Your Group Practice

Commercial real estate for healthcare practices can quietly affect your profit margins, and most group practice owners underestimate how much is at risk. In this episode of Your Group Practice, Dan King talks with Colin Carr, founder and CEO of CARR, to explore how smart real estate decisions can protect your profits and bolster your long-term strategy.

Colin’s firm exclusively represents healthcare tenants and buyers, never landlords, and has helped thousands of practices across all 50 states negotiate better lease and purchase terms. He explains why real estate is usually your second-largest expense after payroll, and how even a few dollars per square foot can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of a lease.

You’ll hear practical guidance on:

• Why group and mental health practices routinely overpay on rent
• The difference between “average” lease terms and truly favorable terms
• How to think about renting vs owning for your practice, and when ownership actually makes sense
• What specialized healthcare real estate advisors do that general brokers (and DIY practice owners) often miss
• How to approach financing, including lenders who understand healthcare and may offer 100% financing in the right scenarios
• Why owning your building can significantly increase your practice’s valuation and exit options

If you’ve ever signed a lease based on your gut feeling or just accepted the asking rate, this conversation will give you a clear plan to improve next time and to consider ownership as a serious wealth-building option.

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

Hiring a psychiatrist for your therapy practice can seem impossible, but it’s also one of the most effective steps you can take for your clients, your team, and your profits. In this solo episode of Your Group Practice, Dan King explains why psychiatrists are so difficult to recruit and what you can do to overcome those challenges. 

Drawing on conversations with experienced therapy practice owners, Dan outlines five key benefits of bringing psychiatric care in-house, including expanding services and improving clinical outcomes, increasing your bargaining power with insurance companies, and boosting the long-term value of your practice. He explains why prescribers attract high-quality therapists and how “quality attracts quality” when your outcomes are strong. 

Dan then shifts to the “how,” outlining what it takes to create a practice that psychiatrists actually want to join. He challenges practice owners to showcase excellent client results, think strategically about hierarchy and leverage, and evaluate psychiatrists as carefully as psychiatrists assess them. 

You’ll also hear practical alternatives, like hiring a nurse prescriber where state laws permit, and four creative recruitment strategies: adding a psychiatrist advisor, partnering with psychiatrists who manage small practices, hiring right out of training, and working with an investment firm familiar with interdisciplinary care and expansion. If you’ve ever felt unsure about psychiatry, this episode will provide you with a more precise roadmap and the confidence to take the next step.

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

Group practice insurance negotiation is essential for building a profitable, values-driven mental health business. In this episode of Your Group Practice, Dan King talks with Maya Topitzer, CEO of Breksey, to explore the most important factors: targeted marketing that attracts the right-fit clients, strong revenue cycles from intake to reimbursement, and practical strategies for payer contracting and platform choices (Headway/Alma vs. managing your own contracts).

Maya explains why many practices overspend on Google Ads without a clear ideal customer profile, how to craft memorable positioning that generates consistent referrals, and what metrics insurers truly value (access, languages, outcomes). She compares independent practices with large platforms, highlighting the trade-offs involved with contract ownership and long-term enterprise value. 

You’ll receive practical advice on transitioning from platform-based panels to direct payer contracts while protecting cash flow, along with strategies for increasing negotiation leverage, such as including high-demand services (e.g., medical management) and using credible walk-away power.

We also explore the post-pandemic shift back to in-person care, the operational impacts on space and scheduling, and how Breksey helps practices capture inquiries within minutes (not days) and match clients to the most suitable clinician, preventing leads from slipping through the cracks.

You’ll learn:
• How to define your ICP and stop wasting ad spend
• What insurers actually care about (and how to show it)
• When platforms help—and when they cap your upside
• A roadmap for transitioning to your own contracts
• How to turn inbound chaos into booked appointments

Get practical tools to negotiate, market, and scale

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

EMDR trauma treatment can change the trajectory of a client’s life—and the culture of a group practice. In this episode of Your Group Practice, Dan King speaks with Rachel Harrison, founder of Trauma Specialists and the Trauma Specialist Training Institute, about building a trauma-focused practice where evidence-based care, clinician training, and leadership development work in tandem.

Rachel shares how EMDR became a turning point in her clinical work after a decade of traditional therapy, and why she named her practice “Trauma Specialists” back when “trauma” wasn’t a safe marketing word. She walks through their year-long internal training model (with early EMDR instruction), ongoing peer consultation, and a home-like clinic environment designed for safety and depth.
 You’ll hear candid insights on preparing clients for reprocessing (resourcing, pacing with the nervous system, and tolerating sensation), weaving in adjuncts like IFS, Polyvagal-informed regulation, sand tray, and play-based approaches, and why “if you want to get there faster, slow down” is a core principle.

For practice owners, Rachel addresses the gap between clinical excellence and clinical leadership: promoting great therapists doesn’t automatically create great leaders. She unpacks “ruinous empathy” vs “radical candor,” EOS rhythms, and empowering leaders to own decisions without rescuing.

 Takeaways:
• Why EMDR is more “surgery” than “bandage” for trauma care
• A practical blueprint for trauma-specialist training and consultation
• Leadership skills clinicians actually need (that grad school didn’t teach)
• How to balance growth with fidelity to outcomes and culture

If you’re building a values-driven practice that treats root causes and supports clinicians as humans, this conversation is for you.

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

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