You got your private practice just where you wanted it. Things were on track: a schedule that worked for your life and your family, a fee structure that supported your financial needs—maybe even room for one or two reduced-fee spots.

You were tracking your numbers, maintaining your clinical boundaries, and hitting your goals. Sometimes that meant offering a referral instead of sliding your fee. You were practicing with intention.

But somehow, a few months later, you're working more and earning less.

How did this happen!? You had it dialed in.

What you’re likely experiencing is something I call boundary creep: a slow, subtle unraveling of your business boundaries. It happens quietly, one small compromise at a time. And just like in toxic relationships, it rarely happens all at once. It’s often the result of good intentions mixed with fear, urgency, or the desire to help. But over time, those micro-decisions stack up. And suddenly, you’re overwhelmed, underpaid, and out of alignment with the private practice you worked so hard to build.

What Boundary Creep Looks Like

It often begins with just one client.

They’re your ideal client, on paper, at least. But they need:

✔ A reduced fee.

✔ A session time that’s just a little outside your usual hours.

✔ A Friday appointment, just this once.

It feels manageable. You think: Just this one… and maybe this one more. Oh, but I could really help this person too.

After all, you got into this profession to help people, right?

Or maybe it’s not about one client at all. Maybe a few people terminated unexpectedly, and suddenly your calendar has gaps. You start to feel nervous. What if new clients don’t come consistently? So you say yes. To everyone. At any time. For any fee.

Before you know it, your schedule is full—overfull—with appointments scattered at times you swore you’d never work again. Your fees are all over the place. And your energy is low, because you're stretched way too thin.

The Cost of Boundary Creep

You have bills to pay. But you also have people depending on you—your family, your clients, your future self.

You don’t have the privilege of running on empty. You need your clinical hours to stay contained so you can be emotionally available for the people who matter most.

But are your clients really ideal if they’re outside your boundaries?

A true good-fit client for your private practice:

Is available during your set working hours.
Can pay your established fee.
Doesn’t require more between-session contact than you offer in your policies.
Is in a stage of change where your expertise is most effective.

And maybe most importantly: you’re allowed to say no. Even if you can’t explain it. If your gut says it’s not a good fit, that’s reason enough.

Getting Back on Track

Undoing boundary creep takes work. And sometimes, a little shame shows up too: “How did I let this happen?”

This happens to most of us at some point in private practice. But you can recalibrate. You can rebuild the structure that works for you. Start here:

Assess the situation

Review your numbers. What’s your average fee now? How many clients are paying below your minimum? Which parts of your schedule are now outside the hours you intended to keep protected?

Evaluate your caseload

Are there clients who no longer align with your business model?
Is anyone overdue for a fee increase?
Would some clients be better served elsewhere?

Make difficult but necessary decisions

You might need to:

Refer some clients out to better fit therapists to make room for full-fee, good-fit clients.
Limit the number of reduced-fee spots. (And yes, it’s okay to have guidelines here.)
Have respectful, transparent conversations about upcoming fee changes.

My policy: all clients are subject to an annual fee review. I commit to their fee for the first 12 months (6 months for reduced fees), and then we assess. I give four to six weeks’ notice and, since many of my clients are biweekly, they get at least two sessions to prepare. This is what’s sustainable for me. You need a policy that works for you.

You may also need to say goodbye to times you once made exceptions for. And yes, some clients might not be able to adjust. That’s okay. You’re creating space for better-aligned work.

Let the data guide you.

If you can’t afford to lose many clients right now, make the changes in stages. You might stay a little overbooked temporarily while you transition.

And track everything. The more data you have, the more grounded your decisions will be. Look at your inquiries. See when your slow seasons hit, when referrals pick up, who your best referral partners are, and what types of clients tend to reach out.

Knowing this helps calm the fear that no one else is coming. Because you’ve seen the pattern. You know that things slow in December and spike again in February. That insight can make all the difference.

Yes, There May Be Guilt

You may feel guilt when you set boundaries retroactively. Maybe you offered a lower rate that you now need to increase. Maybe you accepted a client into your schedule at a time that no longer works. You care and that’s what makes this hard.

But remember, you’re not rejecting anyone. You’re redirecting them to someone who’s a better fit. That is an act of care. I keep a spreadsheet of trusted referral sources so I can confidently say, “I know someone who might be a great fit for you.”

How to Keep It from Happening Again

It’s worth taking a moment to reflect. Did people-pleasing sneak in? Was it fear about finances? Did a sudden shift in referrals push you into reaction mode?

Once you identify the root cause, you can build systems to stay within the “bumpers” of your practice. Expecting boundary creep makes it easier to spot early and correct course before things spiral.

Ready to Rebuild Your Boundaries?

Boundary creep is a normal part of private practice. But staying stuck in unsustainable patterns isn’t. You built this business to support your life, and that still matters.

If you’re ready to rebuild a business that’s aligned with your values and sustainable for the long haul, you don’t have to do it alone. The Balanced Practice Community is a space for therapists like you—focused, thoughtful, and ready to do business differently. With over 10,000 members, you're in good company.

Let’s make space for what matters most.

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You can serve your clients well and keep your boundaries intact. Let’s create a practice that allows for both.

About the Author

Audrey Schoen, LMFT, is a seasoned business consultant and financial boundaries expert who understands the challenges of being a therapist, practice owner, and parent of twins. With her extensive experience, she specializes in helping therapists enhance their marketing voice and directly connect with their ideal clients. Audrey equips therapists with actionable steps and empowering insights, ensuring they can confidently set fees and effectively serve their clients.

Partner with Audrey to take your practice to the next level!

Boundary Creep in Private Practice: How It Happens One Small Compromise at a Time