The zynnyme Blog

Private Practice Blog for Therapists

Hundreds of articles on building, growing, and sustaining your private practice — written by therapists, for therapists. Not recycled generic business advice.

📌 Most Popular

Starting a Practice Costs for Starting a Counseling Practice The real breakdown of what it costs to launch — no fluff, no scare tactics, just numbers.

Burnout & Sustainability Free CEUs for Therapists and Counselors Our constantly updated list of free continuing education opportunities — because learning shouldn't break the bank.

Group Practice Group Practice Guide to Profitability Why your group practice might not be profitable — and the business model shifts that fix it.

Fees & Insurance The Awkward Money Conversations Every Therapist Dreads Let's talk about the thing nobody wants to talk about — what you make, what you should make, and why it matters.

Anthem Dropping Rates by $47 per session? What this means for Therapists

When a major insurer like Elevance (formerly Anthem) slashes therapist pay by $50 per session with barely 30 days’ notice, it’s not just a contract change - it’s a wake-up call for every mental health provider to understand their rights, read the fine print, and prepare to protect their livelihood.

Miranda Palmer 6/30/25 Miranda Palmer 6/30/25

The State of Therapy: Real Talk on AI, Ethics, and Private Practice Growth with Miranda & Kelly

In this episode, Miranda and Kelly dive into the evolving role of AI in private practice, exploring both its opportunities and ethical challenges for therapists navigating today's mental health landscape.

Miranda Palmer 6/23/25 Miranda Palmer 6/23/25

From Poetry to Private Practice with Jamey

Jamey shares his journey of transitioning from a career in the humanities to becoming a successful psychoanalyst and therapist in private practice, reflecting on the challenges, rewards, and the importance of being true to yourself along the way.

Miranda Palmer 6/18/25 Miranda Palmer 6/18/25

Innovation, Psychedelics, and Making Practice Fun with Alicia

Alicia shares how embracing creativity and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy helped her build an energizing, impactful practice outside the traditional therapy model.

zynnyme 5/15/25 zynnyme 5/15/25

The State of Therapy: Surviving, Thriving, and (Un)Learning the Rules

In this episode, Miranda Palmer and Kelly Higdon dig into how shifting insurance models and value-based care are increasing risk for therapists, and why creating sustainable private practices is more crucial than ever for both clinicians and their clients.

zynnyme 5/1/25 zynnyme 5/1/25

The State of Therapy: Big Business, Burnout, and Reinventing Private Practice

In this episode, Kelly and Miranda hit pause on the success stories and dive into a real-time conversation about what’s changing in mental health—and how private practice owners can navigate it.

Miranda Palmer 4/17/25 Miranda Palmer 4/17/25

The Myth That Leaving Insurance Hurts the Profession: Why Fair Pay Strengthens the Field

To protect the future of mental health care, we must stop blaming therapists for leaving insurance and start demanding real change that benefits both clients and providers.

Miranda Palmer 4/10/25 Miranda Palmer 4/10/25

The Myth That Clients Won’t Be Able to Afford Therapy: What’s Really Blocking Access to Care?

The biggest barrier to mental health care isn’t therapists charging private pay rates—it’s a broken insurance system driving providers out of the field and creating a devastating shortage of care.

Miranda Palmer 3/20/25 Miranda Palmer 3/20/25

The Shaming of Therapists Who Drop Insurance Panels—And Why It Needs to Stop

In this article, we discuss the harmful shaming therapists face when leaving insurance panels, the systemic issues behind low reimbursement rates, and why stepping away from unsustainable contracts is a necessary step toward change for both therapists and their clients.

Miranda Palmer 3/13/25 Miranda Palmer 3/13/25

Therapist Salary in Private Practice: The Awkward Conversations Nobody Has

Ever wonder how much of a therapist’s session fee they actually keep? After expenses, taxes, and unpaid admin work, the take-home pay is often much lower than expected. Let’s break down where the money goes and why setting the right rate is essential for a sustainable practice.

Miranda Palmer 2/4/25 Miranda Palmer 2/4/25

The Truth About BetterHelp & Your Career as a Therapist

BetterHelp is everywhere—podcasts, ads, emails promising lucrative pay. With claims of $122,196 per year for 40 hours a week, it sounds tempting, right? (They literally sent Miranda those numbers to try to “recruit” her in December of 2024!) But let’s take a closer look at the numbers and stories behind the promise.

Did you know that over 17% of all therapists in the U.S. are now working for BetterHelp? With over $8.35 million spent monthly on podcast advertising alone, their reach is undeniable. Yet, reviews from therapists who’ve worked with them paint a very different picture:

Miranda Palmer 1/27/25 Miranda Palmer 1/27/25

Will Therapists Kill or Save Our Profession in 2025?

Therapists are at a crossroads in 2025. With insurance companies making billions while many in our field face burnout and financial struggle, we have to ask: Are we enabling a broken system, or can we take a stand to create real change - for ourselves and our clients?

“BST was the best investment I have made in myself. I went from working 45-50 hours per week to working 25 hrs, doubling my income,” Cyndi

**What if this really could change everything?**

You don’t have to decide today.

Just get on the interest list and we’ll walk you through what Business School for Therapists is, what it includes, and how it’s helped thousands of therapists get their life (and income) back.