In this episode, I talk with Dr. Angela Koivula, psychologist and adjunct instructor at the University of Florida, about navigating financial realities in the mental health profession and its impact on career decisions.

Key Takeaways:

1. Financial Planning & Sustainability: Many therapists face significant challenges in planning for retirement due to a lack of resources and knowledge about financial management in the mental health field. The constant need for marketing and client acquisition adds to the financial pressure, making self-care days seem like a luxury.
2. Private Practice Realities vs. Perceptions: The perceived glamour in private practice marketing often hides the tough realities. Many professionals feel conflicted between their values and the demands of running a successful practice. Angela shares her journey of shifting focus during the pandemic, finding lucrative contract work, and educating herself on financial independence to secure a more stable career path.
3. Systemic Issues & Solutions: The mental health profession is fraught with systemic issues like high student debt and low entry-level wages, making the field unsustainable for many. Angela argues for the need to re-evaluate career paths, customize work schedules for better work-life balance, and prioritize debt reduction for true financial freedom.

More about Angela:

Dr. Angela Koivula, Ph.D. (she/they) is a Licensed Psychologist with over 15 years experience in the mental health field serving individuals, couples, and groups as well as active and retired military personnel and wellness industries. She is a Black and Queer individual on a journey to be her most authentic self in everything she does. Her roots originate in Kansas City, MO, and is a lifelong, die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fan!

• Website: Inclusivewellnessproject.com

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Thanks to Our Sponsors: The Receptionist for iPad, & All Things Private Practice + Empowered Escapes 2025 Retreats & Summits!

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist offers an iPad list check-in option where clients can scan a QR code to check in, which negates the need for you to buy an iPad and stand. Go to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice and sign up for a free 14-day trial. When you do, you'll get your first month free. And don't forget to ask about our iPad list check-in option.

✨ All Things Private Practice + Empowered Escapes 2025 Retreats & Summits

The 2025 retreats and summits are live! This is Patrick Casale from All Things Private Practice. My co-host Jennifer Agee and I have put a ton of planning into these events for next year, and we are excited to welcome you to the following locations. We have a retreat about creating alternative income streams and diversifying revenue from May 17th–22nd in Catalonia, Spain in a beautiful seaside Mediterranean village. We have the second annual Doubt Yourself, Do it Anyway Summit in Edinburgh, Scotland, from July 14th–18th with 13 incredible speakers. We then have a second retreat in Catalonia, Spain, on creating alternative income streams. Next is the Greece, Chania, Crete Leadership Retreat in November 2025. You can find more information at allthingspractice.com and empoweredescapes.com. Travel the world with us, connect, build your businesses, expand, step out of your comfort zone, doubt yourself, do it anyway. We hope to see you in 2025.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

I want to thank The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

From new patients faced with an empty lobby and no idea where to find their therapist to clinicians with a session running over time and the doorbell ringing, some of the most anxiety-ridden moments of a therapy appointment happen before a session even starts. The Receptionist for iPad, helps you tackle some of that pre-appointment apprehension and anxiety. The Receptionist for iPad is an easy-to-use digital client check-in system that helps your visitors check in securely to their appointments and notify their practitioners of their arrival via SMS, email, or your preferred channel. No more confusion, and less lobby checking or having clients sign in on paper logbooks. It can even help you upgrade and update your demographic information for your clients as well and even validate parking.

Start a 14-day free trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link and you'll also get your first month free if you decide to sign up.