Podcast Summary: Private Practice Startup Podcast

Episode 135: The Agency Breakup – I Wish I Would Have Left You Sooner
Hosts: Dr. Kate Campbell & Katie Lemieux
Guest: Melanie Taylor, Owner of The Healing Tree
Release Date: May 11, 2019

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, hosts Dr. Kate Campbell and Katie Lemieux sit down with therapist Melanie Taylor to discuss her bold transition from agency life to private practice. Titled “The Agency Breakup: I Wish I Would Have Left You Sooner,” Melanie candidly explores the challenges, mindset shifts, and practical steps involved in leaving the familiar—but often draining—world of agency work to build a thriving, values-driven private practice. The trio shares relatable stories, actionable advice, and hard-won insights for therapists considering their own “breakup” with agency work.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Break Up With Agency Work?

(03:22-04:43)

• Agency setting realities:
  Melanie recounts her experience in psychiatric hospitals and agencies, lamenting how agencies often prioritize quantity over quality.
  Quote:

  “You start to recognize your quantity is better than your quality, I guess, to your supervisors. And I just, I was ready to get out. I wanted to provide quality service.” – Melanie (03:31)

• Emphasizing clinical growth:
  Both hosts and Melanie agree that while agency work can be a good way to gain post-grad clinical experience, it’s frequently unsustainable due to burnout and pressure to produce.

2. Making the Leap – The Transition Process

(05:31-06:55)

• Initial research and support:
  Melanie describes how she began gathering information from therapist Facebook groups and received guidance from a friend who’d also left agency work.
  Quote:

  “A few of them…mentioned these other groups about private practice. And so I started joining those and like over time just learned as much as I could and then had the help also of a friend who had recently made the movement.” – Melanie (05:36)

• Agency exit hurdles:
  Agencies commonly require therapists to get CEO approval due to non-competes or policies. Melanie experienced unresponsiveness, leading her to eventually inform the CEO she was leaving without formal approval.
  Quote:

  “‘We’ll be here when you’re ready to come back.’ Wow. No. Peace out, Girl Scout.” – Melanie (06:41)

3. The Value of Coaching & Niching Down

(07:12-09:24)

• Getting a coach changed everything:
  Hiring coach Katie Read was pivotal; Melanie learned how to identify an ideal client and build a clear business foundation.
  Quote:

  “My ideal client is whoever’s in the lobby. We’re not allowed to have those. And it was like, boom, you know, all of a sudden, oh, hey, I can see who I want to see, and this is who I want to see.” – Melanie (07:42)

• Immediate results:
  Once she got direction, her caseload tripled in a month.

• Hosts echo importance:
  Kate and Katie highly recommend coaching to avoid losing time and money struggling alone.

4. Mindset Shifts – Scarcity, Money, and CEO Thinking

(11:46-13:55, 15:32-17:36)

• Do it scared:
  Melanie encourages listeners to act despite fear, “I’m going to do this shit scared anyway, like, we’re done, we’re going.”

• Underestimating needs:
  She learned that seeing 12-15 private clients was enough—unlike the agency mentality of maximal overload—making private practice more achievable than feared.

• Self-worth & independence:
  Realizing her well-being was more important than loyalty to the agency was a key mental breakthrough.
  Quote:

  “I had to realize that I personally was bigger than the company I was working for. …I wanted more for me and I was never going to get it from them.” – Melanie (15:33)

• Becoming a business owner:
  She recognized the shift from employee to CEO, acknowledging fear as her biggest hurdle and recounting early awkward marketing attempts with humor (18:11).
  Tip: Practice networking pitches on less-important contacts first to shake off nerves.

5. Building and Marketing the Practice

(14:00-21:45)

• Identifying her niche:
  Melanie specializes in women and teen girls, and is narrowing further to women ready for transformation.

• Outsourcing frustrations:
  Time and sanity saved by outsourcing tasks she disliked, such as websites and insurance billing; “Learning to outsource the things that drive me batshit crazy.”

• Resourceful learning:
  Facebook groups were rich sources for DIY help and referrals to professionals.

• Unique marketing ideas:
  From Melissa Da Silva’s book: sending shiny envelopes to PCPs, branded T-shirts with funny sayings, and niche-focused networking.

6. Encouragement for Would-Be Private Practitioners

(22:15-23:53)

• Imperfect action:
  Melanie and the hosts stress that “done is better than perfect” – practice and marketing can evolve and improve over time.

• It’s possible for you, too:
  Melanie urges agency therapists not to see private practice as only for others—if she could do it, they can.

  Quote:

  “It’s not something that’s just for other people and not you…Just do it anyway.” – Melanie (22:39)

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On fears and agency pressure:
  “Four months, I think, worried I was going to lose my job at any minute, even though they knew I was in private practice…little comments, little snide things.” – Melanie (17:45)
• On networking nerves:
  “Walked in there and handed her the cookies and some brochures and walked out to my car and realized I didn’t even say my name or where I was from.” – Melanie (18:11)
• On marketing evolution:
  “Make a list of 10 people you want to reach out to…and start with number 10 so that way all your nerves are out of the way by the time you get to your top three.” – Melanie (18:45)
• On outsized productivity in private practice:
  “You only need half the amount of clients you were seeing in agency…You need 12 to 15 people in your city to come see you every week. That’s it.” – Melanie (11:59)
• On niche:
  “We specialize in women and teen girls. So that’s it. That’s all we see.” – Melanie (14:00)

Recommended Resources and Tips

• Podcasts: Private Practice Startup; an insurance credentialing podcast (unnamed; check show notes)
• Books: The Profitable Private Practice by Melissa Da Silva
• Groups: Therapist Facebook Groups for peer knowledge and connections
• Freebies from Melanie:
  • Agency to Private Practice Checklist
  • Psychology Today Profile Workbook
    (Available at agencytoprivatepractice.com)
• Coaching is key: A coach accelerates growth, saves agony, and helps clarify a direction.

Engaging Takeaways for Listeners

• You don’t have to stay stuck in agency work—private practice is possible and sustainable.
• Move forward imperfectly; don’t wait for perfection.
• Support (coaching, networking) and a clear niche are crucial for success.
• Mindset shifts and outsourcing are as vital as clinical skills in building a practice.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:22 – 04:43: Why agency work pushed Melanie to leave
• 05:31 – 06:55: Research, support, and agency exit challenges
• 07:12 – 09:24: Importance of hiring a coach and finding a niche
• 11:46 – 13:55: Mindset shifts, client numbers, and financial fears
• 15:32 – 17:36: Realization of self-worth, business mindset, and handling fear
• 14:00 – 21:45: Niche, outsourcing, and innovative marketing ideas
• 22:39 – 23:53: Final encouragement and lessons for listeners
• 24:13 – 24:28: Free resources offered by Melanie

Final Thoughts

Melanie’s journey from an agency clinician to proud practice owner is deeply relatable. Her frankness and humor shine a light on both the struggles and freedoms that come with “breaking up” with agency work. This episode arms therapists with real-world advice, a boost of courage, and practical tools for forging their own paths in private practice—with plenty of laughs and camaraderie along the way.