There’s a particular season in private practice that rarely gets named.

You’re not burnt out.

You’re not failing.

You’re fairly booked, competent, and stable.

And yet — something doesn’t feel quite right.

In this episode of Not In Training, Ashleigh Nicole explores why so many therapists begin to feel stuck between years three to five of private practice, even when nothing is “wrong” on paper. This is a reflective conversation about the quieter middle years — the phase therapy training doesn’t really prepare you for.

Rather than offering strategies or solutions, this episode focuses on naming an experience many therapists silently carry: restlessness without a clear cause, stability without aliveness, and the tension that can arise when your identity as a practitioner evolves but your business model hasn’t caught up yet.

You’ll hear reflections on:

• Why feeling stuck in private practice isn’t the same as burnout or failure

• The overlooked transition phase after you’ve built a stable caseload

• How therapists can outgrow the way they work without outgrowing the work itself

• The role of meaning, values, and identity shifts in mid-career private practice

• Why this season often brings confusion, shame, or self-doubt — and why it doesn’t have to

• How simply naming this experience can reduce isolation and self-blame.

This episode is for therapists and counsellors who feel busy but unsettled, successful but quietly questioning, and unsure what the “next step” is meant to be — without wanting to rush into fixing or forcing change.

Sometimes, naming the thing is the work.

🎧 Listen if you’re navigating:

• Feeling stuck in private practice

• Mid-career therapist transitions

• Identity shifts after qualification

• Questions of meaning and purpose in therapy work

• The space between early career and burnout

✨ Join 'notes from the middle' email series

🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate the podcast on Spotify.

In this episode, I break down why enquiry dips in private practice aren’t a sign your business is falling apart, but a sign it’s time to pay attention. We dig into business patterns, emotional regulation, and the metrics that actually tell you what’s going on. You’ll learn how to audit your practice, spot the real blockers, and make grounded decisions instead of scrambling out of fear. If you want a steadier, more strategic business, this one is for you!

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Inquiry Slowdowns in Private Practice

07:37 The Impact of Business Patterns on Therapists

15:13 Regulating Responses to Inquiry Dips

22:12 Auditing Your Business Data

31:42 The Importance of Tracking Data

40:41 Creating Stability in Your Practice

If your inbox has gone quiet and referrals aren’t as consistent as you’re used to, and you want to actually understand what’s going on — and what to focus on to bring momentum back into your practice — book a 2-hour Therapy business Review

You’ll walk away with a clear 12-month plan, grounded in your data, your goals, and what’s genuinely possible for your business.

If your marketing’s starting to sound like everyone else’s, this one’s for you.

Let’s talk about what happens when you trade your own ideas for templates and how rebuilding trust in your creativity changes everything.

Here are the key highlights of today's episode:

• Creativity is essential for effective marketing• Templates can dull your unique voice• Trusting your own ideas builds confidence• Self-respect matters more than self-esteem• Creativity is a muscle — use it• Relying on prompts weakens creative thinking• Start with your own thoughts first• Rebuilding creativity strengthens agency

→ Make we connect over on Instagram @balanceandbuildtherapy

Things are changing around here... and this is your official update on the new podcast direction, why I've changed the name and what you can expect moving forward.

I'm spilling all the tea!

If we haven't met, please come and chat with me over on instagram @balanceandbuildtherapy! Can't wait to meet you!

Welcome back! In Today's episode, I discuss the intricacies of collaborations, particularly for therapists looking to generate additional income. I share my personal experiences with a recent workshop collaboration, detailing the planning, delivery and the bts evaluation process.

I share the importance of leveraging natural skills, building trust and the potential for income generation through strategic partnerships.

I provide my real and raw insights on what worked well, what could be improved, and how therapists can effectively market their services through collaborations more!

Here's the hot Takeaways:

• Collaboration can help reach new audiences without starting from scratch.
• Therapists often feel out of control in marketing; collaboration can alleviate this.
• Building trust with partners is crucial for successful collaborations.
• Workshops can serve as effective platforms for generating leads.
• Evaluating what worked and what didn't is essential for improvement.
• Natural skills in therapy can be leveraged for income generation.
• Curiosity is key in marketing and collaboration efforts.
• Creating valuable content can enhance collaboration visibility.
• Generating income from collaborations can happen within 90 days.
• Therapists should consider their skill sets when planning collaborations.

Jump ahead to key chapters:

00:00 The Power of Collaboration for Therapists

00:43 Behind the Scenes of a Successful Workshop

06:36 Building Relationships with Therapy Spaces

09:42 Defining Collaboration and Its Benefits

11:06 Financial Insights from the Workshop

11:12 Evaluating Success: What Worked and What Didn't

20:52 Leveraging Natural Skills for Income Streams

Ready to get personal support in building a second income stream using collaborations? Book your free strategy call here.

Let's chat more over on Instagram (@balanceandbuildtherapy)

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Why am I doing all the right things, but still not getting more client enquiries?” - this episode is for you.

In this next instalment of the marketing series, I break down what lead generation actually means for therapists, what isn’t lead gen (even though it feels productive), and the common myths that keep you spinning your wheels. You’ll also walk away with four simple, ethical strategies to create a grounded, relationship-led lead gen system that works without overwhelm or hustle.

Real talk, no fluff just clarity, context, and next steps to help you attract more of the right-fit clients to your private practice.

👇 Ready to get personalised support with your lead gen strategy?
Book a free call with Ashleigh here: [your link]

💬 Loved this episode or have thoughts to share?
DM Ashleigh over on Instagram: [@yourhandle]

As part of the marketing series, this week is a deep personal reflection on my marketing...

The question " Are you marketing from pressure... or from power?" has been swirling around in my head for weeks and i'm lifting lid on it in this episode!

Plus, we’re unpacking the emotional undercurrent behind how you're showing up. Is it shame, fear, comparison? Or is it self-trust, clarity, and a real connection to your why?

You’ll hear:

• The real strategy behind consistent, aligned marketing (hint: it’s not just content plans)

• Powerful reflection questions to check your marketing motives

• How to shift from forcing it to flowing with it — without burning out

Whether you're prepping your first workshop or just trying to show up more consistently, this one’s your check-in point.

💬 DM me over on Instagram and let me know which motivation is behind your current marketing — I’d love to hear what this episode brings up for you!

If you’re a therapist in private practice, chances are marketing has felt confusing, draining, or just straight-up overwhelming at some point. You’re not alone — and no, you’re not doing it wrong.

In this episode, we’re unpacking why traditional marketing doesn’t work for most therapists, the real reason it feels so exhausting, and what to focus on instead. I’m introducing the idea of voice-led visibility — a simpler, more sustainable way to grow your practice without performing or burning out.

Whether you're tired of social media, unsure how to talk about your work, or just want a marketing approach that actually fits you — this one’s for you.

✨ My 1:1 Coaching Program is now officially open!
If you're ready to grow your client load by 25% in the next 90 days using a relational, repeatable system — book a free consultation call here:
👉 https://calendly.com/ashleighnicole_balance-and-build/lets-connect

On the call, we’ll get clear on where you're at, where you want to go, and the most direct path to get there — no pressure, just clarity.

In this behind-the-scenes CEO-style episode, I’m sharing my biggest reflections from Q1 — and the top trends therapists need to focus on in Q2 to stay grounded, visible, and profitable.

We’ll explore:
✨ Why local marketing is making a powerful comeback
✨ The shift toward intentional pricing (and what that really means)
✨ How to clearly articulate your value without sounding generic
✨ What I’m doing in my own business to prepare for a strong Q2

This isn’t just strategy talk — it’s a call to step into your business owner energy, refine your vision, and build the kind of practice that feels aligned, sustainable, and successful on your terms.

If this episode spoke to you, let's chat over on Instagram.

Do you really need social media to grow your practice?
Is niching down actually necessary?
How can you attract more clients without relying solely on word of mouth?

These are three of the biggest questions therapists ask when building a sustainable private practice, and in this episode, I’m answering them head-on.

No fluff, no overcomplicated strategies—just clear, actionable insights you can apply right away. If you've been second-guessing your marketing or wondering how to create a steady client flow, this one’s for you!

P.S. If any of these answers spark an aha moment, send me a DM over on Linkedin (@ashleighnicole) or If you have any Questions of your own that you want answered here on the podcast - send me an email ([email protected])