Taylor Nelson: Growing a Group Private Practice Through Passion | Ep 193

How do you get the word out about your private practice in your local community organically, and in a way that shows you really care about your clients? Do you really need a Psychology Today profile? How can you build a space for creativity to flourish? These are some of the questions that my guest today, Taylor, has asked herself throughout her journey so far in Canadian private practice. Upon discovering that the only thing she loved about journalism was people's stories, she pivoted to therapy and has never looked back.  In our conversation today, we discuss opening a private practice, creative marketing strategies, and ways in which to keep working with intention. Come and join!  MEET TAYLOR Taylor Nelson is a Certified Play Therapist and Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work (MSW) who specializes in child and youth mental health. She is the owner of Family Tree Therapy in Belleville, Ontario, where her group practice focuses on expressive, play-based approaches for children, teens, and families. Taylor enjoys helping young people feel safe, seen, and supported as they build resilience and strengthen relationships. Learn more about Taylor on her personal website, private practice website, Psychology Today, and Facebook profiles.  In this episode:  How Taylor became a Registered Social Worker Why Taylor opened her own private practice Marketing the private practice Taylor's advice to listeners  How Taylor became a Registered Social Worker Taylor studied journalism, but quickly realized that it wasn't for her. She discovered that the only part of journalism she really enjoyed was learning about people's stories, which led her into the therapy world, where that plays a large part.  While Taylor loved working in a clinical setting initially, it began to take a toll. Therefore, she pivoted and started working solo to continue serving her community on more of her own terms.  Why Taylor opened her own private practice In 2023, Taylor opened up her private practice while she was still working in an agency to help make the transition a little easier financially.  She started her private practice by renting space to see her first clients one day a week, and she instantly knew that it was the best fit for her - to see clients as a practitioner.  Initially, Taylor kept her private practice as a solo practitioner. After a few years, she began hiring her first staff. Now, building a space where practitioners feel creative, filled up, and filled with possibility is one of Taylor's practice mottos, and the type of system she's designing for her clinicians and clients.  Marketing the private practice While Taylor has maintained her network from when she was a solo practitioner into becoming a group practice owner, there are a few networking techniques that she uses to make sure her clinicians have clients coming in often:  Dropping off print materials at various locations, such as pediatrician offices, schools, and local community centers  Following up regularly with networking points of contact  Making sure that they have their most up-to-date contact information  Being clear with expectations for referrals  As the practice grows, Taylor is intentional about staying in touch with the practice's heart-centered approach to their work, and to make the practice a place where the practitioners can also rest, nest, and be creative.  Taylor also invests a lot in building community networks, so most of the practice's marketing comes from this community connection, which brings along warm referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations.  In a more fun marketing technique, Taylor's private practice has sponsored a local children's sports team, so the kids' jerseys will have the practice name! Taylor's advice to listeners  There's longevity in this work. So many people are starting from the beginning, or are further down the road, but all of this work is needed, necessary, and you are part of it!  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Sonya JF Barnett: Becoming a Private Practice Sex Therapist as a Second Career | EP 192 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free! Learn more about Taylor on her personal website, private practice website, Psychology Today, and Facebook profiles  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Sonya joined a life drawing class as a participant over 15 years ago. Little did she know at the time that this decision would end up leading her to hosting her own art sessions, taking it in a sexually inclusive and explorative angle, and later become a sex therapist who completed her Master's in her 40s and now runs her own (mostly) virtual private practice. As you can see, she has a unique story to share! In this podcast episode, Sonya and I discuss her exciting journey from start to finish, and share some insights from her lessons learned.  MEET SONYA Sonya JF Barnett is a Registered Psychotherapist, certified sex educator, and lover of trees. She has a varied history in art direction, feminist erotica production, intimacy coordination, and fierce feminist organizing. She has written about, filmed, spoken on, studied, and is a fierce activist for sexual rights, education, and wellbeing. Learn more about Sonya on her website, Instagram, and Psychology Today profiles.  In this episode:  From art into therapy How Sonya became a therapist  Running a private practice What's next for Sonya From art into therapy  Before joining the profession, Sonya had another career working as an art director for design agencies.  After trying out a few life drawing classes, Sonya started hosting her own classes. Later, the classes turned into a larger-than-anticipated community, which had a big focus on sexuality.  Sonya's work with life drawing and the deeper exploration was called "Keyhole Sessions", and it was her hobby alongside her career as an art director. However, over the course of a few years, Keyhole Sessions encouraged Sonya to step into counselling and become a therapist.  How Sonya became a therapist  Sonya played around with the idea of creating something more official and tangible from her work with Keyhole Sessions, which led up to her decision to become a sex therapist.  She got involved in as much sexual therapy education as she could get into at the time, which, compounded over time, led her to become a fully fledged therapist. She completed her undergrad at the University of Toronto.  From there, Sonya completed an online program for her Master's in Counseling Psychology, which was in 2016.  Running a private practice Sonya sees most of her clients virtually, but also offers walk-and-talk sessions outdoors in natural settings. She enjoys using nature-based therapy and wants to help her clients by incorporating the benefits of being outdoors during therapy sessions.  In running her practice, Sonya also uses Jane App to run her systems and complete admin tasks. If you'd like to give it a try, use Jules' code FEARLESS2MO for a two-month discount! Sonya also enjoys experimenting with her schedule in her Canadian private practice. She enjoys finding ways to take care of her practice and clients while also taking care of herself. What's next for Sonya Sonya explains how she has been feeling the lack of community while working as a virtual therapist. While she prefers running a solo private practice, since she sees her clients virtually or for nature-based walk-and-talk therapy, she does miss the community that one has when working with more people. Therefore, one of her upcoming goals is to build a peer group.  Furthermore, Sonya is designing and building out a sex therapist retreat in September 2026! Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Dr. Anusha Kassan: Purchasing a Group Private Practice in Canada | EP 191 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free! Learn more about Sonya on her website, Instagram, and Psychology Today profiles Click here to check out Sonya's upcoming retreats! Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn  

After 10 years of working as a Registered Psychologist and dabbling initially in private practice, Dr. Anusha Kassan and her cofounder, Alyssa Hasham, purchased and freshened up an already existing Canadian private practice. With creativity, passion, and drive, they have developed the space into a community that they share with other clinicians to thrive in.  In this podcast episode, Anusha and I discuss her journey into therapy, private practice, and the experiences she's had in recent years both as a psychologist and a practice owner.  MEET ANUSHA Anusha Kassan, PhD, RPsych (she/her), resides and works on the traditional territories of the people of Treaty 7 in Southern Alberta and Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6). She also works on the territories of the Musqueam People; she is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia. She is also the co-owner of The Psychology Group, a private practice in Calgary. Anusha's scholarship is influenced by her own bicultural identity and is informed by an overarching social justice lens. She is a Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association, and she recently received the organization's Award for Public, Community Service, and Human Rights and Social Justice in Psychology. Learn more about Anusha on her website, Instagram, university post, and practice websites.  In this episode:  Why Anusha became a psychologist  When Anusha started private practice Purchasing a private practice Marketing the private practice  What Dr. Kassan is looking forward to  Why Anusha became a psychologist Anusha explains that her path to becoming a psychologist was paved by both purposeful and spontaneous events.  When she had to choose an undergraduate major, Anusha applied to programs in the helping professions, such as psychology and education. Later on, when she had to choose one, she chose psychology because it offered a wider scope. Dr. Kassan explains that within her family, there was a near-death experience, and she met incredible mentors. These events encouraged her to keep going and pursue additional training and schooling, which led her to complete her PhD at McGill University, and later to join the faculty at British Columbia University.  When Anusha started private practice It took about 10 years! Dr. Kassan completed a lot of clinical work through her grad school, and dabbled in private practice part-time.  However, for a few years after, Anusha's priorities shifted, and she focused more on building her career and caring for her young children, and so private practice was placed on the back burner for the time being.  Her private practice started as a small one, and mostly as a way for her to keep her skills fresh and engage with people, since being in private practice helped her to be a better teacher, and teaching helped her succeed in her private practice.  However, it has now turned into something larger. She took over from the previous owners and purchased the psychology group where she was working. Together with her cofounder, Alyssa Hasham, Anusha now runs her growing Canadian group collective.  Adopting a private practice Alyssa, Dr. Kassan's co-founder, had many conversations about starting this collective practice. They shared an office and had conversations about expanding slowly and bringing on clinicians. Things were already laid out; they just freshened up the group private practice.  However, Anusha has had to learn a few skills quickly when she became one of the founders, and that process will continue as she and the practice grow and develop over the years. Marketing the private practice Right now, Anusha and Alyssa are still figuring out what works best for their practice in terms of marketing the collective to potential clients.  Anusha and her team have invested some money into Google Ads and SEO to help boost their marketing efforts, and she has implemented some helpful tips from the Fearless Practice Podcast, too!  What Dr. Kassan is looking forward to In the upcoming months and years, Anusha is looking forward to more stability and security, since their group private practice has undergone a few changes and shifts. Additionally, Anusha wants to expand her creativity in business and implement it more into their collective.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Christina Page: Private Practice Lessons in Growth | EP 190  Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free! Learn more about Anusha on her website, Instagram, university post, and practice websites Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

In this first installment of my series, "Where Are They Now?", I'll be interviewing past Canadian therapists that I've had on the show to see how their private practice is doing. Today, I'm checking in with Christina Page! Tune in to gain extra insight into where she was when we first spoke, and see the progress she has made!  We discuss the surprising discoveries she has made along the way, the discomfort she has overcome, and the wonderful lessons that she has learned from both. Join our conversation, and see if you can pick up an informative gem to help you on your path in Canadian private practice! MEET CHRISTINA Christina Page is a Certified Perinatal Therapist and the owner of Whole Family Psychotherapy - a collective of heart-centered perinatal specialists offering virtual counselling services across Ontario to parents and parents-to-be. Christina's team offers individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, group therapy, and parenting support sessions for folks through pre-conception journeys, during pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond into later stages of family life. The team at Whole Family understands that when parents feel whole, family systems thrive.  Learn more about Christina on her practice website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles.  In this episode:  A quick recap  Christina's group practice update to today  Stepping fully into the CEO role  The importance of having an emergency savings fund Christina's goals for the future A quick recap Christina re-listened to her first appearance on the Fearless Practice Podcast as well, and she discusses how much it brought back for her.  At the beginning of her group private practice journey, Christina wore most of the hats. She was the clinical director, admin, and saw a full caseload of clients, all while being a mother to young children. While she loved it too, she knew that it wasn't sustainable.  Therefore, over the year and a half since our first podcast episode, she has smoothed and straightened out her practice to the extent that she can take a step back and enjoy it more, rather than just running from task to task.  Christina's group practice update to today Her practice has grown! They are now a team of seven therapists, including an intern. She has full admin support, which Christina explains has been one of the biggest benefits to date.  As Christina explains, the most crucial element for success that she has seen in her private practice over the months is to support its flexibility.  The businesses needed to handle an increased number of clients coming in, admin requests, and paperwork, which meant the business's foundation needed to be broadened, strengthened, and made as autonomous as possible so that Christina herself didn't become the bottleneck.  Secondly, Christina's next biggest lesson was learning how helpful it can be to slow down. Not everything needs to be treated as a crisis, and not everything needs your response right away.  Stepping fully into the CEO role Another big change that Christina hadn't ever thought would happen is that she has stopped seeing clients herself! She has since stepped fully into the role of being the practice CEO, the leader of her team, and the business entity.  Christina took a leap of faith and trusted the process. She was able to work through the initial discomfort of not knowing what might happen and navigating uncertain financial situations, and while things are still not yet where she wants them to be financially, they are improving.  All this was made possible by her recognizing that it would be good for her practice to take a step back from seeing clients and step forward into a more leadership role.  The importance of having an emergency savings fund Having an emergency fund is crucial, and specifically for two reasons:  1 - To give you leeway to make changes in your practice, such as Christina going from a full caseload of clients to being the full-time boss only, and having some financial cushioning can help you make these transitions easier  2 - To make it through uncertain times in the economy or when client conversion rates dip, which is common in private practice  Take good care of yourself and your nervous system, because tolerating the uncertainty of business in private practice, in our world today, requires you to have a sense of groundedness.  Christina's goals for the future Now, Christina's goals for the future are to create stability for the practice to support and nurture what they are currently doing well. She's going to remain open and flexible in terms of what's to come!  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Tina Bells: Balancing Non-Profit and Private Practice | EP 189 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free! Learn more about Christina on her practice website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles  Listen to the previous episode with Christina Page here!  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn  

Have you ever felt the need to choose between non-profit and private practice? Is it possible to do both? My guest today, Tina, has found a way to do so! She believes in sustainability, both in business and her personal life. For Tina, being able to offer her services in the non-profit sector helps her to make sure her expertise is available to people who need the support but can't easily afford it, and seeing private clients in her solo practice helps her to support herself!   By combining both approaches, Tina can make sure she utilizes both her passion and her skills, and live while working in a way that feels fully integrated with her values. If you want to learn more, come join our conversation!  MEET TINA Tina Bells is a Registered Psychotherapist and EMDR therapist based in Toronto, where she also serves as the Grief and Bereavement Coordinator for a local hospice. She is the owner of Grounded Voice Psychotherapy, her Private Practice, where she supports individuals experiencing loss and Spiritual abuse. With a Master's in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy and over a decade of experience in non-profits, including those such as shelters and correctional services, all of which inform her holistic, compassionate approach. Learn more about Tina on her practice website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles.  In this episode:  What motivated Tina to become a therapist  Going into private practice  Managing a diverse schedule  Tina's goals for 2026 Tina's advice to listeners  What motivated Tina to become a therapist There was no big, sudden moment of realization that Tina had to know she wanted to become a therapist. Instead, pursuing therapy came from a lifetime of interest in other people. 'I think it was a series of small things over time. I always knew I wanted to support people, that's what led to the Master's in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy, and then into the non-profit work that I have been doing for the last two decades.' - Tina Bells  Initially, Tina worked mostly with people who were struggling with addictions, but with time, her passions shifted, things changed, and she began to focus on grief. That pulled her in and encouraged her to pivot her career.  Going into private practice  While Tina continues to work in the non-profit sector, she has begun her own Canadian private practice to prevent burnout.  'I think sustainability is an ethical issue, and that private practice allows me to do both [non-profit and private practice work], and allows me to have meaningful work in non-profit and provide for clients in a way that you can't when you're in the system.' - Tina Bells  For Tina, having one foot in both the non-profit sector and private practice enables her to find a clear, sustainable balance between serving her community and her passions while still being able to earn a stable income to support herself.  'It's really amazing to serve in that way, and to meet the needs of people who wouldn't be able to access mental healthcare otherwise. [And] when you're in private practice, you're able to meet a need in a different way, so you get more time with people. You get to see some of that long-term [change].' - Tina Bells Therefore, Tina can give support and care to people who need assistance through non-profit sectors, and also continue seeing her private practice clients.  Managing a diverse schedule  Since Tina works in both non-profit and private practice, she needs to be strategic with her time.  At the moment, she works for three days in a non-profit and two days in her private practice. With this split, she's able to work with both groups of people and still afford her lifestyle.  Additionally, her private practice is completely virtual, which helps her manage her work from home on her dedicated practice days.  Tina's goals for 2026 For 2026, Tina's main goal is to get groups up and running in her Canadian private practice.  'I'm trying to generate some interest in that. I would really love to do a group that focuses on the grief around losing a spiritual community. I think that's a really big piece, and it's not something that's often talked about, so that's my goal … To get a group going.' - Tina Bells She has added this option to her Psychology Today profile just to start the process. While she hasn't gotten any clients for the groups yet, the year has just begun! And Tina knows it will take some time to develop.  Additionally, Tina has goals to expand her marketing efforts, especially when it comes to networking and meeting new people in the community. If you are a non-profit or private practice owner, reach out to Tina and connect.  Tina's advice to listeners Don't underestimate the importance (and power!) of good supervision. Working with an expert and compassionate mentor can help you cover so much ground, especially if you are feeling unsure, nervous, or unsure how to begin this journey into therapy.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Nadia and Debora D'Luso: A Sister-Team in Private Practice | EP 188 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free! Learn more about Tina on her practice website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn  

Can siblings work well together? How do family-led businesses run in the mental health space? Sisters Debora and Nadia both experienced the same childhood trauma, which sparked an interest in mental health for them from a young age.  While they went their separate ways for a few years to study and pursue their careers, their paths have converged again in opening a private practice as co-founders!  In this podcast episode, Nadia, Debora, and I discuss their history from past to present, what led them into therapy, and how it is running a business with your sibling.  MEET NADIA AND DEBORA Dr. Nadia and Dr. Debora D'Iuso are a sister team of highly trained psychologists who believe effective therapy starts with genuine connection, empathy, and actionable strategies. Their approach combines compassion and collaboration, delivering proactive support as your mental well-being evolves through life's stages. Together, they lead Crosstown Psychology & Wellness, a Toronto-based clinic offering personalized, evidence-based care for adults, teens, and couples navigating life's challenges. Learn more about Nadia and Debora on their practice website, Instagram, and LinkedIn profiles.  In this episode:  How Nadia and Debora became therapists  Building a private practice together Marketing the private practice  How Nadia and Debora became therapists Both Nadia and Debora experienced grief in their youth: their uncle, whom they were close to, died by suicide. This moment became a turning point for them both, because they turned their grief into a passion for helping others. 'I'll never forget when I heard the news, I'll never forget every moment of that experience. It stayed with me for a long time, but what really drew me to understanding what I wanted to do with my life was that experience of grief … I remember thinking, "How do I help my family through this? What do I do with this?" … It led me into this thought of, "I want to help others."' - Dr. Nadia D'luso   Debora remembers when their mother came back from seeing a therapist, and how much she remarked that the experience had helped her process her grief, and it stuck with her.  In their early 20s, Nadia encouraged Debora to study psychology. Since then, they both fell in love with the subject, which has steadily developed into a career that they share together.  'I think for me, my decisions to … pursue a PhD in psychology were driven by research. I was part of a psychotherapy process group, and what really attracted me to the research was studying what worked in therapy, and that's a bit of my mindset, where it is just the recognition of, "What are we doing? What is working, what isn't working?" and it spoke to my curiosity.' - Dr. Nadia D'luso Both sisters completed their PhDs separately, which helped them to develop independently and then regroup later to start a Canadian private practice.  Building a private practice together Now, Nadia and Debora have been able to link arms in a shared private practice, continue learning together, and pool their skills and expertise - coupled with sibling compassion and understanding - into an aligned practice.  'We had spent a number of years working in different settings … Having worked in hospital settings, I loved my experience, but I remember having conversations: "I wish I could do more" … Ultimately, we know in real life that change takes time, and therapy takes time, and we came together with that idea of, "Let's hone in on our strengths, on our specializations, and really come together to build a practice that was consistent with how we saw effective therapy.' - Dr. Debora D'luso  So far, it has been going really well! Being in private practice for Nadia and Debora has been an incredible experience for both of them.  They purchased Jules' workbook to help them launch their new private practice together, which helped them tremendously. They took the information and applied it day by day, and week by week, to slowly create the most aligned practice that they could.  Marketing the private practice Thinking about marketing their private practice was made so much easier when they considered what their brand would be.  Discovering and building their brand helped them to stay consistent and aligned with their values throughout the process of thinking through their business, and how they would put the word out about it into the digital and local spheres around them.  'Thinking about our brand … and writing posts that were also consistent with our voice, and consistent with our values and being able to express that on [social media] platforms was something that was really exciting! So I know that we all talk about marketing as feeling initially quite scary … but it was also something for me [that was] really exciting with that opportunity of being able to speak to how I saw myself as a clinician and how I wanted to forge that connection with potential clients down the road.' - Dr. Debora D'luso For Nadia, authenticity was a big part of how she and Debora were able to market their practice effectively as well. Marketing authentically translates into marketing effectively, because it clearly brings in the best-fit clients for your practice.  To better connect with their audience, the sisters have started using newsletters alongside social media to diversify their marketing efforts and give their audience a way to know them that is not entirely based on social media, which is effective in an age when people are intentionally reducing their scrolling.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: How to Prevent Burnout by Scheduling Breaks in Private Practice | EP 187 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free! Learn more about Nadia and Debora on their practice website, Instagram, and LinkedIn profiles  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Are you a telehealth therapist? Do you see most of your clients virtually? As a fully remote Canadian private practice owner, I have done lots of trial and error to find the daily routine that works for me, helps me prevent burnout, and allows me to feel recentered between each client. Of course, there are some days when I need to change things up, but now I have found a system for taking breaks throughout the day so that I am fresh and grounded before each virtual session - while avoiding burnout.  If you're looking for some inspiration for a schedule or a guideline for breaks to try out, feel free to give this episode a listen!  In this episode:  Preventing burnout Take a short morning break  A mindful lunchbreak  Afternoon break and evening breaks Taking breaks throughout the week  Preventing burnout 'For me, burnout is me feeling wired but tired. I'm feeling tense and jittery; my nervous system is probably overactive. I'm tired, but I have adrenaline, and a feeling of "Go-go-go!" and I start to push myself, and in this state I get a lot done - but it's really not worth it, because once I stop working, I find it really hard to relax and wind down.' - Jules Smith  Burnout can be tricky to manage because it doesn't happen overnightt. While it may seem like it helps you to get more done and work a lot, it often comes at a cost.  You feel overwhelmed and tired, but too wired to fully rest. This means that you don't replenish your spent energy, leaving you slowly but surely burning out until you physically can't go on. 'Even though I get a lot done in this "wired-but-tired" state, it's really not worth it in the long-run, because it just leads to burnout. So, this year I'm going to be organizing and using my breaks differently to prevent this wired-but-tired feeling!' - Jules Smith   Take a short morning break In the past, Jules used to wake up and get ready for the day, log in to work, and complete tasks until lunchtime. However, they noticed that working for such an extended period of time created a tense feeling by midday.  So, this year, Jules is trying out a new schedule. Rather than working in a block of time from the start of the day until lunch, Jules is taking a short break between emails and work to give their mind a break and a short rest.  'So far, what I'm noticing is just taking that little break in the morning has been really helpful in not feeling on edge by the time I take my lunch break … In the past, I would tell myself I'd take a break, but then get lost in work, and then forget to take a break. But now, because I still need to get ready for the day, I take that break each morning.' - Jules Smith If you don't work from home, maybe try giving yourself a short 15-minute coffee or tea break in between your tasks so that you have some time to recenter.  A mindful lunchbreak The quick answer: No more scrolling while eating on lunchbreaks! Give audiobooks a try instead.  Jules used to often scroll during their lunchbreaks, but as the therapists listening will know, social media and reels are sensory overloads to our minds. Time on social media often leaves us feeling way more jittery and wired than rested after we've spent some time scrolling.  'Our brains are processing a ton of information in just a few seconds, and doing that over and over and over again, obviously, isn't going to help me feel rested after the break is over. So, instead of going on Instagram and watching reels during lunchtime, I'm now going to be listening to audiobooks while I eat my lunch. So far, that has been really calming and relaxing!' - Jules Smith  Therefore, instead of mindless scrolling, Jules is trying mindful listening, and the results have been hugely positive. Try listening to audiobooks or a quiet podcast while you eat - if you want to do something extra while eating!  Afternoon and evening breaks  Jules always makes an effort to head outside or go to the gym in the afternoon, since no matter which season it may be, there's a good chance the sun will be out!  Secondly, (and this is something Jules has done in the past already), Jules takes a 30-minute break between each client throughout the day. 'After my afternoon break, I get home, and I set up for my clinic hours, which are in the evening, and in between each client, I always take a 30-minute break. During this time, I do the billing, I write my notes … I plan to move around, maybe eat something, look outside my window, take some breaths, and maybe do some stretching.' - Jules Smith During these 30-minute breaks, Jules also recommends staying away from your devices to minimize the risk of scrolling through social media because it can disrupt your intentional choice to rest. Protect your energy and your peace by being mindful of how you spend your breaks.  Taking breaks throughout the week In the past, Jules tried out a 50/50 workweek. If you are interested in learning more or trying it out, give this podcast episode a listen where Jules describes the process, pros, and cons.  For the start of 2026, Jules is making Thursdays a day to focus on SEO and have clinical meetings with their associate. So far, this system is working out great for them!  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 186: Anabeli Jackson: Secure Email Solutions for Canadian Therapists | EP 186 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get some help and freebies on your website with WordPress!  Check out my private practice Listen to my podcast episode on trying out a 50/50 workweek!  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

As a Canadian therapist in private practice, you are probably often needing to send and receive sensitive, private information. How often have you worried about these documents' security and safety? What should you do to secure email communications and keep unnecessary stress at bay?  This is where Hushmail comes to the rescue. For less than $20 CAD per month, you can completely insure, assure, and secure your entire email inbox, including your forms and signatures. They pride themselves on security and simplicity, leaving you with a solution that you can start using right out of the box from the minute to sign up.  In this episode, I chat with Anabeli about everything to do with Hushmail. We answer your questions and provide clear solutions to help you start 2026 with both digital email security and peace of mind.  MEET ANABELI Anabeli Jackson is the Marketing Manager at Hushmail, where she leads content strategy and helps therapists understand secure communication with clarity and confidence. She focuses on removing the overwhelm from topics like encryption, compliance, and secure communication so clinicians can protect client trust and stay compliant with confidence. Anabeli has been with Hushmail since 2014 and brings a strong foundation in communication and marketing. Her work supports mental health providers across Canada and the U.S. who depend on Hushmail to communicate securely with their clients. Learn more about Anabeli on her LinkedIn profile.  In this episode:  What is Hushmail? Why Canadian therapists should use Hushmail  What encryption is and why you need to use it  How you can get started with Hushmail   What is Hushmail? 'Hushmail is a secure email platform … built specifically for healthcare and therapy practices. It lets you send and receive secure, encrypted emails, and it helps you build secure forms where you can collect information securely with legally binding signatures - and it's all in one place.' - Anabeli Jackson The two cornerstones of Hushmail are focused on client and clinician security when sending sensitive emails and documents online, and simplicity since you don't need to do any tech implementation yourself!  These essential emails and documents are securely sent and kept private and secure by using encryption to protect them.   Why Canadian therapists should use Hushmail  You may be asking: Why should I pay to use Hushmail instead of the available, free services?  The answer is this: Canadian therapists handle highly sensitive information from multiple clients. Using a free email provider simply does not provide enough security and protection, while Hushmail guarantees it.  'We make it really practical to have [your client's private information] safeguarded, because encryption is the one step … that you can put in place to have your information secure … So [Hushmail] supports federal law, but also with provincial privacy laws.' - Anabeli Jackson  Hushmail provides the security that you and your clients need to send private information without concern in an easy, simple way. Plus, it is a Canadian company that is PIPEDA and HIPAA compliant! What encryption is and why you need to use it  Encryption is essentially a method of scrambling the information contained in emails and documents so that it cannot be understood by any third party, other than the intended recipient.  With Hushmail, you have a key that both scrambles and unscrambles the message which only you and your client has access to.  '[Encryption] is relevant because nowadays the online risk and cyber security … there's a lot of bad actors out there, and you don't want this information out there. You don't want this information to be seen by people who are not the intended recipients. So, encryption is a very easy way to protect that information.' - Anabeli Jackson  How you can get started with Hushmail  Take the step now to secure your communications with clients, and save both them and yourself the stress and anxiety of worrying whether the information is safe.  And with Hushmail, that peace of mind will not break the bank. For purely email purposes, you can get Hushmail for $16.99 CAD. If you want to include the forms and signatures, it is $24.99 CAD.  If you are listening to this episode and want to try Hushmail out, click this link to sign up with Hushmail and get your first month entirely free of charge! Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Regan Swerhun: Expanding Private Care to Northern Communities | EP 185  Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free! Learn more about Anabeli on her LinkedIn profile Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Have you ever felt a persistent pull toward work that feels more aligned with who you are, even when it means leaving something secure behind? Regan had the same feeling, and made the decision to lead a Canadian private practice with fellow colleagues that was built on their shared values.  In this episode, Regan and I talk about her non-linear journey into therapy. We explore how she and her practice are finding creative ways to serve rural and Northern First Nations communities, and how she is thinking about safety and accessibility for virtual clients. We also dive into marketing with authenticity, building trust through your website and social media, and why community-building has been at the heart of her growth. Join in for the conversation!  MEET REGAN At 26, Regan Swerhun left a stable community counselling job to follow her passion for trauma-focused work and build a private practice in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She now focuses on EMDR and trauma-informed therapy, offering both in-person and online sessions. Regan also provides counselling to youth in Northern First Nations communities and uses social media to make mental health conversations more real and accessible. Learn more about Regan on her private practice website, LinkedIn, and Psychology Today profiles.  In this episode:  Why Regan pursued a career in therapy   Leaping into private practice Creative ways of offering safe spaces for therapy  Marketing the private practice Why Regan pursued a career in therapy   'Honestly, therapy was not my first choice. It was kind of a roundabout life journey to get to where I am now.' - Regan Swerhun  Though Regan began a degree in business, she decided to switch and focus on social work. While completing her Master's degree in Social Work, Regan began working in a hospital in Toronto. There, she quickly discovered that she enjoyed doing patient intake and hearing people's stories and their unique life experiences. This signaled to her that something lay beyond. Once moving back to Thunder Bay, she focused on clinical work at a not-for-profit.  'I got a good position at one of our not-for-profit organizations in town. So, I was with that company for three years, so really, as of recently - this Fall - made the transition, but in the time that I was with the community programs, I learned a lot.' - Regan Swerhun  The same itch that Regan had while working in the hospital came back again when she worked at the organization and she craved to run her own private practice. Leaping into private practice Regan was asked by a colleague who had already been in private practice for a long time if she would be interested in working with him.   However, due to some differences in provincial laws and regulations, she cannot co-own it. So, they split it up as leaders.  'It has made it feel like I'm immensely leading this group practice, but I have the support [from him] … because there is so much start-up.' - Regan Swerhun   Creative ways of offering safe spaces for therapy Regan and her team's long-term goal is to serve rural communities that don't have easy access to therapy and its services.  While Regan drives twice a month up to a northern, more rural community to see clients, she also is planning to offer more virtual services.   'Our ongoing plan is to connect with other community buildings in the areas and create a partnership … where someone can open up the door for them, someone can help to have the laptop ready … and then leave that space.' - Regan Swerhun Marketing the private practice Regan and her team have worked a lot on the practice website.  One of their main goals was to really make an effort to show what their office space looks like, and feels like, to interested clients.   'The whole basis of our marketing strategy right now is just to build community. We're new, we're here, this is what we're about, and this is all of the inside that we can let you see through before you step into our world!' - Regan Swerhun Regan combines website and social media efforts to showcase the Canadian private practice and notes that it has now grown enough to also attract clients through word-of-mouth. If you need extra support for your marketing efforts, you can try applying to this grant! Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Dana Etherington: SEO Tips for a Thriving Canadian Private Practice | EP 184 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Create your website with WordPress!  Learn more about Regan on her private practice website, LinkedIn, and Psychology Today profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Have you ever found yourself loving the work of therapy, but feeling frustrated by systems that make it difficult for your clients to receive the help they need? Dana reached that crossroads and made a brave, intentional leap toward a practice that supports both her clinical values and her personal well-being. In this podcast episode, Dana and I talk about her path into psychotherapy, and what it looked like to slowly and thoughtfully transition from hospital work into full-time private practice.  We also dive into learning SEO as a solo practitioner, using AI without losing your human voice, and why giving your practice time to grow organically can be a powerful choice. There's so much practical wisdom in this conversation, and I'm excited for you to listen in! MEET DANA Dana is an occupational therapist who practices psychotherapy and the owner of Cedar Tree Therapy, a private practice in Whitby, Ontario. With close to a decade of mental health experience, Dana sees individuals with anxiety, eating disorders, and OCD. Learn more about Dana on her private practice website and Psychology Today profile.  In this episode:  Dana's academic background and current practice Going from clinical work to private practice  How Dana's private practice has evolved  The therapist book club  Researching marketing and SEO best practices Dana's advice for listeners  Dana's academic background and current practice  While Dana's private practice is situated in Whitby, Ontario, she completed her Master's degree in occupational therapy at McGill University in Montreal.  'I came back to Ontario after finishing my Master's, and in Ontario specifically … occupational therapists are one of the six regulated healthcare professionals that can practice controlled active psychotherapy. So, my practice is entirely psychotherapy, and my license type is that I just happen to be an occupational therapist.' - Dana Etherington Due to Ontario's regulatory laws, Dana can practice psychotherapy with an occupational therapy background. Remember to always check your province's regulations when planning your future Canadian private practice! The bridge between Dana's occupational therapy background and her current psychotherapy-focused practice is built on her appreciation for her clients. 'I loved spending the day getting to know people, and it felt like such an honor to hear people's stories. From then on, I knew that was how I wanted my career to go, and it feels so special to be trusted by clients to hear some really complicated and vulnerable parts of their lives.' - Dana Etherington  Going from clinical work to private practice After graduating, Dana didn't immediately go into private practice. She first spent time working at a psychiatric hospital beforehand. 'I was working my nine-to-five at the psychiatric hospital, and then I started my private practice part-time. I'd see maybe four clients a week after I was done with my hours at the hospital.' - Dana Etherington  Dana felt frustrated by the systemic barriers that made it difficult for people who needed support and help to find it, and that passion encouraged her to begin offering therapy in her own Ontario private practice. When Dana became a mother, she knew that she had to choose between working in the hospital and committing to her private practice.  'I knew I couldn't go on working both these jobs any longer. I was at this point where I had to make a choice: I either had to leave private practice behind or I had to jump in with both feet. So, I chose to jump in … And I have been full-time ever since 2023!' - Dana Etherington  How Dana's private practice has evolved 'I think it's the best decision I've ever made. It allows me to be the therapist I want to be, and also the mother that I want to be, too. It offers me that flexibility, it allows me to have time and space to also take care of myself. I couldn't think of a better career choice for me.' - Dana Etherington Right now, Dana has an in-person office in downtown Brooklyn as well as sees clients online.  In terms of staff, Dana currently has a contractor. She is open to expanding one day, but not right now. At this moment in time, she enjoys the time, space, and energy, and is giving the practice the chance to grow organically.  The therapist book club As a way to create more community, Dana and some of her fellow therapy colleagues have decided to launch a local therapist's book club in one of the members' offices.  They meet in person over an evening once a month, where they can discuss therapy, private practice-related work, and books that they are collectively reading about their work and specialties.  Researching marketing and SEO best practices Since Dana is running her Canadian private practice, she threw herself into researching everything there is to know about SEO.  Some of the tips she has for listeners are:  Get clear on your niche  Don't be afraid to commit to your niche  Try as best you can to consider what your ideal client is Googling when they are looking for someone like you to help them  When it comes to using AI, Dana recommends it for creating content that you may use for marketing, such as blogs. However, always humanize your work, because SEO is strongest when it is person-written and person-focused.  Dana's advice for listeners  Remember that marketing is part of your job now. It is not an extra luxury piece; it is part of reaching your ideal client and making a positive impact in the community around you. So, don't fear it, embrace it! Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Encore: Jillian Bagan: Growing a Queer-Informed Practice | EP 183 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Create your website with WordPress!  Learn more about Dana on her private practice website and Psychology Today profile Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn