During economic downturns, it's understandable to think about diversifying your income beyond the therapy room. In this episode, Patrick Casale opens up about the highs and lows of hosting international retreats and the basics of what it takes to build a retreat business that has the potential to lead to more income and security.

After launching 19 retreats across the globe since 2022, Patrick Casale shares what it really takes to recession-proof your business while following your passion.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Build Your Audience Before You Launch: A loyal, engaged audience is essential for successful events. Don’t count on luck—consistent podcasting, a thriving Facebook group, and authentic relationship-building paved the way for his own sold-out retreats.
2. Marketing Matters (A Lot): Social media and clear messaging aren’t optional. Knowing your target market—and communicating value consistently—is the difference between an empty event and a thriving one.
3. Start Small and Niche Down: Not ready to host in Ireland? Try a local, one-day event and partner with other wellness professionals. Know exactly who your retreat serves and what transformation you offer—this clarity powers your marketing and event design.

If you’re looking to step beyond traditional therapy, recession-proof your business, and want to learn more about diversifying income through retreat hosting, podcasting, and writing books, check out the Beyond Private Practice: Recession Proofing Intensive on December 12, 2025. Learn more: allthingspractice.com/beyond-recession-intensive

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🎙️Listen to more episodes of the All Things Private Practice Podcast

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✈️ Learn about Retreats

🗨️ Join the free Empowered Escape FB Community

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Thanks to Our Sponsors: The Receptionist for iPad, Alma, Beyond Private Practice: Recession Proofing Intensive, & Resilient Mind Counseling!

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist offers an iPad list check-in option where clients can scan a QR code to check in, which negates the need for you to buy an iPad and stand. Go to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice and sign up for a free 14-day trial. When you do, you'll get your first month free. And don't forget to ask about our iPad list check-in option.

✨ Alma

Thanks to Alma for sponsoring this episode.

Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.

✨ Beyond Private Practice: Recession Proofing Intensive

It's Patrick from All Things Private Practice. I know a lot of you are feeling uncertain right now about your caseloads, the economy, or what the next year's going to look like for your practice. I get it. Things are weird out there right now. That is exactly why I created the "Beyond Private Practice: Recession Proofing Intensive," a 5-hour, live, neurodivergent-affirming, online event happening on Friday, December 12th, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST. We will talk about real, tangible ways to diversify your income through podcasting, retreats, writing that book of yours, and speaking engagements; they're all symbiotic and feed into each other. I'm gonna show you exactly how to leverage and maximize so you can build stability and freedom no matter what's happening around you. The cost for the intensive is only $299, valued at over $2,500, because I want this to be accessible. Just to let you in on some behind-the-scenes, my wife works for the federal government and hasn't been paid for weeks due to the shutdown. So yeah, things are tight, but I also know how powerful this work is, and I want to make sure to give back to the therapist community that has supported me through everything I've created the last four years. You'll walk away with strategies, templates, confidence, clarity, and 4 NBCC CEs. Go to allthingspractice.com/beyond-recession-intensive to grab your spot. Doubt yourself and do it anyway.

✨ Resilient Mind Counseling

My name is Patrick Casale, and I’m the founder of Resilient Mind Counseling, a neurodivergent-affirming group practice based in Asheville serving clients throughout North Carolina via telehealth and in-person sessions.

Our practice is passionate about supporting Autistic adults, ADHDers, and other neurodivergent individuals, along with the LGBTQIA+ community and folks experiencing anxiety, burnout, and life transitions. Many of our clinicians identify as neurodivergent themselves, and we pride ourselves on offering therapy that is affirming, authentic, and grounded in lived experience.

Mentioned in this episode:

Alma

I want to thank Alma for sponsoring this episode.
Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details, and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.

Beyond Private Practice: Recession Proofing Intensive

It's Patrick from All Things Private Practice. I know a lot of you are feeling uncertain right now about your caseloads, the economy, or what the next year's going to look like for your practice. I get it. Things are weird out there right now. That is exactly why I created the "Beyond Private Practice: Recession Proofing Intensive," a 5-hour, live, neurodivergent-affirming, online event happening on Friday, December 12th, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST. We will talk about real, tangible ways to diversify your income through podcasting, retreats, writing that book of yours, and speaking engagements; they're all symbiotic and feed into each other. I'm gonna show you exactly how to leverage and maximize so you can build stability and freedom no matter what's happening around you. The cost for the