Wise Practice Podcast

If you've ever tried to lead your practice well while your real life feels heavy… this one's for you. Because let's be honest, y'all—no one teaches you how to run a business, care for clients, honor your faith, and carry your own hard season at the same time. In this conversation, I'm joined by Rebeca Gilbert, and we're talking about what it actually looks like to build a sustainable therapy practice when life doesn't let up. Not in theory—but in the middle of real pressure, grief, and uncertainty. We get into the tension so many of us feel… When does showing up for your clients become too much? How do you know when it's time to keep going—and when it's time to step back? And what does "success" even mean when your priorities shift? Rebeca shares her story of navigating private practice during an incredibly heavy season, and how it reshaped the way she thinks about boundaries, income, time, and calling. This episode is a reminder that sustainability isn't a fixed formula. It's something you reevaluate in every season. And sometimes, being faithful doesn't mean getting bigger. It means slowing down, adjusting your expectations, and building a practice that actually supports your life—not just your business. If you've been feeling stretched, tired, or questioning what's next… I think this conversation is going to meet you right where you are. Watch on YouTube 6:00 Meet Rebeca Gilbert 9:00 Life Changes: Her Husband's Cancer Diagnosis 14:40 When It Became Unsustainable 18:00 Deciding to Step Away from Practice 25:00 Rebuilding After a Hard Season 29:00 Redefining Success + Sustainability 31:30 Final Encouragement for Therapists Sponsor Wise Practice Summit 2026 If you're in a season of big decisions, feeling stuck, or carrying the weight of leadership, the Wise Practice Summit was created for you. It's a space for faith-based practice owners to step away from the day-to-day, gain clarity, and realign their practice with their life and calling. Right now, you can grab $100 off your ticket with our Early Bird pricing through May 1. You don't have to figure this out alone. Meet Rebeca Gilbert, LPC (GA), LMHC (FL), EMDR-C, ACS Rebeca Gilbert is a Licensed Professional Counselor and somatic trauma therapist serving women in Florida and Georgia, specializing in EMDR, Brainspotting, and body-based trauma care. She is a faith-centered private practice owner who helps clients and clinicians move out of survival mode by honoring nervous system regulation, ethical care, and sustainable rhythms of work and rest. Rebeca bridges neuroscience, somatic wisdom, and Christian faith to challenge hustle-driven models of success in therapy and business. Her work invites clinicians to build practices rooted in safety, stewardship, and trust rather than fear or burnout. Rebeca's Resources Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Links and Resources Learn More about Wise Practice Consulting Connect with Wise Practice on Instagram Connect with Whitney Owens on Facebook Check out all of the podcasts on the PsychCraft Network Wise Practice Masterminds

If marketing your practice feels uncomfortable, you're not alone. Y'all, most of us didn't get trained in this. We thought we'd be sitting with clients… not figuring out websites, messaging, and how to get found. In this episode, I'm talking with Bianca Hughes about how to market your practice in a way that actually feels natural and not salesy. We get into why therapists avoid marketing, how imposter syndrome shows up, and what really helps clients find you. Here's the big takeaway. Marketing isn't about performing. It's about being clear on who you help and being yourself. Because the right clients are already looking. They just need to be able to find you. 9:46 Why Therapists Avoid Marketing (And Feel So Awkward Doing It) 12:16 The Confidence Shift That Changes Everything 16:37 The Messaging Mistake Keeping Clients From Finding You 19:00 Why Your Website Isn't Converting (And What to Say Instead) 22:32 The "Secret" to Marketing That Actually Works 26:07 Should You Market Yourself as a Christian Therapist? 28:41 What If Clients Are Already Looking for YOU? Sponsor Wise Practice Summit 2026 If you're in a season of big decisions, feeling stuck, or carrying the weight of leadership, the Wise Practice Summit was created for you. It's a space for faith-based practice owners to step away from the day-to-day, gain clarity, and realign their practice with their life and calling. Right now, you can grab $100 off your ticket with our Early Bird pricing through May 1. You don't have to figure this out alone. Meet Bianca Hughes, LPC Bianca Hughes is a compassionate therapist whose heart-work breaks down barriers in mental health, guiding high achievers from the prison of perfectionism toward authentic self-discovery and profound inner peace. Through her powerful speaking, she touches lives by illuminating the path to freedom from perfectionism, creating transformative experiences that ripple through organizations and individuals alike. With genuine care, she leads the Soulful Clinician Collective, a mentorship community for new and early-career therapists navigating what's next in their careers, providing real guidance and actionable steps to build financially sustainable careers without the burnout, gatekeeping or the 'therapists can't make money' narrative. Bianca's Resources Website Instagram LinkedIn Threads Facebook Discover Your Therapist Superpower Quiz Soulful Clinician Collective | Free 7-day Trial Mind the Gap: 10 Lessons Every New Therapist Needs Links and Resources Get my book, The Practice of Becoming Looking for support and connection: Join the Wise Practice Community Learn More about Wise Practice Consulting Connect with Wise Practice on Instagram Connect with Whitney Owens on Facebook Check out all of the podcasts on the PsychCraft Network Wise Practice Masterminds

Y'all ever look around at your practice and realize you're doing something just because "that's how everyone else does it"… but deep down, it's not really working? In this episode, I'm sitting down with Zack Ufland to talk through five things practice owners might need to stop doing. And I'll be honest, some of these might ruffle a few feathers. We're talking about things like offering free consults, giving too much grace with cancellations, trying to do everything yourself, and more. These are habits a lot of us pick up along the way without ever really questioning them. What I love about this conversation is that it's not about shame or judgment. It's about getting honest. Are you making decisions from fear, or from what actually supports the kind of practice you're trying to build? We also get into the reality that not everything is black and white. What makes sense in one season of your business might not make sense in another. But if you've been feeling stretched thin, second-guessing your systems, or wondering why things aren't clicking the way you hoped, this episode is for you. Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is take a step back and ask, "Is this actually serving me… or is it just what I've always done?" 08:03 Stop Offering Free 15-Minute Consultations 13:35 Stop Giving "Grace" for Missed Appointments 18:02 Stop Relying on a DIY Website That Undersells Your Practice 24:48 Stop Saying Yes to Clients Who Aren't a Good Fit 28:46 Stop Doing Everything Yourself Just to Save Money Sponsor Wise Practice Summit 2026 If you're in a season of big decisions, feeling stuck, or carrying the weight of leadership, the Wise Practice Summit was created for you. It's a space for faith-based practice owners to step away from the day-to-day, gain clarity, and realign their practice with their life and calling. Right now, you can grab $100 off your ticket with our Early Bird pricing through May 1. You don't have to figure this out alone. Meet Zack Ufland, LMFT Zack Ufland is a private practice owner, consultant, and leader who is passionate about helping therapists build sustainable, thriving practices. After transitioning out of agency work, Zack successfully built a private pay practice—Paradigm Therapy in Raleigh, North Carolina—and later expanded into a group practice alongside his wife. He's known for his focus on creating strong systems, healthy boundaries, and a positive team culture that actually supports both clinicians and clients. Today, Zack helps practice owners grow with intention so their business can support the life they truly want, and he also serves as a consultant with Wise Practice Consulting. Zack's Resources Private Practice Start-Up Checklist Website Links and Resources Learn More about Wise Practice Consulting Connect with Wise Practice on Instagram Connect with Whitney Owens on Facebook Check out all of the podcasts on the PsychCraft Network Wise Practice Masterminds

Thinking about leaving your group practice… but not sure when (or how) to actually do it? In this episode, Whitney sits down with Zack Ufland to talk through what it really looks like to step out on your own and build a private practice that actually supports your life. From timing your exit to managing risk and setting up your foundation, this conversation goes beyond logistics and gets into the mindset required to make it work. Zack shares how he knew it was time to leave, how he prepared financially, and the practical steps he took to create a smooth transition for both himself and his clients. He also opens up about the emotional side of starting a business, including fear, uncertainty, and the determination it takes to follow through. If you've been wondering whether private practice is the right move, or you're in the early stages of planning your exit, this episode will help you think more clearly about your next step. 7:53 How to Know When It's Actually Time to Leave 9:31 The Question Most Therapists Skip: Why Are You Leaving? 11:08 Calculated Risk: Can You Afford to Make the Leap? 13:30 What to Do Before You Put in Your Notice 15:49 Making the Transition Seamless for Your Clients 17:17 Startup Costs: It's Simpler Than You Think 21:26 The Mindset You Need to Make It Work 24:42 Fear vs. Values: What's Driving Your Decision? 25:16 Faith, Risk, and Trusting the Process Sponsor Wise Practice Summit 2026 If you're in a season of big decisions, feeling stuck, or carrying the weight of leadership, the Wise Practice Summit was created for you. It's a space for faith-based practice owners to step away from the day-to-day, gain clarity, and realign their practice with their life and calling. Right now, you can grab $100 off your ticket with our Early Bird pricing through May 1. You don't have to figure this out alone. Meet Zack Ufland, LMFT Zack Ufland is a private practice owner, consultant, and leader who is passionate about helping therapists build sustainable, thriving practices. After transitioning out of agency work, Zack successfully built a private pay practice—Paradigm Therapy in Raleigh, North Carolina—and later expanded into a group practice alongside his wife. He's known for his focus on creating strong systems, healthy boundaries, and a positive team culture that actually supports both clinicians and clients. Today, Zack helps practice owners grow with intention so their business can support the life they truly want, and he also serves as a consultant with Wise Practice Consulting. Zack's Resources Private Practice Start-Up Checklist Website Links and Resources Get my book, The Practice of Becoming Looking for support and connection: Join the Wise Practice Community Learn More about Wise Practice Consulting Connect with Wise Practice on Instagram Connect with Whitney Owens on Facebook Check out all of the podcasts on the PsychCraft Network Wise Practice Masterminds

What does it look like to care for vulnerable clients without burning out your team or compromising the sustainability of your practice? In this episode, I'm joined by Susan Melendez Doak, LPC, a group practice owner in rural Oregon who has built a practice centered on serving her local community, including Medicaid clients and other often-overlooked populations. Susan shares how she created a model that reflects her values while still making financial sense. We talk about the real challenges of serving high-need clients, what makes this work sustainable, and why alignment matters so much when you're building a practice that's meant to last. We also talk about diversifying payer sources, supporting clinicians who do heavy trauma work, improving access to care, and creating a practice culture that attracts people who care deeply about the mission. This is a thoughtful conversation about business, faith, values, and what it means to build a practice that serves people well. 08:50 From Solo To Group Practice + Serving Rural Clients 10:02 Medicaid Misconceptions + Financial Sustainability 16:49 Diversifying Income + Building A Balanced Practice 23:06 Preventing Burnout + Supporting Your Team 26:10 Hiring For Values + Long-Term Alignment 29:25 What's Next + The Power Of Community In this episode, we cover: Why Susan chose to build her practice in a rural community Common misconceptions about working with Medicaid clients How to create a financially sustainable practice model Ways to support clinicians working with complex trauma Why values alignment matters in hiring and retention How increasing access can transform who your practice reaches If you've ever wondered how to run a healthy practice while staying connected to the heart of the work, this episode is for you. Sponsor Wise Practice Community Running a private practice can feel lonely. You're making big decisions, trying to grow, and wondering if you're doing it right. That's why I created the Wise Practice Community. It's a membership for faith-based practice owners who want support building a healthy, sustainable practice. Inside, we focus on marketing, hiring, systems, finances, and leadership, with live trainings, accountability, and a community that gets it. We've recently revamped everything to make it simpler and more effective. Enrollment opens on March 25th and is only open for three days. If you want more clarity, support, and connection, this is for you. Join at wisepracticeconsulting.com for $89/month. Meet Susan Melendez Doak, LPC Susan Melendez Doak is a licensed professional counselor, clinical supervisor, and the group practice owner at Newberg Counseling & Wellness in Newberg, Oregon. Susan and her team provide compassionate counseling services with a mission to empower our local community with the skills and the courage to handle the challenges of life. Susan Melendez Doak's Resources Website Instagram Links and Resources Looking for support and connection: Join the Wise Practice Community Learn More about Wise Practice Consulting Connect with Wise Practice on Instagram Connect with Whitney Owens on Facebook Check out all of the podcasts on the PsychCraft Network