ALLYSON GASSNER: FROM PRACTICUM TO PRIVATE PRACTICE | EP 86
What are the essential fundamentals of setting up a private practice while you finish grad school? How can you use QR codes in your marketing to make it easier for your clients to find you? When is the right time or the best-suited time for you to step into Canadian private practice?
In this episode, Allyson and I discuss navigating how to structure the approach to working, setting up a new private practice, and seeking out community along the journey into Canadian private practice. We chat about marketing, navigating when to transition into solo practice, and considering the future.
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 ALLYSON
Allyson has a MACP from Yorkville University. She started her PP a few months before finishing. She is a fully registered RP in Ontario, Canada. Allyson does ACT and CBT and mostly works with children and younger adults.
Learn more about Allyson on her LinkedIn, Instagram, and Psychology Today profiles and practice website.
In this episode:
- Allyson’s entry into private practice
- Setting up the practice
- Future plans
- Allyson’s marketing tips
Allyson’s entry into private practice
In September of 2022, Allyson started seeing her own clients. She watched a webinar about regulations in Ontario while finishing up grad school, so Allyson was aware of what was needed for her to start seeing clients soon.
‘I had a separate supervisor [from clients to practicum] so that I kept everything neat and tidy … I had to make sure that they were two separate things, my practicum and then me [seeing clients] privately.’ – Allyson Gassner
Allyson was able to start making income while she was completing the finishing touches of her practicum.
‘Once I [had] graduated [in December] I had more time to take on other clients … then I did start looking for other jobs because I wanted some consistency with income.’ – Allyson Gassner
Setting up the practice
To begin her private practice, Allyson made sure to:
- Set up a great website. She used Canva to create a logo and brand herself and her practice well.
- Sign up with Jane App as her EMR. You can too by using the code “FEARLESS” at sign up to receive one month grace period!
- To make her marketing easier, Allyson uses QR codes for her clients to scan to go straight to her booking page.
‘I started [using Jane App] right away and I think that had been really helpful to organize my notes, it was perfect … my client files, the booking page, and the booking page [itself] is so lovely.’ – Allyson Gassner
Future plans
Even though Allyson’s schedule is busy between seeing private clients and working an office job, and another job at an agency, she hopes to direct her focus to solely private practice in a few years.
‘I think way down in the future, I would love to just do private practice [and] have total control and flexibility. But for now… I love being able to say, “Hey!” to my co-workers between sessions and ask them questions.’ – Allyson Gassner
Although Allyson hopes to work in private practice, she currently enjoys working in a community with other therapists because working as a mental health practitioner can feel lonely at times.
‘That’s something that I do really miss and I guess [is] one of the drawbacks of private practice is that you can be isolated if you are working alone and if you are working alone online.’ – Julia Smith
Either way, there are loads of opportunities available to you for how to set up your private practice. You can decide how to approach your work-life balance in a way that can support your wishes and dreams for the future.
Allyson’s marketing tips
Allyson recommends two main aspects of successful marketing:
- Using Psychology Today
- Making sure that you are speaking to your niche
In her experience, she has found these two aspects important to her success rates of being able to connect with her ideal clients.
Connect With Me
Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:
Ep 85: Tamara Reynolds: Building a Canadian Art Therapy Private Practice
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)
Learn more about Allyson on her LinkedIn, Instagram, and Psychology Today profiles and private practice website.
Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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/.
