Jasmine is a great example of; working to live, not living to work. You do not have to grow your business exponentially just because you can. If you are doing well in your Canadian private practice, but the idea of owning a huge business is daunting to you - you don't have to take it that far!

One of the ways of building a truly successful business that serves your clients - and you - is to structure it around your needs, as well as theirs. Be mindful of your values and intentionally incorporate them into your choices, both personally and professionally, so that you can wake up each day looking forward to your schedule instead of dreading it.

In this podcast episode, Jasmine and I discuss her entry into private practice, what she did that worked well and how she's managing her success into the future.

MEET JASMINE

Jasmine Bird is the Founder of SOAR Counselling - Group Practice - located in South Surrey, British Columbia. She is a passionate and dedicated Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), who specializes in working with children, youth, caregivers, and families impacted by mental health challenges. Jasmine has over a decade of experience working across various mental health settings, such as Child and Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatry with BC Children's Hospital and Surrey Memorial Hospital and Community Child and Youth Mental Health Outpatient Programs with Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and Fraser Health Authority.

Learn more about Jasmine on her website, Psychology Today profile, and Instagram account.

In this episode:

• Why Jasmine became a therapist

• Starting and growing a private practice

• What's on the horizon?

• Jasmine's advice for listeners

Why Jasmine became a therapist

Ever since Jasmine was young, she was intrigued by people. She was curious about how they thought about life, the way that they approached it, and their stories and experiences.

Jasmine completed her counselling education in B.C. and worked in organizations before starting her own private practice. She knew that she loved helping youth and their families and wanted to make a difference.

Starting and growing a private practice

Jasmine built her Canadian private practice in South Surrey. She felt lucky in the fact that her practice has been successful from when it opened its doors, so she was able to continue developing it over the years, with some minor financial dips here and there.

Jasmine was also able to get some advice and help from her husband, who has completed a masters degree in business.

In terms of building a successful business, Jasmine noticed a desperate need in an area of her community and decided to set up her practice there.

Now Jasmine has five associates, and everyone is fully booked, including her!

What's on the horizon?

After Jasmine's business quickly scaled, she noticed that something wasn't feeling quite right.

Now that her business has grown and is on the path to continue doing so, Jasmine wants to be intentional about structuring her business so that it doesn't get overwhelmingly busy and run away with her.

Therefore, Jasmine's now decided to actually scale back a bit and to not continue growing the business, without intention. Her Canadian private practice is successful now, and she's focusing on maintaining that success at this level so that she can remain a successful niche business without getting swept away.

Jasmine's advice for listeners

Remember the power of vulnerability and the importance of being authentic, especially as a leader. And bet on yourself!

Connect with me:

Instagram

Website

Resources mentioned and useful links:

Ep 114: Imogen McIntyre: Using Your Niche to Build a Private Practice | EP 114

Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice

Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice

Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)

Learn more about Jasmine on her website, Psychology Today profile, and Instagram account

Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

How can you market your practice successfully in a big city? Do you have a specific niche that you want to figure out how to use well to connect with your best-fit client? Are you on the verge of considering to open two practices?

Everyone talks about niching down, but it's always helpful to speak to someone that did it and made it work well!

In this podcast episode, Imogen and I discuss the entry into becoming a clinical social worker, launching and running two Canadian practices, and really knuckling down into a niche to allow the business to flourish.

MEET IMOGEN

Imogen Mcintyre is a Registered Clinical Social Worker who has founded two private practices, one focused on LGBTQ and neurodivergent issues, the other focused on couples therapy for sticky topics: the ones that can be hard to talk about with friends or family (think infidelity recovery, mismatched libidos or sexual preferences, shifts in gender or sexual identity, mental illness and relationships, and many more). Imogen practices from IFS, Gottman, and EFT informed approaches and strives to provide couples therapy without shame or blame.

Learn more about Imogen on their Psychology Today profile, and private practice website.

In this episode:

• Why Imogen decided to become a clinical social worker

• Building your own Canadian private practice

• A clinical social worker as opposed to a social worker

• Imogen's unique service offering

• Marketing in a big city

Why Imogen decided to become a clinical social worker

In 2015, Imogen got their Bachelors of Social Work. At the time, Imogen was a single mom and decided to go into social work.

Imogen started in Vancouver before practicing in other places, and also worked for the government at the start of their career. They worked in youth work for a year, and even though it was an enjoyable experience, it wasn't financially sustainable, so Imogen went back to school to complete a masters degree.

After completing their masters, Imogen was hired by a health authority and greatly enjoyed working with the team, but then went on maternity leave.

Building up your own Canadian private practice

One of the drivers for Imogen to open and pursue their own business was to have more freedom and autonomy with time.

Now, Imogen has more autonomy in terms of time, and is working in an environment where they can meet their needs as well as the needs of their family.

A clinical social worker as opposed to a social worker

The clinical social worker designation is new in Canada, so it's not widely known yet, sometimes even in professional circles.

With the RCSW, Imogen can diagnose things like ADHD and anything within the DSM, although there are some things that Imogen won't diagnose for due to not personally feeling fully qualified yet.

Imogen's unique service offering

Imogen noticed with their existing clients that people were asking for letters for different purposes, and Imogen wanted to figure out a way to offer clients this service while still being billed for the time and effort it takes to write them.

Doing it through the Jane App platform means that the time during the sessions is dedicated specifically to the clients needs, and not for writing the letter itself.

Marketing in a big city

Imogen was able to build up their clientele in Vancouver relatively quickly, which is a challenge!

Therefore, having a very in depth niche is what greatly helped Imogen to build their practice up relatively quickly and successfully.

Connect with me:

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Website

Resources mentioned and useful links:

Ep 113: Veronica Loffreda: Why Diversifying Brings You Success in Private Practice | EP 113

Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice

Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice

Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)

Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

When we want to do something really well, we may pick one path and stick to it, but hyperfocusing can cause us to develop blind spots to where we could improve. Sometimes there is success and new possibilities available to you when you try new things, diversify your approach, and look at things differently - without a fear of failure!

There are multiple ways of helping your community, creating strong referral networks, and finding clients. When you diversify your private practice, success and new opportunities may more easily find their way to you.

By being brave in your actions and trying lots of new things, you can develop your skills as a counsellor and a practice owner! In this podcast episode, I chat with Veronica about her amazing experiences - and how being diverse helped her to succeed!

MEET VERONICA

Veronica is a licensed psychologist and certified counsellor with 20 + years experience. She owns a private practice in Quebec and specializes in complex trauma, multicultural groups, and immigrant populations.

Learn more about Veronica on her LinkedIn profile and her website

In this episode:

• Veronica's journey into counselling

• Starting a private practice

• Diversifying your clientele in private practice

• Learning a new language to work with clients

Veronica's journey into counselling

Veronica completed her bachelor's degree in psychology, and it encouraged her to finish her masters degree in psychology, which is where she got her certification.

Afterward, Veronica got her licensing as a psychologist and went to a university in Montreal to finish her doctorate degree.

Veronica wanted to make sure that she wouldn't accidentally close herself off from opportunities. Therefore, to have more opportunities for clinical work, Veronica made sure to get the correct licensing and certifications.

Starting a private practice

In the beginning of Veronica's career after her bachelor years, Veronica worked in a community centre.

Even though she was so excited and resolved on opening her own Canadian private practice, Veronica felt strongly that she first had to gain more experience in the field.

After many years, Veronica was working with a boss that she fundamentally disagreed with when it came to providing the right care for clients. So, Veronica decided to put her efforts elsewhere.

Diversifying your clientele in private practice

In the beginning of her private practice, Veronica had an "open door" policy.

Veronica built up her referral network, and she was fully booked. She worked from 09:00 to 21:00 in her first year, and even though she had $0 profit, all her debts were paid off.

When Veronica is working with government groups, she learnt to work with multiple groups at once since their payments don't always come in at the same time. So, you need to be working with different entities so that you can often have an income stream. Veronica's advice is that you need to fulfil your client base with different areas, because this is what will keep your Canadian practice afloat.

Learning a new language to work with new clients

Apart from developing herself with professional skills, Veronica went the extra mile and learned an additional language to be able to work with clients who were seeking counselling that could not speak English or French.

As a fluent polyglot, Veronica understands the power of a mother tongue, and the emotional language that a bi- or multilingual person has. To understand a person also means to speak to them in their language, and that's what Veronica did.

Connect with me:

Instagram

Website

Resources mentioned and useful links:

Ep 112: Great Platforms You Can Use in Your Private Practice | EP 112

Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice

Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice

Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)

Learn more about Veronica on her LinkedIn profile and her website

Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Do you know some of the sweet spots to streamline your business processes? Is your Canadian private practice set up to support you, while you support your clients? Are you looking for some tips and tools that you can use to simplify your practice needs?

There are so many different platforms and apps out there that it can seem overwhelming. If you are looking for some guidance and advice from lived experience, listen and read on!

In this podcast episode, I share the different services and platforms that I personally use and recommend in my practice with you.

In this Episode:

• Slack

• Hushmail

• Google Drive

• Jane App

Slack

You probably already receive loads of emails each day, and it can be frustrating when admin emails get lost in between client emails, and all the rest. With Slack, you can keep any and all business-related topics, queries, requests, and ideas in one place.

Some of the great features of Slack include:

• Using it as a quick easy way to chat with colleagues and staff

• Video calls that you could use for monthly meetings

• Quick ways to tell your staff that you are unavailable, or on vacation

• Option to have specific group chats

If you decide to get the paid plan, you then get access to the video calls feature, as well as control of when you want communication to be deleted. Since Slack messages are not encrypted, using this option for added security can be useful.

Hushmail

If you are emailing sensitive information then you should definitely consider using Hushmail! With their opt-in or -out encryption feature, you can either select that someone receives an email with a link to open it, or not.

It's great for sending sensitive information because it's hack-proof!

'As a therapist, I believe that you really need to have that option of having emails encrypted. Sometimes we have to send things to insurance, sometimes we have to send things to an employer, or sometimes we have to send things to clients, and if you don't have any options for encrypting emails, that can be unethical and dangerous.' - Julia Smith

Hushmail offers affordable pricing, for only 11.99 USD a month. If you want to check it out, learn more and sign up here!

Google Drive

I've used Google Drive to write manuals for all of my assistants.

It's a great tool because they are essentially "living" documents that can be edited by the owner as well as whoever you decide to share it with, meaning that the information can always be updated and shared.

'One tip is every year I would copy that doc and save it on your computer … So that you have a document that isn't online in case something were to happen with Google Drive, that you have that document on your computer so it's not only living on the internet.' - Julia Smith

Jane App

'This is the number one thing and the first thing that you should invest in. It is private practice in a box!' - Julia Smith

Jane App can do your:

• Billing

• Invoicing

• Bookings

• Charting

• Group private practice feature - for an extra 15 CAD (plus tax) a month

Their in-platform video service is included in their monthly subscription price, which is 79 CAD (plus tax). Their features are also customizable, like their online-booking platform, so you can change things to complement your Canadian practice!

If you are ready to try it, use my code FEARLESS to that you can receive your first month for free when you sign up!

Connect with me:

Instagram

Website

Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:

Ep 111: Marlee Rubel: Building an Online Private Practice in Toronto

Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice

Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website

Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice

Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)

Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

A lot of counsellors may start private practices because they want flexibility and autonomy in their professional lives, as well as for the fact that they have noticed a direct need that they feel passionate about serving.

Marlee, today's guest, decided to go into private practice for those reasons.

In this podcast episode, Marlee and I discuss private practice, supporting mental health practitioners, and why building up a strong network - and resting! - are important.

MEET MARLEE

Marlee Rubel (she/her) is a Registered Psychotherapist offering clinical consultation, supervision, trainings, and program development to individuals, hospitals and various agencies within Toronto. Operating from a social justice oriented and trauma-informed lens, she specializes in complex trauma, queer experience, and relationship therapy in her clinical practice. She is the Clinical Director of Soft Landings Psychotherapy.

Learn more about Marlee on her website, LinkedIn profile, and practice website

In this episode:

• How Marlee started her private practice

• Supporting the not-for-profit sector with consulting

• Owning a virtual practice

• Marlee's tips for listeners

How Marlee started her private practice

After completing her counselling degree, Marlee started working in a hospital as well as working part-time in a group private practice.

Marlee only worked in the hospital for a year before changing to work in an addiction treatment program with a great team, but it was tough and challenging work to do.

When Marlee was working in the addiction program and before in the hospital, she found that most people she worked with were burned out, and she knew that for her career that she wanted to do something different so she could provide care while also caring for herself.

Supporting the not-for-profit sector with consulting

One of the aspects of Marlee's work is that she supports and helps counsellors working in the not-for-profit sector to not get burned out.

Counsellors and therapists know how strained the mental health system is, and so many workers get burned out so easily since the need is so great but the system isn't designed to support mental health practitioners when the strain inevitably gets too much.

Owning a virtual practice

Marlee hasn't had many clients be upset or leave the practice due to it being a virtual business. In many ways, the virtual therapy offers additional support, such as:

• Accessing therapy when they are ill at home

• Attending a session if a child is at home sick

• Not having to pay for gas or travel expenses

• If a client is dealing with anxiety about leaving their home

After some time, Marlee decided to develop her Canadian private practice into a group practice by listing her business on job platforms and hiring new clinicians.

Since Marlee had some experience working previously in group private practices, she knew both what she wanted (a sense of community and professional respect and support amongst staff), and what she didn't want (for burnt out to be rampant or the expected norm).

Marlee's tips for listeners

Don't operate from a scarcity mindset. The need for mental health is increasing, and there will always be people that require and seek help. So, know that your skills and your work will always be needed, you just need to show up, be authentic, and build the foundation of your business on your mission and values.

Additionally, network! Build up your network as soon as you can.

Connect with me:

Instagram

Website

Resources mentioned and useful links:

Ep 110: What to Consider when Setting Your Private Practice Rates | EP 110

Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice

Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice

Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)

Learn more about Marlee on her website, LinkedIn profile, and practice website

Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Are you having trouble deciding on a starting rate for your private practice?

There are so many ways to figure out how to start off. For example, your college or association may have a recommendation, or basing your rate on what other therapists are charging in your area - but these guidelines may not be enough to allow you to be profitable!

You may need to look at your budget to know where to set your rates in order to give your Canadian private practice the best shot at being successful. In this podcast episode, I talk you through a basic exercise that you can do to help you decide what your rate should be.

In this Episode:

• Make it personal

• How to find your starting rate

• Final thoughts

Make it personal

You have to personalize your budget, and therefore your therapy rate. Sure, you can look at what other therapists in your area are charging to make sure that you're not pricing yourself too high or too low, or you could check in with your associated college to see what they say.

However, whatever advice you get, you need to tailor it to what your personal and professional needs are. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to budgeting; you're going to have to understand your numbers and you're going to understand your needs!

It is a bit of a dance to figure out what to do in this situation, and I know because I've been there! If you want some more in-depth advice, you can download my free e-course or purchase my workbook.

How to find your starting rate

One of the main reasons why people start private practices is because they want work-life balance. So, let's say:

• At a maximum that you want to see four people a day for five days a week, that's 20 people per week

• You want to take four weeks of vacation

• You take 10 sick or personal days

• There are five holidays

With these calculations, you'll probably be working around 45 work weeks per year. Now, a common rate is $150 CAD, which I'll use in this example. If you charge:

• $150 CAD x 20 clients, that is $3000 per week

• $3000 CAD x 45 weeks, that is a total of $135,000

This may seem like a lot of money, but you have to take income tax into account, as well as your business expenses. I recommended subtracting 50% right away for income tax and business expenses, and whatever is left is your bonus for the year.

'But, for that 50%, it would go towards rent if you're seeing people in person, your practice management software and I use Jane App for that - it's fairly affordable, around $80 CAD a month … You may have hired VAs, clinical insurance, clinical supervision, accountants, website development … So many things that you have to pay for!' - Julia Smith

So, once you subtract this 50%, you could be left with $67,500 CAD.

With retirement, it's recommended that you put away 10-15%, and now you are left with a total of: $57,375.00 and divided by 12 months, that is $4,781.25 CAD.

Final thoughts

In Canada, $150 CAD may not be enough to charge for a session, but I know that it can be difficult to charge more. There are lots of factors to consider, but don't lose hope! There is a sweet spot that you can find with your numbers when you start working with them.

So, consider doing this exercise to get clarity about the rate that you would like to get to!

Connect with me:

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Website

Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:

Ep 109: How to Build a Private Practice Website | EP 109

Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice

Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website

Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice

Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)

Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

As a Canadian therapist, one of the things that you know needs to get done is to build a website. It's part of the deal of being a business owner, and having a great website is the cornerstone of being seen by your local community and getting your Canadian private practice noticed.

I think everyone has one or two horror stories about trying to get everything up and running when you are launching your Canadian private practice, or your latest marketing campaign - I've had some as well! But a great website is necessary, and it's not as impossible (or expensive) as you may have thought!

I've partnered with an incredible company that offers you easy, affordable, and professional website packages. Depending on your needs, budget, and desires, there will be an option that fits your budget and business like a glove. Keep listening to be introduced!

In this Episode:

• Re-building my website

• Choosing your website journey

• Meet Your New Website!

Re-building my website

Last year I decided to completely redo my website, perhaps you have an idea of how much work that can be! If you have ever been in this situation - or you are in this situation now, read on!

WordPress websites are open-source, they offer design flexibility, and excellent SEO capabilities. On the other hand, website builders that create using their own proprietary platform (like Wix, Squarespace, Clinic Sites, and now Brighter Vision) make creating a website easy BUT there are limits to the design of your website and limits to SEO, because the websites are built on their private platform.

Choosing your website journey

I decided to switch from my previous website host to one that suited my preferences and needs, and I found an amazing Canadian company that ticked all the boxes!

So, you may be thinking that instead you could build your own website. You might imagine that it would be cheaper, and that you could do it your own way. You could do that, but I would recommend you try something else!

Because I tried to build my own website, it took almost 10 months, and it felt like a second job.

Meet Your New Website!

So if you don't want to spend months working with a team to build your own website, doing edits, and paying thousands of dollars - I have found a solution for you!

Before any confusion sets in; WordPress.org is where you can purchase your own hosting and develop your website. However, now there is a WordPress website that provides you with turn-key solutions; WordPress.com!

So if you want to build it yourself in an easy way, they offer that function. However, if you don't want to build it yourself, they do offer website design services - all you have to do is choose one of their monthly plans, choose a template that you love, and submit your content.

And, if you want to transfer later and stop working with the company, you can switch your website to another WordPress hosting site!

You can start with this company for 0 Canadian dollars! Or, I'd recommend starting with their Creator Plan, which is only $33 CAD a month, plus tax, which includes:

• Free domain for one year

• Premium website themes

• Unlimited Pages

• WordPress Plugins

• Live Chat Support

• Website Security

• Real Time Website Backups

• Website Performance Boosters

To start building your private practice, click here and by next week you could have your website built!

Connect with me:

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Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:

Ep 108 Michael Sorsdahl: CCPA's New Ethics Case bOok and Why You Must Read It | EP 108

Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice

Article: How to Set Up a Canadian Private Practice Website

Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice

Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)

Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

How knowledgeable are you on current counselling ethics? How regularly do you follow up on changes and fluctuations in ethics and the recommended practices as times go on? Where should you start?

As we know how society and the general public changes over the years, it makes sense that the recommended counselling practices and ethics would too. What you might have learned five years ago, even two years ago, may have changed recently. Part of being a clear, conscientious, and responsible therapist is taking the time to keep up to date with current ethics.

In this podcast episode, I talk with Michael who's recently just finished co-authoring and editing the new CCPA revised ethics case book.

MEET MICHAEL

Michael Sorsdahl is a practicing psychologist in BC and Alberta, and is currently the ethics chair for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Ethics Complaints Division.

Learn more about Michael on his practice website, LinkedIn and Psychology Today profiles.

In this episode:

• Why the new ethics case book is important for counsellors

• The four sections of the book

• Ethics have to be current

• Multiple relationships

Why the new ethics case book is important for counsellors

This book is a complement to the standard ethics of practice that the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) created.

This ethics case book that Michael and his team have developed is focused on bringing to life our code of ethics and standards of practice that are new.

Although there are best practices and recommendations that are more in alignment in the codes based on historical precedence, there is more no "this is the only way" to do something, and that's what this book is teaching.

The four sections of the book

1 - Foundational aspect

• The history of ethics and how it evolved

• The legal intersectionality of ethics and society

• That ethics isn't directed by law but is influenced by law

2 - Sections of the codes

• The sections that each code falls under which is represented by different chapters in the book

• Historical elements of the codes and the societal considerations to be aware of

• Any pitfalls that counsellors could be mindful of

3 - Complex cases studies without solutions

• Complex case studies that you or your students could practice with in any case

• Work on your own problem-solving skills for these

• Michael's team are going to work on putting a team together to solve these and put the solutions forward to the CCPA

4 - The solutions to the case studies

• There are solutions in a separate chapter so that the case studies can be studied by students without spotting the answers on the same page

Ethics have to be current

Ethics will naturally evolve with time because it is the study and practice of handling people and situations correctly, and people are constantly changing too.

As a responsible and compassionate counsellor, it is part of your job to know how the lines shift, change, or blur and how to navigate those changes effectively.

Read more about the new CCPA ethics book at this link.

Multiple relationships

The ethics of multiple relationships between counsellors and clients can often be brought into discussion, especially when offering therapy in small towns or rural areas.

For example, someone may be the therapist of their pharmacist! Which is of course a nuanced situation to navigate.

If you are in a situation where you have multiple relationships, you need to take notes. Have clear boundaries and capture records of your choices.

Connect with me:

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Resources mentioned and useful links:

Ep 107: Ester Chu and Richard Tatomir: Working As a Team to help Canadian Therapists | EP 107

Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice

Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice

Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)

Learn more about Michael on his practice website, LinkedIn and Psychology Today profiles

Learn more about the CCPA ethics discussed in this podcast here

Watch this video to learn more about the CCPA's Ethics CaseBook

Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

We all know that working as a therapist can be a lonely job. When we work together, we can help one another reach higher heights in our Canadian practices, grow as professionals, and share the success with more people.

This is what Richard and Esther have found on their journey so far. Richard hired Esther as an administrative assistant in the early months of 2020 as his solo practice was full, and together they have developed a thriving practice, and even started a Collective to help therapists do the same.

In this podcast episode, I chat with the both of them about their journey, the work that they do, and to show the value of professional partnership and the rewards it can offer.

MEET ESTHER AND RICHARD

Esther is a therapist and the owner of Sandigan Wellness. She also is the practice manager at Relationship Experts Vancouver (a group private practice) where she's responsible for establishing and maintaining the community culture, operations, and seeking out opportunities for clinicians to gain experience in areas they wish to grow in.

And Richard is a Practitioner-Instructor, Clinical Supervisor, and PhD student at Simon Fraser University. He is the President of the BC Chapter of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association; Speaker and Consultant to organizations, professionals, and the public, and founded Relationship Experts Vancouver.

Learn more about Esther on her Psychology Today profile, her website, and the practice website

Learn more about Richard on his LinkedIn, the practice website, and his Psychology Today profile

In this episode:

• How Esther and Richard came to work together

• The benefits of working in a team

• The Collective program

How Esther and Richard came to work together

For Richard, who was looking for help and ended up hiring Esther as an admin virtual assistant, he was working as a solo practitioner and getting full, even before COVID.

To hire Esther, Richard was trusting his gut and hired her also due to the fact that Esther's interests and skill aligned with the role that he was searching for someone to fill.

The benefits of working in a team

For both Esther and Richard, working in a team offers both of them so many benefits.

Esther sees a few clients now as well and works alongside Richard. However, since Esther has taken over most of the practice management roles, Richard as the owner is now working more on the business instead of in the business.

The Collective program

When Richard and Esther decided to create the collective space, they wanted it to be a place where counsellors could gain access to supervision, referrals and community. Like Fearless practice, they also hope to help launch counsellors into private practice so that they don't have to settle for a position that does not pay well.

'So, people that are wanting to develop their own private practices and their own brands … We have created this start-up accelerator, membership community model, where I know the cost of supervision is going to be covered, the other basic costs are going to be covered, and if they really like it … They're inviting their friends who could also potentially become members.' - Richard Tatomir

Even though the collective has an open policy, they are still selective of who they invite into groups because they want to make sure that the people who are working together are properly aligned.

Connect with me:

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Resources mentioned and useful links:

Ep 106: A Dr. Chandra Ashton: Working in a Canadian Not-for-Profit and Enjoying It! | EP 106

Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice

Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice

Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)

Learn more about Esther on her Psychology Today profile, her website, and the practice website

Learn more about Richard on his LinkedIn, the practice website, and his Psychology Today profile

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Have you worked in a not-for-profit organization before? Do you tend to steer clear from not-for-profit counselling positions due to common bad stories from what it could be like?

So many therapists go into therapy because they feel a need and a desire to support and serve their communities. However, it can become tough, expensive, and challenging - but this is not the case across the board! If you're lucky, you can find Canadian not-for-profit practices that are aligned with your values, and you can see clients and do work that feels fulfilling to you.

In this podcast episode, I chat with Dr. Ashton about her experience running her own solo private practice while working full-time for a not-for-profit practice.

MEET CHANDRA

Dr. Ashton has worked as a therapist and parent coach in private practice and not-for-profit settings, and through contracted service for various agencies. She values creating a culturally safe and self-empowering practice. She has found her greatest joy when adapting mainstream interventions in creative ways to best walk alongside marginalized and underserved populations.

Learn more about Dr. Ashton and connect with her on her website or via her email address

In this episode:

• Be intentional about working as a therapist

• Working in a not-for-profit practice

• Handling work without burning out

• Pros and cons of being a not-for-profit therapist

Be intentional about working as a therapist

For Dr. Ashton, her journey into Canadian private practice has been deeply informed by her desire to be aware of her position, ancestry, the land that she occupies, and how she wants to serve and assist her community.

Working in a not-for-profit practice

Dr. Ashton had gone through an 11-year journey in working through agencies and other private practices before being hired as a full-time therapist at Terra Centre in Edmonton.

When Dr. Ashton first started working through an agency in private practice, she started in a not-for-profit.

However, once she started doing her P.h.D and had children, she knew that she needed to start looking out for her family by finding work that was more reliable.

Handling work without burning out

Working as a therapist can be incredibly taxing as it is rewarding, and you need to have strong boundaries in place with yourself and others so that you don't lose yourself in the lives of others, or bring work home with you.

However, if you like what you do and you enjoy the work - besides the few very tough days here and there - it is easier not to burn out.

Pros and cons of being a not-for-profit therapist

For Dr. Ashton, working in her private practice means building a working relationship with her clients where she knows that they are receiving what they need and she is able to structure her job in the way that she wants to do it.

Sometimes when you work for another practice, you may have to:

• Limit how many sessions you can have with a client

• Stick to the modality that they want you to use so you cannot always change or adapt your therapeutic approach

• Deal with burnout from having to work a job that you haven't structured yourself

Having that autonomy over your work is invaluable.

Even though Dr. Ashton has a small pay cut for her work in the not-for-profit practice, she feels that she gains so much because the work that she is doing feels important, sustainable, and appreciated by her clients and community.

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Resources mentioned and useful links:

Ep 105: Ashley Schofield-McEachern: Transitioning from Nursing into Therapy | EP 105

Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice

Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice

Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)

Learn more about Dr. Ashton and connect with her on her website or via her email address

Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn