The Build Your Private Practice Podcast

Liane Wood
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

This Podcast is for Canadian mental health practitioners ready to build a private practice that supports their life—not drains it. Whether you're looking to start, grow, or scale with more ease, income, and impact—this podcast is for you.

  1. 2d ago

    Stop Doing Everything Yourself

    If every task in your private practice still runs through you, it is no wonder your week feels so full. The intake emails, invoices, appointment changes, website updates, insurance receipts, and marketing may each seem small. Together, they can swallow hours of your time and leave very little capacity for your clients, your business, or your life. In this episode of The Build Your Private Practice Podcast, Liane is talking about delegation—and why handing off work is not about lowering your standards or losing control. It is about protecting the work that only you can do. Because "I have always done it" does not mean "I have to keep doing it." In this episode, we cover: Why doing everything yourself can increase stress How to identify the work only you can do Which private practice tasks may be ready to delegate A four-box exercise for sorting your workload Why urgent does not always mean important How unclear instructions create many of the errors practice owners fear The different levels of delegation and how trust develops Why delegation requires a process—not a rushed handoff How regular one-on-one meetings make delegation work Why handing off tasks can improve response times and client experience How delegation creates capacity for clinical work, strategic decisions, and your life You do not need to hire someone or overhaul your practice today. Start by writing down everything you did in your business this week. Then sort each task into one of four categories: Do. Schedule. Delegate. Delete. That simple exercise can show you where your time is going—and where you may be the bottleneck. You do not have to figure this out alone. Explore tools, programs, and support at: https://buildyourprivatepractice.ca Join our Facebook community for Canadian therapists: https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildyourprivatepractice Listen and subscribe here: https://thebuildyourprivatepracticepodcast.libsyn.com Build Your Private Practice is turning 10! Celebrate with us on Friday, September 25, 2026, live in Toronto or online. Register here: https://pages.buildyourprivatepractice.ca/bypp-10yr-registation

  2. Aug 10

    Turn a Slow August Into a Strong Fall

    A slower August calendar can feel like a warning sign. Clients are travelling, appointments get cancelled, and the white space in your schedule can quickly start to look like lost income. But what if that space is not a problem? What if it is the runway you need to prepare for the busiest season of the year? In this episode of The Build Your Private Practice Podcast, Liane is reframing the summer slowdown and sharing practical ways to use August to create a smoother, stronger, and more sustainable fall. Because September's momentum does not come from nowhere. It comes from the quiet work you do before the inquiries arrive. In this episode, we cover: Why a slow August does not mean something is wrong with your practice How unused quiet time can contribute to an overwhelming September When to review your fees before the fall rush How to make your website clearer and easier to navigate Why an efficient intake process matters during busy seasons How to reconnect with referral partners without feeling pushy How to prepare marketing content before your schedule fills up Why real rest is an important part of preparing for fall How reviewing the past year can help you decide what you want more—and less—of A simple 90-minute action step to make the most of your August calendar You do not need to complete everything on the list. Choose the one move that would make the biggest difference to your September self, and block 90 minutes to work on it. That empty appointment slot is not necessarily lost income. It may be the space that makes the rest of your year more profitable, calm, and sustainable. Explore tools, programs, and support at: https://buildyourprivatepractice.ca Join our Facebook community for Canadian therapists: https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildyourprivatepractice Listen and subscribe here: https://thebuildyourprivatepracticepodcast.libsyn.com Build Your Private Practice is turning 10! Celebrate with us on Friday, September 25, 2026, live in Toronto or online. Register here: https://pages.buildyourprivatepractice.ca/bypp-10yr-registation

  3. Aug 3

    Run Your Therapy Practice From Anywhere

    Have you ever wondered whether you could travel the world without stepping away from your private practice? In this episode of The Build Your Private Practice Podcast, Liane sits down with Maria Tsoukalas, Calgary-based psychologist and founder of Nomadic Minds, to talk about what it really takes to work with clients while living and travelling abroad. Maria shares how discovering her regulatory college's telepsychology guidelines opened up a new possibility: as long as her clients were located in Alberta, she could provide care from elsewhere. That realization led her to digitize her practice, build strong virtual systems, and eventually spend more than a year travelling while continuing her clinical work. This conversation explores both the freedom and the responsibility involved in working abroad as a therapist. Maria explains why it is essential to check your own regulatory requirements, have reliable privacy and technology systems in place, and make sure your clients are appropriate for virtual care. She also shares how she manages time zones, scheduling, internet access, and continuity of care. While the logistics can feel overwhelming at first, she has found that clients are often more flexible than expected when communication is clear and the quality of care remains consistent. Maria also speaks honestly about the challenges of long-term travel, including decision fatigue, constant planning, and the importance of keeping a manageable caseload. At the same time, working while travelling helped her recover from burnout, slow down, reconnect with her interests, and become more grounded in her work. Most importantly, Maria wants therapists to know that this kind of freedom is possible. It does not have to mean becoming a full-time digital nomad. It may simply mean allowing yourself to imagine a different way of working and taking the first practical steps toward it. In This Episode, You'll Learn How Maria began working with clients while travelling abroad Why checking with your regulatory college is an essential first step What systems you need for a strong virtual practice How to manage time zones, scheduling, and continuity of care Why clients may be more flexible than you expect How to decide whether your caseload is appropriate for virtual work The difference between vacation travel and living abroad while working Why long-term travel can create decision fatigue How travel helped Maria recover from burnout The first step to take if you are considering working while travelling Connect with Maria Tsoukalas: https://nomadicminds365.substack.com/ https://www.instagram.com/nomadicminds.ca Learn more about Maria and Nomadic Minds: https://nomadicminds.ca Explore the Nomadic Minds Live group program: https://nomadicminds.ca/live-group Build a Practice That Supports Your Life For practical resources, programs, and support created for Canadian therapists, visit: https://www.buildyourprivatepractice.ca

  4. Jul 27

    Your Mid-Year Practice Checkpoint

    The middle of the year is a natural time to pause. You have six months of real information about how your private practice is working — not just what you hoped would happen when you made your plans in January. But looking at your revenue, caseload, fees, cancellations, and referrals can bring up a lot of feelings. Am I earning enough? Am I working too much? Is my practice actually sustainable? Before those questions turn into judgment or panic, it helps to remember: Your numbers are not a grade. They are information. In this episode of The Build Your Private Practice Podcast, Liane is walking you through a calm, grounded mid-year checkpoint so you can understand what the first half of the year is telling you — and make thoughtful decisions for the months ahead. Because a number rarely tells the whole story. Lower-than-expected revenue may not mean you need more clients. It may mean your fee needs attention. Strong revenue paired with exhaustion may point to a capacity problem. An unpredictable income pattern may be connected to your cancellation policy. And relying on one referral source may leave your practice more vulnerable than it appears. The goal is not to judge the first six months of the year. It is to take an honest compass reading and decide where you want to point next.   In this episode, we cover: Why the middle of the year can be more useful than January for reviewing your practice How to look at your business numbers without treating them like a measure of your worth The key numbers to review, including revenue, sessions, new clients, referrals, fees, cancellations, and no-shows How to complete a simple mid-year checkpoint without fancy software or a complicated accounting project Why your revenue may actually be telling you a fee, capacity, policy, or referral story How to identify what is working — and what may need to change before the fall intake surge Why a full caseload does not always mean your practice is financially sustainable How to protect your energy by choosing a realistic caseload for the fall Why you should choose only one or two intentions for the second half of the year A simple "what, what, and when" structure for turning your insights into action This episode is not about creating a giant list of everything you need to fix. It is about looking gently and honestly at what has happened so far, choosing one or two meaningful priorities, and making decisions based on evidence instead of fear. You do not need a perfect audit. You need an honest, good-enough picture. Rough and real beats precise and never done. Your numbers do not define your value as a clinician or a person. They simply help you understand where you are so you can build a practice that remains financially healthy, ethically grounded, and sustainable for the long term. Take your compass reading. Be kind to yourself while you do it. Then point yourself toward a second half of the year that supports the life you actually want. Explore tools, programs, and support at: https://buildyourprivatepractice.ca Join us inside our Facebook community for Canadian therapists: https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildyourprivatepractice If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to The Build Your Private Practice Podcast and share it with another Canadian therapist who may need a gentle reminder that looking at their numbers is not greedy — it is part of building a practice that can last. Build Your Private Practice is turning 10! Celebrate with us on Friday, September 25, 2026. We'll be gathering live in person in Toronto, Ontario, with a virtual option available for those joining us from home. You can view the details and register here: https://pages.buildyourprivatepractice.ca/bypp-10yr-registation

  5. Jul 20

    Financial Planning for Therapists

    Have you ever felt guilty for wanting to earn more, raise your fees, or build real financial security as a therapist? In this episode of The Build Your Private Practice Podcast, Liane sits down with Kris Sabramsky, certified financial planner and founder of Therapist Financial, to talk about how therapists can build lasting wealth without compromising their values or their commitment to client care. Kris shares what he has learned from working with more than 100 therapists across Ontario, including why so many practice owners feel unclear or overwhelmed when it comes to their money. From unpredictable session-based income and cancellations to taxes, retirement planning, and the lack of an employer pension, therapists face financial realities that traditional advice does not always account for. This conversation offers a grounded, practical look at what financial stability can mean for therapists—not a lavish lifestyle or chasing arbitrary income goals, but having the clarity and security to pay your bills, plan for the future, enjoy your life, and continue doing meaningful clinical work without constant financial stress. You'll hear why getting organized is the first step, how a financial plan can reduce anxiety and support better decisions, and why starting small is still worthwhile when it comes to saving and investing. Kris also breaks down Canadian savings and investment accounts in plain language, including RRSPs, TFSAs, corporate investment accounts, and FHSAs. He explains why keeping your investment strategy simple may be more effective than trying to outsmart the market—and why incorporation is not automatically the right choice for every successful therapist. In This Episode, You'll Learn Why financial stability can help you show up more fully for your clients How guilt around fees and wealth can affect therapists Why understanding your income and expenses is the first step toward financial clarity What a financial plan can tell you about your current position and future goals How living within your means can support both your present lifestyle and long-term plans Why starting to save early makes such a significant difference How compound growth and the Rule of 72 work Why simple, long-term investing strategies can be so effective The differences between RRSPs, TFSAs, corporate accounts, and FHSAs What to consider before deciding to incorporate your private practice The first practical step to take when you feel behind or overwhelmed by your finances Connect with Kris Sabramsky Learn more about financial planning created specifically for therapists and book a short fit call with Kris: https://therapistfinancial.com Build a Practice That Supports Your Life For practical resources, programs, and support created for Canadian therapists, visit: https://www.buildyourprivatepractice.ca

  6. Jul 13

    The Summer Slowdown Isn't a Problem - It's Build Season

    The summer slowdown can feel unsettling. Clients go on vacation. Families get busy. Sessions get rescheduled. Your calendar may suddenly have more white space than usual. And if you are newer in private practice, it can be easy to wonder: Is something wrong? Did I do something? Are people not coming back? But what if the summer slowdown is not a sign that your practice is failing? What if it is actually build season? In this episode of The Build Your Private Practice Podcast, Liane is talking about the seasonal rhythm many Canadian therapists experience in the summer — and how to use the quieter months of June, July, and August with intention instead of panic. Because the fall wave is coming. Every year, as routines return and school starts again, inquiries tend to pick up. The things people put off over the summer often move back to the top of the list in September. The question is not whether the wave will come. The question is whether your practice will be ready to receive it. In this episode, we cover: Why the summer slowdown is normal for Canadian therapists Why a quieter caseload does not mean your practice is failing How to reframe summer as build season instead of panic season Why fall often brings a back-to-school intake surge How to strengthen your intake process before inquiries pick up Why a simple wait list system can help you hold clients with care How to build referral relationships before you urgently need them Why summer is a good time to review your fee, capacity, boundaries, and offers How to choose one small area to build without turning summer into another grind This episode is not about packing your summer with more work. It is about using a small slice of the quieter season to build intentionally, gently, and steadily. You do not need to overhaul everything. You can choose one area — systems, referral relationships, or your own readiness — and give it a small, regular place in your week. Because steady always beats frantic. And when the fall wave comes, you do not want to be building the boat while you are already in the water. You want to be standing on solid ground, ready to catch it well. Explore tools, programs, and support at: https://buildyourprivatepractice.ca Join us inside our Facebook community for Canadian Therapists: https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildyourprivatepractice If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to The Build Your Private Practice Podcast and share it with another Canadian therapist who may need this reminder that the quiet season is not something to fear. Build Your Private Practice is turning 10! 🎉 Celebrate with us on Friday, September 25, 2026. We'll be gathering live in person in Toronto, Ontario, with a live-stream option available for those joining us virtually. You can view the details and register here:  https://pages.buildyourprivatepractice.ca/bypp-10yr-registation

  7. Jul 6

    What It Really Takes to Grow a Private Practice

    Have you ever looked at your full caseload and wondered, "Could this become something bigger than just me?" In this episode of The Build Your Private Practice Podcast, Liane sits down with Amanda Hill, founder of Connections of Hope, to talk about the real-life experience of growing from solo therapist to group practice owner. Amanda shares how she went from a practice of one to five practice locations, what she learned about hiring, delegation, leadership, and systems, and why growth requires more than just strategy. It also requires learning to manage fear, protect your energy, and trust yourself as a business owner. This conversation is honest, grounded, and deeply encouraging for therapists who feel the pull to grow but are unsure what the next step should look like. You'll hear why Amanda believes time is one of your most valuable assets, how trying to do everything yourself can actually hold your practice back, and why self-care becomes non-negotiable when you are holding a bigger vision. In This Episode, You'll Learn Why Amanda decided to grow beyond solo practice What it felt like to hire and expand into multiple locations The biggest lessons Amanda learned about time, billing, and delegation How to preserve the heart of your practice as your team grows Why fear and doubt are normal parts of scaling How systems and planning make growth feel more manageable What Amanda would say to therapists who are scared to take the next step Ready to Scale Your Practice? If you're ready to grow beyond one-to-one work with more strategy, support, and sustainability, explore Scale Your Practice here: https://www.buildyourprivatepractice.ca/scale-your-practice Connect with Amanda Hill Website: https://connectionsofhope.com Instagram: @connectionsofhope4u

  8. Jun 29

    Your Regulatory College Isn't the Enemy

    You may have rolled your eyes at the annual renewal email, felt frustrated by CE requirements, or dreaded the thought of an audit. But what if your regulatory college is not the enemy? In this episode of The Build Your Private Practice Podcast, Liane is talking about the way many Canadian therapists relate to their regulatory colleges — and why that relationship may need a reframe. The frustrations are real. Annual fees, documentation standards, complaints processes, CE logs, renewal portals, and audits can feel clunky, stressful, and sometimes poorly designed. But your college does not exist to make practice easier for therapists. It exists to protect the public. And in doing that, it also protects the trust your private practice depends on. Every client who books a session with you is trusting more than your website, your warmth, or your credentials. They are trusting that therapy is a regulated, accountable profession — and that someone is maintaining the standards behind the scenes. That is what your college does. In this episode, we cover: Why your college exists for the public, not therapists The difference between regulation and professional support Why public trust matters to your private practice How fees, CE requirements, documentation, audits, and complaints processes protect the profession The difference between advocating for reform and treating the college as the enemy The question to ask when a requirement frustrates you: "What is this actually protecting?" This episode is not about pretending every policy is perfect. It is about holding the bigger picture. You can disagree with your college, advocate for change, and push for better systems — without relating to the institution as an adversary. Because your private practice is downstream of public trust in the profession. Explore tools, programs, and support at: https://buildyourprivatepractice.ca Join us inside our Facebook community for Canadian Therapists: https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildyourprivatepractice If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to The Build Your Private Practice Podcast and share it with another Canadian therapist who may need this reframe. Build Your Private Practice is turning 10!  Registration is now OPEN for the BYPP 10th Birthday Celebration happening on Friday, September 25, 2026. We'll be gathering live in person in Toronto, Ontario, with a live-stream option available for those joining us virtually. You can view the details and register here: https://pages.buildyourprivatepractice.ca/bypp-10yr-registation

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This Podcast is for Canadian mental health practitioners ready to build a private practice that supports their life—not drains it. Whether you're looking to start, grow, or scale with more ease, income, and impact—this podcast is for you.

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