Selling a group practice in mental health differs from other sectors, and in this episode, Dan King explains how selling a group practice can safeguard clinician well-being, culture, and your legacy. 

Based on discussions with over 80 practice owners and his experience investing in values-driven behavioral health, Dan outlines a straightforward three-step process: get clear on your goals, find an aligned buyer, and create a post-sale role that allows you to maintain influence where it matters. Instead of a single exit, Dan discusses options like majority sales and “two bites at the apple”—structures that minimize risk now and offer potential future gains. 

He explores the buyer spectrum from institutional (private equity, strategics) to independent sponsors and self-funded searchers using SBA loans, highlighting trade-offs in flexibility, process, and cultural fit. 

Most importantly, Dan demonstrates how your post-sale role—whether as operator, adviser, or culture champion—can protect clinician well-being, hiring standards, and the mission you built.

Transform Your Group Practice

Actionable insights for practice owners and clinicians who want to lead, grow, or exit with purpose. This is the podcast shaping a stronger mental health system — one practice at a time.

• Subscribe and listen to more episodes: https://yourgrouppractice.com/
• Want to be a guest? Reach out: [email protected]

About the Host

Dan King is a lawyer turned private equity founder with a passion for fixing burnout in mental health. With a background in M&A, Shark Tank deals, and psychology, he now leads Fireside Strategic — investing in group practices that put people first.

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danmking
• Website: firesidestrategic.com

Transparent leadership in counseling is at the heart of this honest conversation with Jennifer Froemel, founder of Innovative Counseling Partners and host of The Fear of Change. Jennifer shares how embracing the “I don’t want to” moments has become a leadership compass—highlighting the uncomfortable issues that quietly slow down practices. From revamping front-end workflows and billing collaboration (at a $700k/month scale) to developing capable middle managers through supervision, coaching, and continuing education, she shows how transparency accelerates execution and builds trust. 

You’ll learn how she created a “culture of calm” with clear communication windows and scheduled sending habits, why supervision must be active (not “dialed in”), and how boundaries shift when clinicians take on leadership roles. Jennifer also talks about her trekking in Nepal, making an impact abroad, and how new layers of freedom require new layers of responsibility—such as succession planning, risk management, and team readiness.

Takeaways:
• Turn “I don’t want to” into a to-do that unlocks flow.
• Train middle managers with real scenarios, rubrics, and CE hours.
• Protect deep work and wellbeing with scheduled communication norms.
• Build transparent operations so crises don’t break your systems.
• Balance freedom with responsibility through succession planning.

 Listen in for practical, values-driven steps to lead a healthier, higher-performing counseling practice.

Transform Your Group Practice

Actionable insights for practice owners and clinicians who want to lead, grow, or exit with purpose. This is the podcast shaping a stronger mental health system — one practice at a time.

• Subscribe and listen to more episodes: https://yourgrouppractice.com/
• Want to be a guest? Reach out: [email protected]

About the Host

Dan King is a lawyer turned private equity founder with a passion for fixing burnout in mental health. With a background in M&A, Shark Tank deals, and psychology, he now leads Fireside Strategic — investing in group practices that put people first.

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danmking
• Website: firesidestrategic.com

Buying a group practice with owner financing can be a practical option for clinicians seeking impact without burnout. In this conversation, Dan King speaks with Michelle Zadrozny, owner and clinical director of Plumeria Counseling in Austin, Texas, about taking over an established practice, structuring a fair deal, and creating a values-driven, lifestyle-focused business.

Michelle shares how she and her husband chose Plumeria as a perfect fit, then used a broker, conducted due diligence on tax returns, and employed a hybrid cash and owner-financed structure to close quickly while keeping the seller engaged for a smooth transition. She explains what owner financing is in plain language and why she prefers it over performance-based earn-outs for small practices.

Post-COVID, Michelle redefined her business around sustainability: delegating operations to a practice manager, developing SOPs and templates, and safeguarding her clinical work to prevent burnout. She’s open about prioritizing freedom over relentless growth, redefining success as a mix of secure income, dedicated client care, and time for life outside work.

You’ll discover how creative deal structures can unlock opportunities for acquisition, what it truly takes to transition from operator to delegator, and how advocacy bolsters independent practices. Michelle also talks about her work with NASW Texas, peer support for owners, and the push for better reimbursement and policies that safeguard clinician independence.

Takeaways:
• How owner financing works for practice acquisitions
• When a lifestyle business can beat “grow at all costs”
• SOPs, role design, and clinical protection to prevent burnout
• Why advocacy matters for independent practices
• Freedom vs. money: choosing the mix that fits your values

Transform Your Group Practice

Actionable insights for practice owners and clinicians who want to lead, grow, or exit with purpose. This is the podcast shaping a stronger mental health system — one practice at a time.

• Subscribe and listen to more episodes: https://yourgrouppractice.com/
• Want to be a guest? Reach out: [email protected]

About the Host

Dan King is a lawyer turned private equity founder with a passion for fixing burnout in mental health. With a background in M&A, Shark Tank deals, and psychology, he now leads Fireside Strategic — investing in group practices that put people first.

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danmking
• Website: firesidestrategic.com

Venture Capital in mental health is changing how practices grow—and not always for the better. In this honest episode, Dan King and clinical psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Carr discuss why VC-backed models often ignore clinician realities, what self-pay practices can (and can’t) handle, and how owners can plan sustainable legacies without burning out. 

We begin with the promises: higher insurance premiums, administrative support, flexible hours, and scalable growth. Then we compare these with real-world challenges—margin pressures impacting clinicians, retention issues, and the difficulty of scaling quality quickly. Dr. Carr shares her experience managing a self-pay practice, including practical rate decisions, community-centered care, and where investor expectations conflict with clinical excellence.

You’ll learn the key differences between venture capital and private equity, why locality and culture matter for retention, and how to screen both clinicians and investors for mission fit. We also explore succession and legacy planning: why owners need a long runway, how to step back from daily operations, and ways to collaborate with non-clinicians without compromising ethos.

Takeaways:

• What venture capital often misunderstands about clinical work and profit margins
• When self-pay is advantageous—and when expanding is difficult
• Private equity versus venture capital pressures and how impact investing varies
• Hiring and retaining staff in community-based models
• A practical roadmap for succession planning and exit readiness

Transform Your Group Practice

Actionable insights for practice owners and clinicians who want to lead, grow, or exit with purpose. This is the podcast shaping a stronger mental health system — one practice at a time.

• Subscribe and listen to more episodes: https://yourgrouppractice.com/
• Want to be a guest? Reach out: [email protected]

About the Host

Dan King is a lawyer turned private equity founder with a passion for fixing burnout in mental health. With a background in M&A, Shark Tank deals, and psychology, he now leads Fireside Strategic — investing in group practices that put people first.

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danmking
• Website: firesidestrategic.com

Collaborative group practice growth sits at the heart of this conversation with Stuart Kaplowitz, founder of Serene Pathways Counseling in Chino, California. Stuart shares how a desire for team-based care—collaboration over medication—shaped a 45-clinician practice that partners closely with physicians and community organizations while staying focused on therapy.

We explore the unexpected journey from solo clinician to group owner, what Stuart would advise his earlier self about legal and HR fears, and why humility and teachability are essential in hiring. Stuart explains how to set realistic caseload expectations (and why his team’s target is now 18 weekly sessions), building referral relationships that actually respond, and the importance of ongoing education for doctors, schools, and community partners.

Takeaways:
• Build a collaborative ecosystem: coordinate with physicians to close information gaps and improve outcomes.

• Hire for humility and growth: passion, openness to feedback, and team fit are more important than pedigree.

• Raise the minimum standards responsibly: align minimum caseload with the training and resources you invest.

• Referrals need persistence and education: teach referrers when and how to send ideal clients.

• Community building: free CEUs and peer groups enhance visibility and improve care.

 Ready to lead with values and scale with systems? Dive in for practical steps you can apply this week.

Transform Your Group Practice

Actionable insights for practice owners and clinicians who want to lead, grow, or exit with purpose. This is the podcast shaping a stronger mental health system — one practice at a time.

• Subscribe and listen to more episodes: https://yourgrouppractice.com/
• Want to be a guest? Reach out: [email protected]

About the Host

Dan King is a lawyer turned private equity founder with a passion for fixing burnout in mental health. With a background in M&A, Shark Tank deals, and psychology, he now leads Fireside Strategic — investing in group practices that put people first.

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danmking
• Website: firesidestrategic.com

Integrated mental health care is more than a buzzword—it’s a pathway to better outcomes for patients and clinicians alike. In this episode of Your Group Practice, Dan King sits down with Arpan Parikh, Chief Medical Officer at Sol Mental Health, to discuss his journey from reluctant psychiatrist to advocate for integrated models of care, value-based systems, and clinician well-being.

Arpan talks about how his father’s legacy in psychiatry influenced his career choices, why he transitioned into business through an MBA, and how these experiences now shape his leadership in mental health organizations. His story demonstrates how adopting multiple perspectives—clinical and operational—can help address some of the most challenging issues in behavioral healthcare.

Listeners will gain insights into:

• Opportunities and barriers in transitioning to value-based care in outpatient mental health settings.
• Why integrated care models that combine psychiatry and therapy are essential for improving patient outcomes.
• How technology can bridge communication gaps, boost efficiency, and increase clinician satisfaction.
• The significance of dyadic leadership—collaboration between clinicians and non-clinical leaders for shared success.

Arpan also reflects on balancing his professional responsibilities with personal life, enjoying time with his young daughter, and mentoring the next generation of healthcare providers. This conversation is full of practical wisdom for group practice owners, clinicians, and leaders looking to build ethical, profitable, and sustainable practices.

Transform Your Group Practice

Actionable insights for practice owners and clinicians who want to lead, grow, or exit with purpose. This is the podcast shaping a stronger mental health system — one practice at a time.

• Subscribe and listen to more episodes: https://yourgrouppractice.com/
• Want to be a guest? Reach out: [email protected]

About the Host

Dan King is a lawyer turned private equity founder with a passion for fixing burnout in mental health. With a background in M&A, Shark Tank deals, and psychology, he now leads Fireside Strategic — investing in group practices that put people first.

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danmking
• Website: firesidestrategic.com

A transparent group practice culture is central to today’s discussion with Jonathan Pishner, founder of Apex Counseling in Morgantown, West Virginia. Jonathan describes how losing his job prompted his move into entrepreneurship and why he has dedicated the past decade to creating a practice where clinicians can perform their best work without micromanagement. We examine the bravery and humility needed to run a business driven by values—especially when being open about money, policies, and mistakes feels uncomfortable.

You’ll hear how Jonathan develops clinicians by emphasizing foundational skills, repetition, and real-time feedback (inspired by martial arts training), and why creative freedom—down to simple choices like dress code—unlocks better therapy. He also explains the “neurological cost” of secrecy and how honesty, within reason, safeguards culture and trust.

 Takeaways:
• Train for mastery: encode basics before complexity for more decisive clinical judgment.
• Lead with transparency: admit mistakes, unlearn secrecy, and rebuild trust.
• Ditch micromanagement: create sensible guardrails and autonomy to spark creativity.
• Model curiosity: reduce shame about “not knowing” to deepen learning and client care.
 

Transform Your Group Practice

Actionable insights for practice owners and clinicians who want to lead, grow, or exit with purpose. This is the podcast shaping a stronger mental health system — one practice at a time.

• Subscribe and listen to more episodes: https://yourgrouppractice.com/
• Want to be a guest? Reach out: [email protected]

About the Host

Dan King is a lawyer turned private equity founder with a passion for fixing burnout in mental health. With a background in M&A, Shark Tank deals, and psychology, he now leads Fireside Strategic — investing in group practices that put people first.

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danmking
• Website: firesidestrategic.com

Attachment-based group practice is central to this discussion with Anne Luckinbill, LPC, and founder of Seasons Counseling in Virginia. Anne describes her transition from teaching to counseling and explains why attachment theory influences both her clinical work and team culture across four locations. You will learn how a learning-first environment, a comprehensive residency pathway, and a unique multi-stage interview process (which includes AI-assisted red-flag prompts) help her select staff with empathy, ethics, and therapeutic compatibility.

We also examine technology that truly reduces workload: AI-powered note-taking integrated into the EHR to speed up documentation, improve audit readiness, and give clinicians more time with clients. For practice owners, Anne’s story acts as a blueprint for natural growth—saying yes to opportunities, avoiding unnecessary complications, and expanding through teaching, supervision, and culture.

You’ll learn:
• How to structure a residency programme that develops clinicians from graduate level to licensure
• Interview questions that reveal relational skills, boundaries, and values alignment
• How attachment theory informs leadership, supervision, and client retention
• Practical tips and safeguards for AI documentation in insurance-based environments

If you lead a group practice and seek ethical, human-focused growth—with more innovative hiring and less admin burden—this episode will refine your playbook.

Transform Your Group Practice

Actionable insights for practice owners and clinicians who want to lead, grow, or exit with purpose. This is the podcast shaping a stronger mental health system — one practice at a time.

• Subscribe and listen to more episodes: https://yourgrouppractice.com/
• Want to be a guest? Reach out: [email protected]

About the Host

Dan King is a lawyer turned private equity founder with a passion for fixing burnout in mental health. With a background in M&A, Shark Tank deals, and psychology, he now leads Fireside Strategic — investing in group practices that put people first.

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danmking
• Website: firesidestrategic.com

Treatment-resistant youth therapy is more than a label—it’s a mission. 

In this episode, Dan King speaks with Riley Cochran, founder and executive director of Resolute Counseling Centre, about engaging adolescents and young adults where they are—clinically and practically. Riley describes how his team combines in-home, community-based, and trauma-informed approaches to support youth aged 12–25 who are often considered “treatment-avoidant.”

You’ll hear how Riley’s personal journey influenced his focus on working with young men dealing with fatherhood abandonment and attachment wounds—and why anger often becomes the “safe” emotion that masks sadness, guilt, and shame. He shares a practical framework for boosting emotional intelligence, reframing anger, and building trust without forcing it.

For group practice owners, Riley provides a frank look at cultural alignment: how to hire for a niche, where expansion can weaken your mission, and why some clinicians only thrive when they own their specialty identity. He also shares his own experience of burnout, what occurs when a founder becomes a reluctant manager, and the simple leadership shift that transformed everything—hiring systems-minded people and empowering them to lead.

 Takeaways:

• A field guide to engaging “treatment-resistant” youth with empathy and structure

• How to recruit and develop clinicians who truly fit your niche

• Practical ways to prevent burnout by identifying what replenishes your energy

• A leadership model that distinguishes vision, culture, and systems—allowing each to thrive

 Hear how Resolute is making a lasting impact for youth and families, and discover ways to develop a values-oriented practice without compromising your true self.

Transform Your Group Practice

Actionable insights for practice owners and clinicians who want to lead, grow, or exit with purpose. This is the podcast shaping a stronger mental health system — one practice at a time.

• Subscribe and listen to more episodes: https://yourgrouppractice.com/
• Want to be a guest? Reach out: [email protected]

About the Host

Dan King is a lawyer turned private equity founder with a passion for fixing burnout in mental health. With a background in M&A, Shark Tank deals, and psychology, he now leads Fireside Strategic — investing in group practices that put people first.

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danmking
• Website: firesidestrategic.com

Christina Byington, founder of Elevation Behavioral Therapy in Denver, shares how she built a niche practice focusing on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) treatment using ERP therapy. She describes her deliberate hiring approach, the difficulties of managing a self-pay model, and the significance of clinician well-being. Christina also reflects on balancing leadership, client care, and personal life after returning from maternity leave.

Transform Your Group Practice

Actionable insights for practice owners and clinicians who want to lead, grow, or exit with purpose. This is the podcast shaping a stronger mental health system — one practice at a time.

• Subscribe and listen to more episodes: https://yourgrouppractice.com/
• Want to be a guest? Reach out: [email protected]

About the Host

Dan King is a lawyer turned private equity founder with a passion for fixing burnout in mental health. With a background in M&A, Shark Tank deals, and psychology, he now leads Fireside Strategic — investing in group practices that put people first.

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danmking
• Website: firesidestrategic.com