Fearless Practice

In 2016, Julia reached out to Jane in her search for a narrative supervisor. Both of them were drawn to narrative therapy - Jane already having many years of experience with the modality, and agreed to be Julia's supervisor.  In 2020, when Julia was building up her virtual practice, she reached out to Jane to see if she would be interested in becoming an associate, and Jane agreed again! Now, thei...

Hey you! Are you thinking about starting a Canadian private practice in 2025? If so, what is going to help you achieve the first step of your dream affordably and hassle-free?  I know exactly what it is like to want to start a Canadian private practice but have no idea how to tackle it. It seems like a mountain of decisions and so many admin tasks. However, I went through it myself, and I've put a...

Katie has been working full-time in two different schools with students as a counsellor, family and play therapist as well as has a part-time private practice on Saturdays. When she is not doing virtual sessions with her clients, she sees them outside in nature with her dog.  Since she has been working full-time in schools for the last 10 years, Katie is now starting to truly give her private prac...

Amy worked as a social worker for 20 years in crisis management in tandem with police and emergency services. She saw how intense and difficult the work could be, and wanted to create a place where her clients could receive their therapy that was softer, more welcoming, and curated to their requirements.  Now, Amy runs a large private practice in Canada with therapists and staff working together a...

Natasha and Cherise met on an internship, became friends, and decided to work together to open up a Canadian private practice that is based on their shared values; accessibility, equity, and transparency.  Working with a business partner in private practice is a great way to divide up the stress and double up the ideas. Together, they each handle specific roles, discuss new options, and help each...

In this episode, I'll update you on how direct billing is going in my Canadian private practice. If you have not yet listened to episode 141 , I'd recommend that you start there and then return to this episode!  I was apprehensive at first to include direct billing, but now I enjoy using it and the benefits that come along with it!  In this episode: What I love What I had to change  What I don't l...

I think we can agree that stress is something we'd all like to reduce in private practice! For me, in 2024, I realized that my working life was too stressful. It was something I really wanted to change so that I could relax more and  enjoy my work and life!  I've now come up with three strategies for 2025 that I'll be implementing to see if I can decrease stress and increase a sense of contentment...

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by stress, from both inside and outside the private practice? How can you distinguish between fear, stress, and what is essential to do?  Chanel, my guest today, answers that question to remember and use the power of your "why". Why did you start your private practice? Why are you working in counselling and therapy? These answers can help give you the fortitude to...

If you are on a path for marketing your Canadian private practice, being mindful of your search engine optimization (SEO) may take some time to build momentum, but it is one of the direct routes to success.  In today's episode, Delia and I discuss our interests in SEO, why it is important for marketing our practices successfully, and other topics - including growing a business with interns!  MEET...

Alexia is Canadian, but spent time living and working in Norway, where she has learned about some of the Scandinavian ways of life, including "Hygge", the feeling of being cozy and content and slowing down to make space for the enjoyment of life.  This principle has inspired Alexia in her private practice, and she incorporated these values into her daily sessions with clients, encouraging them to...

Are you a Registered Psychotherapist? Are you licensed through the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)? Do you know what you're allowed and not allowed to do in your private practice?  Today's guest is Mark, the Deputy Registrar and General Counsel at the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. We discuss rules and regulations that pertain to registered psychotherap...

Today, Julia takes another trip down memory lane, revisiting a gem from the Fearless Practice archives. In this encore episode, Julia talks to Alison Puryear, a US therapist and consultant, about how to market a new private practice. You can find the show notes to the original episode here . Connect with me: Instagram Website   Resources Mentioned and Useful Links: Ep 146: Deanna Desantis: Being a...

My guest today, Deanna, has followed her passions to a place where she now runs a Canadian private practice, working with horses and their riders while still being a nurse. She has combined her expertise and personal experience so that she can work and make a difference in the lives that she is most drawn to.  In today's episode, Deanna and I discuss her entry into psychotherapy, how she manages t...

When you establish your private practice in an underserved specialty, you increase your chance of being placed under the spotlight.  A great niche could offer you an immediate step-up in getting noticed, help to connect with clients, and with potential referral sources. You may also feel that you enjoy your work much more and are more fulfilled when you position the focus of your practice amongst...

This year has been characterized by personal changes in mindset and approach to my practice, and professional development within my Canadian private practice and podcast.  Today's episode will be a deep dive into my personal story, in celebration and reflection of year eight in private practice!  In this Episode: November 2023  The beginning of 2024  Spring and summer of 2024  Towards the end of t...

Sometimes, the most successful path that someone can take is the one that comes organically.  By following your passions, seeing what works and what doesn't, and taking your personal and professional preferences into account, you can make it easier for yourself to develop a balanced lifestyle that fulfills you both inside and outside the counselling room.  For my guest today, Jillian did (and is d...

Many therapists may struggle with finding and hiring the best-fit staff for their private practice, and that may include hiring interns and students who want to complete their practicums. So, how do you go about finding them?  My guest Flora in today's episode interviewed more than 30 different candidates for a position at her practice! There's some trial and error, but once you know more about wh...

If you have been a long-time listener, you'll know that ever since I started my Canadian private practice, I have never offered direct billing to clients.  There were many reasons for this, such as when I started eight years ago, there weren't many insurance companies covering registered counselling therapists. Plus, each insurance plan seemed to have a different rule or agreement on whether a reg...

One of the great benefits of building a value-based practice is that it makes it easier for you to return to work each day, remembering why you do the work that you do. It also allows your clients to know exactly what you stand for, and how they can best connect with you and your mission.  Join us for today's podcast episode, where Blackcy and I discuss why we both came into the helper's professio...

Everyone knows about authenticity, but if you stop and think about it, why would clients trust a private practice that doesn't act with integrity, or that comes across as insincere in their marketing?  People who are looking for therapy are more likely just looking for professionals who have the skills and expertise that they need, someone they feel they trust and can help them.  So, when you brin...

Do you want to build a values based private practice? And are you thinking; "What does that actually mean?"  Many people may shy away from the business-aspect of running a practice because they feel awkward following the standard, capitalistic model of working with employees and clients, and where the goal is solely to maximize profits. I'm here to tell you that you don't need to do it this way! Y...

Life can take us in many different directions, and what helps is how we can make use of the knowledge that we acquire when exploring these routes. For today's guest, Dr. Stacey Hatch followed her passion for psychology and working with people all the way from her near two-decade work experience in television to now running her own successful Canadian private practice!  In this podcast episode, we...

Are you interested in offering affordable and accessible therapy in your private practice? We all know that one of the main barriers to care is cost, and it is an issue that many Canadians face. However, there are ways to incorporate low cost fees in your private practice! In this podcast episode, I talk with Maureen, who owns Help Clinic Canada. She noticed a strong need across her community, and...

Today we're going to get a little more personal! I'm going to share more about my Canadian private practice and how I run it, especially when it comes to raising and lowering my rates.  In the spirit of integrity and authenticity, I want to share these things with you! In this episode, I'm going to be talking about how I raised my rates and then lowered them, and the reasons why I chose to do this...

Join Julia for an encore presentation of her 2022 conversation with Heidi Sturgeon. It's a thought-provoking episode that has an unexpected twist at the end! You can find the show notes here .  Connect with me: Instagram Website   Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:  Ep 133: Canada's new tax exemption on regulated therapy services | EP 133  Learn more about the  tools and deals that I love and u...