How to Start a Therapy Private Practice
It’s an exciting step to decide you want to start your own therapy private practice. You get to be your own boss and have the flexibility that you want. But for many it can be a scary step too, not knowing where to start or all that goes into it. Thousands and thousands of other people have been in the same boat as you, no business experience yet have been able to grow a successful therapy practice, and you can do it too. Grad school for therapists typically doesn’t teach you how to build a business, if anything they spend a lot of time telling you that you may not make much money. But you are very capable, and I will give you some action steps to get started.
Decide on speciality will be:
This is an important first step because it may help determine your name, which you will then register as a business, and help you with your website and logo and marketing and everything in between. It’s okay if you end up wanting to change or adjust your speciality, just make sure your business name isn’t too specific if you end up changing your speciality.
Decide on a business name:
It is typically highly recommended to not use your name as your business name, but to instead come up with a more broad name that isn’t attached to one person. This helps in case you ever decide to hire other therapists, expand your business, or sell your business. Also having a more therapeutic name can be more appealing to clients then your name. If you’re feeling lost on what to name your business, come up with some words that you would like to include such as transform, healing, purpose, etc. And many people include a word such as therapy or counseling in their name to help others know what kind of business it is. You can also use a free business name generator online to brainstorm ideas. Don’t overthink the name too much, just pick something you like and stick with it.
Decide if you want to offer in person therapy or just virtual:
If you offer in person you will likely fill up much faster since many people prefer in person therapy, but do what feels best for your situation. If you decide in person, then find a location. It’s important to pick a place that feels easy to access for your clients and that can offer them a safe and therapeutic environment.
Once you have the name and location, you can now register your business:
You’ll go online to your state’s business registration and register your business.
You’ll then need to get something called an EIN with the IRS:
It’s an employee identification number that the IRS uses to associate your business.
You’ll need to get a separate business bank account, as well as a separate business credit card can be useful too:
I’ve used the Chase business card and the reward program has been great. Earn cash back if you use this link.
Get malpractice and professional liability insurance:
If you decide to have an in person business then you’ll need to get a business license with the city you’re in, which you can find online.
Figure out what electronic health records (EHR) system you would like to use to keep track of your clients and payments, notes, and schedule:
Simple practice is the best one I’ve found and if you’d like a free trial and an extra $150 after your trial ends then use this link here.
Figure out what you’re going to do for bookkeeping:
Quickbooks is a great option to do it yourself, or you can use some of their resources for help with bookkeeping. Hiring an accountant is a great way to get help to make sure you’re doing everything right.
Pick a business phone number you’d like to use:
You can use a free Google voice number, or use some great apps that will give you a separate business number.
Create a website & get on therapist directories:
It’s highly recommended to create a website so that people can actually find you, as well as getting a Google Business Profile, if you’re in person, and some online therapist directories. Psychology Today & Zoc are the ones I most recommend. If you need a referral code for Psychology Today or Zoc Doc, then send me your email and I will give you a link.
Market yourself, especially if you’re private pay:
Creating a good website that stands out to your ideal clients is one of the best things you can do for marketing. Most of the private pay clients that will find you will be from Google, but even ones that are referrals from someone else will still likely check out your website. You will need to learn SEO so that you can rank higher on google, get a Google Business Profile, get on some therapist directories, and you can get adding to a local therapist Facebook page or email lists.
