Starting a Private Therapy Practice in California
There’s been a part of you that’s wanted private practice in California for a long time. In fact, that was at least a little part of the vision you had when you enrolled in grad school. You fantasized about your office, the couch, and what it would feel like to be having these transformational moments with clients regularly. You don’t just want a side hobby practice. In your heart of hearts, you want private practice success: the kind you hear about on the private practice success story podcast.
You Became a Licensed Therapist in California
You’ve worked so hard to become a therapist in California. You waded through all the options: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and Clinical Psychologist. You got the education, you gathered the hours, and you jumped through every hoop that the Board of Behavioral Sciences threw at you. And now, here you are, at what feels like the final hurdle:
Starting a Private Therapy Practice in California
A part of you feels like it’s time. It’s MORE than time. But another part of you wonders if you missed the window. Can the economy sustain it? There are SO many therapists in California, and the private practice market feels so saturated.
You talk to your colleagues, and it feels like feast or famine. The people with waiting lists in private practice say, “Jump in — we need you!” while the people at your agency job say, “I tried it, and it was horrible — stay where it’s safe!” We started a private therapy practice during a recession, and you can do the same.
Today, we (Miranda Palmer and Kelly Higdon) want to provide you with hope, perspective, inspiration, and some specific to-do lists to start a successful private therapy practice in California. We’re both therapists in the state who happen to be licensed as LMFTs.
Both of us started our cash-pay practices during the last recession amidst a LOT of naysayers. And both of us were successful. We’ve also helped hundreds (if not thousands) of therapists in California do the same since 2008.
Even if we have a significant economic downturn, or if inflation continues to rise, every marker points toward MORE need for therapists in private practice, not less. A successful private therapy practice isn’t magic.
You’re starting a business. This is a business with relatively low overhead, and you’ve already invested years and tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars into it by getting trained to provide these services. The only problem is that few of us received any business training. And often, even if we did, the training often didn’t relate to what we were learning about therapy practice.
Checklist for Starting a Private Practice in California
It’s extremely easy to get overwhelmed with a thousand blogs and podcasts. So, let’s break it down into a little checklist for starting a private therapy practice in California:
Run some numbers and learn how to set your fee. You can check out our free training on setting your fees and even be eligible for 1 CE!
Get clear on who you want to work with. Check out this free training to clarify your niche (even if you want to be a generalist, this is a must-have to market yourself online).
Launch your website. Check out this free Website Checklist for Therapists.
Get clear on your marketing with our free Marketing Plan 101 training!
While there are definitely some more moving parts in terms of paperwork, processes, consultations, etc., these are the first 4 things you need to conceptualize to actually get someone to call you and agree to pay for a session. Start here to build your confidence and move into the logistics of the rest of running a private therapy practice in California.
Check Out These Private Practice Success Stories from California Therapists for Some Inspiration
Finding Security in Telehealth and Business Processes with Dr. Gretchen
Adapting from Offline to Virtual Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Therapy Is Awkward: Writing and Creating a Following with Nicole
Persevering After Setbacks and How to Tell When You’re Ready for Change with Rachel
Do you have questions about starting a practice in California? Post them in the comments section below. Let’s make this easy because you’re absolutely needed right now!
Frequently Asked Questions about Starting a Counseling Practice in California
What are the costs for starting a counseling practice?
What is the private practice therapist salary?
How do you start a website for therapists?
