The Practice of the Practice Podcast: Counseling |

How does your environment shape your mental health more than you realize? Why do stronger relationships matter more than a bigger paycheck? Are we treating symptoms while overlooking the bigger picture? In this podcast, Joe Sanok sits down with Dr. Tara Thiagarajan to explore the findings of the Mental State of the World Report and what they mean for therapists and private practice owners. Dr. Thiagarajan explains how the Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) measures wellbeing across populations, why environmental factors such as social connection, smartphone use, and nutrition have a profound impact on mental health, and what the latest global research reveals about the decline in mental wellbeing. Together, they discuss how therapists can look beyond symptoms to better understand the broader societal influences shaping their clients' mental health.

Could niching down actually help your practice grow? Does specializing allow you to make a bigger impact, not a smaller one? How do you know when it's the right time to become a specialty practice? In this episode, Melissa Schneider sits down with Kelsey Blahnik to explore whether niching down into a specialty practice is the right move for therapists. They discuss Kelsey's journey from running a general private practice to building a thriving OCD-focused group practice, the role of psychological flexibility in both therapy and business, and why specialization can lead to better client outcomes. They also share practical advice on knowing when to niche down, identifying the needs of your community, and building a practice that grows through purpose rather than trying to serve everyone.

What does it actually look like to be an inclusive leader? How can you realistically, practically, and genuinely "do the work" in a way that uplifts those around you? What is good allyship? In this episode, Joe Sanok speaks with Melinda Briana Epler about the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion and what it means to lead inclusively in private practice. Melinda explains the importance of decentering one's own experiences, recognizing personal biases, and moving beyond performative gestures to create genuine belonging. She outlines practical ways practitioners can "do the work" through continuous learning, reflection, and action, while highlighting empathy, listening, and accountability as the foundations of effective allyship. The conversation concludes with practical questions for practice owners to assess how inclusive their businesses truly are and how they can better serve both their teams and clients.

Does marketing have to feel uncomfortable to be effective? What if authenticity is your greatest marketing strategy? Why could a "boring" business be your most successful one? Joe Sanok sits down with Maggie Patterson to explore how private practice owners can market their businesses without compromising their values. They discuss the pitfalls of manipulative online marketing, why authenticity builds stronger client relationships, and how therapists can communicate their expertise with confidence. Maggie also shares practical advice for creating a sustainable business by focusing on what works, avoiding unnecessary complexity, and making it easy for the right clients to find and trust you.

What if your strongest referral partner is already in your community? Is your client experience transformational, or transactional? How could stronger community partnerships improve client care? In this episode, Joe Sanok is joined by healthcare executive and leadership coach Jill Steeley to explore how private practitioners can build stronger community partnerships and create a more transformational client experience. Jill explains what federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are, how they support underserved communities, and why they can become valuable referral partners for private practices. Together, they discuss the difference between transactional and transformational care, the importance of anticipating client needs and maintaining meaningful communication throughout the care journey, and how collaborating with community health centers can improve outcomes for clients while strengthening your practice. Jill also shares practical encouragement for clinicians, reminding them to identify what's holding them back and focus on building a sustainable, community-centered practice.

Are you aware that your daily habits are training your brain - the good and the bad? What if your brain could change for the better? Where do you start to take great care of your body and brain to make changing your life easier? In this episode, Joe Sanok sits down with Thoryn Stephens to explore how neuroplasticity allows our brains to adapt and change throughout our lives. They discuss simple, science-backed habits that support better brain health, why small daily behaviors matter more than expensive supplements, and practical ways to optimize your mind and body for long-term well-being.

Could doubling your practice be more achievable than you think? Which growth strategy would have the biggest impact on your business right now? Are you building a practice that depends entirely on you, or one that can grow beyond you? *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:241ee231-1c7a-4091-a64c-f3b9c9a7f832-1" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:241ee231-1c7a-4091-a64c-f3b9c9a7f832-1" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-turn="assistant"> Joe Sanok explores whether starting a group practice is the fastest path to growing a private practice and explains why aiming to double your business can be both realistic and impactful. He shares practical strategies for increasing revenue, from raising rates and seeing more clients to creating passive income, while highlighting hiring clinicians as the quickest way to scale. Joe also breaks down the key systems for attracting and converting new clients, discusses ethical ways to gather reviews and feedback, and encourages practice owners to find the right support system so they can grow with confidence rather than figuring it all out alone.

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