Are you a therapist struggling to figure out how to run a business? Valid! Most of us became therapists to help people, not to run a business. But, ironically, close to 50% of therapists are doing exactly that. If you’re in private practice without an entrepreneurial mindset, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, overworked, and wonder if this was a terrible idea.

Help is here: We’re getting advice from a business legend, and you’re going to love her perspective.

In this episode, I’m talking with Melissa Bernstein, the creative force behind Melissa & Doug and now founder of the wellness brand Lifelines, about what it really takes to build a private practice that’s not just sustainable, but joyful and aligned with who you are.

We talk about offloading the parts of your business that drain you (yes, even if you’re just starting out), how to build a team as a solo practitioner, and the mindset shift that helps therapists stop trying to be everything to everyone. Melissa also shares her own mental health journey and how it led her to create sensory-based tools that help regulate the nervous system and how therapists are using them to support their clients and expand their practices.

This conversation is full of heart, hope, and wisdom for any therapist who’s ready to rethink how they work. If you’ve been feeling stuck or secretly burned out, I hope this episode cracks open a new path for you!

Episode Breakdown:
00:00 The Hidden Challenges of Private Practice
05:18 Melissa Bernstein’s Journey to Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship
08:33 Why Therapists Burn Out in Private Practice
10:30 Building a Support Team (Even If You're Solo)
17:20 Regulating the Nervous System with Sensory Tools
29:05 Helping Clients Carry Therapy Into Daily Life
38:22 Creative Revenue Streams for Private Practice
44:00 Tapping Into Your Entrepreneurial Mindset as a Therapist

If this episode left you thinking, “I needed to hear that,” come connect with me on LinkedIn where I share behind-the-scenes reflections, resources, and conversations with other therapists who are reimagining what’s possible in this field.

Lastly, I’d genuinely love to know what’s on your mind after this one. What part of Melissa’s story resonated with you? What are you dreaming about building next? Let’s talk! Your thoughts and questions shape where we go next, and this space was made for us.

xoxo,
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby
Growing Self