2023 Year In Review

In this episode of the Private Practice Elevation podcast, your host, Daniel Fava, dives deep into the simple essence of content marketing plans tailored for private practice growth.    In the ever-evolving landscape of private practice, engaging with and attracting clients goes beyond face-to-face therapy sessions.    An integral part of this modern approach to building a successful practice lies in a solid content marketing strategy. This means that you’re consistently publishing and sharing new content on your website.   But content marketing is not just about producing content; it's about creating a strategic roadmap to reach and engage with your target audience effectively.    Daniel breaks down the concept into an easily digestible 3-step plan, showcasing the importance of having a structured approach to increase website traffic and highlight your services.   Daniel underscores the key reasons for adopting a content marketing plan, emphasizing trust-building, client education, attracting the right clientele, maintaining connection with current clients, and distinguishing oneself from competitors.    Later, he provides a simplified, yet potent three-step strategy Key Takeaways: Content is Key: A substantial content marketing plan cultivates trust, educates potential clients, attracts the right fit, keeps you connected with clients, and sets you apart from the competition. Three-Step Approach: Daniel lays out an approach starting with creating detailed service pages, supporting them with targeted blog posts, and then sharing the content across social media and Google Business profiles. Simple Execution: Daniel simplifies the concept of content marketing and suggests using a Google Sheet for blog post ideas, ensuring consistency in execution. SEO Focused: Emphasizing the importance of SEO, the content should be geared towards showcasing expertise in specific service areas. Commitment to Clients: A content marketing plan should resonate with your dedication to your clients by clearly communicating services and providing valuable information.   Links mentioned in this episode: Schedule a Free Clarity Call today

In this episode of the Private Practice Elevation podcast, host Daniel Fava welcomes David Sturgess, a seasoned mental health professional and business consultant, to discuss the pivotal shifts required when transitioning from therapist to business owner.  The journey from being an agency therapist or employee to becoming a business owner of your private practice is filled with unique challenges and opportunities.    For therapists considering this path, understanding the nuances of business, the value of time and money, and the intricacies of marketing can be the difference between thriving and merely surviving.   David Sturgess has a compelling background in mental health, with over 16 years of experience in the field. His journey began as a 911 operator and first responder, which unfolded into a strong interest in psychology and led his current career.    David worked for several years in youth residential treatment facilities and transitioned into private practice six years ago as a result of desiring to be more present for his family and to alleviate burnout.    Currently, David is a consultant with Wise Practice Consulting, where he focuses on helping solo practice owners navigate the transition from clinical work to business ownership.   In this episode, David imparts his insights on three major changes that are crucial for therapists ready to delve into the entrepreneurial world and see lasting success. Key Takeaways: Recognizing the need for assistance in business matters is critical for therapists transitioning into business ownership. Clinicians must adopt a realistic approach to time management and financial planning, ensuring their practice remains profitable. Investing in professional services such as website design can have a significant ROI and is essential for effective marketing. Understanding the role of a quality website as an always-on marketing tool can help improve visibility and attract potential clients. A niche focus can evolve and needs to be communicated effectively to reach the intended audience.   Links mentioned in this episode: http://www.wisepracticeconsulting.com  Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with David  

In this episode of the Private Practice Elevation podcast, host Daniel Fava interviews special guest Steve Cuffari, a marriage and family therapist and current client of Private Practice Elevation about his experience investing in SEO for his private practice.   Daniel and the Private Practice Elevation team have been helping Steve expand his practice’s visibility through SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for about two years now.    Steve shares his journey of transitioning from working at an organization to starting his own private practice - without taking insurance from the get-go.    He discusses the importance of investing in a website and SEO to attract clients and shares valuable insights on honing your message, tracking numbers, and staying competitive.    Steve's story is a testament to the power of facing fears and investing in yourself to achieve success in private practice.    Tune in to learn from his experiences and gain valuable tips for your own practice. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: What led Steve to invest in a new website and especially place a high emphasis on SEO Why he chose to work with Private Practice Elevation The importance of facing his own fears and realizing that his own growth was worth investing in What made Steve stay the course and continue working on SEO for two years running The challenges he faced over the course of long-term SEO strategy building How we had to pivot his SEO approach at times to make sure his ideal local client could find him How SEO has impacted Steve’s business for the better The key lessons Steve learned and things you need to know before you invest in SEO for your private practice The importance of knowing your numbers and tracking the data related to your website and conversions This Episode Is Brought To You By   Alma is on a mission to simplify access to high-quality, affordable mental health care by giving providers the tools they need to build thriving in-network private practices. When providers join Alma, they gain access to insurance support, teletherapy software, client referrals, automated billing and scheduling tools, and a vibrant community of clinicians who come together for education, training, and events.   Learn more about building a thriving private practice with Alma at helloalma.com/elevation. Links mentioned in this episode: In Touch Family Counseling - Steve’s Private Practice Private Practice Elevation’s SEO services Book - Donald Miller’s Building A Storybrand (affiliate link)   

Work-life balance is a myth! But rhythms of life and the changing of seasons are something that we can all embrace. In this episode, I sit down with Amy Dover, a seasoned therapist and successful group practice owner.  Amy has an inspiring story of transitioning from various practice settings to building her own flourishing group practice in Enterprise, Alabama. Throughout our conversation, Amy opens up about the rapid growth of her practice and the different seasons she's experienced as an entrepreneur.  We dive into the challenges of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and why Amy prefers to think in terms of finding a rhythm rather than balance. Because, honestly, balance never comes and only creates frustration.  She shares her insights on how to adapt to the changing demands of personal life and business, providing valuable advice for anyone looking to grow their practice while staying grounded. Key Takeaways Rethinking Balance: Amy encourages us to move away from the rigid idea of work-life balance and instead find a rhythm that works for both our personal and professional lives. Embracing Seasons: Understanding and embracing different seasons—whether it's a time of rapid growth or a slower period—can help in managing personal and business development effectively. Managing Growth: Amy’s journey emphasizes the importance of being a savvy businessperson. Knowing the financial and administrative aspects of your practice is essential for success, and requires a mindset shift from therapist to business owner. Leadership Lessons: Transitioning from a solo practice to a group practice requires continuous learning and adaptation in leadership styles and team dynamics. Consulting and Support: Having a mentor or joining a consulting group can provide crucial support and guidance through the stages of growing your practice. Amy's experience and wisdom offer a roadmap for navigating the complexities of practice growth while staying true to your values.  Links mentioned in this episode: Wise Practice Consulting FREE Webinar: Is It Time To Grow? Should I Start a Group Practice? This Episode Is Brought To You By   Alma is on a mission to simplify access to high-quality, affordable mental health care by giving providers the tools they need to build thriving in-network private practices. When providers join Alma, they gain access to insurance support, teletherapy software, client referrals, automated billing and scheduling tools, and a vibrant community of clinicians who come together for education, training, and events.   Learn more about building a thriving private practice with Alma at helloalma.com/elevation.

In this episode of The Private Practice Elevation Podcast, Daniel Fava and Dr. Joshua Rosenthal dive deep into the transformative journey from solo practice to a thriving group enterprise.    Dr. Rosenthal shares his pearls of wisdom on leadership, emphasizing the importance of clarity in your professional and personal goals. He advocates for creating roles that align with your passions and strengths, a strategy that has proven successful for both him and his team.   Discover how Dr. Rosenthal navigated the complexities of scaling a business, from the inception of the Big Apple Day program—a summer camp for children ages 6-12 with developmental, social and/or learning difficulties.—to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and reflection within his team of over 300.    He candidly discusses the challenges of retention and the financial balancing act required to sustain growth.   Dr. Rosenthal also unveils his evolved leadership approach, where he focuses on growth and empowering a core leadership team, ensuring that the quality of service remains consistent across the board. This top-down approach underscores the critical role of leadership in shaping employee experiences and, by extension, customer satisfaction.   Join us in this episode as we unpack the highs and lows of growing in leadership as you step into private practice growth. Dr. Rosenthal's story is not just about the success of his practice but also about the resilience, adaptability, and strategic thinking that are the hallmarks of effective leadership.   Key Takeaways: Joshua Rosenthal, PsyD, shares several key takeaways from his experience in building and managing his private practice, then a summer camp, and later, his role as a CEO. Here are the main points:   Difficulty and Opportunity: Rosenthal emphasizes that the difficulty of starting a venture is essential, as it allows for the discovery of opportunities and growth. He acknowledges that the process was hard and that he could not replicate it now, but at the time, it was the right fit. Staff Retention and Financial Challenges: Hiring good people was only part of the challenge; retaining them as the camp grew and expenses increased became a significant issue. Despite increasing costs, there was a limit to how much the camp fees could be raised, leading to financial strain. Leadership and Team Dynamics: Rosenthal learned about leadership, team cohesiveness, and the importance of reflecting on what works and what doesn't. This iterative process was crucial for personal growth and improving the camp each year. Trust and Business Relationships: He discusses the importance of trust in business relationships, even though it comes with the risk of being hurt. His experiences shaped his decision-making and ultimately contributed to his success. CEO Role Evolution: Rosenthal's role as CEO evolved from micromanaging to focusing on supporting his leadership team. He stopped seeing patients to concentrate on business growth, profitability, and new service lines. He also highlights the importance of having a leadership team that can manage different aspects of the business, allowing him to focus on growth and strategic planning. Importance of Leadership: The CEO's mood and approach can significantly impact the entire company. Rosenthal stresses that leadership starts at the top and that the experiences customers have are a reflection of the company's leadership. Starting with an MVP: The camp began with a minimal viable product and evolved significantly over time. Rosenthal followed an organic growth approach, letting the project develop naturally without forcing it.   Free Guide From Our Sponsor: Building Your Dream Caseload Growing a caseload of clients you’re passionate about working with can help you build a career that’s both impactful and sustainable. But it’s often easier said than done — which is why our sponsor, Alma, has created a guide to help you identify and connect with clients who fit your practice.  

In this conversation with Steve Bisson, you’ll learn all about mentorship - both giving and receiving - within private practice.  Steve discusses both his personal experience and the broader implications of mentorship in the professional development of therapists and mental health workers.  The episode delves into the core facets of finding and offering guidance in an often complex and challenging career path. Throughout the episode, we unpack the nuanced differences between mentorship and other forms of professional development tools such as business coaching, as well as the organic nature of establishing pivotal mentoring relationships.  The discussion emphasizes the importance of authenticity and trust in these relationships, illustrating how mentorship can significantly influence personal growth and career progression.  The episode is filled with anecdotes and strategic advice, inviting both new practitioners and experienced professionals to consider the impact of mentorship on their journey through the mental health field. Key Takeaways: Mentorship can be a pivotal factor in the personal and professional development of mental health professionals, often provided informally and based on mutual respect. The difference between business coaching and mentorship lies in the financial component and the structure; mentorship is often more organic and less goal-oriented. Seeking out mentors or becoming a mentor is an exercise in generosity, leveraging one's experience and knowledge to empower others. It's crucial to establish mentoring relationships that feel authentic and comfortable for true growth and learning. Mentorship extends beyond monetary value and is deeply rooted in the spirit of giving and leaving a legacy.

In this special episode of the Private Practice Elevation Podcast, Liz Fava, wife of host Daniel Fava, flips the tables around and interviews Daniel. If you’ve listened to this podcast for some time, you’ve likely gotten a small glimpse into Daniel’s life and Private Practice Elevation.  But have you ever wondered how this all got started? What was Daniel doing prior to helping therapists level up their private practices? What did it look like in 2016 when Daniel took a leap of faith and started his business?  What does the PPE team look like now and what services do they offer and why? What does the future look like for PPE? And, of course, what are some of Daniel’s favorites? Such as food, drink, books, etc. In a candid conversation with his wife Liz Fava on his podcast, Daniel Fava, the founder of Private Practice Elevation, opens up about the origins of his online marketing agency, the services it offers, and his journey through entrepreneurship and life.  Daniel also reveals his favorite aspects of his role and personal interests.  Tune in to gain insights into the world of private practice elevation and learn more about Daniel's expertise in helping therapists succeed online. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Daniel’s background from college to early work in marketing agencies and how he fell in love with website design What Daniel was doing before launching his business and his role in marketing for a non-profit organization The challenges of leaving a full-time job to transition to building a business How Private Practice Elevation transitioned from a focus on courses to full-service website design, development, and SEO catered to therapists Insights on building a team and how hiring has helped Daniel improve services to serve clients better All the current roles that Daniel’s team plays at Private Practice Elevation How Private Practice Elevation’s services have evolved over the years and why Daniel decided to focus solely on website design and development and SEO An overview of Private Practice Elevation’s current services and what each of them provides for therapists and private practices Lots of candid responses about the challenges of growing a business Plus Daniel’s personal favorites in food, drinks, movies, books etc.  

In this episode of the Private Practice Elevation podcast, host Daniel Fava dives deep into the significance of establishing core values for your private practice.    Crafting core values goes beyond traditional marketing—these guiding principles shape the culture, decision-making, and strategic direction of your therapy practice.   After sharing about what core values are, Daniel transitions into a solo discussion on the essence of core values and their profound impact on business operations.    He delves into the purpose of having core values, including aligning your team's actions, enhancing company culture, and influencing how you serve clients.    Through three main tips, Daniel illuminates the process of creating actionable and meaningful core values.    In the candid sharing of Private Practice Elevation's own set of core values, you’ll gain insights not only into building your own values but also into the ethos that guides Daniel's successful team at PPE.   Tune in to the full episode for a dive into the world of private practice core values with Daniel Fava, and stay connected with Private Practice Elevation for more invaluable lessons to take your practice to new heights. Key Takeaways: Core values are the fundamental beliefs that guide your private practice's culture, decision-making, and actions. The process of creating core values should involve reflecting on your practice's mission, involving your team, and striving for simplicity and actionability. Private Practice Elevation's core values include striving for excellence, leading with authenticity, being creative, displaying kindness, and ensuring accountability. Core values are crucial not only for internal governance but also for building trust with clients and setting a standard in the industry. Regular review and adherence to core values are essential for business growth and team leadership.  

In this episode of the Private Practice Elevation podcast, host Daniel Fava interviews Brent Stutzman on how to position yourself as the number one trusted therapy practice in your area.    With around seven years of experience, Brent ventured into the marketing realm when his wife, a therapist, decided to start her own private practice.    His journey began with branding and marketing, which he mastered through self-learning due to budget constraints. He successfully launched 'Kid Matters Counseling' with his wife, achieving a waiting list status before its onset.    Eventually, Brent expanded his expertise to help other therapists establish and grow their practices, learning the critical importance of positioning as a trusted authority in the market. He also has launched TheraSaas, a powerful CRM for private practices.   His work is significantly impacted by the StoryBrand framework, which he has adeptly applied to launch over twelve practices across the country. As a certified Storybrand Guide, Brent emphasizes the power of storytelling and how therapists can become trusted guides for their clients.    Brent states that this transition - moving from YOU being the center of your marketing to having your clients be the hero - has the potential to help take your marketing to a new level of success.   In this episode, Brent provides five steps to establish yourself as a guide, including demonstrating empathy, providing a sense of safety, demonstrating authority, illuminating the problem, providing a plan, and calling the hero to action.    Tune in to learn how to position yourself as the go-to practice in your community. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The brain's role in survival and calorie conservation - and what this means for your marketing The Importance of clear and simple communication to engage potential clients The importance of storytelling in building trust and positioning oneself as a guide for your ideal clients The shift from telling your own story to inviting clients into a story where they are the hero The need for clear and simple communication to capture and maintain attention Brent’s five steps to establish trust and position oneself as a guide Examples of guides in literature and movies, such as Dumbledore in Harry Potter and Gandalf in Lord of the Rings. Brent Stutzman highlights the importance of guides demonstrating empathy and providing a sense of safety How to be the guide while still demonstrating authority and expertise Brent Stutzman shares how to position yourself as a guide. Website and copywriting tips to position yourself as a guide and call your clients to action The ultimate transformation in your marketing: when heroes become guides This Episode Is Brought To You By   Alma is on a mission to simplify access to high-quality, affordable mental health care by giving providers the tools they need to build thriving in-network private practices. When providers join Alma, they gain access to insurance support, teletherapy software, client referrals, automated billing and scheduling tools, and a vibrant community of clinicians who come together for education, training, and events.   Learn more about building a thriving private practice with Alma at helloalma.com/elevation. Links mentioned in this episode: Brandyourpractice.com TheraSaas Website  Free Course: How to Turn Calls Into Clients Ultimate Guide to Growing a Private Pay Practice Building A Story Brand by Donald Miller (affiliate link) Kid Matters Couseling

In this episode of the Private Practice Elevation podcast, host Daniel Fava sits down with Shannon Heers to discuss the topic of cultivating clinical confidence in private practice.    This conversation offers an in-depth look into the struggles that therapists often face, including impostor syndrome and the feeling of isolation when stepping out into the entrepreneurial world of private practice.    Together, they unpack strategies for growing confidence as a clinician, providing high-quality service to clients, and finding the necessary support systems.   Shannon Heers shares insights from her extensive experience in the realm of clinical supervision, highlighting the common issue of impostor syndrome among private practice therapists and the importance of developing a solid theoretical framework to guide interventions.    She emphasizes the value of connecting with others to overcome feelings of being overwhelmed or isolated within the practice.    With practical tips and relatable anecdotes, this episode aims to empower private practice therapists to build their confidence and extend their support networks.   The discussion delves into Shannon Heers' unique approach with Firelight Supervision, and how the resources provided there, such as group and individual consultation, can play a pivotal role in a clinician's professional development and personal growth.    This episode not only explores the challenges therapists face but also offers actionable solutions to help them thrive in their practices and as business owners. Key Takeaways: Developing clinical confidence is a continuous journey, and seeking support through supervision and consultation can significantly help. Impostor syndrome is a widespread issue among therapists, particularly when beginning private practice or encountering new challenges. Having a strong theoretical orientation or framework can provide direction and improve confidence when working with clients. Connection and community are crucial; therapists should find their "clinical support" to share struggles and triumphs with, ensuring they don't feel alone in their journey. Firelight Supervision offers a myriad of resources, including a free clinical confidence ebook and various consultation services. This Episode Is Brought To You By   Alma is on a mission to simplify access to high-quality, affordable mental health care by giving providers the tools they need to build thriving in-network private practices. When providers join Alma, they gain access to insurance support, teletherapy software, client referrals, automated billing and scheduling tools, and a vibrant community of clinicians who come together for education, training, and events.   Learn more about building a thriving private practice with Alma at helloalma.com/elevation.