Mentored with Dr Brooklyn Storme PhD

Are you searching for a business coach who promises to have you fully booked in weeks? Dr Brooklyn Storme, one of Australia's leading business coaches for women in private practice, reveals why results guarantees are a major red flag and what actually creates sustainable practice growth.

In this truth-telling episode, Brooklyn unpacks the ROI rule every counsellor, psychologist and social worker needs to understand before investing in business coaching for their private practice. Learn why the 90-day marketing reality check matters more than quick fixes, and discover what separates practitioners who thrive from those who don't.

Brooklyn shares the critical differences between coaching, mentoring and consulting and why understanding this distinction determines your success. If you're tired of chasing strategies that sound good but fail in the real world, this episode delivers the honest guidance you need.

Perfect for women mental health practitioners ready to build profitable practices with time freedom and financial security.

🔗 Take the free Practice Momentum Quiz: https://brooklyn.myflodesk.com/pmquiz 🔗 Visit: https://brooklynstorme.com

Should a business coach guarantee results?

What ROI should I expect from business coaching?

How long does marketing take to work for private practice?

What's the difference between coaching, mentoring and consulting?

Why do some practitioners fail to grow their practice?

Struggling with business coaching that isn't delivering results? This episode reveals data-driven success patterns from real private practice counsellors, psychologists and social workers building profitable businesses. Dr Brooklyn Storm shares 12-month analysis of Practice Momentum™ participants, comparing therapists who achieved rapid results with those who struggled.

Discover why implementation matters more than strategy, how employee mindset sabotages business growth, and the "hockey stick" pattern that separates successful practitioners from struggling ones. Learn about the critical role of business systems, KPI tracking, and mindset shifts in building a sustainable private practice.

Whether you're working with a business coach or going solo, these evidence-based insights help mental health professionals overcome common obstacles like overwhelm, scattered focus, and the dangerous loop of starting but never finishing. Perfect for women counsellors, psychologists and social workers wanting time freedom, financial security and a thriving practice.

Most therapists have a cancellation policy they never enforce. Dr Brooklyn Storme, an evidence-based private practice business coach for counsellors, psychologists and social workers, breaks down the real cost of weak boundaries and why guilt stops you from protecting your income. Learn how cancellation policies actually strengthen therapeutic relationships, the data on revenue loss, and what changes when you shift from therapist-only to therapist-AND-business-owner identity. Real case studies from Australian private practices.

Resources mentioned:

FAQ 1: "What if my client genuinely had an emergency? Isn't it heartless to charge them?"

This is where you're confusing compassion with boundary collapse. You can be compassionate AND use the policy. It's not your job to assess the validity of their reason. That's the point of having a policy in writing that they signed. The policy applies regardless of the reason. You can say: 'I understand that was difficult. The cancellation fee still applies as per our agreement.' You're acknowledging their experience AND holding the boundary. Both/and. Not either/or. If you start making exceptions, you're the one deciding whose emergency is 'real enough,' and that IS judgement.

FAQ 2: "Won't clients just leave and find a therapist who doesn't enforce cancellation fees?"

Some might. The data shows 1-2% leave when you start enforcing. But here's what you're not considering: do you want clients who only stay because you don't have boundaries? Those clients don't respect the therapeutic container. They're perhaps less likely to be invested in the work or the outcomes and they're costing you money. Boundaries help you work with clients who value your time, the structure, and who are committed to the work. You upgrade your client base. Plus, the 95% who stay are now showing up more reliably, which means your income becomes predictable instead of chaotic.

FAQ 3: "I work with low-income clients who genuinely can't afford a cancellation fee. What then?"

If you're choosing to work with low-income clients, that's a business decision, not a therapeutic one. You need to build that into your business model. Don't make up different rules for each person based on your assessment of their finances that's inconsistent and creates resentment. 

FAQ 4: "What's a reasonable cancellation policy timeframe? 24 hours? 48 hours? A week?"

Industry standard in Australia is 24-48 hours. I recommend 48 hours because it gives clients enough notice to manage their schedules and gives you enough notice to potentially fill the gap. But here's what matters more than the timeframe is consistency. If you say 48 hours and then accept 12-hour cancellations without charging, your policy is meaningless. Pick a timeframe that feels manageable for you to enforce, put it in writing, and hold it every single time. I've seen therapists with 24-hour policies who enforce consistently get better results than therapists with week-long policies they never apply.

Need more help? Contact me using the links above.

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Show notes on the way!

Quiz: Take the free 10 minute private practice quiz here to receive your personalised growth insights! 

This episode goes with the Tech Stack cheat sheet that you can download from the link above! 

You’ve probably already collected enough strategies to get more clients, raise your fees, and run your practice like a business… so why does it still feel hard to execute? In this episode, I unpack the pattern I’ve observed over years of coaching counsellors, psychologists, and social workers: it’s rarely the strategy that’s “not working” it’s usually the identity you’re operating from. If you’re stuck in helper mode (client-aligned) and you haven’t integrated the business-owner version of you, even the best plan can end up abandoned, half-implemented, or constantly replaced with the next shiny “fix”.

You’ll hear what changed for me after building an AI-supported self-coaching process designed to surface subconscious drivers (the iceberg beneath the surface) and why it created a noticeable absence of anxiety, stress, and emotional spirals when doing hard business things. I also explain the identity-first framework I’ve built to help private practice owners stop cycling through “what’s the next strategy?” and instead create an upward/outward spiral of progress with an evidence bank of results that builds confidence, consistency, and income.

If you’re in Australia and you’re starting a private practice or you’re already in practice but not consistently booked (or you’re booked but not profitable), this is for you. Quick win action step: pick ONE strategy you already “know” you should do (fee increase, cancellation policy, Google Business Profile, GP meet-and-greet) and ask: “What would the business-owner version of me decide here?” Write the answer down, then implement one small, specific step within 24 hours.

Timestamps:

Call to action and resources (clickable links):

Mini FAQ:

If you’re repeatedly asking “what else should I do?” while skipping, delaying, or half-implementing proven steps, it’s likely identity friction (how you see yourself, your client, and money).

It can include mindset, but this goes deeper: identity is the role you default to under pressure (helper mode vs business-owner mode) and it drives behaviour.

No. Used well, it can reduce cognitive load and help you see patterns faster  but it should be used ethically and with clear boundaries (especially not directly with clients).

The identity work applies just as much it often shows up as undercharging, weak boundaries, inconsistent policies, or over-delivering.

If you are a counsellor, psychologist, or social worker in private practice and you feel like you are “doing all the marketing things” but bookings

are slow, inconsistent, or not happening at all, this episode will likely give you the clarity you’ve been missing. In this episode of the Private Practice Podcast, I break down real-life marketing basics using a surprising example from Simon Cowell’s failed boy band relaunch and show you exactly how the same mistakes show up in private practice websites, messaging, and marketing strategies every day.

This episode is for Australian therapists who are tired of guessing what to focus on, overwhelmed by marketing advice, or questioning whether they are doing something wrong. You’ll discover why effort does not equal results, how friction quietly kills inquiries, what a realistic conversion rate actually looks like, and why being “experienced” can sometimes work against you. I also explain why relying on fame, credentials, or “what used to work” is not enough, and how identity, messaging, and user experience determine whether people take action or click away.

By the end of this episode, you will walk away with a clearer understanding of what is actually happening when people visit your website, why your marketing might not be landing with the people you want to attract, and one simple action you can take this week to make it easier for clients to book with you. A quick win to start with: open your website and try to book with yourself. Notice how many steps it takes, how much reading is required, and where friction appears. What feels obvious to you may feel exhausting to a potential client.

Mini FAQ

What is a realistic conversion rate for private practice websites?

Do I need to be on every social media platform to get clients?

Is marketing supposed to feel this hard?

Is identity really part of business growth?

Complimentary Business Strategy Consultation here: https://calendar.app.google/VNeiGZ5Sd9oLUhac8

If you’re a counsellor, psychologist, or social worker in private practice and you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or like you’re doing “all the right things” but still not seeing consistent bookings or income, this episode is for you. In this episode of the Private Practice Podcast, Dr Brooklyn Storm unpacks what actually needs to be in place to minimise overwhelm and maximise results in your private practice, without burning out or constantly chasing the next strategy. This episode goes beyond surface-level advice.

You’ll learn why overwhelm is often not a time or motivation problem, but a missing structure, identity, or foundation problem in your business. Brooklyn walks you through the essential systems, processes, policies, planning, and identity shifts that support profitability, sustainability, and a sense of safety in your practice. This is especially relevant if you’re newly qualified, transitioning into private practice, or have been running a practice for a while but feel like you’re winging it and hoping things will work out.

You’ll also hear real-world insights into why businesses stagnate, why marketing can feel exhausting when foundations are missing, and why simplifying your offerings often creates better results than adding more. This episode connects the mind, business, and spirit of private practice and explains how identity, energy, and structure work together to create momentum, clarity, and confidence.

If you’ve ever thought about pausing your practice because it “isn’t working,” this episode will help you see what’s really happening and what to focus on instead. If you want personalised guidance and clarity for your own private practice, you can book a

Complimentary Business Strategy Consultation here: https://calendar.app.google/VNeiGZ5Sd9oLUhac8

This short call is designed to help you identify what’s missing, what to prioritise, and where your biggest opportunities are right now.

Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to the Private Practice Podcast

00:22 Introduction to Practice Momentum and business support

02:54 Why private practice feels overwhelming without foundations

07:27 Auditing systems, processes, and structures

08:58 Compliance, policies, and common mistakes therapists make

11:39 Systems for payments, boundaries, risk, and data protection

14:33 The cost of over-subscribing to tools and software

16:22 Paper vs digital systems and privacy responsibilities

19:03 Business foundations you must have in place 20:24 Why planning changes everything

22:32 Marketing plans and why doing everything doesn’t work

23:48 KPIs and understanding what to track

25:20 Profit planning and creating financial safety

28:00 Burnout, one-to-one work, and business development

30:06 Why pausing your practice costs you future clients

33:06 Identity, energy, and how you show up in business 3

9:20 Letting go of stories that keep you stuck

49:19 Overgiving, people-pleasing, and boundaries in private practice

57:27 Simplifying your business to get better results

1:05:08 Fees, safety, and trusting yourself 1:15:23 Funnels, pathways, and why results take time

1:32:03 Why consistency matters more than urgency

1:41:08 Identity as the driver of business results

1:51:38 Energy management vs time management

1:57:07 Mind, business, and spirit in private practice

2:00:00 Final reflections and next steps

Mini FAQ:

Who is this episode for?

This episode is for Australian counsellors, psychologists, and social workers who are starting or growing a private practice and want less overwhelm and more consistent results.

Is this relevant if I already have clients?

Yes. Many therapists have clients but still lack systems, profit planning, and foundations that support sustainability and growth.

Do I need to change everything in my business?

No. This episode explains why refinement and simplification often create better outcomes than adding more strategies.

How can I get personalised help?

You can book a Complimentary Business Strategy Consultation here:

https://calendar.app.google/VNeiGZ5Sd9oLUhac8 

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In this episode of the Private Practice Podcast, I’m lifting the lid on one of the biggest struggles women counsellors, psychologists and social workers face: treating the practice like a passion… but not yet running it like a business. If you’ve ever wondered why your bookings feel inconsistent, why you always seem “behind”, or why your business feels harder than it needs to, this conversation will help clear the fog and point you back toward real momentum. private practice business coaching, women in private practice, business mindset

You’ll hear why there is no “finish line” in private practice, why you are already sitting in the pot of gold you think you’re chasing, and how constant pivots, identity shifts and new modalities actually influence your business direction. You’ll also learn the surprising truth about unqualified “business coaches” in the space, what to look for before investing in support, and how your own lived experience and neurodivergence can actually become powerful business assets. private practice growth, mindset for therapists, counselling business

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, financially unsafe, underpaid, or unsure why the strategies you’re trying aren’t landing, this episode gives you both reassurance and direction. You’ll walk away knowing what questions to ask when seeking support, how to evaluate ROI in coaching, and how to reconnect with your purpose, energy and values as the foundation of a thriving, fully booked practice. Your quick action step today: audit your practice by asking “What gives me energy? What drains it? What truly moves the needle?” private practice audit, therapist business plan, grow your private practice

Book your free 15-minute private practice conversation with me here:

Explore more of my free and paid resources to help you grow your practice:

Timestamps:

Mini FAQ 

How do I know if I need a business coach?

Should therapists worry about unqualified business coaches?

What is a good return on investment for business coaching?

Where can I book a call to see if coaching is right for me?