What does it take to grow a mental health practice sustainably—without burning out the people who make it work? In this episode, host Rachel Harrison talks with Dan King, Co-Founder of Fireside Strategic, about how to align profitability with purpose in behavioral health. Dan shares lessons from years advising investors and business leaders on building organizations where clinicians thrive, culture drives retention, and long-term success balances both human and financial outcomes.

Listeners will hear practical advice on finding the right investment partners, understanding private equity and venture capital dynamics, and leading with values in a changing behavioral health market. Whether you're a clinician, practice owner, or investor, this conversation offers a blueprint for growth without burnout.

Guest & Transcript Information

• Full Transcript: Provided

• Guest Name: Dan King

• Title / Role / Credentials: Co-Founder, Fireside Strategic

• Bio / Expertise: Dan King is the Co-Founder of Fireside Strategic, helping companies scale sustainably by focusing on human-centered growth. With experience in organizational psychology, M&A strategy, and executive coaching, Dan aligns profitability with purpose to build organizations that thrive without burnout.

• Website: https://www.firesidestrategic.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danmking/

Episode Highlights

• 0:32 – Introduction to Dan King and Fireside Strategic

• 1:08 – Why aligning business growth with human well-being matters

• 2:12 – Lessons from scaling companies that grew too fast

• 3:40 – The link between culture, retention, and sustainable success

• 5:05 – How private equity and venture capital differ in behavioral health

• 7:14 – Finding the right investment partner for your mission

• 9:48 – Balancing profitability with clinician satisfaction

• 12:22 – The future of integrated behavioral health services

• 14:36 – Measuring both financial and human outcomes

• 16:18 – Practical advice for practice owners considering investors

• 18:07 – Key traits of leaders who build without burnout

Articles & Resources

• Mental Health's Investment Resurgence: A Market Ripe for Innovation – Galen Growth

• Venture Capital's Priorities Are Evolving as Behavioral Health Market Matures – Behavioral Health Business

• Fireside Strategic – Dan King

Connect with Dan King

• Website: firesidestrategic.com

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danmking

Connect with Us

• Website: The Mental Health Evolution

• Instagram: @thementalhealthevolution

• LinkedIn: The Mental Health Evolution

• Facebook: The Mental Health Entrepreneur

Music by Zach Harrison