Supporting Therapist Group Practice Owners: Navigating Challenges and Building Resilience
Mar 16, 2025
The Pressure of Leadership
Being a group practice owner is no small feat. You’re not just running a business—you’re supporting therapists, serving clients, and managing the unique challenges that come with leadership in the mental health field.
For therapist group practice owners, the responsibilities can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling clinical work, business management, and your own well-being. Let’s explore practical strategies to navigate the demands of ownership while building resilience and a sustainable practice.
Common Challenges for Group Practice Owners
Group practice ownership often brings unique hurdles:
- Balancing Business and Clinical Roles: Switching between being a therapist and a boss can be mentally taxing.
- Team Management: Supporting therapists’ needs while maintaining boundaries.
- Financial Oversight: Managing payroll, expenses, and fluctuating client demand.
- Preventing Burnout: Taking care of yourself while taking care of everyone else.
The good news: These challenges are manageable with intentional strategies and support.
Strategies for Thriving as a Group Practice Owner
1. Delegate and Build a Support Team
You don’t have to do it all. Delegate administrative tasks to free up your time for leadership and growth.
- Hire a Virtual Assistant: For scheduling, billing, or email management.
- Invest in Practice Management Software: Tools like TherapyNotes, SimplePractice or my favorite, PracticeQ streamline admin work.
2. Prioritize Therapist Well-Being
Your team’s success depends on their well-being.
- Regular Check-Ins: Create space for therapists to share challenges and feedback.
- Foster Community: Encourage collaboration and peer support among team members.
- Offer Flexibility: Allow therapists to set schedules that align with their energy and needs.
3. Set Boundaries to Prevent Overwork
Boundaries aren’t just for clients—they’re for you too.
- Establish set hours for business-related tasks.
- Communicate when you’re unavailable to maintain your work-life balance.
4. Embrace Continuous Learning
Stay ahead of industry trends and challenges by investing in your professional development.
- Attend workshops on leadership or business management.
- Join mastermind groups or networks for practice owners.
Managing Financial Stress
Finances can be one of the most stressful aspects of practice ownership.
Tips for Financial Management:
- Budget for Fluctuations: Build a financial buffer for months with lower client demand.
- Outsource Bookkeeping: Delegate financial tasks to a trusted professional.
- Review and Adjust Fees: Ensure your pricing reflects the value and sustainability of your services.
Preventing Owner Burnout
Your practice thrives when you thrive.
Self-Care Tips for Practice Owners:
- Protect Personal Time: Block off time for rest and hobbies.
- Seek Peer Support: Connect with other group practice owners to share experiences and advice.
- Normalize Taking Breaks: Even leaders need time off to recharge.
Redefining Leadership with Self-Compassion
As Dawn Leprich-Graves of Cultivating Bricolage reminds clients, leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about resilience and growth. Celebrate small wins, learn from challenges, and give yourself grace.
Practice this affirmation:
“I am creating a practice that supports others while honoring myself.”
Ready to Build a Thriving Practice? Let’s Work Together.
If group practice ownership feels overwhelming, my coaching program for therapist practice owners can help. Together, we’ll address challenges, create sustainable strategies, and build a practice that thrives without burning you out.
Let’s make leadership sustainable and fulfilling.
– Dawn Leprich-Graves, LCPC, LPC, PMH-C, ASDCS. Clinician, Coach & Connection Catalyst
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