Starting a Counseling Practice Success Stories

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May 2026

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Join Kelly Higdon and Miranda Palmer of zynnyme Private Practice Experts as they speak with successful practice owners about how they created lives and businesses they love. Whether you're new to private practice or already successful and looking to expand, you'll find plenty of stories to get motivated and start designing the practice of your dreams! • Learn about our LIFETIME program for current and aspiring practice owners: https://bit.ly/LearnAboutBusinessSchool • Check out how YOU can be featured on the podcast (or even have us on yours!): https://www.zynnyme.com/podcast

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May 27, 202625 min

Starting a Private Practice With a Business Partner: What Actually Works

Most therapists picture private practice as a solo act. You, your caseload, your name on the door. Allison and Amanda built theirs differently. They left insurance-panel group practice work to start a practice together in Dallas, and three years in, they have something neither of them thinks they could have built alone.They did not start as a business partnership in any way anyone would recommend, and they will be the first to tell you that. What they did have was years of working alongside each other, a real friendship, a shared vision for the kind of therapy they wanted to do, and a willingness to spend their weekends figuring out the rest.In this conversation, Kelly sits down with Allison and Amanda to trace the actual path: from meeting in an inpatient hospital, to years in a generalist group practice that discouraged niching, to four months of Saturdays spent building websites and filing LLC paperwork, to a practice now moving into couples intensives. We talk about why they chose partnership over going solo, the SEO learning curve, the mistakes and the overwork, and why riding the wave when your numbers dip is a skill, not a personality flaw.If you are thinking about niching down, wondering whether to start a practice with a friend, or asking yourself whether now is even a good time to start a practice at all, this one is for you.What You'll Hear00:00 Why two therapists chose to start a practice together (and why going solo felt too scary) 02:47 The shared vision: leaving generalist group practice work behind to niche 03:53 Their two niches: couples and emerging adults, trauma and brainspotting 04:30 The four months of weekends spent building the practice from scratch 05:39 Where the early effort paid off: networking and the SEO learning curve 07:11 What stopped working, and knowing when to pull back from events 08:32 Mistakes, overwork, and the five minute rule 08:55 Riding the wave when your numbers dip 10:02 Yin and yang: how business partners fall into their strengths 11:17 Marketing as a group practice while staying clearly specialized 13:19 What they tell therapists who want to start a business with a friend 16:01 Moving into intensives and couples work with both clinicians in the room 16:23 Is now a good time to start a private practice? 22:14 Getting curious about the fear that holds therapists backAbout Allison and AmandaAllison and Amanda are licensed professional counselors and co-owners of Crescent Counseling, a group practice in Dallas, Texas. They met working in an inpatient hospital, spent years together in a generalist group practice, and three years ago started their own practice built around specialized, relationship-centered care. Allison works primarily with couples and emerging adults; Amanda focuses on trauma and brainspotting. Together they offer a couples integrated trauma therapy service with both clinicians in the room, and they are expanding into intensive work. Learn more at crescentcounselingdallas.comResources MentionedAllison and Amanda's group practice: https://www.crescentcounselingdallas.com/crescentcounselingdallas.comBrainspotting (Amanda's trauma modality)The Gottman Institute (Allison's couples training)Business School for Therapists: zynnyme.comWant the Kind of Support Allison and Amanda Talk About?Business School for Therapists is our flagship program for therapists ready to build a practice that supports the life they actually want. It is a blend of live coaching and self-paced curriculum, plus a community of clinicians who normalize niching, real fees, and clinical depth. Twenty years in, it is the work we wish someone had handed us when we were spending our own weekends figuring this out. Learn more: zynnyme.comListen, Subscribe, and Leave a ReviewApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/starting-a-counseling-practice-with-kelly/id1398391639Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7K8TQ13vJL4L3IvtWLLXV3Stay ConnectedWebsite: zynnyme.comBlog: zynnyme.com/blogInstagram: instagram.com/zynnymeLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/2456942Pinterest: pinterest.com/zynnymeFacebook: facebook.com/kellyandmirandaMentioned in this episode:Register Now - The AI Policy Every Therapist Needs (Even the Ones Not Using AI)

May 18, 202646 min

Couples Therapy Intensives in Private Practice: Seven Lessons from Irina

Building a Couples Therapy Practice Around Intensives: Irina's StoryMost couples therapy practices look about the same from the outside. Weekly sessions, fifty minutes, sometimes ninety if you are feeling fancy. Irina does it differently. Her North Carolina practice runs entirely on full-day intensives, and every new couple starts with one before any weekly work begins.She did not get there with a five-year plan. She got there by paying attention to what was working, trusting her clinical gut, and being willing to invest in the support she needed along the way.In this conversation, Miranda sits down with Irina to trace the actual path: from picking psychology in college because it did not require math, to community mental health, to multiple states and modalities, to discovering Emotionally Focused Therapy through a podcast and impulsively signing up for a training that cost more than her rent. We talk about why she shifted to intensives, what her clients tell her about the difference, what business coaching actually changed for her, and why the community you build matters more than most therapists realize.If you are thinking about niching down, redesigning your model, or whether to invest in real support to grow your practice, this one is for you.What You'll Hear00:00 Why Irina picked psychology (yes, it had to do with math)06:11 Choosing self-employment over the 9 to 508:53 Discovering EFT through a podcast and an impulsive yes10:44 Trusting clinical intuition in private practice14:47 When the language finally clicked18:06 Designing a schedule that holds virtual work and family20:21 Learning to trust herself as a clinician24:13 What time constraints actually do to therapy28:31 What workplace dysfunction taught her about going solo32:28 The pandemic shift and what it surfaced35:59 Advice for therapists who want to specialize in couples work39:27 Personal and professional pivots without losing momentum41:25 What real trust with couples looks like44:11 Why the community you build matters more than you thinkAbout IrinaIrina is a North Carolina-based couples therapist and entrepreneur whose practice specializes exclusively in EFT intensives for couples. Originally from Moscow, Irina has worked across community mental health, school settings, and ABA before building the private practice that fits her life and her clinical vision. Learn more or connect for intensives at irinabaechlecounselingllc.comResources MentionedIrina's couples therapy practice: irinabaechlecounselingllc.comEmotionally Focused Therapy by Dr. Sue JohnsonHold Me Tight workshopsBusiness School for Therapists: zynnyme.comStarting a Counseling Practice Success Stories podcastWant the Kind of Support Irina Talks About?Business School for Therapists is our flagship program for therapists ready to build a practice that supports the life they actually want. Live coaching, self-paced curriculum, and a community of clinicians who normalize growth, real fees, and clinical depth.Learn more: zynnyme.comListen, Subscribe, and Leave a ReviewApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/starting-a-counseling-practice-with-kelly/id1398391639Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7K8TQ13vJL4L3IvtWLLXV3Stay ConnectedWebsite: zynnyme.comBlog: zynnyme.com/blogInstagram: instagram.com/zynnyme LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/2456942 Pinterest: pinterest.com/zynnyme Facebook: facebook.com/kellyandmirandaMentioned in this episode:Register Now - The AI Policy Every Therapist Needs (Even the Ones Not Using AI)

May 11, 202627 min

Building a Neurodivergent-Affirming Private Practice: How Dr. Corrie Found Her Niche

In this episode of Starting a Counseling Practice Success Stories, we sit down with Dr. Corrie, owner of Shore Therapy outside Chicago and a psychologist licensed to work across 43 states through Psypact. Corrie shares her journey from working in community mental health to building a thriving solo private practice focused on supporting neurodivergent adults and parents of neurodivergent children.Tune in to hear Dr. Corrie open up about the challenges of burnout, parenting as a neurodivergent adult, and how her clinical experiences led her to create a unique online course for parents navigating burnout and overwhelm. Through personal stories and practical insights, she normalizes the experience of feeling "different," highlights the trauma that can stem from marginalization, and invites therapists and parents to embrace their unique neurotypes, both in business and in life.You'll discover why it's crucial to honor each individual's process in therapy and parenting, how creating the right environment leads to greater wellbeing, and why therapists don't need all the answers before launching their private practice. If you're a clinician working toward a more sustainable, values-driven, and personally aligned practice, this one's for you.Ready to learn more about Dr. Corrie's parent burnout resources? Visit her at https://shoretherapycenter.com/ for course info, a parent burnout screener, and helpful blog content.Learn more about Business School for Therapists: https://bit.ly/BusinessSchoolYouTube Website: https://www.zynnyme.com/ Blog: https://www.zynnyme.com/blog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellyandmiranda Instagram: http://instagram.com/zynnyme/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2456942/ Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/zynnyme/Mentioned in this episode:Register Now - The AI Policy Every Therapist Needs (Even the Ones Not Using AI)

March 30, 202637 min

The State of Therapy: The SimplePractice Lawsuit, Your Client Data, and What Every Therapist Needs to Know

This is our monthly state of the field conversation and this one got real fast.It starts with the SimplePractice class action lawsuit, which if you have been on social media lately you have probably seen ads about. But Kelly and I use it as a jumping off point for a much bigger conversation about what therapists are actually agreeing to when we sign up for the tools we use every day. We talk through what cookies and tracking scripts actually do, why HIPAA compliance is not the same as your clients being protected, what it means when a terms of service says data can be used for research and development by the platform and all of its affiliates, and why those session transcripts some platforms are holding onto are a much bigger deal than most of us realize.We also get into the fact that the people investing in these EHR companies are often the same people investing in AI therapist chatbots built on what they call the largest dataset of real therapist interactions. So yeah. We connect those dots.And then we talk about what is underneath all of this for so many therapists right now. The isolation. The disembodiment. The way working for venture capital platforms has added a whole new layer on top of the burnout that was already there. The difference between being pulled toward a vision and being pushed by ethical rage, and why both of those are legitimate.We also share some things from our recent retreat, including what happens when therapists get into a room together and actually slow down long enough to feel what they have been carrying.If you have never watched our free Terms of Service training, this is your sign to go do that. It is at zynnyme.com/free and it features a mental health attorney and the folks at Person-Centered Tech. It is not just us. It is a real dive into what these documents actually mean.Topics: SimplePractice lawsuit, EHR data privacy, therapist burnout, private practice sustainability, telehealth vs in-person therapy, HIPAA and terms of service, venture capital in mental health, therapist isolation, nervous system regulation, AI and therapist data.Free Terms of Service Training: zynnyme.com/free Reach us at: help@zynnyme.comLearn more about Business School for Therapists: https://bit.ly/BusinessSchoolYouTubeWebsite: https://www.zynnyme.com/Blog: https://www.zynnyme.com/blogFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellyandmirandaInstagram: http://instagram.com/zynnyme/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2456942/Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/zynnyme/

March 6, 202632 min

From Solo Therapist to Seven-Figure Group Practice: Ginger's Real Lessons from a 25-Person Team

What does it actually take to go from escaping a toxic nonprofit job to running a thriving 25-person trauma-focused group practice? Ginger Houghton, LCSW, has done it — and she's not sugarcoating the journey.In this episode, Kelly Higdon sits down with Ginger to talk through the real decisions, real mistakes, and real wins that shaped her practice over seven years. From nearly quitting over insurance credentialing in month one, to navigating a 1099-to-W2 conversion without losing her team, to finding the niche that made everything click — this is the conversation most group practice owners wish they'd had earlier.You'll hear Ginger's honest take on:Why VC-backed platforms are a trap (she worked for one for 35 days)The compliance and billing fundamentals that protect you long-termWhat she got wrong in her first 10 hires — and what changedHow profit sharing and "red carpet exits" built a stable, loyal teamThe mindset shift that takes you from clinician to sustainable business ownerWhether you're still solo, quietly thinking about hiring your first clinician, or already scaling and feeling the growing pains — this episode will meet you where you are.Building a practice that works for your clients AND your life isn't just possible. Ginger's proof.Learn more about Ginger Houghton and her practice at: www.brightspottherapy.comLearn more about Business School for Therapists: https://bit.ly/BusinessSchoolYouTubeWebsite: https://www.zynnyme.com/Blog: https://www.zynnyme.com/blogFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellyandmirandaInstagram: http://instagram.com/zynnyme/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2456942/Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/zynnyme/Check out more episodes of the Starting a Counseling Practice Success Stories podcast and leave a review:• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/starting-a-counseling-practice-with-kelly/id1398391639• Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5iY2FzdC5mbS9zdGFydGluZy1hLWNvdW5zZWxpbmctcHJhY3RpY2UtenlubnltZQMentioned in this episode:Register Now - The AI Policy Every Therapist Needs (Even the Ones Not Using AI)

February 23, 202645 min

Group Practice Leadership: Navigating Burnout, Finances & Growth with Dr. Carmy

Welcome back to Starting a Counseling Practice Success Stories!Today, host Miranda Palmer sits down with Dr. Carmy, founder of Destined Horizons — a multi-state group mental health practice serving Georgia, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland.Dr. Carmy's path to therapy wasn't a straight line. From being the friend everyone came to for advice, to earning an MBA before finally answering her true calling as a therapist, her journey is one many practitioners will relate to.In this episode, you'll hear about:The real challenges of building a private practice from scratch — including burnout, balancing family life, and navigating the financial realities of running a group practiceHow she transitioned from solo clinician to group practice owner and the systems that made it possibleWhy finding community and support changed everything for her business and her well-beingHer passion for supporting other helping professionals and normalizing mental health care in Black and brown communitiesWhether you're just starting your private practice, thinking about expanding to a group model, or deep in the weeds of managing it all, this conversation is packed with honest, practical wisdom from someone who's been through it.Grab your coffee and let's dive in.Dr. Carmy's Websites: https://destined-horizons.com/ and https://www.drcarmy.com/Learn more about Business School for Therapists: news.zynnyme.com/business-school/Website: zynnyme.comBlog: zynnyme.com/blogFacebook: facebook.com/kellyandmirandaInstagram: instagram.com/zynnyme/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/2456942/Pinterest: pinterest.com/zynnyme/Check out more episodes of the Starting a Counseling Practice Success Stories podcast on these platforms + leave a review letting us know what you think:Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsMentioned in this episode:Register Now - The AI Policy Every Therapist Needs (Even the Ones Not Using AI)

January 15, 202653 min

Beyond the Couch: How Beth Rontal Created a Thriving Private Practice and Documentation Empire

This episode is a good one, y'all.Beth Rontal went from burnt-out costume designer to therapist to creating Documentation Wizard - a business that teaches therapists how to actually use their documentation as a clinical tool instead of dreading it. And honestly? The parallels between costume design and therapy work are kind of brilliant.We talk about the reality of getting licensed while raising kids, why falling behind on your notes is actually telling you something important about your practice, and how Beth went from supervising 50+ clinicians at an agency to building something sustainable on her own terms.Here's what I love about this conversation: Beth gets real about the fact that nothing is actually a "side gig" when you're passionate about it. We talk about the myth of balance (spoiler: it doesn't exist the way we think it does), why your body might be screaming at you to stop overworking, and how enforcement of your cancellation policy is actually about modeling healthy boundaries - not being a jerk.If you're trying to figure out how to fill your practice through actual relationships instead of SEO panic, or you're drowning in documentation and wondering why it feels so hard, or you're just tired of the hamster wheel and want to see what building something sustainable actually looks like - this one's for you.Beth's offering free resources on getting your notes done (link in show notes), and if you've ever dealt with an insurance clawback and felt completely lost, she does consultations for that too.Real talk about private practice, documentation, and what it actually takes to build something that doesn't destroy you in the process.Get Beth's free "25 Tips to Getting Notes Done": https://bit.ly/zynnymeDocumentation Wizard: https://documentationwizard.comInsurance clawback consultations: Available through Documentation WizardMentioned in this episode:Register Now - The AI Policy Every Therapist Needs (Even the Ones Not Using AI)

December 8, 202551 min

Taking Back Your Cake: Mindset Shifts for Therapists Building a Private Practice

In this compelling episode of Starting a Counseling Practice Success Stories, hosts Kelly Higdon and Miranda Palmer sit down for an honest, no-interview conversation about the seismic shifts in the mental health world right now. Drawing on their experiences supporting thousands of clinicians and leading Business School for Therapists, they dive deep into the growing influence of venture capital-backed therapy platforms, the realities of 1099 contracts vs. employment, and how insurance companies are reshaping the landscape—with a powerful impact on therapist autonomy and pay.Listen as Kelly Higdon and Miranda Palmer peel back the curtain on how big marketing and profit-driven systems are affecting therapists’ mindset, fees, and even their health. The duo discuss the importance of embodied practice, highlight the risks of burnout and autoimmune issues on the rise in the field, and share why it’s crucial to reconnect with your body, intuition, and core values when making practice decisions.You’ll hear practical guidance on navigating contracts, fee-setting for sustainability, and why group and community-oriented offerings may be the future for accessibility and authentic healing. If you’re feeling the pinch of working harder for less, or questioning the “way things are” in private practice, this episode will leave you with validation, tangible next steps, and a reminder: you have more agency than you think.Learn more about Business School for Therapists: https://bit.ly/BusinessSchoolYouTubeWebsite: https://www.zynnyme.com/Blog: https://www.zynnyme.com/blogFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellyandmirandaInstagram: http://instagram.com/zynnyme/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2456942/Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/zynnyme/TikTok: @zynnymeMentioned in this episode:Register Now - The AI Policy Every Therapist Needs (Even the Ones Not Using AI)

November 10, 202540 min

Making Therapy Work When the System Feels Broken

In this episode, hosts Kelly and Miranda take on the messy realities of the mental health field today. They dive into everything from the latest challenges with insurance and the impact of AI on documentation to the emotional toll and ethical decisions many therapists are grappling with, especially those in marginalized or high-pressure environments.You’ll hear about the push-and-pull of staying in the system, fighting for change, or carving out new, sustainable practice models. Kelly and Miranda also share updates on healthcare negotiations, rising costs, and the importance of understanding how clinical work and finances intersect. It’s a candid, supportive conversation meant to validate what so many counselors are feeling right now, while encouraging everyone to find their own best way forward.Join us as we unpack the chaos, honor the complexity, and highlight new ways to thrive in practice!---Learn more about Business School for Therapists: news.zynnyme.com/business-school/Website: zynnyme.comBlog: zynnyme.com/blogFacebook: facebook.com/kellyandmirandaInstagram: instagram.com/zynnyme/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/2456942/Pinterest: pinterest.com/zynnyme/Check out more episodes of the Starting a Counseling Practice Success Stories podcast on these platforms + leave a review letting us know what you think:Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsMentioned in this episode:Register Now - The AI Policy Every Therapist Needs (Even the Ones Not Using AI)

November 3, 202537 min

How Katie Built a Thriving Practice for High Risk Teens and Found Her Purpose

In this episode, host Miranda chats with Katie, a licensed professional counselor, author, and group practice owner specializing in high-risk teens. Katie shares her deeply personal journey into therapy, from overcoming her own struggles to building a successful practice through relentless visibility and networking.You'll hear how Katie navigated career pivots, from agency work to private practice, launching consulting programs, and now focusing on her upcoming book and signature treatment methods. Tune in for an inspiring discussion about following your curiosity, creating impact, and how embracing change can fuel your success as a therapist.---Katie's Website: creativehealingphilly.comLearn more about Business School for Therapists: news.zynnyme.com/business-school/Website: zynnyme.comBlog: zynnyme.com/blogYouTube: youtube.com/zynnymeFacebook: facebook.com/kellyandmirandaInstagram: instagram.com/zynnyme/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/2456942/Pinterest: pinterest.com/zynnyme/Check out more episodes of the Starting a Counseling Practice Success Stories podcast on these platforms + leave a review letting us know what you think:Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsMentioned in this episode:Register Now - The AI Policy Every Therapist Needs (Even the Ones Not Using AI)