Taking the Leap into Private Practice

Stepping into private practice often feels like standing on the edge of something exciting and something overwhelming. You may have been imagining your private practice since before you even started graduate school! Or, maybe you have been in the field for many years, and the call to start your own practice, has been softly nudging you over the last few months. The thought of creating your own schedule, choosing the clients you feel most called to serve, earning a higher income, and shaping a practice that reflects your values can feel deeply inspiring.

At the same time, questions naturally arise. Can I make this work financially? Can I handle the marketing and business side of things while staying true to myself as a therapist? Will I feel supported or will I feel alone?

I want to reassure you that these fears are normal. They are also the exact place where new growth begins.

One of the most important steps you can take is to see private practice not as a single leap but as a series of small, intentional choices.

Begin by clarifying your vision. What kind of practice do you want, and why? Do you want to work fewer hours so you can be more present with each client? Do you want to build a specialty in anxiety, families, or trauma? Do you want more flexibility in your schedule so you have more time with your family? Or perhaps you envision a variety of offerings such as groups, intensives, or retreats. Your vision will guide the decisions you make about where you work, marketing, and finances. It can help to write your vision down and continue to expand and refine it as the days, and years, in private practice unfold.

You do not need to start everything at once. Many therapists begin gradually. They may work part time at a school or agency, and rent a room for their private practice on two days each week. Or, they may limit client sessions to the mornings, so they can be with their children every afternoon. If you choose to start small, this can help you build confidence and stability as you transition into private practice.

Another key to success is learning the business side of therapy. When you have your own practice, you need to start thinking like a business owner, and aquire a general understanding of operations, sales, marketing, and finances. This can feel intimidating at first, but it is what makes your practice sustainable. Start with the basics: set up your business legally, open a business bank account, establish a professional phone and email, and decide on your fee structure. Create systems for scheduling, payments, and client records. Test out different electronic health record systems to see which one is the best fit for you. Having systems and structure in place, will protect your time and energy so you can focus on your work with clients.

When therapists think about starting a practice, marketing is often the part that feels the most tenuous. I suggest replacing the word “marketing” with “relationship building.” At its core, that is what it really is. Every single day, people are out there searching for a therapist who can help them. Your job is to make sure they know you exist.

If they never get the chance to meet you they will not know you are out there ready to support them. That is why simple steps like setting up a Psychology Today profile or a Google Business listing are important first moves. As you get more comfortable, you can slowly add a website, social media, or other ways to share your work.

The truth is, the best “marketing” never feels forced. It works when it feels natural, honest, and relational, just like the work you do in therapy. Connection is also what will carry you forward. Even if you are building a solo practice, you do not need to do it alone. Surround yourself with other therapists through consultation groups, mentorship, or networking. These relationships provide encouragement, guidance, and often referrals. Having a strong community makes private practice not only more sustainable but also much more fulfilling.

Most importantly, remember that confidence will not come before you start. It grows as you take each step. Every action you take, from setting up your office to meeting your first private clients, builds your trust in yourself.

The rewards of private practice are freedom, flexibility, and the ability to create a professional life that feels aligned with who you are. It is about building something that allows you to serve others while also sustaining yourself.

You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. What matters most is that you start. Private practice is not about perfection. It is about allowing yourself to grow, to learn, and to build something meaningful one step at a time.

If this is a dream you hold, consider this your invitation. Begin today, with clarity, courage, and compassion for yourself and your clients.