The Right Tack

What’s the real difference between hiring contractors vs. employees in private practice? In this episode of The Right Tack, Paul and Jim sit down with Sam Major of Apollo Counseling and Fenris Inc. to unpack the legal, financial, and cultural trade-offs practice owners need to understand. From control and flexibility to misclassification risk and team dynamics, this conversation offers a practical, real-world look at one of the biggest staffing decisions behavioral health leaders face. 

In this episode of The Right Tack, Paul and Jim sit down with licensed therapist and practice owner Sarah Leitschuh for an honest conversation about burnout, boundaries, and building a sustainable private practice through structured flexibility.

Together, they explore how burnout shows up for therapists — from sleep disruption to irritability — and why balancing clinical work with the demands of running a business can quietly erode well-being. Sarah shares practical strategies for creating structure without rigidity, setting clear client expectations, staying on top of documentation, and making intentional decisions that protect both energy and clinical quality.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, behind on notes, or simply rethinking how your practice fits into your life, this episode offers thoughtful insight on prioritizing therapist well-being, strengthening boundaries, and designing a practice that supports both you and your clients for the long term.

In Episode 14 of The Right Tack, Paul and Jim Jonas are joined by licensed therapist, practice owner, and business coach Amber Priestley for a candid conversation about therapy practice models and what it really takes to grow sustainably.

Together, they explore the key differences between solo practices, small collectives, and agency or group models, breaking down how each structure impacts autonomy, income, burnout, and long-term viability. Amber shares real-world insights on knowing your numbers, avoiding growth mistakes, navigating hiring decisions, and understanding the hidden risks of gig-style therapy platforms.

Whether you’re just starting out, feeling stuck as a solo practitioner, or considering expanding your practice, this episode offers practical guidance to help you grow with intention, without losing control of your business or your values.

🎙️Listen now to Episode 14 of The Right Tack.

In this episode of The Right Tack, Paul and Jim Jonas are joined by returning guest Dr. Talha Baloch, a triple board–certified psychiatrist in general psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and addiction medicine.

The conversation focuses on the role medication plays in mental health management, including when it may be helpful, when it may not be necessary, and how thoughtful evaluation and diagnostic clarity guide treatment decisions. Dr. Baloch also discusses common concerns about psychiatric medication, the importance of collaboration between therapists and prescribers, and how medication optimization and consolidation can improve safety and outcomes.

This episode offers a balanced, informative look at how medication fits into modern behavioral health care for therapists, practice owners, and clinicians alike.

In Episode 12 of The Right Tack, Paul and Jim sit down for a hosts-only conversation about something every behavioral health practice owner needs to consider early and often: your values.

Drawing from their experiences at BreezyBilling, Phoenix Credentialing, and The Jonas Center, they explore how to define your values, communicate them clearly, and actually use them as a guide for decisions, leadership, boundaries, and the culture you want to build.

They also touch on authenticity, emotional energy, self-care, and what it really looks like to run a business that aligns with the life you want to live.

In this episode:
• Why values matter more than mission statements
• How to create values that truly reflect your practice
• Living your values inside and outside the office
• How values influence staff retention and trust
• Authenticity, boundaries, and avoiding burnout
• What Paul and Jim wish they had done sooner

If you're starting a practice or refining one, this episode gives you a grounded, honest framework for setting your direction.

Listen now and keep your eyes on the horizon.

In this episode of The Right Tack, Paul and Jim sit down with Sara Ranssi, Owner and Mental Health Therapist at Hope and Healing Family Counseling. Sara is a Registered Play Therapist who has spent nearly two decades serving children, families, and the deaf community.

Sara shares how defining a clear clinical niche helped her build a meaningful and sustainable practice. She walks through her early years in children’s mental health, her transition into play therapy, and why being intentional about who you serve can strengthen both your client outcomes and your business.

You’ll hear practical advice on:
 • How to choose and refine a niche that aligns with your strengths
 • Why specialization can prevent burnout
 • How to create better client-therapist matches through thoughtful intake processes
 • What it looks like to scale a niche practice with integrity and purpose

Whether you are just starting out or looking to refocus your established practice, Sara’s story offers encouragement and actionable steps that can help you build a practice grounded in skill, passion, and clarity.

Listen in and learn how a niche can be the key to helping your practice grow while keeping your work deeply fulfilling.

What does it take to build a thriving group practice while staying grounded in your values? In this episode of The Right Tack, Paul and Jim Jonas talk with Kelly Evans, Founder of Down to Earth Therapy, about the art of hiring, supervision, and leadership in behavioral health.

Kelly shares honest advice for practice owners—especially those hiring for the first time—on navigating difficult conversations, creating a supportive supervision model, and balancing the dual roles of therapist and business owner.

You’ll hear:

• How to set the tone for open communication and trust in your team
• The value of mentorship and collaboration in leadership
• Ways to create an inclusive, diverse practice culture
• How supervision benefits both students and seasoned clinicians

If you’re growing your practice or stepping into leadership, this conversation is full of wisdom and heart.

🎧 Listen now and follow The Right Tack wherever you get your podcasts.

In this follow-up to our popular business banking episode, hosts Paul and Jim Jonas sit down with Tim Sery (VP Commercial Lender) and Kari Schurmann (SVP SBA Officer) from BankVista to talk about what behavioral health practice owners need to know about SBA loans, conventional loans, and financing strategies for sustainable growth.

You’ll learn:

• The key differences between SBA and conventional loans
• Why SBA loans are often ideal for behavioral health practices
• What recent SBA program updates mean for business owners
• How “preferred lender” status speeds up the loan process
• Real-world insights on how practices grow—and when they outgrow SBA

Whether you’re opening your first office or expanding your team, this episode breaks down the financial tools that can help you reach the next level.

🎧 Listen to Episode 9 of The Right Tack — where we help private practice owners face the headwinds of the healthcare industry.

The information shared in this podcast reflects the views of Tim Sery and Kari Schurmann as guests and is intended for general informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal, financial, or business advice, nor does it constitute an offer to lend. Listeners should consult their own advisors before making any financial decisions. Any discussion of SBA programs is based on current understanding and may not reflect the most recent guidance or eligibility criteria. BankVista is Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

It’s one of the most common sources of confusion for mental health professionals: What’s the difference between credentialing and contracting?

In this episode of The Right Tack, hosts Paul Jonas and Jim Jonas explain how these two processes work together (and why mixing them up can lead to serious payment delays). From managing CAQH profiles to understanding payer denials and supervision rules, they share insights every private practice owner needs to know.

👉 Tune in to learn:

• How credentialing validates you as a provider
• Why contracting defines how your practice gets paid
• Common mistakes that lead to claim denials, and how to avoid them!

Brought to you by BreezyBilling, helping behavioral health practices stay organized, compliant, and profitable.

What was it like to start a private practice decades ago — and how has it changed today? In this episode, Jim (therapist) and Paul (business leader) Jonas explore the history of private practice ownership, from billing by paper form and battling HMOs, to today’s compliance-heavy environment.

They share personal stories, struggles, and insights that highlight how much the field has evolved — and what remains the same: the courage to start and the challenges of growing a practice.

If you’re thinking about starting your own practice — or just curious about how far the industry has come — this episode will give you perspective, context, and encouragement.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to The Right Tack for more real talk on building and growing your behavioral health practice.