Is Your Private Practice Supporting You? Try This Practice Checkup Tool to Evaluate and Grow
Here’s a question most private practice therapists rarely stop to ask:
Is my practice actually supporting me, or is it just keeping me busy?
That simple pause for reflection can be the difference between a practice that feels sustainable and one that slowly burns you out. It’s the kind of insight that can transform not just your business, but your daily energy and overall satisfaction as a therapist.
The Cost of Running on Autopilot
When you’re focused on client care, it’s easy to let the business side of things run on autopilot. Schedules get packed, billing piles up, marketing slips to the bottom of the list… and before you know it, you’re working harder than ever without seeing much progress.
It doesn’t always look like chaos. Sometimes it’s subtle: a constant low-level stress about money, a schedule that never quite balances, or that nagging feeling that you’re one step behind.
When you’re in the thick of it, it’s hard to see what’s working and what isn’t. That’s where regular evaluations come in. By checking in on the health of your practice, you can catch blind spots before they become roadblocks. Think of it as preventative care for your business; small adjustments now prevent bigger headaches later.
What Does a Practice Evaluation Look Like?
Think of it like a wellness check for your business. Just like clients benefit from pausing to reflect on their mental health, your practice benefits when you slow down and ask the right questions.
Here are a few areas worth reviewing:
Your Schedule
Do you feel in control of your time, or are you constantly scrambling to fit everything in? A healthy practice supports your lifestyle, not the other way around. Consider whether you have enough buffer time for administrative tasks, self-care, or unexpected client needs. These small adjustments can reduce stress significantly.
Finances
Are you charging what you’re worth? Do you know exactly where your income is going? Money stress is often a sign that financial systems need attention. Tracking your numbers regularly makes fee adjustments and growth planning much easier.
Client Flow
Are you attracting the kind of clients you want to work with, or just saying yes to whoever comes through the door? The right fit clients help you sustain both energy and impact. It’s worth thinking about marketing strategies and client communication that can naturally draw in those ideal clients.
Marketing Efforts
How consistent and effective is your outreach? Are potential clients able to find you easily, and does your messaging reflect the services you actually want to offer? Reviewing your website, social media, networking, and referral strategies can reveal gaps and opportunities to connect with the right audience.
Systems and Processes
From billing to note-taking, your systems should make life easier. If you’re spending hours chasing paperwork, that’s a red flag. Automating simple tasks or streamlining processes can free up mental space and allow you to focus on the work that matters most.
Even reflecting on these four areas can uncover a lot. If you notice more “no” answers than “yes,” that’s a sign your practice may be due for a deeper checkup.
The Benefits of Checking In Regularly
One of the biggest mistakes therapists make is waiting until things feel bad before they pause to reflect. But the practices that thrive long-term are the ones where the owner regularly checks in, makes small adjustments, and keeps building on what works. Checking in quarterly or twice a year helps you:
Catch problems early before they snowball.
Adjust when your goals shift (because they always do).
Build confidence in your decisions, knowing they’re based on actual insight, not guesswork.
Even small adjustments can make a big difference. Shifting your schedule to add one admin block a week might cut down on stress. Looking at your finances might help you raise your fees with confidence. Tightening up your marketing could mean attracting fewer but better-fit clients.
Over time, these small, regular check-ins compound into a practice that feels less reactive and more intentional. You start seeing patterns, recognizing what consistently works, and finally have a roadmap for growth.
The point is: you can’t improve what you don’t measure. Evaluating your practice once can be helpful, but building it into your routine is where the real growth happens. Treat it like an ongoing conversation with yourself about what’s working, what’s draining, and what’s next.
Ready for a Structured Practice Checkup?
If this idea of evaluating your practice resonates but feels a little overwhelming, I created something that can help.
The Complete Private Practice Checkup is a free resource designed to walk you through every key area of your business. You’ll get a structured way to rate your practice health, uncover blind spots, and walk away with clear recommendations and resources tailored to where you are now.
Whether your goal is to create more balance, attract the right clients, or prepare for growth, this checkup gives you the clarity and direction to move forward with confidence.
Download your free Practice Checkup here and start evaluating your business today.
Assessing Your Practice with Confidence
Taking a hard look at your private practice can feel intimidating at first. It’s easy to get caught up in doubts—wondering if your systems are working, if your schedule is sustainable, or if you’re doing enough to grow. I’ve been there too, questioning whether I had the right process in place or if I was overlooking important areas of my business.
The truth is, evaluating your practice doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s simply about taking a structured look at what’s working, what’s holding you back, and where small changes could make a big difference. Whether it’s reviewing your schedule, your client flow, or your financial systems, each step you take gives you more clarity and control.
If you need personalized guidance on assessing your practice and uncovering those blind spots, I’m here to help. Together, we can develop a plan that gives you confidence, focus, and direction for growth.
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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!
