Deciding to open your own private practice may feel intimidating or overwhelming. However, the financial and lifestyle rewards of being a self-employed clinician can be life-changing. My goal is to make the process of starting your practice as clear and smooth as possible. I will guide you through a step-by-step approach that covers the key realms of both business and clinical work, including the specific steps to create your business, financial considerations, marketing your practice, insurance credentialing and claim submission, consent forms and documentation, managing client contact, and more. I also use a strengths-based approach to help you gain confidence and a strong sense of empowerment as you take this transformative step in your career. Since building and maintaining my own thriving practice, I have mentored many other clinicians as they have navigated the same journey towards building their own successful businesses. Whether you are in the earliest stages of considering whether private practice is right for you, or you are already up and running but hitting some snags along the way, I am happy to offer consultation services as-needed or on an ongoing basis.
My Private Practice Journey
The bulk of my therapy training in graduate school took place in college counseling centers as well as some additional experiences in intensive outpatient and forensic practice. I graduated feeling clinically prepared for a career in any number of outpatient settings, though my awareness of the business side of clinical work was very limited. After graduating and obtaining my psychology license, I took a position as a salaried employee at a group practice in the community. This was my first real exposure to work as a clinician in a non-college setting, bringing with it a newfound awareness of the unique interplay of business and clinical care.
After a few years at the group practice, I felt ready for a change. However, I didn't want to face difficult endings with a full caseload of clients if this change wasn't going to be completely on my terms. I wanted to create a unique work culture and caring space for clients that would align with both my personal and professional values. I also wanted to optimize my income potential as well as opportunities for professional development. It was time to branch out on my own.
In the early stages of starting my own practice, I faced a steep learning curve related to the business, financial, and insurance aspects of private practice. These dimensions of practice are certainly not covered in graduate school, and group practices often outsource these responsibilities to billing and administrative staff, keeping clinicians out of the loop. Accordingly, I put in countless hours of researching terms and concepts, making and fixing mistakes, anxiously emailing my accountant, and plying friends and colleagues with coffee and lunches to answer my many questions. It took about six months before I felt like I had a rudimentary understanding of what it really takes to run a solo private practice.
I am now closing in on five successful years in solo practice. Despite a challenging first six months, I have since had a perpetually full caseload, minimized my no-show rate, engaged in learning new techniques and trainings to build my skills, and am considering new areas for expansion. The financial gains as well as lifestyle benefits of private practice have been both fulfilling and inspiring. Moreover, I have never felt as confident as a clinician as I do now. I consider starting my own practice the best career decision I have made thus far, and I am eager to see how my journey continues to unfold. I love sharing the wisdom I've gained in this process to help others build confidence and knowledge about starting and running their own private practices.
After a few years at the group practice, I felt ready for a change. However, I didn't want to face difficult endings with a full caseload of clients if this change wasn't going to be completely on my terms. I wanted to create a unique work culture and caring space for clients that would align with both my personal and professional values. I also wanted to optimize my income potential as well as opportunities for professional development. It was time to branch out on my own.
In the early stages of starting my own practice, I faced a steep learning curve related to the business, financial, and insurance aspects of private practice. These dimensions of practice are certainly not covered in graduate school, and group practices often outsource these responsibilities to billing and administrative staff, keeping clinicians out of the loop. Accordingly, I put in countless hours of researching terms and concepts, making and fixing mistakes, anxiously emailing my accountant, and plying friends and colleagues with coffee and lunches to answer my many questions. It took about six months before I felt like I had a rudimentary understanding of what it really takes to run a solo private practice.
I am now closing in on five successful years in solo practice. Despite a challenging first six months, I have since had a perpetually full caseload, minimized my no-show rate, engaged in learning new techniques and trainings to build my skills, and am considering new areas for expansion. The financial gains as well as lifestyle benefits of private practice have been both fulfilling and inspiring. Moreover, I have never felt as confident as a clinician as I do now. I consider starting my own practice the best career decision I have made thus far, and I am eager to see how my journey continues to unfold. I love sharing the wisdom I've gained in this process to help others build confidence and knowledge about starting and running their own private practices.
Testimonials
"When I was just beginning to think about starting my own psychology private practice, I consulted with Dr. Bethany Detwiler...and I'm glad I did. I walked away from that first meeting motivated and assured that opening my own psychology practice was doable. Bethany was extremely knowledgeable and helped to demystify the process. I received clear answers to questions about various topics such as registering my business, creating a website, paneling with insurances, picking an EHR, tracking funds, etc. Bethany was able to guide me step-by-step and provide practical tools and strategies which enabled me to successfully launch my psychology therapy practice. I felt supported and empowered throughout the entire process."
-Kyna Griffith-Henry, Ph.D.
"I am utterly thankful for Dr. Bethany Detwiler's guidance through the process of starting up my own practice. She gave me the support, expertise, and guidance I needed to build. I opened my practice the September prior to the pandemic and was still able to build and sustain with the support and analysis Bethany provided. I am so grateful for the guidance!"
-Abby Sheneman, LCSW
"After several years working in diverse clinical settings as a psychologist, I was ready to finally start a
private practice. Thinking about the idea of opening a practice was an overwhelming one, but after
consulting with Dr. Detwiler, she quickly put my mind at ease as she broke down and explained all the
necessary steps from beginning to end from advice on establishing an LLC, credentialing with insurances, to finding a reliable practice management system and advertising, and the list goes on. I have been in private practice for over two years now and my practice continues to grow and flourish. Consulting with Dr. Detwiler made starting a practice doable and empowering while putting my uncertainties to rest."
-Marifel Estrada-Currie, Ph.D .