When you’re used to working for someone else, most things are already laid out for you, such as how many vacation days you get, what hours you work, when to clock in and out. But when you enter into private practice, especially if you’re branching out on your own or even connecting with a group practice, you’re suddenly faced with a lot of responsibility. The kind where you set the rules.
This freedom can feel empowering… and overwhelming. One of the first and most important questions you need to ask yourself is
How many weeks off do I want to take this year?
This becomes your baseline for everything else. Time off isn’t just a perk, it’s a need. Whether it’s for vacation, a personal day, a mental health reset, or simply scheduling your own doctor’s visits, you must build that time intentionally. If not, it’s easy to go a whole year without real rest, and that just isn’t sustainable.
Balancing Freedom with Structure: The Key to Your Bottom Line
In private practice, your schedule is entirely your own, and that’s where the challenge begins. Without structure, you may end up working too much or too little. You might overbook yourself and burn out, or underbook and fall short financially. You may even unknowingly set your schedule up based on prior work expectations and totally miss the mark. The balance lies in knowing what it takes to meet your bottom line and planning for that.
Here’s what you should consider when building your baseline:
- How many clients do you need to see weekly to meet your income goals?
This is foundational. Your financial goals will help determine how much time you need to allocate to seeing clients each week after you’ve factored in time off. - Are you setting aside time to answer calls and schedule new clients?
If you are going solo you have to figure in time to answer calls to schedule clients. Though with a group practice, it is less likely that you will be responsible for fielding client calls, though each practice is different. Either way we all know new client communication doesn’t happen automatically. So you need to block time to handle these tasks in some way or another, otherwise, you risk losing clients. - Have you scheduled weekly time for billing and insurance claims?
Submitting claims, managing denials, and sitting on hold with insurance companies can take up a lot of time. Quite frankly this can be a job in and of itself. This part of the business directly impacts your income, so carve out dedicated hours to stay on top of it. Generally, with a group practice this is handled for you, though it is encouraged to track your client payments, whether you are solo or with a group. - What’s your marketing plan and when will you work on it?
Even the best clinician won’t grow without visibility and marketing. How will people know the services you provide if they don’t know you exist?? Plan time each week or month to work on outreach, online presence, or networking so your practice continues to thrive. Within a group private practice setting you will be less likely to have to do this though, you are your brand. - Who are your ideal clients and how are you tailoring your practice to attract them?
Niche marketing and client-focused strategy don’t happen by accident. Spend time thinking about who you serve best and how to reach them.
It’s easy, especially when no one’s watching the clock for you, to either work nonstop or let the days slip by without structure. Both can leave you frustrated when the income doesn’t match the effort or when your self-care suffers.
So, when planning your practice, plan your vacation first. Yes, really. Build your life into your practice. Regular time off is vital for your well-being and your longevity in this field.
Whether you’re going solo or working within a group private practice, be intentional. Your time is your most valuable resource. Use it wisely so your practice and your life can flourish. If you are interested in joining our team send your cover letter and resume to applicants@carolinacounselingservices.com we would love to have you aboard!
