Fearless Practice

Starting a Canadian private practice can be such an exciting time in your life, but also very overwhelming!  This means that sometimes things can get missed, or too much time can be spent on one task, running the risk of other important steps falling through the cracks. In private practice, anything missing could have serious consequences! It is important to be thorough.  So, I thought it would be helpful to share a couple of common mistakes and how to avoid them!  In this episode:  Waiting for perfect clarity before launching Using US advice without adapting to Canada Underestimating privacy/security needs for a Canadian practice Setting policies too late  Not blocking out consistent admin time  Growing before your foundations are stable Waiting for perfect clarity before launching The cost of waiting for perfect clarity can be months of delay in launching your practice, which can lead to lost revenue and delays in building up your clientele base.  That's why I love using WordPress. It gives you everything you need to start your website. With its built-in optimization and responsive, mobile-ready themes, there's no limit to who you can reach with your new website. No matter the size of your budget, WordPress has a plan that's right for you! Using US advice without adapting to Canada 'Sometimes, [US-based advice] does not apply in Canada or in your province, so you want to make sure you are listening to Canadian content like this podcast! Or other Canadian podcasts, or Canadian websites talking about private practice in Canada.' - Jules Smith For example, many provinces require all healthcare data to be stored on Canadian servers. So, if you have been only listening to US-based advice, you may have accidentally purchased a subscription to a US-based private practice management system, which could place you in some hot water! I highly recommend using JaneApp for a Canadian practice management system. Jane offers online booking, charting, scheduling, secure video, and invoicing on one secure, beautifully designed system. It makes admin a breeze and maintains an effective workflow.  Underestimating privacy/security needs for a Canadian practice To send secure emails and keep my communication safe, I use and recommend Hushmail.  Hushmail protects your clients by adding encryption to your emails, web forms, and e-signatures. It's secure, PIPEDA-compliant, and trusted by healthcare professionals worldwide. Plus, all of their servers are in Canada! Additionally, consider Nord VPN. It helps protect your internet connection and privacy online when working. VPN stands for "virtual private network," and it creates an encrypted tunnel for your data, protects your online identity by hiding your IP address, and allows you to use public Wi-Fi hotspots safely. Setting policies too late  While it is true that you don't need everything to be perfect before launching your private practice, setting up your policies before you launch is essential.  I know this can be a lot to research, think about, and write. So, you can always purchase my Fearless Practice Scripts that go over all of those policies. You can edit and discuss them with your attorney before publishing them for your practice's launch.  Not blocking out consistent admin time I highly recommend reserving admin time and completing it between sessions. If you don't stay on top of your admin, it can lead to chronic stress, not being present with clients, and feeling overwhelmed.  Growing before your foundations are stable Sometimes you want a group private practice right away, so you start hiring therapists within the first couple of months of starting your private practice.  While some therapists may pull it off, for most therapists, this rapid growth pace may lead to burnout and overwhelm, and even risk associate or client dissatisfaction.   Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Katie McLean: Combining Two Master's Degrees into One Practice | EP 202 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free! Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Some doors close so that others can open: when Katie didn't get accepted into the original Master's Education in Counselling program she wanted, it was disappointing.  However, she ended up following another piece of her passion, and got her Master's in Teaching and Education. Then, once she had graduated, she pursued her second Master's in Counselling Psychology, achieving the degree she was initially looking for!    Today, Katie runs her fully booked private practice where she combines her passion for education and psychology into one. Join us today as we discuss how she opened her practice, strategically marketed it with networking to become full, and built community to support her goals. MEET KATIE Katie is a Registered Provisional Psychologist in Calgary with a "just do it" attitude. She launched her private practice in November 2025 and has a bustling practice focusing on ADHD, Anxiety, OCD, and perinatal care. She is also the co-host of the Happiness of the Commons Podcast. Learn more about Katie on her private practice website, Psychology Today, Instagram accounts, and podcast.  In this episode:  Why Katie decided to start a private practice  Registering as a Psychologist  Completing two Master's degrees: Teaching and Psychology  Marketing the practice Why Jane App makes private practice easier Why Katie decided to start a private practice  While Katie loved working at a group practice initially for her provisional hours, once she was qualified and certified, she wanted to open her own Canadian private practice.  Ultimately, for Katie, opening her own private practice meant two things: bringing more income home and having more freedom in her schedule.  Registering as a Psychologist  In Alberta, you can register as a psychologist with only a Master's degree: you go through a provisional period, which includes 1600 hours working under supervision with a registered psychologist.  Once Katie's hours are completed, she won't have to pay for supervision any longer. She also has her Master's in Education, so Katie explains that she'd like to teach.  Completing two Master's degrees: Teaching and Psychology Katie has always had a passion for psychology, so she completed her undergraduate degree in psychology. While studying, she worked in student affairs for some time, which included leadership, mentorship, and event planning, and it was something she really loved.  Initially, Katie applied to complete her Master's of Education in Counselling. Unfortunately, she wasn't accepted into that course, but she was accepted into a Master's of Education in Teaching and Learning because, at that time, she was working in higher education. However, later on she was accepted to complete her Master's in Counselling Psychology.  It was back-to-back Master's degrees, and Katie took six months off of school afterwards!  Marketing the practice Now, Katie's practice is full, and her biggest and most successful marketing strategy has been networking.  Katie puts a lot of effort into networking with therapists adjacent to her practice, because she knows that when the relationship is strong and solid, people trust and depend on each other, and can easily send referrals between practices. Why Jane App makes private practice easier  Katie lists plenty of the reasons why she enjoys using Jane App in her private practice and encourages listeners to do the same:  Clients can book sessions online directly, including a series of appointments a few weeks in advance  Clients can also book many sessions in advance and can cancel one if they need to at least 24 hours before the session is due to begin  Billing is incredibly easy  Taxes are easy to manage  All data is centralized in one spot  Katie's advice to listeners  Private practice is not impossible. There are challenges, but it can be done. Don't underestimate it, but you don't need to overestimate it either: with a good mentor or membership community, you can definitely open your own practice!  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Sandra Karlin: From Tech to Therapist in Private Practice | EP 201 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free! Learn more about Katie on her collective practice website, private practice website, Psychology Today, Instagram account, and podcast Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Our paths can change in ways that we may not easily foresee. While Sandra was someone who always knew that she liked and wanted to help people, she only became a therapist later on in life: her first career was in tech!  It was only after she completed her Master's degree - studying part-time while working in the Canadian tech hub - that she pivoted her career, starting both from scratch and in a new industry in counselling.  Over the last three years, Sandra has graduated, started, and grown her private practice from solo to group, and become a new mom. In this episode, we cover her journey, what she has learned, and what she wants to share with you, the listener. Join us!  MEET SANDRA Sandra Karlin is a Registered Psychotherapist and group practice owner of Beyond Happiness Counselling, supporting adults and couples in Kitchener‑Waterloo and virtually across Ontario. With a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, she brings a warm, supportive, and sensitive approach to therapy, helping clients make sense of what they're going through while building practical skills for change. Sandra works with concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness, self‑esteem and body image, grief and loss, career changes, major life transitions, trauma, and relationship challenges. Her integrative style includes mindfulness, person‑centred therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Walk & Talk therapy, and Gottman Method couples counselling (Clinical Foundations training). Learn more about Sandra on her private practice website, Psychology Today, LinkedIn, and Instagram profiles.  In this episode:  When Sandra started her private practice Running a private practice as a new mother Changing careers from tech to therapy Marketing the private practice Offering walk-and-talk therapy Sandra's advice to listeners When Sandra started her private practice  Sandra completed her internship at a local clinic and then decided to stay on. While at the clinic, she slowly started building out her private caseload on the side.  At times, Sandra was working with an average of two private clients for a year, so it was truly slow and steady! Sandra completed her Master's at Yorkville University and landed a great placement where she still occasionally works part-time, while now running her private practice. She also joined another group practice, where she works one day every two weeks, while managing her ever-growing practice with contractors.  Running a private practice as a new mother Sandra started looking into hiring contract therapists when she was around four months pregnant.  She was concerned about her client's therapy journeys and didn't want their work to be interrupted while she took maternity leave. So, Sandra decided to hire contractors to take over some of her caseload.  Changing careers from tech to therapy She always knew that she wanted to help people and be of service, but that has taken shape over time: being a therapist is Sandra's second career.  At first, Sandra worked in tech. However, she decided to complete her Master's degree part-time over four years while working in tech, and once she graduated, she made the switch.  Marketing the private practice To market her private practice currently, Sandra has been using a mixed approach in terms of techniques, utilizing:  Psychology Today referrals  Word-of-mouth  Google Ads Social media presence  Videos on social media profiles Offering walk-and-talk therapy Sandra has found that offering walk-and-talk therapy in her private practice makes therapy more accessible. Some clients might feel nervous, shy, or too self-conscious to sit face-to-face with their therapist, and walking in nature means that you are side-by-side with them instead.  Additionally, you get to be out in nature, which may aid in helping people's mental health, bringing a sense of calmness, and allowing one's eyes to travel as they gather their thoughts without feeling self-conscious.  Walking also supports people's therapeutic journey by offering them a literal way to talk through their stuck patterns or thoughts, bridging new thoughts and patterns with physical motion.  Sandra's advice to listeners If private practice is something that's often on your mind, try it out!  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: My Biggest Takeaways from 200 Podcast Episodes! | EP 200 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free! Learn more about Sandra on her private practice website, Psychology Today, LinkedIn, and Instagram profiles  Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

This is an amazing milestone: I had no idea back in 2022 that the Fearless Practice Podcast would grow so big, and that I would still be here recording in 2026!  Of course, I could not have done this by myself. Thank you to Jane App, my podcast department team, and you, the audience. You are as much a part of this team as we are, and your listenership helps us develop and continue publishing new episodes.  In celebration of this milestone we've all achieved together, I'm sharing eight of my biggest takeaways from this journey with you.  In this episode:  The path is rarely linear - and that's not a problem! Values are a business strategy  Offline marketing still works! Clarity is essential  Sustainable scheduling prevents burnout (6) 09:06  Privacy tools and EMRs are your best friends Everyone benefits from mentorship  The path is rarely linear - and that's not a problem! 'Across 200 episodes, one of the most consistent themes that I've seen is that Canadian private practice rarely follows a clean timeline.' - Jules Smith   From the interviews I've shared on the Fearless Practice Podcast, a consistent thread that continues through them all is that the path to private practice is varied.   Many therapists didn't graduate and open a private practice with a full caseload, and many therapists start in agencies, hospitals, or even have to take steps back from private practice throughout their careers for different reasons.   'For myself, I started working for the BC Government, moved to Halifax, opened a private practice, and then worked at Dalhousie for a bit as I grew my private practice. And then, once COVID hit, I went completely online and built my private practice as a virtual [one] … And it took almost 10 years!' - Jules Smith  Remember this: just because your path takes turns doesn't mean that you aren't on the right path! Keep going, take stock when needed, and enjoy the ride.  Values are a business strategy 'Values aren't just something you put on your website, they're a decision-making tool. On this podcast, there have been so many conversations with Canadian private practice owners about their values and how it helps [them] guide their private practice.' - Jules Smith When you're clear on what matters, such as community, accessibility, autonomy, and integrity … You suddenly have a filter for the big decisions. These big decisions could pertain to your schedule, who you hire, and how you spend your time working.   At the end of the day, the foundation upon which you build your practice is rooted in the values that mean a lot to you.  Offline marketing still works! One thing that shows up in the podcast conversations again and again is how Canadian private practice owners are focusing on offline or in-person marketing and networking - especially in this saturated market.  '[Offline marketing] is working for private practice owners because therapy is trust-based, and when they meet you in person, it builds that connection and trust. Plus, it helps you stand out in a saturated market.' - Jules Smith  Having a conversation with a community member about your private practice will take you further in a way that posting about it on social media may not be able to. The power of meeting people where they're at, and in person, cannot be overstated in building rapport with your community.  Clarity is essential  Clarity is what helps the right clients choose you quickly. I discuss clarity in-depth in my free workbook on how to start a Canadian private practice, and who you help and why.   Remember, the more that you niche, the more you stand out, and that can be really helpful for someone who's looking for help with a specific problem.  Sustainable scheduling prevents burnout 'One of the biggest lessons that shows up repeatedly when I'm talking to Canadian private practice owners, as well as when I'm doing my solo episodes, is that scheduling isn't just a lifestyle preference: it's part of clinical care.' - Jules Smith  Edit your mindset to only see success as something that is sustainable. If something requires you to continuously push yourself beyond your limits mentally, physically, and professionally, then it may not be success in the holistic sense.  Whatever helps you do great work and supports your well-being is essential to being successful, so try challenging yourself to start to see it that way! Privacy tools and EMRs are your best friends As you know, I love and use Jane App as my practice management system.  I love that I can do bookings, reminders, invoicing, notes, intake forms, direct billing: everything that you need to start and grow a private practice!  They will walk you through the solutions to your problems step-by-step. And, they're a Canadian-founded business as well. They take so much stress away so that we can focus on being the best therapists that we can be!  Also, I've been using Hushmail for my emails, and I sleep so much better at night knowing that my emails and my client's personal information are all secure.  Everyone benefits from mentorship 'Everyone benefits from mentorship, consultation, and shared learning. Private practice can be very isolating, so make sure that you have clinical and community support so that you're not alone!' - Jules Smith  Consider joining group consultations with other therapists, renting out office space if you have extra, and collaborating with other therapists - such as listening to this podcast!  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Nicole Lobo: From Group Practice Back to Solo | EP 199 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free! Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

What happens when the practice you worked so hard to build no longer fits the season of life you're in? How do you know when it's time to grow, and when it's time to simplify? In another installment from my mini-series, "Where are they now?" I'm chatting with Nicole Lobo, who was on the show back in 2023! In this episode, Nicole returns to the podcast to reflect on how her practice has evolved over the last three years, why she transitioned from group practice back to solo work, and how motherhood reshaped her understanding of success, sustainability, and balance.  From marketing struggles and wearing too many hats, to rediscovering groundedness in private practice, Nicole shares an honest look at what it means to build a business that fits the life you actually want to live. MEET NICOLE Nicole Lobo is a Registered Psychotherapist and founder of Be Well Therapy Studio in London, Ontario, with over nine years of experience supporting thoughtful, high-functioning adults through anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, and life transitions. Drawing on an integrative approach that weaves together CBT, DBT, ACT, emotion-focused therapy, attachment theory, and trauma-informed care, Nicole specializes in the in-between seasons of life — the moments when what once fit no longer does. She has a particular passion for working with millennial adults navigating the quiet pressure to hold it all together, including the profound identity shifts that come with parenthood. Beyond her clinical work, Nicole also provides supervision for Registered Psychotherapists and business coaching for therapists building sustainable practices. She holds a Master's in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and sees clients both in person in London and virtually across Ontario.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Learn more about Nicole on her practice website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles.  In this episode:  Nicole's private practice in 2023 Going from group back to solo practice How Nicole is marketing her practice Rebalancing virtual and in-person sessions What's next for Nicole   Nicole's private practice in 2023 Nicole had some big goals back in 2023, and all of them came to fruition over these past three years! She explains that she was passionate and motivated, and that by taking consistent steps, Nicole was able to bring all of these dreams together into the practice that she now runs.  Going from group back to solo practice While Nicole loved her time running a group private practice, at the beginning of 2026, she decided to restructure her business into a solo practice again.  Therefore, once Nicole's last contractor was ready to move on, she decided not to take on another and readjusted her practice to run as a solo practitioner. How Nicole is marketing her practice Nicole is honest about having had a difficult time marketing her practice when it was a group-focused entity.  Finding a way to honor everyone's skills in the practice of marketing is essential, and can be difficult to do. Therefore, shifting back to solo practice has also made marketing easier for Nicole, because now she's marketing herself only, and not having to do that heavy lifting for a team of other clinicians, as group practice owners often need to.  Rebalancing virtual and in-person sessions At first, Nicole would see more than half of her clients in person and offer a day or two for virtual sessions.  However, she unfortunately experienced numerous no-shows, last-minute cancellations, and other hiccups, which made it difficult for her to continue seeing most of her clients in person, especially when she needed to arrange childcare and commute to the office.  Therefore, Nicole has found a new balance to seeing clients: the majority online, and a few in person. That, combined with being a solo practitioner, has made it easier and little less stressful for Nicole to balance her work and personal life commitments.  What's next for Nicole For Nicole, the road ahead is smooth and steady.  While she's not closed off from potential opportunities, such as partnering with another clinician in the future or taking on contractors again, she is focused on this season of her professional life, which is to be a solo practitioner for the time being.  Connect with me: Instagram Website  Resources mentioned and useful links: Shulamit Ber Levtov: Building a Sustainable Practice Without Losing Yourself | EP 198 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free! Learn more about Nicole on her practice website, Psychology Today, and LinkedIn profiles Click here to listen to the previous episode with Nicole Lobo Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn