Nourished with Kindness

Thinking about private practice but not sure if you’re ready? In this episode, Alyssa shares how to assess your readiness for launching a private  practice - and it’s not just based on your clinical experience! We discuss the importance of knowing your requirements in practice, setting boundaries, and finding ongoing support through supervision, coaching, and your business community.  Make sure yo...

In this episode, Alyssa speaks with Vaughn Darst, a Registered Dietitian specializing in treating fat, neurodiverse, queer, transgender, and non-binary clients with eating disorders. Vaughn delves into his journey to become a dietitian and how his lived experience informs his practice. We explore the nuance of practicing within our scope and how to expand our scope through continuous learning, sup...

In this episode, Alyssa delves into the pros and cons of offering discovery calls in private practice. She shares tips for setting boundaries, converting calls into client sessions, and handling objections and rejections. She also discusses alternatives to discovery calls (or at least ways to minimize answering the same questions again and again). Make sure you subscribe, rate, share with your wor...

In this episode, Alyssa explores the uncomfortable yet important lessons from rejection and failure as business owners. Drawing from her own experiences, she shares insights on how to see setbacks as opportunities for learning and continuously improving your decision-making skills in your business.  Make sure you subscribe, rate, share with your work bestie, and leave us a review. We appreciate yo...

In this episode, Alyssa discusses the complex topic of working with clients who want to lose weight as a weight-inclusive eating disorder provider. We share tips on navigating these conversions up front to alleviate frustration for clinicians and clients. We also dive into the nuance of clients' goals for changing their body size, including the difference between weight loss and health-promoti...

In this episode, Alyssa chats with Ilona Varo, an LA-based therapist whose work is based in mindfulness and somatic work for trauma healing. Ilona shares her career journey from the beauty and entertainment industry informed her choice to become a therapist specializing in women's health, body image, disordered eating, anxiety, and trauma. Ilona shares how she leverages her social media follow...

In this episode, Alyssa gives you a money mindset peptalk! She explores why so many of us struggle with negative feelings around asking for and earning money. She gives advice on setting appropriate rates, combating scarcity mindset, and reflecting on your own beliefs about money to keep it from holding you back. Make sure you subscribe, rate, share with your work bestie, and leave us a review. We...

In this episode, Alyssa is joined by Kathleen Meehan, MS, RD, who shares her journey working in hospitals and corporate wellness until building her virtual private practice as an anti-diet dietitian. She shares how she has navigated major life changes as a business owner, including a cross-country move and maternity leaves. She shares how she grew her Instagram following and is delving into the wo...

Struggling with feeling like you’re not doing enough? This one is for you! In this episode, Alyssa dives deep into imposter syndrome, sharing her personal experiences as both a dietitian and a business owner. She offers advice on managing imposter syndrome by embracing vulnerability and pushing through fear.  Make sure you subscribe, rate, share with your work bestie, and leave us a review. We app...

In this episode, Devon Cole, MS, RD shares her journey from overcoming an eating disorder to working in eating disorder treatment, and then establishing her private practice. We discuss the nuances of transitioning out of working in higher levels of care to growing an outpatient private practice, including how to continue to grow your skill levels even when being in solo practice. We also share ab...

In this episode, Alyssa delves into the complexities and anxieties surrounding sales in private practice. She emphasizes the importance of value-centered, authentic marketing that stays true to one’s values and fosters genuine connections with clients and the community. Alyssa discusses strategies for promoting your services without feeling self-centered or salesy by focusing on client needs and o...

In this episode, Alyssa welcomes Claire Chewning, business owner, RDN, and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. Claire shares the evolution of her practice, Yours Chewly Nutrition, including launching her a membership program, having a mini course, taking insurance, and hiring a team. Claire and Alyssa share about the vulnerability of growing a business, the importance of flexibility, and the imp...

In this episode, Alyssa outlines some of the complexities and options of billing insurance, including learning how to do it yourself, hiring a private biller, or working with a larger insurance billing company. Alyssa discusses the credentialing and contracting process, the pros and cons of each billing method, and the impact these choices have on your time, money, and practice growth. She shares...

In this episode, Alyssa speaks with Jessica Jones, an amazing dietitian, podcaster, entrepreneur, and diabetes care expert. Jessica shares about her early days in magazine journalism, pivoting to nutrition, and eventually co-founding Diabetes Digital, an innovative company that provides nutrition counseling for diabetes and pre-diabetes. Jessica shares about how her work leading Diabetes Digital a...

In this episode, Alyssa is back with the second part of her series about hiring employees in a private practice. She highlights financial and legal considerations important in hiring, including employee types, payroll systems, contracts, and job postings. She also outlines the interview process, including key interview questions for all private practice owners to ask and considerations to help you...

In this episode, Alyssa speaks with ReBecca McConville, Registered Dietitian and board-certified sports specialist. Rebecca shares about her work with athletes and the impact of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) on athletes. She highlights the importance of workout recovery strategies and how disordered eating is only exacerbated by energy deficits.  If you are a clinician working with a...

In this episode, Alyssa discusses the first steps in hiring for your private practice. She shares her experiences (i.e., anxiety) when making her first hires and shares what she wishes she’d known back then. She dives into knowing when it's the right time to hire for administrative as well as clinical positions and how to crunch the numbers to know how much you can afford to pay someone. If yo...

In this episode, Alyssa chats with Stephanie Notaras, APD, accredited dietitian based in Australia and counseling expert helping providers worldwide break through their clients’ barriers to change. Stephanie shares about the development of her counseling skills framework for dietitians to help clients meet their goals and keep them coming back. Stephanie shares her essential counseling techniques,...

In this episode, Alyssa shares how she would start with marketing a new private practice from Day 1. If you are starting or growing a private practice (and not wanting to primarily use social media for marketing), this episode is for YOU! Alyssa talks through identifying your target audience and niche, building a referral network, and exact strategies she would focus on to have clients consistentl...

In this episode, Alyssa speaks with Kristie Messerli, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, about weight-inclusive care for clients with diabetes. Kristie shares her professional journey, including the challenges she faces in having a weight-neutral approach in the diabetes field and the growth of her business. They discuss supporting clients who may or may n...

In this solo episode of the Business of Caring podcast, Alyssa Callahan explores the frequently asked question of whether to start a private practice or join a group practice. Drawing from her own experience as both a solopreneur and a group practice owner, Alyssa breaks down the pros and cons of each option. She discusses factors such as financial risk, flexibility, marketing responsibilities, an...

In this episode of 'The Business of Caring' podcast, host Alyssa is thrilled to welcome her friend and leader in nutrition, Natalie Katz. Natalie, a registered dietitian and owner of 'Feeding Your Soul Nutrition,' shares her journey from solo practice to managing a thriving group practice with eight team members. The discussion covers Natalie's early career steps, failures and successes in buildin...

In this episode, Alyssa discusses strategies for building and maintaining a strong referral network to grow and sustain a practice. She emphasizes collaboration, effective communication, and mutual referrals, and shares how to integrate these practices into daily operations. She gives different types of networking opportunities tailored to fit various practitioner styles and preferences.  Make sur...

In this episode, Alyssa speaks with Bri Campos, LPC, who is a licensed mental health counselor, body image educator, and the business mastermind behind Body Image with Bri. She shares her journey starting in community mental health to growing her extremely successful online business using Instagram. Bri discusses the intricacies of sharing her personal life on social media, setting boundaries, and...

In this episode, Katy Harvey, a non-diet dietitian and the host of the Rebuilding Trust with Your Body Podcast, shares her unique journey from starting as an oncology dietitian to growing her private practice as a non-diet dietitian on Instagram. Katy shares her insights into building her online practice with multiple offers beyond one-on-one coaching, including self-paced courses and a highly suc...