Private Practice Startup Podcast — Episode 78 3 Business Strategies to Show Your Private Practice Who's Boss (March 24, 2018)

Episode Overview

In this solo-hosted episode, Katie Lemieux welcomes Dr. Jessica Dolgan, psychologist and founder of Therapy Partner, a practice management technology platform for mental health clinicians. Together, they explore three strategic approaches for therapists to become empowered business owners, streamline their operations, and boost revenue, all while battling the mindset challenges that hold many clinicians back. Their lively, practical discussion is full of actionable advice and motivational takeaways for anyone building or growing a private practice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Story Behind Therapy Partner & The Need for Practice Technology

• Jessica shares her background: As a clinician with significant student loan debt, she struggled with the business side of private practice, observing that “just because we got a credential to be a clinician doesn't mean we know how to run a business” (08:07).
• She details how inefficiencies in practice management—administrative overload, lack of streamlined billing, and distractions from clinical work—inspired her to create Therapy Partner, offering comprehensive management technology, dedicated support, and free business education (02:25–04:21).
• Impressive Results: Therapy Partner boasts a 98% retention rate among clinicians and an average 20% revenue increase for users in their first year (04:27).

2. Shifting Mindset: Embracing Business as Part of the Clinical Journey

• Education is Key: Jessica’s first strategy is for clinicians to proactively seek out basic business education, equating this to developing a “zone of excellence” alongside their natural “zone of genius” as therapists (10:01–12:45).
• Intentionality & Vision: Both speakers advocate for designing a lifestyle business—prioritizing life vision, then shaping the business to support it, outsourcing as needed, and keeping the long-term in view (13:05–15:12).
• Memorable Moment: Katie shares, “If I could go back… I would first create a lifestyle business. Right. So first design your lifestyle and then you design your business. That's like key” (13:43).
• Planning & Execution: Jessica underscores the need for a business plan and clarity between business development (e.g., marketing, planning) and operations (e.g., billing, paperwork) (15:12–17:22).

3. Tackling Shame and Limiting Beliefs in Private Practice

• Addressing Industry Shame: Jessica explains that many therapists feel undeserving or guilty about making money, rooted in a cultural narrative that “clinicians… don’t do it for the money.” She asserts, “We need to look at the foundation of… how we feel about business and how we feel about success and how we feel about money. If that foundation looks solid, you can build on that” (19:46–21:17).
• Clinical Impact: She warns that being preoccupied with business struggles can negatively affect client care, paralleling distracted clinicians to distracted surgeons—a risk for both ethical and practical errors (22:53–25:14).
• Positive Reframes: Overcoming mindset blocks around money and business success can empower clinicians to better serve clients and themselves.

4. Leveraging Technology for Revenue and Efficiency

• Automate & Outsource: Jessica’s third major strategy is using practice management technology not only for “operational efficiency” but also “to increase revenue by 20% within the first year” (26:01–28:38).
• She encourages clinicians to see their hourly worth clearly—“You can’t be worth $150 an hour at 4pm and be worth $9 an hour at 8am. You have to make a decision” (27:01).
• Power of Payment Integration: Storing a form of payment on file eliminates awkward billing discussions, reduces lost income due to no-shows or cancellations, and enables therapists to bill for oft-ignored services like inter-provider consultations (28:38–30:47).
• Quote: “We have discovered that patients will seek more services when there's a form of payment on file… and here's a big one we noticed: clinicians do not bill for consultation and it is a billable event” (29:28).

5. Building a “Client-Centric” Business and Setting a Professional Precedent

• Jessica advocates for moving the focus from administrative burdens to offering a seamless, client-centered experience.
• The ripple effect? Greater empowerment, community professionalism, and top-quality care, all while running a successful and sustainable business (31:50–32:55).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mindset and Education:
  • “Everybody here went to graduate school. We know how to follow instructions. And this year, I would love private practitioners to just open up their heart around the idea that they could get some very simple business education…” — Dr. Jessica Dolgan (12:04)
• On Clinical Distraction:
  • “I would not want my surgeon… to be distracted about how they're going to pay bills while they are providing healthcare services to me.” — Dr. Jessica Dolgan (23:09)
• On Revenue and Technology:
  • “You can’t be worth $150 an hour at 4pm and be worth $9 an hour at 8am. You have to make a decision.” — Dr. Jessica Dolgan (27:01)
• On Professional Precedent:
  • “They're so empowered and they're so proud of the businesses they run. They're really setting a professional precedent in the community.” — Dr. Jessica Dolgan (32:35)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Guest Background: 00:27–04:21
• Jessica’s Business Journey / Therapy Partner Origins: 04:21–08:38
• Shifting from Clinical Disempowerment to Business Ownership: 08:39–13:05
• Vision, Planning, & Designing a Lifestyle Business: 13:05–15:12
• Business Development vs. Operations / Planning for Growth: 15:12–17:22
• Industry Shame & Mindset Blocks: 19:13–22:53
• Clinical Care, Distraction, and the Need for Support: 22:53–25:14
• Increasing Revenue / Power of Technology: 26:01–31:13
• Client-Centric Practices & Empowerment: 31:50–32:55
• Final Reflections: Key Takeaway & Summary: 33:07–34:36

Main Takeaways

• Empower yourself through business education—and start now, wherever you are.
  “It truly is never too late to start running your business in a different way… Build a beautiful foundation. Set the course for your ship… You are the captain” (33:07).
• Intentional business planning enables true clinical focus and financial freedom.
• Leverage technology and support systems. Free yourself from administrative drag, increase efficiency, and boost your bottom line.
• Address the mindset, shame, and limiting beliefs that hold many clinicians back—from both revenue and higher-quality client care.

For More Information / Resources:
Visit privatepracticestartup.com for resources and free trainings. Therapy Partner offers two free months for new sign-ups (see show notes for link).

This episode is a motivational primer for any therapist ready to step into true private practice leadership, blending business acumen with heart-centered care.