You Have to Learn These Things as a Private Practice Therapist. Bottom Line.

Over the past few years, I have learned that the most vital aspect of being in private practice is that this is not only about therapy. This is truly learning to run a business. Part of this is starting to feel confident, but for so many of us, there is barely a base to get started. I had absolutely no idea how to do so many basic things, but slowly here are the items I have learned to do myself, and I would suggest any new practice owner that wants to grow a private practice to do the same.

1. I relied on the Small Business Development Center in my city for help with registering my business, registering my name, and with all necessary forms so that I did not have to pay for anyone to do this type of paperwork.

2. I applied for a legal grant through the City and received free legal services from incorporating my business to having consent forms drafted. This would have been so expensive otherwise!

3. I incorporated as an S. Corp to save tax money. It's huge!

4. I learned to do all of my own bookkeeping and to run payroll by myself.

5. I learned to create and manage my own website.

6. I learned to understand very basic SEO ideas for my Google Ads 

7. I learned on the Google Ad reps to help me create my first Google ad so I could learn. Now I do it myself.

There are so many more skills! But these are monthly cost savings. Hiring a bookkeeper can be hundreds in itself. The website building, hosting, domains, basic SEO.... You can do this if I can!