Worth It Practice

Leah Clionsky
  • 5.0 (12)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Hosted by Dr. Leah Clionsky, The Worth It Practice Podcast is where clinical wisdom meets fearless business strategy - built specifically for psychologists who want to run thriving private-pay practices and grow their group practice with purpose. Dr. Clionsky built a seven-figure, self-pay practice by believing one simple thing: I can learn anything - and so can you. Each week, she shares real lessons from her decade in the field - the wins, the missteps, and the mindset shifts that come from learning to think like a true therapist entrepreneur without losing your clinical edge. Designed with psychologists in mind, this isn’t business therapy or surface-level marketing advice. It’s about building a mental health business that actually works - with practice management systems, pricing models, and leadership strategies rooted in evidence, ethics, and the same curiosity that drives great clinical work. If you’re ready to approach your practice with clarity instead of confusion, business strategy instead of hustle, and confidence instead of doubt, you’re in the right place. Because scaling your practice isn’t magic - it’s learnable. And it’s Worth It. CONNECT WITH DR. LEAH CLIONSKY: Join the Worth It newsletter: https://worth-it-practice.captivate.fm/newsletter Website: https://worth-it-practice.captivate.fm/website Watch on YouTube: YouTube: https://worth-it-practice.captivate.fm/youtube If you're interested in working with me, please reach out to my direct email at hello@worthitpractice.com or schedule a 20-minute free consultation meeting to see if I would be the best fit for your needs using this ​link​!: https://worth-it-practice.captivate.fm/schedule

Episodes

  1. 6D AGO

    How I Use ChatGPT for Productivity to Get Boring Tasks Done: Business Edition

    Watch this episode on YouTube! As we head into the end of the year, I notice the same pattern shows up again and again for me and for so many practice owners I work with. The big ideas are easy. The creative strategy is fun. But the boring tasks are what quietly pile up and drain your energy through task avoidance. In this episode, I’m sharing exactly how I use ChatGPT for productivity as a form of AI for organization to get those tasks done without spiraling or procrastinating. I walk you through how I’ve started using ChatGPT for productivity like an executive assistant when my executive functioning is depleted. Instead of holding all the details in my head or avoiding the boring tasks altogether, I use AI for organization to externalize the overwhelm, break things down, and move forward even when I do not feel motivated. This approach has been especially helpful during end of year planning, when task avoidance can quietly steal more time than the tasks themselves. In this episode, I cover: Why task avoidance shows up so strongly around small, detailed, boring tasksHow I use ChatGPT for productivity to organize my thoughts when my brain feels scatteredA simple way to use AI for organization to turn avoidance into a clear, doable planWhy the real-time drain is often task avoidance, not the boring tasks themselvesHow ChatGPT for productivity helps me protect my creative energy by handling the mental clutter If you are a practice owner who feels capable and visionary but still gets stuck avoiding the boring tasks that come with running a business, this episode is for you. Using AI for organization does not replace your judgment or leadership. It simply gives your brain a place to put things when task avoidance takes over. For me, ChatGPT for productivity has become a practical, ethical tool that helps me do the parts of the job I do not love so I can get back to the parts that make the business feel worth it. LET’S CONNECT: Join the Worth It newsletter! Website Watch on Youtube If you're interested in working with me, please reach out to my direct email at hello@worthitpractice.com or schedule a 20-minute free consultation. Listen to The Educated Parent Podcast My practices: Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts

    12 min

  2. 12/23/2025

    Why This Podcast Is Radical and Challenges Social Taboos

    Watch this episode on YouTube! This episode is about why the Worth It Practice Podcast exists at all. I am pulling back the curtain on why this podcast is considered radical, why it challenges social taboos, and why talking openly about business as a psychologist still feels uncomfortable and risky. As someone who has spent my entire life being a psychologist, I want to name the rules we are taught to follow and explain why I am choosing to break them. As a psychologist entrepreneur, I live at the intersection of clinical training, leadership, and business ownership. That position challenges deeply held beliefs about being a psychologist, especially beliefs around money, ambition, profit, and visibility. In this episode, I talk honestly about the social taboos that exist in psychology, the pressure to stay small or quiet, and the internal work it takes to claim the identity of psychologist entrepreneur without apology. This podcast is also about breaking social norms. It is about naming the fact that psychologists are rarely encouraged to think like entrepreneurs, and women are rarely encouraged to say they are good at business. By speaking openly about my work, my practice, and my success, I am intentionally breaking social norms that have shaped how psychologists are expected to behave. These social taboos do not disappear unless someone is willing to challenge them out loud. In this episode, I talk about: What is considered acceptable when being a psychologist, and whydoes  business often fall outside those boundariesHow becoming a psychologist entrepreneur requires breaking social norms we were trained to followThe specific social taboos psychologists face around money, growth, and ambitionWhy claiming confidence and expertise feels radical when being a psychologist, especially as a womanHow watching other psychologist entrepreneur leaders gave me permission to question the rulesWhy breaking social norms publicly creates space for others to imagine different possibilities I created this podcast because I want you to see what is possible. If you are questioning whether you are allowed to want more, whether you are allowed to enjoy business, or whether you can still be ethical and grounded while being a psychologist entrepreneur, this episode is for you. Challenging social taboos and breaking social norms is not about rebellion for its own sake. It is about building a life and practice that are actually worth it. LET’S CONNECT: Join the Worth It newsletter!  Website Watch on Youtube If you're interested in working with me, please reach out to my direct email at hello@worthitpractice.com or schedule a 20-minute free consultation. Listen to The Educated Parent Podcast My practices:  Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts

    20 min

  3. 12/16/2025

    Don’t Panic in December: The Cognitive Reframe You Need

    Watch this episode on YouTube! When December hits, so many psychologists panic about their projected revenue even when nothing is actually wrong. So today I am offering a pep talk about understanding private practice seasons and protecting your energy with real burnout prevention instead of anxiety-driven decision-making. This episode is my behind-the-scenes look at how I evaluate private practice seasons, why projected revenue always dips this time of year, and how I use simple cognitive reframes as part of my own burnout prevention. If you find yourself spiraling every December, this is a pep talk you can come back to again and again. I break down why this seasonal dip is normal, explain what I look for when numbers actually matter, and show you how to interpret projected revenue without assuming your practice is failing. In this episode, I share: • Why private practice seasons always shift in December, and how that impacts projected revenue • The specific cognitive reframe I use when I need a pep talk about my numbers • How I distinguish normal seasonal changes from true red flags in projected revenue • Why intentional rest is not a weakness but one of the most effective tools for burnout prevention • How understanding private practice seasons can help you stop overreacting and start leading with clarity Even during the lowest point of the year, you can shift out of fear and into confidence when you understand what your numbers actually mean. This is a pep talk for every practice owner who wants to stay grounded, committed, and aligned as they move through the natural rhythm of private practice seasons. LET’S CONNECT: Join the Worth It newsletter!  Website Watch on Youtube If you're interested in working with me, please reach out to my direct email at hello@worthitpractice.com or schedule a 20-minute free consultation. Listen to The Educated Parent Podcast My practices:  Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts

    6 min

  4. 12/09/2025

    Overdrawing My Account 6K Taught Me How to Build a Financial Tracking System

    Watch this episode on YouTube! Most practice owners do not realize how quickly financial chaos can happen until it happens to them. In this episode, I share how I managed to overdraw my account by six thousand dollars and how that single moment pushed me to build the financial tracking system I now depend on every week. If you have multiple streams of income or you have ever worried that you might accidentally overdraw my account, this episode will show you how to protect your practice with a simple weekly financial report. As my practice grew, my expenses became more unpredictable, and my revenue became harder to track. Without a financial tracking system, I could not anticipate when payments would land or when large marketing or operations expenses would hit. That lack of clarity is exactly what caused me to overdraw my account, even though the practice was financially healthy. Once I added a consistent weekly financial report, I finally understood the rhythm of my money and could protect all of my multiple streams of income. Here is what I walk you through: The exact moment I realized I was about to overdraw my accountHow a simple financial tracking system keeps me grounded and informedWhat my weekly financial report includes and why it worksHow to protect your multiple streams of income as your practice growsWhy every practice owner needs a system long before they feel ready If you have ever wondered how to prevent financial surprises, how to understand your cash flow, or how to stabilize multiple streams of income, this episode will show you how a consistent weekly financial report and a clear financial tracking system can create confidence and calm in your business. You never need to overdraw my account to learn this lesson the hard way. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Money Skills for Therapists with Linzy Bonham Podcast LET’S CONNECT: Join the Worth It newsletter!  Website Watch on Youtube If you're interested in working with me, please reach out to my direct email at hello@worthitpractice.com or schedule a 20-minute free consultation. Listen to The Educated Parent Podcast My practices:  Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts

    15 min

  5. 12/02/2025

    The Accidental Entrepreneur: A Conversation with Joe Sanok on Identity, Growth, and Following What’s “Worth It”

    Watch this episode on YouTube! In this first guest episode, I talk with Joe Sanok, someone I have admired for years and one of the most influential voices in the therapist entrepreneurial space. Joe shares how he became an accidental entrepreneur, how his own identity growth shaped every stage of his work, and how he learned to follow what’s worth it as he built a business that now reaches thousands of practice owners. If you are starting a practice, expanding a group practice, or navigating your own identity growth, this conversation with Joe Sanok will meet you exactly where you are. Joe built his group practice, sold it, and then scaled Practice of the Practice into a national brand. Hearing how he navigated being an accidental entrepreneur offers a powerful lens for anyone starting a practice and wondering what risks are actually what’s worth it. His stories about leveling up, making decisions that support long-term identity growth, and following the work that feels aligned will resonate deeply, especially if you have ever questioned what direction you should take. Here is what we cover in this episode: How Joe Sanok realized he was an accidental entrepreneur and what that meant for identity growthWhy starting a practice requires clarity about what’s worth it and what is notThe mindset shifts and business pivots that supported Joe’s identity growth as he scaledWhat every clinician should understand about being an accidental entrepreneur in the current marketHow to follow what’s worth it when your business, identity, and goals begin to evolve If you are starting a practice, navigating your own identity growth, or noticing signs that you may be an accidental entrepreneur too, this conversation with Joe Sanok will help you reconnect with what matters and make decisions rooted in what’s worth it for you and your future. LET’S CONNECT: Join the Worth It newsletter!  Website Watch on Youtube If you're interested in working with me, please reach out to my direct email at hello@worthitpractice.com or schedule a 20-minute free consultation. Listen to The Educated Parent Podcast My practices:  Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts CONNECT WITH JOE SANOK: Website Facebook Practice of a Practice Podcast Practice Academy Group Practice Conference

    29 min

  6. 11/25/2025

    Is Private Practice Dead? A Pep Talk to Reset Your Mindset

    Watch this episode on YouTube! A lot of therapists are spiraling right now and wondering if private practice is dead. In this episode, I give you a pep talk grounded in data, lived experience, and what I see across the therapy business every single day. If you have been questioning your future, your stability, or your confidence as a practice owner, this is a pep talk meant to help you reset your mindset and remember what is still possible in this profession. There is so much fear circulating in clinician mental health spaces. I see it in consultations, in comment threads, and inside every online group where therapists gather. That is exactly why I recorded a pep talk that is honest, practical, and rooted in real outcomes from private practice coaching and real results from the therapy business. When everything feels uncertain, you need clarity, strategy, and a way to reset your mindset without getting swept up in panic. Here is what I cover: Why private practice is not dead and why the loudest voices are not always the most accurateHow to reset your mindset when the noise around the therapy business makes you doubt what you already knowWhat is actually happening in clinician mental health, and why fear spreads faster than factsThe specific strategies I use in my own therapy business to stay focused, confident, and groundedWhy the right private practice coaching can support clinician mental health instead of feeding anxiety If you need a clear voice cutting through the panic, this episode will help you reset your mindset, support your clinician mental health, and rethink how private practice and your therapy business can still work for you. This is a pep talk for the psychologist entrepreneur who is ready to think bigger and make decisions with clarity instead of fear. LET’S CONNECT: Join the Worth It newsletter!  Website Watch on Youtube If you're interested in working with me, please reach out to my direct email at hello@worthitpractice.com or schedule a 20-minute free consultation. Listen to The Educated Parent Podcast My practices:  Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts

    12 min

  7. 11/18/2025

    Overcoming Overwhelm: Leveraging AI and Strategic Planning When Things Get to Be Too Much

    Watch this episode on YouTube! We all experience seasons of overwhelm, even when our practices are thriving. In this episode, I share what I do when things feel heavy and how leveraging AI and smarter business delegation help me protect my CEO mindset, commit to burnout prevention, and ultimately reset my life with clarity and purpose. I’m pulling back the curtain on what’s been working in my own private-pay group practice and how I use leveraging AI to simplify systems, strengthen strategy, and reset my life when things feel unsustainable. You’ll hear how intentional business delegation supports a healthy CEO mindset, creates structure for burnout prevention, and keeps me focused on what matters most. Here’s what I cover: The real reason overwhelm shows up in business and what it means for your CEO mindsetHow leveraging AI can clarify priorities, organize your week, and help you reset my lifeWhy strong business delegation systems are the key to long-term burnout preventionHow to return to a grounded CEO mindset when your workload grows faster than your supportThe mindset shift that allows you to reset my life instead of running on autopilot If you’ve been feeling stretched thin or unsure how to recover balance, this episode will help you use leveraging AI, business delegation, and a clear CEO mindset to rebuild systems, strengthen boundaries, and make burnout prevention and the ability to reset my life part of your normal rhythm. LET’S CONNECT: Join the Worth It newsletter!  Website Watch on Youtube If you're interested in working with me, please reach out to my direct email at hello@worthitpractice.com or schedule a 20-minute free consultation. Listen to The Educated Parent Podcast My practices:  Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts

    20 min

  8. 11/11/2025

    Why I’m Happy Running a Group Practice: Strategy, Personality, and Niche Therapy Specialties

    Watch this episode on YouTube! People are often surprised when I tell them how much I love running my niche therapy group practice.  I get asked all the time, “How are you still so happy doing this?” And honestly, the answer comes down to a mix of strategy, practice management systems, and self-awareness. In this episode, I share the exact choices that make my mental health business both profitable and deeply enjoyable - from the decision to stay private-pay, to the way I hire experienced clinicians for niche therapy, to how I built systems that practically run themselves. This is a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run a group therapy practice that feels good, not just looks good. If you’ve ever wondered how to find private pay clients or how to structure your team so you actually enjoy coming to work, this episode will give you an honest, realistic roadmap. We’ll also talk about practice management that reduces stress, builds freedom, and supports long-term growth - plus how staying grounded in your niche therapy specialty can attract the right clients without hustle or burnout. Join me for a chat about: Why I built my group therapy practice around joy and autonomyThe key practice management systems that make business easierHow I approach hiring for niche therapy clinical  excellence and culture fitHow I think about mental health business strategy and leadershipWhat I’ve learned about how to find private pay clients through clarity and trust If you’re a psychologist or therapist ready to fall back in love with your business, this one’s for you. LET’S CONNECT: Join the Worth It newsletter!  Website Watch on Youtube If you're interested in working with me, please reach out to my direct email at hello@worthitpractice.com or schedule a 20-minute free consultation. Listen to The Educated Parent Podcast My practices:  Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts

    20 min

  9. 11/04/2025

    Are You Niching Backwards? The Truth About Therapist Specializations and Building a Niche Therapy Practice

    Watch this episode on YouTube! I have a controversial take on niche therapy practices - and it might sting a little.  In this episode, I explain why so much of the common advice about “finding your niche” in private practice is backwards, and what to consider about therapist specializations instead if you actually want to stand out, attract great-fit clients, and feel proud of the work you do. You’ve heard the same lines before: your training doesn’t matter, just pick who you like working with. But here’s the truth - your training absolutely matters. Real therapist specializations are built through competence, experience, and intentional focus, not guesswork or generic marketing advice. I share how authentic niche therapy can transform your practice, plus real private practice niche examples that show how strategy and expertise can work together. I talk about: Why most niche psychology advice oversimplifies the real work of building credibilityHow to identify meaningful therapist specializations (and when to get more training)The mindset shift that makes niche therapy both ethical and profitableReal private practice niche examples that fill schedules fast and attract ideal clientsWhy standing out as a niche psychology specialist builds trust and sustainability in private practice If you’ve been told to “just pick a niche,” this episode will help you rethink that advice and create something much more authentic - and much more effective. LET’S CONNECT: Join the Worth It newsletter!  Website Watch on Youtube If you're interested in working with me, please reach out to my direct email at hello@worthitpractice.com or schedule a 20-minute free consultation. Listen to The Educated Parent Podcast My practices:  Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts

    14 min

  10. 11/04/2025

    Starting Over in 2025: How I Would Build a Private-Pay Practice From Scratch

    Watch this episode on YouTube! If I were starting a private practice today, I’d approach it completely differently than I did in 2016 - because the therapy world has changed.  In this episode, I share exactly how to start a private practice in therapy in 2025, what to focus on first, and the systems that still matter no matter how much technology evolves. When I talk about starting a private practice, I don’t just mean setting up an office and waiting for clients to find you. I mean designing a sustainable, evidence-based business that reflects your values and supports your long-term goals. That means getting clear on your brand, building solid infrastructure, and learning how to find private-pay clients who are aligned with your services. I’ll walk you through what I’d prioritize: a strong business plan, clear branding, and smart marketing therapy private practice strategies. You’ll hear how I’d use SEO, networking, and relationship-based marketing to create visibility - and why those same principles apply whether you’re solo or growing a team. I share: The first three steps I’d take when starting a private practice from scratchHow I’d write a business plan and develop a long-term visionWhy knowing how to start a private practice in therapy today means learning to adapt fastWhat works (and what doesn’t) in marketing therapy private practice right nowProven ways to attract and retain clients by mastering how to find private-pay clients If you’re ready to build a private-pay practice that fits your life, this episode will help you think strategically, act intentionally, and grow sustainably. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Join the Worth It newsletter!  Listen to The Educated Parent Podcast LET’S CONNECT: Join the Worth It newsletter!  Website Watch on Youtube If you're interested in working with me, please reach out to my direct email at hello@worthitpractice.com or schedule a 20-minute free consultation. Listen to The Educated Parent Podcast My practices:  Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts

    22 min

  11. 11/04/2025

    How I Built a 7-Figure Group Practice as a Psychologist

    Watch this episode on YouTube! When I opened my first practice, it was just me - answering phones and seeing clients on Saturday. Fast forward a few years, and that dream became a thriving group private practice with a specialty clinic, and a team of psychologists serving families across the country. In this first episode of Worth It Practice, I’m sharing how I went from solo clinician to confident psychologist entrepreneur, and the exact mindset, structure, and therapy systems that helped me scale with integrity. This is the story of how my childhood dream turned into a sustainable, purpose-driven group therapy practice - and what I’ve learned along the way. In this episode, I share: How my upbringing shaped my vision for group private practice ownershipWhy I planned for a group private practice from day one (not by accident)How I navigated psychologist entrepreneur challenges like market shifts, AI, and venture-backed competitionThe key therapy systems I built to support growth, leadership, and quality careWhy I believe every psychologist entrepreneur can build a business that’s both ethical and profitable If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to run a seven-figure group therapy practice without burning out, this episode (and podcast) is for you. LET’S CONNECT: Join the Worth It newsletter!  Website Watch on Youtube If you're interested in working with me, please reach out to my direct email at hello@worthitpractice.com or schedule a 20-minute free consultation. Listen to The Educated Parent Podcast My practices:  Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts

    15 min

  12. 10/27/2025

    Welcome to Worth It Practice: Real Business Strategy for Psychologists Who Think Bigger

    Watch this trailer on YouTube! What if the same training that made you a great psychologist also gave you everything you need to run a thriving mental health business? I created Worth It Practice for psychologist entrepreneurs who are ready to think beyond the therapy room, build systems that work, and lead a thriving group therapy practice with integrity. In this trailer, I share: How the psychology training you already have makes you a natural therapy business coach for yourselfWhy analyzing data in a WISC isn’t so different from reading a P&LWhat it takes to shift from psychologist entrepreneur to confident practice leaderThe strategies, mindset shifts, and real lessons behind my own seven-figure practiceWhat you can expect from future episodes of Worth It Practice If you’re ready to think bigger - and finally believe that what you’ve built is worth it - this is where it starts. LET’S CONNECT: Join the Worth It newsletter!  Website Watch on Youtube If you're interested in working with me, please reach out to my direct email at hello@worthitpractice.com or schedule a 20-minute free consultation. Listen to The Educated Parent Podcast My practices:  Thriving Child Center PCIT Experts

    2 min
  • 12 Episodes

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Hosted by Dr. Leah Clionsky, The Worth It Practice Podcast is where clinical wisdom meets fearless business strategy - built specifically for psychologists who want to run thriving private-pay practices and grow their group practice with purpose. Dr. Clionsky built a seven-figure, self-pay practice by believing one simple thing: I can learn anything - and so can you. Each week, she shares real lessons from her decade in the field - the wins, the missteps, and the mindset shifts that come from learning to think like a true therapist entrepreneur without losing your clinical edge. Designed with psychologists in mind, this isn’t business therapy or surface-level marketing advice. It’s about building a mental health business that actually works - with practice management systems, pricing models, and leadership strategies rooted in evidence, ethics, and the same curiosity that drives great clinical work. If you’re ready to approach your practice with clarity instead of confusion, business strategy instead of hustle, and confidence instead of doubt, you’re in the right place. Because scaling your practice isn’t magic - it’s learnable. And it’s Worth It. CONNECT WITH DR. LEAH CLIONSKY: Join the Worth It newsletter: https://worth-it-practice.captivate.fm/newsletter Website: https://worth-it-practice.captivate.fm/website Watch on YouTube: YouTube: https://worth-it-practice.captivate.fm/youtube If you're interested in working with me, please reach out to my direct email at hello@worthitpractice.com or schedule a 20-minute free consultation meeting to see if I would be the best fit for your needs using this ​link​!: https://worth-it-practice.captivate.fm/schedule

Information

  • Creator
    Leah Clionsky
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Leah Clionsky
  • Show Website
    Worth It Practice

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