Our goal is to make private practice start-up and development more accessible for therapists in Phoenix.
We’ve met with hundreds of therapists in the Phoenix area. Many, if not most, of these therapists have a goal to start or further develop their private practice, but they’ve found it difficult for any number of reasons. Some of what we’ve heard:
- They don’t have business knowledge.
- They don’t have time readily available to learn about business development.
- They are worried about the financial obligations associated with initial and ongoing operational expenses: office lease, utilities, equipment and furniture, marketing efforts.
- They are worried about their ability to quickly build their case-loads given financial obligations.
- They are worried about needing and not having support to help them navigate the inevitable challenges of operating a private practice.
These are valid concerns, and we’re here to say that you don’t have to jump into private practice alone. In fact, Phoenix Therapists’ Hub was created to lower the barriers to starting and developing a practice.
PTH : Private Practice Start Up :: Beach Entry : Pool Going
Just as a beach entry pool offers a gentle, gradual way to enter the water, PTH provides a supportive, less daunting approach to starting and developing a private practice.
Let’s explore this proposition further.
Think about the experience of entering a pool. Instead of the typical, abrupt drop-off that forces you to dive in headfirst or take a nerve-wracking plunge, picture a pool with a beach entry. Much like the gradual slope where the beach meets the ocean, a beach entry pool has a gradual slope, allowing you to wade in gently, one step at a time. This type of pool entrance offers various benefits that cater to different swimmers’ needs.
You may be thinking, hey, can’t you just use the steps? Well, yes, you could, but those steps are narrow and the space small, and ultimately very few people can use them at a time. And they really only offer one way in and out of the pool. In other words, they restrict access.
For those new to swimming, a beach entry pool can transform the experience into a welcoming, accessible venture. There’s no need to face the sink-or-swim dilemma; instead, you can gradually immerse yourself, adjusting to the water at your own pace. For others, this gentle slope changes the act of swimming to be less-anxiety provoking and more relaxed—providing the benefits of cooling off without the shock of a sudden plunge. And for those who prefer a sense of security, a beach entry pool allows you to enter the water without the immediate need for safety measures, reducing the risk of full submersion. You can enjoy the pool’s refreshment without the pressures of diving into the deep end.
Phoenix Therapists’ Hub & What It Offers Private Practice Therapists
Now, let’s draw a parallel to another scenario that can often feel like a sink-or-swim experience: starting a private practice as a mental health clinician. For many therapists, the idea of opening a private practice is akin to standing on the edge of a traditional pool, contemplating a daunting dive into the unknown. The challenges can feel overwhelming, requiring a full commitment and the hope that everything will work out. Just like the fear of plunging into deep water without knowing exactly what awaits, therapists often face uncertainty and anxiety about managing the financial risks, administrative burdens, and client acquisition all on their own.
Starting your own practice involves navigating a new set of skills you may not have yet mastered. It could mean committing to a lease, shouldering the financial risks, and handling the administrative burden of building a client base from scratch. It’s a leap that demands substantial investment and a support system of people who, while perhaps well-meaning, may not have any real stakes in your success.
But what if there were a way to wade into private practice ownership gradually, much like entering a beach entry pool?
That’s where PTH comes in.
Existing Barriers to Private Practice Start-Up and Development
There are numerous barriers to starting and developing a private practice, some of which are captured in the concerns of therapists we presented in the introduction to this post, and some of which we’ve explored in our examination of the dream versus the reality of private practice and in our blueprint for social connection.
Importantly, all of these barriers add considerable risk to private practice therapists and prohibit many excellent therapists from starting their practice at all. But PTH helps therapists face these challenges with the strength of a community.
Assuming Full Financial Risk
This is the equivalent of diving headfirst into the deep end. Phoenix Therapists’ Hub (PTH) helps mitigate financial risk in several ways. First, you’re not on the hook for a long-term office lease, overhead for the office space, or furnishing the space. Second, you’re not left to navigate the business side of practice completely on your own.
At PTH, you’re part of a membership community where costs are shared, resources are bundled, and expertise is accessible. If you find that private practice isn’t working out for you, you’re not locked into any long-term commitments at PTH, as we offer office rentals in 3, 6, and 12 month agreements. Not ready to jump into a lease at all? Fine. We offer drop-in office rentals until your caseload grows to a point where you’re ready for more space.
Lack of Business Knowledge
It’s no secret that many therapists are not business savvy. This is no fault of their own. It’s a systemic issue, as most educational programs in counseling, psychology, and social work do not provide learning experiences related to business development.
The challenge is that private practice is, at its core, a business. Running it successfully requires practical know-how in areas like credentialing with insurance companies, setting fair rates, understanding compliance, and even evaluating which new tech platforms are worth your time. You can figure these things out on your own, but it takes a lot of trial and error.
At PTH, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. By joining the community, you gain direct access to colleagues who have already navigated these hurdles. You can lean on their firsthand experience to make smarter decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and build confidence as a practice owner.
Lack of Community Support
Even with the right knowledge, private practice can be lonely. Therapists often face the emotional weight of running a business and providing care at the same time. Without a supportive network, that weight can be isolating and overwhelming.
When you join PTH, you step into a community of peers who understand what it’s like to be in your shoes. Here, support goes beyond business tips—it’s about encouragement, shared struggles, and celebrating wins together. Whether it’s swapping stories over coffee, joining a peer consultation group, or simply knowing someone has your back, the PTH community provides the human connection that keeps private practice sustainable.
Ease Into Private Practice With PTH
By providing a more gradual and supportive approach to private practice start-up and development, Phoenix Therapists’ Hub makes the process less daunting and more accessible for therapists in the Phoenix area. Join us, and wade into your private practice with confidence and support.
Local Human Resources (People and Groups!) for Private Practice Start-Up and Development
West Valley Therapist Collective is a group of therapists located, you guessed it, in the West Valley. They’re dedicated to “making connections over competition.”
Dana Bowerbank is a Phoenix-based clinician (LCSW) who provides mentorship services for therapists interested in starting solo private practices. Read more at Support for Therapists.
David Meer is a Phoenix-based clinician (LPC) who owns a group practice, Neurodiverse Counseling Services, and is committed to helping therapists navigate private practice. He has an excellent blog series on private practice engineering in Arizona.
Carlie Rouse is a Phoenix-based clinician (LPC) who owns a group practice, Aligned Counseling, and cares deeply about providing career counseling for counselors in the Phoenix community. Learn more about Carlie.
Bonus Readings Offering a Big-Picture Look at Private Practice Start-Up and Development
Clinical Social Workers in Private Practice: A Reference Manual, by NASW
“The Business of Private Practice,” by Sue Coyle, MSW, Social Work Today
“The Challenges of Private Practice,” by Sue Coyle, MSW, Social Work Today
“Building a Better Practice,” by Kristin Battista-Frazee, MSW, Social Work Today