How to start your own Private Practice | A Master Class on Your First Year of Private Practice

Are you a Social Worker, Counselor, Psychologist, or a Marriage and Family Therapist who currently hates their job? The endless paperwork, the intakes, the unnecessary screenings, and the constant feeling that you're doing everything but what you actually joined the field to do... help people? Are you looking to step out of your comfort zone, and start your own private practice, but struggle with the uncertainty of not knowing how that'll look. You ask yourself questions like: how will I get clients, what software can I use to operate my practice, how much money can I expect to make, and what do I charge? These are just some of the questions that this video aims to help you answer. I'll walk you through my first year of starting my private practice, you'll get a front row seat of the ups and downs of being a business owner, and the action needed to transition from agency work to running your own private practice.

Not my typical type of video, but a video I wish I had when I first started my own private practice. Someone showing me the ups and downs of their first year of Private Practicing. Showing me how they were able to take their practice from a side hustle to a financially sustainable business. In this video I aim to be your guide through the first year of your own practice, and I will do this by taking you through the first year of my own private practice. I will be going through each month and showing the work I did in order to make the leap from agency employee to business owner. I answer questions like how much money I make, how I get clients, the operating system I use to manage my caseload & business, and how I found my office to operate out of. So, sit back, relax, and learn how you can take your private practice from side hustle to standalone business.

P.S. I also selfishly made this video to look back and watch sometime in the future when I’m a world renown therapist, so I could look back at my humble beginnings.

Time Stamps:
1:49 – How much I made in my first year of starting my Private Practice
3:06 – A Breakdown of how much My Private Practice Made in 2021
4:04 – Year 2020 Overview
5:32 - Starting a Therapy Practice during the Pandemic
7:32 - Why Therapist don’t charge their Worth
9:38 – How much My Private Practice Made in 2020
10:39 – Overview of the Month January (2021)
11:19 – How much My Private Practice Made in January
12:15 – Overview of the Month of February (2021)
13:06 - How much My Private Practice Made in February
14:01 - Overview of the Month of March (2021)
14:14 - How to find an office for your Private Therapy Practice
15:57 - How much My Private Practice Made in March
16:49 – Overview of the Month of April (2021)
20:18 – The Action needed to start your Private Practice
21:44 – How much My Private Practice Made in April
22:33 - May: Opening up my own Private Practice Office
23:00 - Setting your rate in Private Practice
24:16 – How much My Private Practice Made in May
25:20 – June: How to advertise your Private Practice with Psychology Today
26:29 - Simple Practice Review
27:46 - How much My Private Practice Made in June
28:50 – July: Dealing with Burnout
29:46 - Transition from agency work to private practice
31:29 - How much My Private Practice Made in July
33:18 – August: Transition from agency work to private practice
33:48 - How much My Private Practice Made in August
34:30 – Raising my Rates
34:59 – September: Quitting my Job to start doing Private Practice Therapy full-time
36:11 - How much My Private Practice Made in September
37:38 – October: The Hardest Parts of Starting a Private Practice
38:50 - How much My Private Practice Made in October
39:53 – November Overview
40:14 - How much My Private Practice Made in November
40:53 – December Overview
41:21 - How much My Private Practice Made in December
42:02 – Conclusion

Follow Me:

Disclaimer: The Chocolate Therapist is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, and is not a substitute for treatment, diagnosis, or medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician, a mental health professional, or any qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
#PrivatePractice #SocialWork #Entrepreneur

[Redblueflowers]

"if you're like me you're cheap" I died laughing. The authenticity showing us your real numbers has been engaging and inspiring. Thank you.

[Cadenza]

I love that you mention your prayer sessions. Ive never been a religious man but have always been spiritual. Religious trauma led me to be bitter and reject anything christian. It was like that for a while. Almost finished my psych degree back in 2014, i was so passionate about it i was sure i would make a good therapist but life happened, things got tough and that passion died for a while. But things have changed in the last two years. My difficult battles in life have gotten me close to Jesus. I started praying to Jesus, never asked for anything i would just start saying his name and an overwhelming peace would put me right to sleep. One night i just asked him to guide me and help me do something good in this world. And guess what man, everything fell right into place! A clear path has been set! Im currently back in school and will be finishing my degree in may. Im taking this all the way to my license. All those obstacles have been removed and i have all the tools to get it done! I believe god protects his soldiers and my faith has never been stonger

[elijahirving]

I am an LPC in Pennsylvania and have been toying with the idea of starting my own practice. This was inspiring and I have made a goal to start my practice in January of 2024.
Best of luck with everything bro!
Us dreadheaded therapists are getting it in! Leggoo!!

[JewelPressedRecord]

This was really inspiring. I appreciate your acknowledgement of the incremental growth, because it’s so important for us all to see. Love to see it!

[TreSteger]

I'm proud of you! I'm a therapist as well licensed in many states. Keep growing Black Male Therapist. Keep Praying, keep serving, and keep growing. God is still delivering!!! Network. More in the 2024. I just love you, your energy and all of this. If you need anything colleague let me know! There are free CEU's too. Ok 😅😂

[thooker]

As a current student studying to get my LPC, this video was helpful, funny, insightful and inspiring. My ultimate goal is to have a private practice myself.

[stacyabrice]

I’m a LMSW working towards my LCSW and I work part time in a group practice. I absolutely love this video! Thanks for being so transparent. I didn’t think I would stay for the full 40+ mins but I’m glad I did. You are hilarious! I’m happy you are thriving in your business and I wish you much luck and success.

[johnwest]

Love this! Inspiring as a therapist currently developing my private practice for 2024 - thank u sir 😂

[acmonty]

I’ve been thinking/praying about starting a private practice. Your video was so transparent and helpful. I don’t need a fairy tale. I’m looking for real experiences of therapists who have taken the leap. Thank you!

[taydalor]

Pursing my LAC in AZ right now with aspirations of opening up my own PP. This is so incredibly well done and helpful. Thank you for sharing!!!

[MiraSthira]

Omg I love that you started off saying you’re a nosy person. Im also a therapist and starting my private practice soon.

[stephenbonanno]

Your commentary may have cured my depression. I therefore like you, very much. I stumbled upon your channel because I was looking up Ben&Jerry's Chocolate Therapy, ice cream. It has dark chocolate ice-cream with Dark Chocolate Pudding. It could be your first brand deal! I shall have a practice, myself, GOD-willing, as I graduated this past August. I pray a pleasant, peaceful Passover celebration for you. Again, you are indeed a comedic fellow, sir, and I will likely follow you strictly based on your witty banter.

[raeganmiddelthon]

About to start my LPC masters program in July, and I'm trying to get a realistic idea of what can be accomplished (over time) once I finish. This video was super helpful, entertaining, and answered a lot of the questions I've had. Thank you so much!

[mrphillipmartinez]

Great video! Very helpful, especially when it come to knowing your own value when it comes to setting your price. It may have been long but your relaxed and humorous approach made it hard to notice.

[juanangelgutierrez]

Thanks for the inspiration brother.
I’m about to take my test and hopefully get license.
The private practice route is strong in my mind because I can’t stand the bureaucracy of working for public service agencies.
Took great tips.
Cheers

[Mike_the_Therapist]

Just finished the other half of the video. The bloopers at the end was hilarious. Thanks for the video.

[Mike_the_Therapist]

That's what's up. I'm trying to start my own practice as well. Currently working at a private practice and looking to branch out.
I've been creating content on the side. Congratulations 🎉🎉

[Cris-oedf]

Ok, this is PURE GOLD man. Slick, curated, detailed, heartfelt and authentic. Truly inspiring. From the bottom of a soon-to-be private practice counselor (hopefully) THANK YOU! You really deserve all the success that's coming your way. Keep up the good work (hope it's grammerly right 😆)
Hugs from the other side of the planet, Milano Italy, ciao brother! 🧡
👏🏻

[daniellesmith]

I’m here because I’m working toward establishing myself as a health coach, wellness coach, and doula. I’m using my MPH for public health practice. My PhD will be for research. I’m fortunate enough to skip the licensing as I’m not providing medical advice or providing therapeutic services. This video was STILL so very helpful and I hope you’ll feel pride for that. I’m only 25; the world is still big and new. I appreciate your willingness to provide guidance, especially to/for people like me ❤️.

[damaraOC]

Honestly, i do not know how you dont have more subscribers. I also worked for the VA, transitioned to non profit to move up and do supervisory work since the VA had so much politics regarding moving up in responsiblity and in GS level. Now im just over it. I dont want to work for anyone anymore. Ive been in the field over 15 years and stopped wanting a boss about 10 years ago. Just started my PLLC and moving towards taking the leap and transition out of working for someone else.
Love your video and the information that you provide. Keep it up my brother. New subscriber here !