There’s a kind of stuckness that can show up even when everything looks “ready” on paper—the numbers work, the plan is there, and yet the decision still feels hard to make. I see this a lot when therapists are considering the move from W2 work into full-time private practice.

In my coaching conversation with Dr. Amber Vernon, a recent grad of the Money Skills for Therapists program, we explore what happens when the hesitation isn’t about money skills or financial planning—but something deeper. Even when the path looks clear, there can still be a sense of activation, doubt, or what she calls “squirreliness” that makes it hard to move forward.

Ready to feel more calm and confident about your money?

Do you feel confused, ashamed, or uncertain about your finances? Are you craving support to help shift your money mindset and transform your relationship with money?

Are you ready to gain practical tools and the confidence you need to finally take control of your business finances?

If so, I’d love for you to join me for one of my free online workshops, designed specifically for private practice owners who feel stuck—whether it’s mindset blocks, avoidance, or the technical side of managing money.

In just one hour together, you’ll gain clarity, practical strategies, and next steps to move forward with intention.

Click here to explore upcoming workshops and save your spot or register to get the replay.

When the Numbers Make Sense but the Decision Still Feels Hard

Sometimes the stuckness isn’t about strategy—it’s about what the decision represents. You can have the income stability, the emergency fund, the private practice already working… and still feel a pull to stay where things feel more predictable. What I see here is how control, perfectionism, and financial anxiety can keep you circling even when you’re ready. When your nervous system is activated, it can start to question everything—your plan, your niche, even the sustainability of your therapy business. And at that point, more data doesn’t help.

That “squirreliness” isn’t a sign that you’re doing something wrong—it’s more often a sign that you’re stepping into something unfamiliar.

Moving Through Uncertainty When You’re Already “Ready”

Even when the financial planning and logistics are in place, the decision can still feel unsettled—especially when control, identity, and uncertainty are all in the mix.

(00:04:59) Deciding on career transition

(00:07:28) Discussing work challenges and options

(00:12:48) Avoiding future decisions now

(00:15:39) Navigating personal decision impacts

(00:25:54) Overcoming fear to take action

(00:26:51) Assessing current intellectual interests

(00:30:44) Choosing work that excites you

(00:35:18) Exploring varied career paths

(00:36:37) Deciding when to move on

(00:40:21) Reflecting on chaotic energy

(00:43:01) Embracing diverse skills and strategies

Letting Your Path Be More Flexible Than You Expected

One of the shifts in this conversation is moving away from the idea that there’s one “right” version of private practice. For some therapists, the goal isn’t a single, fixed path—it’s building a career that allows for variety, different income streams, and evolving interests.

When you’re good at a lot of things, decision-making can feel harder, not easier. But that doesn’t mean you’re off track—it just means your path might be more flexible than you expected.

Instead of waiting until everything feels certain, you can start by taking small steps, testing what feels energizing, and letting that guide your next move. You don’t have to figure out your entire career transition all at once—you just have to stay in motion long enough to learn what actually fits.

About Amber Vernon:

Dr. Amber Vernon is a police psychologist who has worked with various public safety agencies in Virginia for over 10 years. Her service encompasses academy-based training, subject matter expert instruction, employment-related evaluation, wellness visits, professional consultation, and critical incident response. Dr. Vernon is passionate about building (and maintaining) bridges between people, experiences, and disciplines. She is known for working collaboratively to identify questions, develop useful answers, and provide clear and action-oriented next steps.

Connect with Amber:

Website: www.vernonpsyd.com

Get to Know Linzy Bonham:

Linzy Bonham is a private practice therapist turned money coach who helps private practice owners and health professionals feel calm and in control of their finances through her coaching at Money Skills For Therapists and her podcast Money Skills for Therapists.

It all started when she saw her extremely skilled colleagues struggle with the money side of business. Some had even left private practice, or were avoiding starting one, because the financial side was too stressful.

So Linzy decided to help therapists and health professionals develop peace of mind about their money. Since so many were never taught these skills, she focuses on the “how” of making the business side of private practice doable, and even super satisfying.

Follow Linzy Bonham:

About Page: https://moneyskillsfortherapists.com/about/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linzybonham/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneyskillsfortherapists/

207: Letting Go of Control: Creating a Calmer Path to a Fulfilling Private Practice