Start Your Private Practice

Starting a private practice is exciting and there is a lot to do! Most therapists experience a mix of joy and overwhelm at the thought of creating their own practice. The truth is, you do not need every detail figured out right away. Begin with what feels manageable, and trust that the rest will fall into place as your practice grows. Think of these items as a menu of options, not a strict to-do list.

Choose a business name
Some therapists use their personal name, such as Cristina Trette Therapy. Others choose a name that highlights their specialty or location, such as Encinitas Couples Therapy. Many therapists select a name that highlights the healing elements of therapy, such as Clear Path Therapy, while others highlight a symbol or element that is meaningful to them, like Coast Counseling. All approaches work.

The key is to find a name that resonates with you and the goals you have for your practice. If you think you will always remain solo, choosing your own name helps establish you as the expert. If you think you may grow into a group practice, change your name through marriage, move to a new city, or adjust your specialty, you might want to keep the name general so it can evolve with you. Although you can always change your name down the road, it is a pain! I have changed my name three times (I went from Cristina Trette Therapy to Integrative Family Therapy to Integrative Couples Therapy). Looking back, I wish I had been more intentional about the name from the very start.

Decide where you want to practice
Do you want to work from home through telehealth, commit to a full-time office, or blend both in a hybrid model? Do you want one office location or would you prefer to have two days in one town and two days in another town If you want a Google Business Profile, which is vital in getting established, you will need to list an office address. If you decide to rent a physical office, consider what community you want to build your practice in. Some therapists want to work close to home, while others prefer the privacy of working in a different town. You can always move your practice later, but it often takes time to establish yourself in a new community, therefore I suggest that you make this decision with intention.

Set up a website

It does not need to be expensive or fancy. Even if you have one page that highlights who you are, how you can help, and how clients can contact you, this is enough to get started. Down the road, you will want to add more to the website, either on your own or through a professional. Website copy set up is an art and science and there is a lot to learn here. But in the very beginning it just needs to exist.

Establish professional communication
Set up a business phone number that allows calls and texts, and create a professional email address. This helps establish healthy boundaries between your personal and professional life, while also giving clients a polished and reliable way to reach you.

Take care of business basics
Most cities require a business license. You also need to decide if you want to operate as a sole proprietor or form a corporation. An accountant or CPA can help guide you through this choice. Liability insurance is another essential step, and it is usually simple to set up.

Set up your financial systems
Create a separate business bank account so your professional finances stay distinct from your personal ones. Decide how you will handle bookkeeping, either doing it yourself or hiring someone to help. When you own a business, taxes become complicated, yet consider finding a CPA who can assist you with tax questions as they come up.

Get an EHR
Honestly there is no way I could run my practice without an Electronic Health Record. Most EHRs offer scheduling, telehealth, intake and consent forms, credit card payments, insurance billing, and way compliant way to store notes and treatment plans. While not required, an EHR can make the administrative side of practice much smoother. I use Simple Practice but there are many other EHRs out there that are excellent and will make running your business easy and efficient.

Decide how you will bill and accept payment
Think about whether you want to be private pay, accept insurance, or offer a mix of both. Each option has pros and cons, and you can always adjust as your practice evolves. You will also want to decide how clients can pay you. Credit cards are often the most convenient, though some therapists also accept cash or checks. Clarity around payment makes things easier for both you and your clients.

Create a way to share your information
You will want something simple to hand out or share when meeting colleagues or potential referral partners. This could be business cards, or you can keep your contact information ready to share directly from your phone. There are lots of great apps today that make sharing contact information simple.

Set up an online presence

Prospective clients need to know you exist! Consider setting up Google Business Profile, Yelp, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. These are all free. Even just one will make it more likely that clients will find you online. For now, just get some profiles set up with a way for clients to contact you on your website, phone or email. Later, you may want to consider a content plan or running ads.

Plan how to connect with prospective clients
There are many ways to bring in referrals. Some therapists form relationships at networking events or trainings, while others stay connected to colleagues from grad school for friendship and exchanging referrals. Most therapists experiment with several approaches before finding what works best for them.

Begin to clarify your specialty

It can be helpful to have a few areas of focus, whether that is anxiety, trauma, families, or something else that feels meaningful to you. Do not pressure yourself to have the perfect niche right away. Many therapists refine their specialty as they gain more experience and training. One of the things that is so enriching about our field is that our focus areas can evolve and shift over time, just as we do.

Final Thoughts
These items are the essentials, but you do not need to complete it all at once. Start with one or two steps, move at your own pace, and trust that you will figure out the rest as you go. Every therapist I know has built their practice piece by piece, and you will too. What matters most is getting started so you can share your work in the way that feels most authentic to you.