Navigating through Chronic Illness, Grief, and Finding Balance Despite a Pandemic
Jacqueline, MA, LMFT, provides couples therapy in Milford, CT. Her specialties include working with couples looking to rebuild and reconnect, discernment counseling for couples contemplating separation, and counseling related to healthy uncoupling/co-parenting after separation.
She shared with us her Private Practice Success Story of finding balance and success while managing her chronic illness, processing through grief and loss, and adapting her practice during a pandemic.
Jacqueline reported that when she found Bootcamp six months into business, it helped her lay the foundation for every process she continues to utilize four years later. In March 2020, Jaqueline transitioned to a virtual therapy practice that is "busting at the seams” with a waitlist, and she continues to balance her individual needs while meeting the needs of her clients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How are you pivoting or supporting your community during Covid-19?: I increased some of my hours but otherwise have just stayed the course. The clinical work is a little different with some of my couples due to circumstances.
Your experience with Bootcamp in one sentence: Bootcamp set the foundation for my success and has helped me sustain my practice through numerous personal hardships.
How were you feeling before you signed up for Bootcamp?: Like I was drifting out to sea, lol. Fortunately, I found y'all about 6 months into opening my practice (Fall 2016), and you provided all the tools I needed to have a healthy practice from the get-go!
What did your private practice look like before Bootcamp started?: Very, very small! And I had done my research via Facebook groups, podcasts, and lots of googling in an attempt to educate myself on owning a business and all that goes into it, but my practice was taking MUCH longer than anticipated to grow. My numbers weren't where I wanted them, and I felt like I knew there was a lot I didn't know! You helped tremendously with this!
How do you feel after Business School Bootcamp for Therapists?: I felt relief and clarity — so much clarity! I understood what I did and did not need to work on, systems I needed to input, and shifts that needed to be made. I had a basic understanding of marketing and creating an impactful website and was able to implement those tools immediately to attract new clients. I felt so much more aware and prepared — it helped decrease my anxiety and increase my confidence as a clinician and business owner. It was also a significant part of stepping into my identity as a business owner and helped me to start addressing my relationship with money and knowing my worth as a clinician.
How have your private practice and life changed after Bootcamp (processes, clinically, work-life balance, financially)?: I pretty quickly streamlined my basic processes and felt like I had a handle on all aspects of my practice. My confidence grew tremendously and I was having FUN with my practice! However, my personal life took a difficult turn about a year into private practice. I started dealing with debilitating chronic illness and a painful break up, followed by brain surgery and the sudden, tragic loss of my 30-year-old sister-in-law all within about 18 months. Life was HARD. I had no energy, I was sick, and my family and I were grieving. I was hopping on a plane every other month to see family, and all my extra time and energy went into our healing. I was just trying to survive...but I DID. With flying stars! It's been a rough few years (and then 2020 hit!!), but I'm SO happy to say I have a thriving practice despite it all. I owe it to y'all for giving me the foundation and skills I needed in order to weather so many exhausting, scary, and painful storms!!
What would you say to someone else who is on the fence about joining Business School Bootcamp for Therapists?: DO IT!!!!! It's the best investment you'll make into your practice. And if you are able, take off time so you can really focus on the modules and do the work! It will come back to you tenfold in the months after!
What do you wish you had known about private practice before you started?: To save up money in case I didn't get enough clients right away! I had no cushion, and I'm still paying off that mistake. And...literally everything y'all teach during Bootcamp lol. Every bit of it has been useful!
