Wise Practice Podcast

What if the next step in your practice isn't more clients… but something completely new? In this special Wise Practice podcast takeover, Laura Long joins the show to talk about multiple income streams for therapists, how to know when you're ready to expand, and why "passive income" usually isn't as passive as social media makes it sound. From supervision and teaching to consulting, intensives, and...

Y'all ever feel that little knot in your stomach when it's time to talk about money with a client? Like you know you're called to this work… but charging for it still feels uncomfortable? In this episode, I'm sitting down with Beth Rontal, a clinical social worker and documentation expert who has helped thousands of therapists turn their clinical work into clear, compliant notes that actually prot...

Y'all ever feel like you've got a really good idea… but no clue how to actually turn it into income? Maybe you've thought about creating a course, writing a book, or building some kind of passive income stream—but it just feels overwhelming. Or maybe you've tried, and it didn't go the way you hoped. In this episode, I'm sitting down with Jenny Melrose to talk about what it really looks like to bui...

Y'all… if your website feels confusing, overwhelming, or just not bringing in the right clients… this one might hit a little too close to home. Because the truth is, most practice owners don't have a marketing problem. They have a messaging problem. In this episode, I'm sitting down with Kris Jones to talk about something that can completely change how your practice grows without adding more to yo...

If you've ever tried to lead your practice well while your real life feels heavy… this one's for you. Because let's be honest, y'all—no one teaches you how to run a business, care for clients, honor your faith, and carry your own hard season at the same time. In this conversation, I'm joined by Rebeca Gilbert, and we're talking about what it actually looks like to build a sustainable therapy pract...

If marketing your practice feels uncomfortable, you're not alone. Y'all, most of us didn't get trained in this. We thought we'd be sitting with clients… not figuring out websites, messaging, and how to get found. In this episode, I'm talking with Bianca Hughes about how to market your practice in a way that actually feels natural and not salesy. We get into why therapists avoid marketing, how impo...

Y'all ever look around at your practice and realize you're doing something just because "that's how everyone else does it"… but deep down, it's not really working? In this episode, I'm sitting down with Zack Ufland to talk through five things practice owners might need to stop doing. And I'll be honest, some of these might ruffle a few feathers. We're talking about things like offering free consul...

Thinking about leaving your group practice… but not sure when (or how) to actually do it? In this episode, Whitney sits down with Zack Ufland to talk through what it really looks like to step out on your own and build a private practice that actually supports your life. From timing your exit to managing risk and setting up your foundation, this conversation goes beyond logistics and gets into the...

What does it look like to care for vulnerable clients without burning out your team or compromising the sustainability of your practice? In this episode, I'm joined by Susan Melendez Doak, LPC, a group practice owner in rural Oregon who has built a practice centered on serving her local community, including Medicaid clients and other often-overlooked populations. Susan shares how she created a mod...

What does it actually look like to grow a group practice across multiple locations? In this episode, I'm joined by Todd Call, co-owner of Triology, a Christian counseling group practice based in Kalispell, Montana. Todd has nearly three decades of experience as a therapist, and today his work focuses on visionary leadership and building organizations that help people thrive. Todd shares how Triolo...

​​Have you ever asked yourself, Should I niche down… or am I going to lose clients if I do? I hear this question all the time from practice owners. We're trained to treat a wide range of issues, so choosing a specialty can feel risky. But what if clarity is actually the thing that creates momentum in your practice? In this episode, I sit down with David Sanchez, founder of Charlotte Counseling Ass...

What if your lowest-paying insurance panel is costing you thousands a year… and you didn't even realize you could ask for a raise? In this episode, I sit down with Jeremy Hinote, owner of Savannah River Counseling in Augusta, Georgia, to break down exactly how he negotiated a major reimbursement increase with one of the most notoriously difficult payers: Tricare. And yes, it worked. Jeremy shares...

Running a successful practice can slowly crowd out the very faith that called you to this work in the first place. In this episode of the Wise Practice Podcast, I sit down with Jordan Raynor to talk about how to make space for the sacred in your practice without adding more to your plate. We explore what it looks like to shift from working for God to working with God, and how that simple change ca...

Lent doesn't have to feel rigid, heavy, or like one more thing you're failing at as a practice owner. In this episode, I'm talking about how to actually practice Lent in a way that's gentle, meaningful, and realistic for the season of life and leadership you're in. We're moving away from rules and performance and toward relationship—creating space for God in the middle of running a practice, makin...

If you're a practice owner, chances are you're reading this while doing something else—answering emails, moving between sessions, or thinking about what still needs to get done today. I know that pace well, and I also know how easy it is for even meaningful things to become "just one more thing" on a full plate. This episode isn't about adding another strategy or asking you to work harder. It's an...

I'm really glad you're here today because this episode is a little different and honestly pretty personal for me. I'm talking about something I've never shared before, what it was actually like to write my first book. Not the polished highlight reel version, but the real behind-the-scenes story. The doubts, the learning curve, the surprises, and the parts I didn't expect at all. If you've ever tho...

Today's episode is the final part of our January series, Staying the Course, and honestly, it might be the most grounding one yet. We're talking about what faithful investment actually looks like—especially in seasons where things feel uncertain, noisy, or just plain overwhelming. If you've been wondering, What is actually worth my time, energy, or money right now? or feeling pulled in ten differe...

Some seasons of leadership don't feel loud or dramatic. They feel heavy. Quiet. Exhausting in a way sleep doesn't fix. If you're leading a practice right now and finding yourself thinking, "I don't have the energy for one more conversation," or "Why does this feel so hard when I'm doing everything right?"—this episode is for you. Today, we're talking about what it really looks like to lead when yo...

There's a moment every practice owner faces—the numbers wobble, referrals slow down, and fear quietly whispers, "Maybe now is the time to pull back." In today's episode, I'm continuing our January series on faithful leadership during the ebbs and flows of private practice, and we're tackling a decision I see practice owners make every single year: pulling back when things feel uncertain—and how th...

As we step into a new year, it's easy to feel pressure to move faster, do more, and fix everything all at once — especially as a private practice owner. But what if faithful leadership doesn't look like reacting quickly… and instead looks like staying steady? To start 2026, I'm sharing a January solo podcast series called Staying the Course: Faithful Leadership in a Practice That Ebbs and Flows. T...

Hi friends! Whitney here — and today's Wise Practice episode is one every single practice owner needs in their back pocket. Whether you're brand-new to private practice or scaling into a thriving group, the same question always surfaces: "What should I actually pay myself?" It sounds simple… until taxes, entity types, self-employment rules, "reasonable salary" requirements, and quarterly payments...

In this episode of the Wise Practice Podcast, I sit down with Davia Ward — CEO and founder of Healthcare Partners Consulting & Billing — and one of the most mission-driven leaders I've ever met. With over 37 years of experience in healthcare, Davia has built a nationwide billing firm grounded in accuracy, compassion, and Christ-centered service. But what struck me most in our conversation wasn't j...

In this episode of the Wise Practice Podcast, I'm excited to welcome my dear friend and trusted colleague, Alison Pidgeon. Alison is the founder and CEO of Move Forward Counseling, a thriving multi-location practice in Pennsylvania with eight offices and more than 65 clinicians. I've had the joy of watching her grow from a single-location practice to a seven-figure business, and her insights on sc...

Today's episode is such a good one, y'all. If you've ever wondered how to actually protect your brand—or if all those scary trademark scam letters are legit—you are in for a treat. I brought back one of my favorite past guests, Joey Vitale, and trust me… when someone comes on the Wise Practice Podcast twice, it's because they REALLY know their stuff. Joey is not only a top-rated trademark attorney...

If you've ever felt like your practice is stretching you, shaping you, or even changing you—this episode is going to speak straight to your heart. Today, I'm sitting down with the incredible Shelby Rhea Miller, LPCC, founder of Sycamore Counseling Services, to talk about what really happens when God uses your business to grow you. Shelby's story is full of courage, risk-taking, surrender, and the...