that you are honing over time. It doesn't mean that somebody who's been doing it 10 years is any better than you are. I mean, like, if we look at the supervisor, there's a chance you would be a much more competent therapist for somebody with BPD than the supervisor. Right, right.

[A]

Yeah. I've taken so many trainings on bpd and, yeah, all that good stuff. So. Yeah. Okay. I guess my. I have a question too, of, like, I'm on Psychology Today. I have networked with a bunch of doctor's offices and I've only got the two people, and I. I can't afford to, like, pay for all of these networking. So how do I do this without breaking the bank?

[B]

Yeah. So you could do some virtual networking. You could be like, do you want to sip some coffee together over zoom? Or, you know, or you can just go for coffee and then you've got maybe, you know, $5 per week.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Just like a small cup of black coffee. So, you know, it's not like you have to take people out to lunch or anything like that.

[A]

Right.

[B]

But I would just approach it. Like, look at. I would look at the other therapists who are treating trauma and bpd. So look at the people who've been around a while that might be full. You might also find some great mentorship, but if they're full, they need somebody to refer to. And if you guys can geek out and talk shop, some, the better for it. Right. And then you've got. I would say the majority of therapists who aren't super competent with personality disorders. We've all treated personality disorders, but it doesn't mean that everybody is competent or enjoys it. Right. And the fact that, you know, you're always increasing your competence, you continue to seek out learning opportunities and you love it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And that's something to really lean into. So.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because I. So at first I thought I wanted my niche to be like, perinatal. Had people in my life struggling with infertility, adoption, that kind of thing. And I was like, I think this is what I want to do. And then I took a training and on that versus personality disorders, I'm like, I love trauma and I love personality disorders so much more.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So I think I'm trying to rebrand in a way, even though I've only been doing this for a month, and I feel like I'm. How do I put this, like, I'm not stable in what I'm doing right now. Like, it keeps changing, if that makes sense. Yeah. I am not sure what to do with that.

[B]

Yeah, well, you're. You're on your way. This is how you figure it out. Right. Like, it's going to be messy. You're on the right track.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So truly, Truly, it's like, especially we all, when we feel like things are up in the air, want it to be down and grounded and clear immediately. It's just not how it always works.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because when I first put up my Psychology Today, I was getting calls like it was doing good, and then it is right around the holidays, and then it just stopped. And I was like, okay, now I've gotten, like, three views in a week. I'm like, well, yeah, how do I pick this back up? Yeah.

[B]

And Psych Today is just, like, not reliable in the way it used to be for.

[A]

That's what my referrals.

[B]

Like, when you first put it up, they always show the new profiles a lot because they want you to be like, oh, I'm so glad I signed up for Psychology Today. The whole thing in business is giving people quick wins, and so they do that, and then, you know, you're old news by the time you've been around for a month.

[A]

Right. They write. And I do live. I live in Michigan, and I live in a lower socioeconomic area. So I'm trying to make my fees affordable because they're out of pocket. But at the same time, I think, like, you're right. Like, no one wants to pay that low because it's like, well, if you're paying that low, are you like, yeah. Yeah, that. That was good perspective, too, because I didn't realize that.

[B]

Yeah, it was interesting. I was working with a therapist. This was probably at least 10 years ago, and her fee was 80, and she and her husband were looking for couples counseling, and they were scrolling around, like, today, trying to find people that she didn't know because she's in the field.

[A]

Right, Right.

[B]

And she was like, we were both immediate to immediately dismissing the people who charge the same amount that I charge. It's just that perceived value. So, yeah, I would not be afraid to. If 125 is what you wanted it at. And that's the number that, like, you did the math, and that's the number you want, need.

[A]

And I would.

[B]

I would jump it back up there.

[A]

Okay. And then I guess when it comes to, like, people who can't afford the out of pocket is it smart of me to bring them to the practice that takes their insurance. And then when I do graduate and I can't take these insurances, see if they want to come with me when I have my practice.

[B]

Yeah, it depends on if you have a non compete clause or a non solicitation. So I'd be really clear about that.

[A]

Yeah, no, there's, there's nothing there. Yeah.

[B]

Awesome.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Then, yeah, I think that that's, that's a good. Because once they've got a relationship with you, they, if they're able to make it work. Because some people aren't going to be able to, and that's a different story. But the people who can make it work, they will, you know, because they already know you're great.

[A]

Yeah. I think there was just a part of me that was like really feeling insecure because I'm a baby therapist and I'm like, well, I, I don't have confidence in myself to be like, yeah, my fee is 125. You know what I'm trying to say? Yeah, yeah, it's kind of that thing.

[B]

Well, it's interesting because I also take issue with the term baby therapist.

[A]

Do you?

[B]

I do. Because you come to this with life experience. You come to this with grad school. Like you're a grown ass woman who knows what you want to do with your life and you're just honing the details at this point. So I would love for you to like take off the baby therapist mantle and you're somebody who's growing and changing just like me at 46, you know? Yeah, we're always growing and changing and figuring more out.

[A]

So it's kind of just like put more confidence in my skills and what I'm doing and then that'll probably shine through more.

[B]

For sure.

[A]

For sure. Cool. Okay. And then I guess I had another question too of like, if I, because I've read so many conflicting things of being like, put every. That you treat everything, but also don't put that you treat everything. And I'm like, what do I do?

[B]

Don't say you treat everything.

[A]

Got it.

[B]

Especially like if we're thinking about your ideal client having bpd. Right. This is a population that is underserved and misunderstood and maligned. And they know it. You know, they know that they see people say shitty things about them on Reddit, on Instagram. I mean, I think it's getting much better than it was back in my day. We didn't have Reddit or Instagram in my day, but there was. Oh, like, oh, yeah, she's borderline. You know, there was like an eye roll involved so often even in clinical consultation convers. And I think it is much better now. And I think that we have more understanding and we have more effective ways to treat and we have a lot more empathy for all of the trauma that goes into that. But they still know and they still have a hard time with relationships. Right? They know that people don't like them and they already have issues with relationships.

[A]

Exactly.

[B]

And so if you speak to them and you talk about that very clearly, just finding your website will feel like a good resting place for them. You know, just like, here's one place where I am seen and understood and not judged. Okay.

[A]

And I think too, like, one of my biggest things is when someone's like, oh, they just have bpd and they don't. It's just cptsd. Are you not really listening to your client? Like, yeah, I totally understand what you're saying of like, the clients come in and they, they're obviously dealing with something. Something is happening. They've gone through horrible trauma and they just want relief. And I had a client come to me and she goes, I think I have borderline. I said, let's put the brakes before we started diagnosing ourselves with borderline. Let's look at PC PTSD and then diagram it, see kind of what's going on. Yeah, but I've. I always thought that BPD was like something that we don't want to diagnose too soon. But then I have case consultations and they're like, oh, yeah, first means that girl's definitely got bpd.

[B]

I'm like, what are we doing?

[A]

Why is this the first diagnosis?

[B]

Yeah, yeah. And I think there are probably a lot of people because now we talk about diagnoses on social media that there are probably a lot of people self diagnosing that aren't getting it right. And so if you say, like, if your website is all about C PTSD and BPD and you talk about that Venn diagram and you do some of that kind of heavy lifting on your website, then the people who are like, I think I've got borderline are gonna come in. The people who are like, I, I kind of look like I have borderline sometimes, but, like, I've just had all this shit happen, they're gonna come in and so that way you're speaking to them no matter where they are, if they truly do have bpd, but they don't want it and they don't see it you're bringing them in with the cptsd, you know, so you're getting all your people you love.

[A]

Yeah, I, I just love working with people with trauma. It's. It's definitely my passion. And being EMDR trained is like been so helpful to those people and I, I think the main issue is my website, if I'm being honest, because I had a lot of traffic through my website, but it was very like to the point it wasn't heavy lifting or saying. I was just using simple practices website kind of.

[B]

Oh yeah, you're button. Yeah. Make it fancier.

[A]

Yes. So I think if I were to spruce it up and make it more psycho educational. Yeah. I think that would actually help a lot because I know if I was a client like you said, with wondering, oh my gosh, what's going on and I went to a website that's like, hey, this could be what's going on book. Yeah.

[B]

100%. Yeah. Because if you describe what they're experiencing. Right. Like if you spend 90% of your website copy just saying things that they're gonna nod their head to and then you get those phone calls where it's like your website was like you were in my head, you know.

[A]

Yeah. Okay, so more heavy lifting on the website. Just like really spruce it up and make it one like me and two psycho educational.

[B]

Yeah. And it doesn't have to be expensive. Right. Like Squarespace. I think it's like 20 bucks a month.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And yeah.

[A]

I could not as a limited license keep doing simple practice.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because it's like 99i right now it's half off. But normally it's $99 because you have your supervisor sign off on your notes. So it's like you have to have that other clinician and it's like I can't afford 100 bucks a month right now with two clients.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

Okay. So what are some websites that you kind of recommend for? Like ehr. That kind of thing for that has like a website built in with it.

[B]

Maybe none of them really do like. I think simple practice is the only one that does. And I just feel like that that website's not really.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Doing much for anybody to the point.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But squarespace is only 20 bucks a month and that like so you can build a really beautiful website on there.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And I'm trying to think what else. And it's like very diyable cute. You know, as a Gen X, I can work it. I know. Like therapy notes is a lot cheaper.

[A]

I do use therapy Notes for my job.

[B]

Yeah. And you can get two months free. I have like a coupon code. If you use abundant at checkout, you can get two months free for your practice. And that'll give you kind of a running start.

[A]

Perfect. And I already know how to use it, so it's not the end of the world too.

[B]

Yes, absolutely. And it's got everything you need. Except a website that doesn't work, which is like, that's any ehr that tries to build in a website, it's just not going to be effective.

[A]

And I was using like, there's like therapy directory too, and like, nothing from there either. Yeah. Okay. I'm paying 100 bucks a month. Like, something's gotta. I gotta get something out of this. Okay. So use Squarespace. 20 bucks a month. Therapy notes. Any other guidance?

[B]

I think just like, you're in the party, so, like, go through those party resources. We've got a template to help you write your website copy so you don't have to use that. But if you just need help getting your brain going, that can be really helpful.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Networking. I'm telling you, like, so many therapists are going to want to refer to you.

[A]

Okay. Okay. So I'll just put that in bold.

[B]

Mm. Yeah. And then from there, after you've got those two things handled, then go into the rest of the marketing fundamentals course and figure out, like, what else you might want to do to market.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I think if I'm being completely real, it sounds so intimidating to go like networking and stuff when I am trying to build my case. So here. Trying to do my Saturdays. Oh, my gosh. How am I going to have time? Like, totally. I. I think I bit off more than I could chew when I first got out of school. And so now I have these three jobs and it's like, how. How do I funnel one? Yeah. I. Like I said, I think I just bit off more like a chew at first.

[B]

Yeah. And that's okay. Right? Again, I still bite off more than I can chew. So, like, it's living and learning.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So if you need to pump the brakes, like, you have jobs that can help you pay your bills, if you need to low your rules some with the private practice and work on it over time. You have. You have plenty of time to do that.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You don't have to force and push super hard. Your nervous system is vital for this work. Right. So take good care of it.

[A]

Okay. Okay. I think also with. It's like, if I could just get 10 clients. Yeah. I Would just be like, okay, I could. Like, now I feel successful. Like, I feel like I. Like, I don't even want a full 25 caseload right now. Like, I just want the 10 clients of my own, my five that I have on Saturdays and then what I work because my second job is super, super flexible. They don't care what, what I do. So.

[B]

Awesome. Very best kind of job.

[A]

I know, I know. They were like, just put your work schedule. If it changes, it changes. I'm like, cool, thanks.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. Just do what, do what you need to do to take care of yourself in this process. I know it's like, it's a lot to juggle and.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Take some pressure off.

[A]

Okay. Do you, in your expert opinion? I'm trying to like wordless, but like, think it's wise for a limited license to branch on their own? Right now I do. Okay.

[B]

Yeah. I get some heat for that online because a lot of the therapists who feel threatened by the newer folks coming in are like, oh, they don't have enough experience. But, you know, a lot of the more recent research, you have three supervisors. Right. There's nobody looking over my shoulder, looking at what I'm doing. And you're somebody who wants to learn and wants to do it right. You're not like bullshitting your way through this? No.

[A]

Yeah. No. Definitely not.

[B]

And I think most of our clients don't, like, they don't know what an associate license is or a limited license. They don't. They care. Especially when your website is really good. They care. Like, this person sees me and gets me.

[A]

Gotcha.

[B]

Right?

[A]

Yeah. Because my bio right now is not terrible. If you don't mind if I read it to you just to get your opinion.

[B]

Sure.

[A]

But it doesn't mention my niche at all. So I think I need to add that in there.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Trying to pull it up. Okay. So it says, I believe healing happens when people feel genuinely seen and accepted. As a counselor, I offer a supportive down to earth space where you can show up as you are without pressure to have everything figured out. I am trained in, I put the whole thing. But EMDR as an evidence based approach that helps process trauma, anxiety, and experiences that feel stuck or overwhelming. I use EMDR at a pace that feels safe and collaborative, always guided by your needs and goals. My approach is compassionate, honest and relational. Therapy with me isn't about fixing you, it's about understanding your story, building resilience, and creating meaningful change. I'm honored to walk alongside you as you navigate growth and healing.

[B]

Okay, so what I would do, I would get your niche up in there. I would make that mostly about your niche, and I would take out anything that most therapists would say, like feeling stuck or, like, walking alongside you.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Think about all the things that the average therapist or, like, you know, if you look at other bios and you're like, oh, same sentiment, same sentence. You know, like, take it out and really make it about your. Like, our. About me is. Our bios are actually always about our ideal clients.

[A]

Okay, so make it more, like, tailored to the individual looking at my bio.

[B]

Yes. Yeah. So, like, I love working with people with CPTSD and personality disorders, including Borderline. I believe that you deserve to feel safe. I believe that you deserve to be heard, especially if you've been in situations where you haven't been heard or believed. But that speaks to your ethos as a. As a counselor and also is what they desperately want. Need to hear.

[A]

Right. Especially if someone's trying to be like, I think I have borderline or I have cptsd. If you Google borderline Personality disorder therapist, not much pops up at all. Right. Okay. Okay. Add perfect. Okay. That's most of my questions. Honestly.

[B]

Amazing. Sounds good. Perfect timing, in fact.

[A]

Perfect. Yeah. Thank you so much.

[B]

Absolutely. You've got a lot more brain power with the flu than I do when I have the flu, so nice work.

[A]

I feel delirious. I'm just reading off of my list. Just being like, okay, what was I saying?

[B]

Yeah, let's record it so you'll have access later.

[A]

Well, thank you so much. I really appreciate your help.

[B]

Absolutely. Take care.

[A]

You too. Thank you. Bye.

[B]

If you're ready for a much easier practice, therapy notes is the way to go. Go to therapynotes.com and use the promo code abundant for two months. Free. If you're listening, you probably need some support building your practice. If you're a super newbie, grab our free checklist using the link in the show notes. I'd love for you to follow rate and review, but I really want you to share this episode with a therapist friend. Let's help all our colleagues build what they want.