Earn CEUs + Learn to Build a Sustainable Practice
Gain key marketing, legal, financial, branding, and operations skills to future-proof your private therapy practice.
How to Start a Private Practice
Thinking of starting your own private counseling practice but feeling unsure or overwhelmed by the process? Whether you are just beginning or already have a private practice and want to ensure you have not missed any critical steps, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to succeed. We will cover the essential aspects of launching and running a solo therapy practice—from legal requirements, financial planning, and deciding whether to get paneled with insurance companies, to day-to-day operations and effective branding and marketing strategies. We will do a deep dive into establishing your clinical niche, and nurturing relationships with potential referral partners for whom you can add value. You will leave with clear, actionable steps and insider insights to confidently launch your business.
Make Your Private Practice More Sustainable
As a private solo or group therapy practice owner, you might have noticed that each month feels a little harder than the last. Shrinking margins. Increased competition. Fewer new client inquiries. It's not because you're doing anything wrong — the ground underneath you is shifting. Private equity firms and insurance companies are buying up group practices and backing large mental health services platforms, and insurance reimbursement rates for the rest of us keep dropping.
In this workshop, we'll talk about the seismic shifts happening in our field — and then talk about what private practice owners can do about it. Because here's the thing: we can do something about it.
We'll cover the principles of sustainability in private practice, plus practical branding, marketing, operations, financial and growth strategies. You'll leave with a clearer sense of how to run a sustainable, profitable practice in 2027 — while still making the impact you set out to make.
This workshop is ideal for therapists who currently own a private practice (solo or group), or those considering opening one in the future.
Ethics in the Changing World of Private Practice
Owning and managing a private therapy practice in today’s evolving landscape presents complex ethical considerations that extend beyond traditional guidance. From Telehealth platforms and electronic health records (EHRs) to artificial intelligence (AI) and digital marketing strategies, social workers must continuously adapt while maintaining adherence to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. This workshop examines contemporary ethical challenges in private practice and applies relevant NASW ethical standards to real-world scenarios. Participants will explore how emerging technologies and shifting business practices impact confidentiality, informed consent, competence, and professional boundaries. The course also provides practical strategies for updating policies, refining clinical and administrative practices, and integrating innovation in an ethically responsible manner. Through case examples and guided discussion, participants will strengthen their ability to analyze ethical dilemmas, mitigate risk, and align their practice with professional standards while responding to the demands of a modern practice environment.
The Private Practice Launchpad: A Hands-On Intensive for Therapists
Ready to launch your own private practice but not sure where to start? The Private Practice Launchpad: A Hands-On Intensive for Therapists is a 15-hour, action-oriented course designed to guide you from concept to launch. We’ll dive into the essential building blocks of a sustainable private practice: identifying your niche and brand, financial planning, legal requirements, day-to-day operations, and effective marketing strategies. This hands-on workshop lets you work on your own practice as you learn, so you leave with a clear plan, practical tools, and the confidence to open your doors.
Workshop Partners
Upcoming Workshops
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2027 Business Planning Workshop for Private Practice Owners
Dec 4, 2026 ⎮ 9am-12pm CST
Enterprise Bank & Trust ⎮ Creve Coeur, MO
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Ethics in the Changing World of Private Practice
Dec 10, 2026 ⎮ 9am-12pm EST
3 CEUs ⎮ Hosted by Adelphi University School of Social Work⎮ Virtual
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Make Your Private Practice More Sustainable
Jan 29, 2027 ⎮ 9am-12pm EST
3 CEUs ⎮ Hosted by Boston College School of Social Work ⎮ Virtual
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Make Your Private Practice More Sustainable
Feb 26, 2027 ⎮ 8:30-11:30am CST
3 CEUs ⎮ Hosted by Wash U Brown School of Social Work ⎮ Virtual
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How to Start a Private Practice (in Missouri)
Summer 2027
Hosted by Wash U Brown School of Social Work
Previous Workshops
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How to Start a Private Practice (in New York)
Sep 23, 2026 ⎮ 9am-4pm EST
6 CEUs ⎮ Hosted by Adelphi University School of Social Work⎮ Virtual
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Ethics in the Changing World of Private Practice
Sep 18, 2026 ⎮ 8:30-11:30am CST
3 CEUs ⎮ Hosted by Wash U Brown School of Social Work ⎮ Virtual
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How to Start a Private Practice
Sep 14, 2026 ⎮ 9am-12pm CST
Hosted by Build My Therapy Biz ⎮ Virtual
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Ethics in the Changing World of Private Practice
Jun 25, 2026 ⎮ 9:00am-12:00pm EST
3 CEUs ⎮ Hosted by Boston College School of Social Work ⎮ Virtual
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The Private Practice Launchpad: A Hands-On Intensive for Therapists
Jun 4-5, 2026 ⎮ 8:30am-5:00pm CST
15 CEUs ⎮ Hosted by Wash U Brown School of Social Work ⎮ In Person
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How to Start a Private Practice (in Massachusetts)
Feb 3, 2026 ⎮ 10am-3pm EST
4 CEUs ⎮ Hosted by Boston College School of Social Work⎮ Virtual
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How to Start a Private Practice (in Missouri)
Jan 30, 2026 ⎮ 8:30-11:30am CST
3 CEUs ⎮ Hosted by Wash U Brown School of Social Work⎮ Virtual
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2026 Business Planning Workshop for Private Practice Owners
Dec 12, 2025 ⎮ 9am-12pm CST
Hosted at ThriveCo Clayton
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How to Make Your Private Practice More Sustainable
Dec 5, 2025 ⎮ 8:30-11:30am CST
3 CEUs ⎮ Hosted by Wash U Brown School of Social Work ⎮ Virtual
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Make Your Private Practice More Sustainable
Nov 12, 2025 ⎮ 10am-3pm EST
4 CEUs ⎮ Hosted by Boston College School of Social Work ⎮ Virtual
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How to Start a Private Practice (in Massachusetts)
June 25, 2025 ⎮ 9am-12pm EST
3 CEUs ⎮ Hosted by Boston College School of Social Work ⎮ Virtual
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How to Start a Private Practice (in Missouri)
Feb 7, 2025 ⎮ 8:30-11:30am CST
3 CEUs ⎮ Hosted by Wash U Brown School of Social Work ⎮ Virtual
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2025 Business Planning Workshop for Private Practice Owners
Dec 5, 2024 ⎮ 9-11am CST
No CEUs ⎮ Hosted at ThriveCo Clayton ⎮ In Person
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How to Build a Sustainable Private Practice
Jul 19, 2024 ⎮ 8:30-11:30am CST
3 CEUs ⎮ Hosted by Wash U Brown School of Social Work⎮ Virtual
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Alternative Revenue Streams for Practice Owners
Oct 25, 2023 ⎮ 12-1pm EST
No CEUs ⎮ Hosted by Mindsight Partners⎮ Virtual
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5 Easy Ways To Make More Money In Your Private Practice
Sep 27, 2023 ⎮ 12-1pm EST
No CEUs ⎮ Hosted by Mindsight Partners⎮ Virtual