What does it look like to care for vulnerable clients without burning out your team or compromising the sustainability of your practice?

In this episode, I'm joined by Susan Melendez Doak, LPC, a group practice owner in rural Oregon who has built a practice centered on serving her local community, including Medicaid clients and other often-overlooked populations.

Susan shares how she created a model that reflects her values while still making financial sense. We talk about the real challenges of serving high-need clients, what makes this work sustainable, and why alignment matters so much when you're building a practice that's meant to last.

We also talk about diversifying payer sources, supporting clinicians who do heavy trauma work, improving access to care, and creating a practice culture that attracts people who care deeply about the mission.

This is a thoughtful conversation about business, faith, values, and what it means to build a practice that serves people well.

08:50 From Solo To Group Practice + Serving Rural Clients 10:02 Medicaid Misconceptions + Financial Sustainability 16:49 Diversifying Income + Building A Balanced Practice 23:06 Preventing Burnout + Supporting Your Team 26:10 Hiring For Values + Long-Term Alignment 29:25 What's Next + The Power Of Community

In this episode, we cover:

Why Susan chose to build her practice in a rural community
Common misconceptions about working with Medicaid clients
How to create a financially sustainable practice model
Ways to support clinicians working with complex trauma
Why values alignment matters in hiring and retention
How increasing access can transform who your practice reaches

If you've ever wondered how to run a healthy practice while staying connected to the heart of the work, this episode is for you.

Sponsor Wise Practice Community

Running a private practice can feel lonely. You're making big decisions, trying to grow, and wondering if you're doing it right.

That's why I created the Wise Practice Community.

It's a membership for faith-based practice owners who want support building a healthy, sustainable practice. Inside, we focus on marketing, hiring, systems, finances, and leadership, with live trainings, accountability, and a community that gets it.

We've recently revamped everything to make it simpler and more effective.

Enrollment opens on March 25th and is only open for three days.

If you want more clarity, support, and connection, this is for you. Join at wisepracticeconsulting.com for $89/month.

Meet Susan Melendez Doak, LPC

Susan Melendez Doak is a licensed professional counselor, clinical supervisor, and the group practice owner at Newberg Counseling & Wellness in Newberg, Oregon. Susan and her team provide compassionate counseling services with a mission to empower our local community with the skills and the courage to handle the challenges of life.

Susan Melendez Doak's Resources

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