ALEXIA WENSING: TURNING A ‘VIBE’ INTO A PRIVATE PRACTICE BRAND | EP 149
Alexia is Canadian, but spent time living and working in Norway, where she has learned about some of the Scandinavian ways of life, including “Hygge”, the feeling of being cozy and content and slowing down to make space for the enjoyment of life.
This principle has inspired Alexia in her private practice, and she incorporated these values into her daily sessions with clients, encouraging them to actively use gratitude where applicable in therapy.
Join us for our cozy chat today about coming into therapy, working intentionally with principles in private practice, and how to find what works for you, whether it is work-life balance or marketing, and life beyond it.
Jane is an all-in-one health and wellness practice management platform designed to be helpful to you, no matter how or where you practice. Available online and on any device, Jane offers branded online booking, beautiful scheduling, insurance management, customizable charting, online intake forms, patient reminders, integrated payment processing, online appointments (telehealth) and more! Use the code FEARLESS at signup to receive your first month completely free!
MEET ALEXIA
Alexia Wensing is a registered psychotherapist who values the mind-body connection, emphasizing the importance of slowing down and optimizing mental health through physical wellness and fostering a healthy relationship with the body. She works with athletes, families of athletes, and individuals facing challenges such as anxiety, life transitions, and stress, utilizing a rooted, evidence-based approach to support clients.
Learn more about Alexia on her practice website and Psychology Today profile.
In This Episode
- Why Alexia decided to become a therapist
- Working in a hospital setting
- Starting a private practice
- Incorporating a Scandinavian lifestyle into private practice
- Marketing the private practice
- Going forward
Why Alexia decided to become a therapist
‘I had always been interested in psychology and people. That was something I always knew about myself, my family always knew about me! ’ – Alexia Wensing
After completing undergrad, Alexia was interested in pursuing law and even studied for the LSAT exams for a brief period. She then pivoted into a more HR and cultural role in creating a healthy workplace environment for a few years, but again, she felt like something was still missing.
Therefore, Alexia returned to university again to pursue her master’s degree in Counselling Psychology. All of this experience had happened in Ontario, but in October 2020, Alexia decided to move to Norway and live there with her partner.
‘We moved there that October and I just studied remotely and then I returned to Canada for my practicum … in January 2022, [another] incredible experience with that team in that hospital.’ – Alexia Wensing
Working in a hospital setting
Alexia worked as a psychotherapy intern.
‘I feel grateful that I got to observe such a great team of nurses and psychiatrists … I worked with folks who were struggling with depression and anxiety of differing levels, and [I worked] with social workers a lot too.’ – Alexia Wensing
Even though Alexia appreciated her hospital work experience, it also taught her the tough lesson of having clients come and go, since that was the nature of working in a hospital. One week they would be there, and the next they would be discharged.
Starting a private practice
After Alexia’s practicum, she got a position at a multidisciplinary practice.
‘They were awesome but I did want to start my own practice, and that wasn’t something that they had built a framework around, how to integrate someone that works for them and has a private practice.’ – Alexia Wensing
Even though she loved working there and being a leader running the telehealth team, she had to have a tough conversation with her bosses about her going in the direction of opening up her own private practice.
‘So I started working at another psychotherapy practice … to have [a job] while I was building my own, and so that’s where I went pretty much right after school, I started to build my own while working at another as an associate.’ – Alexia Wensing
Incorporating a Scandinavian lifestyle into private practice
‘I had always been kind of interested in the Scandinavian way of life … Coziness and contentment and I always really liked that … Being in Norway solidified and bolstered those values and interests and showed me, because I was living in it, how much it can benefit our wellness.’ – Alexia Wensing
The cultural way of living in Norway gave Alexia firsthand experience and a new perspective on approaching wellness, mindfulness, and a healthy type of comfort when facing life’s challenges.
She wanted to share the Hygge ‘vibe with other people, whether they were athletes or an individual struggling with a personal issue in life. She wanted them to know that there can be ways to find contentment amid difficulty and that slowing down is an important and powerful tool, for anyone worldwide.
‘It’s something that I try to focus on with clients on the day-to-day, on a small scale. Self-compassion and gratitude are some things I focus on a lot. I do a lot of narrative work [about] what is the story that we live by and how it plays out in our day-to-day.’ – Alexia Wensing
Marketing the private practice
Even though marketing can be tricky, it is necessary, because it is the way that you are putting the word of your practice out there into the community.
You don’t have to be “salesy”. You can be authentic, and genuine, and just want to let people know who you are, what you do, and how you can help them.
‘I’ve predominately moved past [the salesy fear] to a large degree. It just comes with time, but also when you believe in your vision so much and you have seen how it can help people, you’re like, “No, I really do want people to know about this”, and you just [become] excited about it.’ – Alexia Wensing
Alexia uses Instagram, social media, and her website for marketing. To niche down her practice while simultaneously combining her experience, she brings in the ‘Hygge vibe’ as branding for her private practice.
Using an Instagram post is something that Alexia prefers since it allows you to use a photo or video, and even add music, so you can add personalized and specific layers more than Google allows you to.
Going forward
Alexia is in Alberta now, considering expanding her practice, where she can continue to apply the Norwegian principles that she loves!
Connect With Me
Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:
Ep 148: Mark Pioro: Ontario Psychotherapy Rules and Regulations | EP 148
Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice
Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice
Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)
Get some help and freebies on your website with WordPress!
Learn more about Alexia on her practice website and Psychology Today profile
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About Julia
Julia Smith, MEd, RCT, CCC is a registered Counselling Therapist who owns a group private practice in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She is also the owner of Fearless Practice Consulting and hosts the Fearless Practice podcast. Through the Fearless Practice podcast, she provides invaluable insights and practical advice on starting and growing a successful Canadian private practice. Julia’s wealth of knowledge also extends beyond the podcast, as she provides personalized one-on-one consulting to therapists who are feeling burnt out and overwhelmed with their solo or group private practices. With Julia’s expertise, therapists can confidently navigate the complexities of owning a private practice and find work life – balance.
Julia also has written articles for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy association. You can learn more at www.ccpa-accp.ca/blog/.
