Finding Work-Life Balance and Setting Sustainable Fees with Desiree
Back in 2017, Desiree started an online private practice while working multiple jobs. She enjoyed the meaningful work with agencies but knew that it wouldn’t be sustainable in the long term. After getting involved in the Bootcamp program, Desiree started outsourcing a lot of tasks, found an electronic health record software that she enjoyed, and streamlined her accounting.
Now, she has more time for clinical work, maintains a reasonable work-life balance, and feels confident to set sustainable fees. Regardless of what’s going on in the world, Desiree knows that she can find clients who recognize the value of her services and will pay what she’s worth.
Check out the full interview about her Private Practice Success Story below:
How are you pivoting or supporting your community during COVID-19? In April 2020, my Governor requested clinicians sign up to provide free mental health services. I was already burned out and talking with my own therapist about why therapists were being asked to work for free while other healthcare professionals were being paid 3x their rate to meet the demand. I was able to plan for an extended sliding scale period for a time and give back on my own terms. I plan to continue working virtually and adding group work, retreats, and mind-body integration services eventually, which is very exciting.
Your experience with Bootcamp in one sentence: I think my concept of life itself expanded by realizing the limiting thinking I was projecting onto my business.
How were you feeling before you signed up for Bootcamp?: I was hesitant to invest money into the program because it felt like a luxury rather than something I needed. I was doing everything in Excel and manual systems that made me dread the business end of things. I wanted to get systems in place ASAP so I could focus on the clinical work. Most of my career before private practice was trying to find a job that would pay enough so I could make those loan payments, while also allowing for direct client work instead of middle management in underfunded agencies. In private practice, I finally got a taste of the work-life balance we all deserve.
What did your private practice look like before Bootcamp started?: Before Bootcamp, I was in private practice part-time for a little over a year at that point and exhausted. I was working a few jobs and unsure where to put my energy in order to really get to a place that would sustain my family. I was paneled with insurance because I was told that would be the fastest way to build my caseload, which it wasn’t. After a year of BSB, I was able to de-panel and correct some of the mistakes I made early on.
How do you feel after Business School Bootcamp for Therapists?: Like an actual business owner. I feel grounded, focused, and more aware of my tendency towards shiny object syndrome. I also feel connected to a community of healers who get it!
How have your private practice and life changed after Bootcamp (processes, clinically, work-life balance, financially)?: Simplified processes, adjusted my value, got clarity about how to pace my growth. I work 3 clinical days per week and have flexibility with other tasks, so work isn’t my whole life anymore.
What would you say to someone else who is on the fence about joining Business School Bootcamp for Therapists?: There is so much value in this program and I love that it has something for everyone. No matter where you are in your training or career, if you have a goal to make things feel better, this will help.
What do you wish you had known about private practice before you started?: You don't need to accept low rates from managed care companies in order to be in business. We deserve more than working ourselves to death in systems that care more about bottom lines than health and well-being.
How are you feeling about your momentum and your business right now?: I have more confidence in my practice now than ever. I was CONVINCED I’d wind up without a home if I went out on my own! But I’ve been very lucky in connecting with the right resources and getting out of my own way.
What have been the most effective marketing strategies for you in the last 60 days?: In the last 60 days, my most effective marketing has been Instagram, I think. People who are pissed off about the same things tend to find me and then my website and there they can book a session or free consult right away.
Overall has your income stayed the same, gone down, or gone up?: Gone up significantly. I can afford healthcare! It feels great.
How are you preparing your business for the next 30 days?: I’m working with my BSB buddy HARD to make blogging a regular thing. I typically only post one here and there to give my SEO a boost, but I think that is where I’ll find an authentic marketing strategy that doesn’t feel cringey. I feel too old to be on social media already, but I love working with young adults, especially women and LGBTQ+ folx from the gens X, Y, and Z.
