Podcast Summary: Private Practice Startup – Episode 85

Title: 5 Ways Therapists Can Start a Private Practice
Date: May 12, 2018
Hosts: Katie Lemieux (solo, Dr. Kate Campbell absent)
Guest: Jessica Richardson

Overview

This episode dives into the practical steps and realities therapists—from interns to unlicensed clinicians and new graduates—should consider when starting a private practice. Guest Jessica Richardson shares her unique journey launching a business as an intern and offers honest insights into overcoming obstacles, managing expectations, and laying a foundation for success.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Path to Becoming a Therapist

• Jessica’s Motivation: Started studying psychology after personal experiences with anxiety during undergraduate studies.
  • “There were some stresses and anxieties...I went through the whole, typical...nothing’s wrong with you...Then I fell into a Psych 101 class and realized, oh, it’s anxiety. So I kind of went on this journey...I definitely want to help others with anxiety.” (05:30 – 06:21)

2. Jumping Into Private Practice as an Intern

• Decision to Start Early: Felt agency jobs didn't fit her niche (college students with anxiety). Encountered negative feedback and confusing legal guidance but chose to proceed due to "gray area" in Florida's rules.
  • "I started overturning some things...if it’s not out there for me to specialize in that area...what’s the purpose of my internship?" (07:10 – 09:22)
• Legal Grey Zones: Advice to check state laws closely, as most states vary on what’s permissible for interns/unlicensed practitioners.
  • “You want to make sure you double-check with your state laws...and if you’re licensed, it’s a different story.” (10:50 – 10:59)

3. The Illusion vs. The Reality of Private Practice

• Jessica's Vision: Expected a large, firm-like structure, mentorship, and a steady salary—similar to what she observed at law firms.
• Reality Check: Most therapists are solo or in small partnerships, and must build caseloads, infrastructure, and business practices themselves.
  • “I thought there was going to be...associate attorneys, seasoned attorneys, shareholders...I just assumed that’s what private practice is going to be like as a counselor...It was a very hard—I call it my existential crisis moment.” (11:52 – 13:47)
• Business Before Therapy: A business mindset is essential. Most therapists lack business training, and practice-building isn’t a given, even with partnerships.
  • “...Ultimately in private practice, we’re in business, like put therapy to the side, like we’re in business.” (13:47 – 14:15)

4. Embracing the Journey & Handling Burnout

• Personal Burnout & Pause: Jessica shares a period of burnout during early agency work which led her to reconsider her direction, reinforcing the importance of self-reflection and defining one’s goals.
  • “I totally quit. Quit. And I didn’t think I was going to go back into mental health...that four months really helped to define further what my purpose was and what I wanted to do when I went back into it.” (15:44 – 18:40)
• “Your Journey is Your Journey”: It's acceptable to work side jobs, take breaks, or slow down—growth isn’t always linear.

5. Five Concrete Steps for Starting Out

a. Start Before You Graduate

• Build your foundational assets—plan your website and online presence (with help if possible, for SEO and legality).
• “Go ahead and make it fun. Don’t wait until the end and start your website, you know, in grad school…” (18:40 – 19:40)
  b. Know, Define, and Revisit Your Niche
• Jessica evolved her specialty based on passion; having a niche provides clarity in marketing and service.
• “I had no idea that we needed to niche or that was even an option. It was just something like, this is what I want to do.” (10:59 – 11:28)
  c. Website is Essential
• Start your online presence early; longevity of domain and SEO matter when you launch for real.
• “You can have your own website. There’s absolutely nothing that says that you can’t. So those are some of the things that I started and I think I share with other interns. Just go. Just go for it.” (19:34 – 19:40)
  d. Business Cards & Name-Building
• Simple initial materials like business cards and networking remain effective. e. Financial Savvy
• Avoid premature financial commitments:
  • Consider income-based student loan repayments
  • Sublease office space/hourly rental, avoid long/expensive leases
  • Limit expenses, start small
• “Try what you work with, what you have, where you are in the moment. If you can look into people that are subleasing their space, they rent per hour, they rent per day...you can have the flexibility, variety, you can try different locations even...” (23:27 – 26:20)

6. Lifestyle Business & Marketing Plan

• Create a business design that fits your own life, not vice versa. Plan time off, workload, and financial goals before opening doors.
• Save early for marketing costs—don’t underestimate the investment in outreach and branding.
  • “...really creating a lifestyle business first. So what that means is...deciding how it is that you want your business to be, what hours you want to work, what days, how many weeks do you want to have off and really crunching some numbers.” (26:33 – 27:20)

7. Your Practice WILL Evolve

• Expect change in niche, style, or business structure. Flexibility matters for longevity and mental health.
  • “Your practice, like Jessica said, will evolve. And if you have a niche already—fantastic. You are, like, way ahead of the game. But if you don’t...that’s where Kate and I can definitely help you.” (27:35 – 28:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Fear of Starting
  “If it’s gray, you just do what you have to do legally to protect yourself within the bounds of our license...The fact that there wasn’t a no, I went for it.” — Jessica (09:01)
• On Reality Check
  “In private practice, we’re in business. Like put therapy to the side, like we’re in business.” — Katie (13:47)
• On Burnout and Self-Care
  “If you have to quit or you have to go into something else, don’t let that kind of hinder you, but let it kind of just use it as a resting space to go forward.” — Jessica (15:44)
• On Just Getting Started
  “Just do it. Just do it. In the words of Nike, just go for it.” — Jessica (28:51-28:59)
• On Interns Owning Their Agency
  “You have more power as an intern than I think a lot of people believe or think...You can still market and advertise yourself. You can still take phone calls on your own...you are still independent if you are a contractor.” — Jessica (29:59–31:00)

Key Takeaways (Rapid-Fire Recap)

• Check Your State Laws: Internship rules differ state-to-state.
• Define & Own Your Niche: Early clarity saves later confusion.
• Start Your Website Sooner: Helps with credibility and SEO.
• Don’t Overcommit Financially: Sublease, avoid big bills early.
• Lifestyle Matters: Design the practice you want for your life.
• Marketing is Essential: Save and plan for this expense.
• Be Flexible: Expect your business and goals to evolve.
• Ask for Help: Mentors/coaches and community resources make a big difference.

Useful Timestamps

• 05:30 Jessica’s personal story and motivation for entering therapy.
• 07:10 – 09:22 Deciding to go into private practice as an intern; tackling regulatory gray area.
• 11:52 – 13:47 The “illusion” of private practice vs. reality.
• 15:44 Burnout after agency work; reassessing her path.
• 18:40 – 19:40 Starting private practice steps—website and niche.
• 23:27 – 26:20 Financial advice and pitfalls for beginners.
• 26:33 – 27:20 Building a lifestyle business, planning ahead.
• 28:51 – 28:59 Just get started—Nike inspiration.

Resources & Next Steps

• Jessica’s Facebook group: Beginning Counselors of Florida (great for Q&A and peer support)
• Jessica’s blog and resources (linked in episode show notes)
• Private Practice Startup's Essentials for Building and Growing Your Dream Practice free cheat sheet (at theprivatepracticestartup.com)

Tone: Honest, encouraging, demystifying, practical, and supportive—full of “been there, done that” advice and a touch of humor.