In our last blog post we shared 5 Common Thoughts That Keep Therapists from Expanding to Group Practice but there are more!
“What if I can’t afford it?”
Going from solo to group practice means more expenses: administrative support, office space, payroll, software subscriptions, and more. It is natural to wonder if your practice can truly sustain it. There is also increased pressure when it comes to being responsible for the livelihood of another person. The reality is you do not have to afford everything all at once. Expanding to group practice happens in stages and it is possible to incorporate financial safeguards. By setting clear productivity expectations, starting with part-time clinicians, and running the numbers before you post the job are some examples.
“I don’t want to be responsible for another person.”
The emotional and financial responsibility for other people often prevents therapists from hiring. In solo practice, your decisions affect you but in group practice, your decisions impact your team, their clients, and the overall health of the business. The good news is that you can prepare for this transition and get support if needed. Setting clear expectations at the outset, structured workflows, and transparent communication will help protect both you and your team.
“I don’t know how to hire or lead a team.”
Most therapists feel confident in their clinical skills but uncertain when it comes to leadership, especially if they have never been in a managerial role before. Leadership is a skill you can develop and it is possible to learn, adjust, and grow as you go. A structured hiring process, clear job descriptions, and systems for feedback will help ensure you find the right fit for your team.
“What if I mess up?”
We all want to be successful in our endeavors and this fear is common when we are stepping into the unknown. It is rooted in perfectionism and fear of failure. There is risk involved in every aspect of business, especially hiring and increasing overhead, however, growth is a learning process and mistakes are an opportunity to improve. Resilience and adaptability are essential to success in business.
“It will take away from the clinical work I love.”
Leading a group practice does require stepping into a leadership role and it can be difficult to balance the responsibility of a team with the responsibility of a full caseload. It is possible, however, to preserve your therapy time while growing your impact, especially if you delegate intentionally, structure workflows, and set clear boundaries. Being a group practice owner can also enhance your clinician work! With a supportive team, shared resources, and collaboration, you may find more freedom to focus on clinical work, learn from one another, and improve treatment outcomes.
We are here for you!
Join us for the Scale Smart 12 week mastermind provided by Julia Nepini, LICSW that provides everything established solo practice owners need to expand successfully from solo to group starting January 6th. Learn more here.
