When I started out as a therapist, no one mentioned a business plan. In fact, tutors and peers warned me: if you’re in this work to make money, you’re in the wrong profession.
The message was loud and clear: therapy is a calling, not a business.
And while that’s true—therapy is about healing, connection, and service—it’s also a profession. If we want to show up fully for our clients, we need to build practices that are financially and emotionally sustainable. That means getting comfortable with the uncomfortable: talking about money, contracts, and boundaries.
The Reality
Over 60% of therapists report receiving no formal training in business or marketing during their clinical education. The picture is much the same in the UK. Despite nearly 70% of BACP members working in private practice, most enter it without the tools to manage the business side of their work.
It shows. Fewer than 30% of private practitioners consistently see enough clients to earn a sustainable full-time income (around 20–25 clients per week).
This isn’t a reflection of clinical skill—it’s a reflection of a training gap. One that leaves many therapists feeling isolated, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to grow their practices ethically.
Why Talking About Money Matters
Talking about contracts or income doesn’t mean you’re less committed to your clients. It means you’re also committed to your own wellbeing—and your practice’s longevity.
Private practice isn’t just therapy. It’s a business. And it’s time we started treating it like one.
If you’re starting private practice, let’s change that...
Join my interactive online workshop on:
Friday June 27th or on Satuday July 12th from 10 AM – 1 PM
to get the tools you need to build a sustainable, ethical practice.
Your clients deserve your best — and so do you. Get in touch by email or through the contact form here: https://therapywithjenny.co.uk/#contact