
Advertise on podcast: Private Practice Skills
Rating
4.9from
This podcast has
139 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Private Practice SkillsExplicit
No
Date created
2024/03/14
Latest episode
2026/10/02
Average duration
27 min.
Release period
8 days
Description
If I have long-form content for my YouTube channel, I'll share on here too for those who prefer to listen to the mp3 version :)
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Check latest episodes from Private Practice Skills podcast
What Private Practice Therapists Wish they Knew Before Starting
2026/10/02
What Private Practice Therapists Wish they Knew Before Starting
I posted to Instagram asking therapists: “What’s one thing you wish you’d known before going into private practice?"
Thank you to all of you who participated :) I share related resources to the topics discussed below.
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email and forms easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://get.paubox.com/solutions/private-practice
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
Resources:
Free Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling:
https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
Video: "How to Launch a Successful Private Practice in 2026”
https://youtu.be/tydi5vXa0JM
Video: "How do I Set my Fee as a New Private Practice Owner?”
https://youtu.be/0iMbrdIzI5s
Video: "Startup Costs of Part Time Private Practice | Start Private Practice on a Budget”
https://youtu.be/02GbDAyBWUw
(This is an old one but the concepts hold up!)
Video: "What you Need to Know About Quarterly Taxes for Your Practice”
https://youtu.be/Eo3f2VIrbMI
Video: "Why are Therapists so Isolated?”
https://youtu.be/19lcjfra0DE
Video: "How to Avoid Isolation in Private Practice”
https://youtu.be/u-p7H36UK44
Playlist: "Ask the Tax Expert about Private Practice Accounting"
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi4iw1FZZYrCeMCOvYxz1zfYqtNxFFnZz
Playlist: “Private Practice Marketing Strategy”
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi4iw1FZZYrAaqD-YMZm_Hc5WSZMq5WSB
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
How to do Private Practice When you Have Young Kids
2026/09/25
In this episode, I cover some of the most common questions that pop up around how to do private practice when you have young kids, like:
How do you arrange your schedule?
How do you account for sickness?
How do you manage the reduced hours and childcare costs?
And more questions that I wondered before having kids and a private practice.
Links Mentioned:
FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling:
https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
Video: "How do I Set my Fee as a New Private Practice Owner?”
https://youtu.be/0iMbrdIzI5s
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email and forms easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://get.paubox.com/solutions/private-practice
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
Top Therapist Marketing Tip: Be Yourself
2026/09/18
At a time when there's no shortage of private practice marketing advice, it can still feel overwhelming to know how to market your practice. In this episode, I go back to the basics of private practice marketing: be yourself!
I share practical tips to translate your unique, individual self into your marketing materials so that your ideal clients can find you and build trust with you.
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email and forms easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://get.paubox.com/solutions/private-practice
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
How Therapists Can Advocate for Clients Outside of Session
2026/09/11
There are so many ways therapists are qualified to advocate for our clients, but we're often not taught about them until our clients request documentation from us.
This episode highlights important ways we can advocate for our clients outside of session.
More info about these topics:
"Information for Health Care Providers to Complete a Certification under the FMLA"
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla/certification-of-a-serious-health-condition
"Short-Term Disability Letter from a Therapist: Template & Guide"
https://clinicaldocslibrary.com/clinical-letters/short-term-disability-letter/
"The Mental Health Provider's Role in a Client's Request for a Reasonable Accommodation at Work"
https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/mental-health-providers-role-clients-request-reasonable-accommodation-work
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
You Don't Have to Be a "Perfect" Therapist. Here's Why
2026/09/04
In this episode, we debunk some of the top myths about being a good therapist.
Myth 1: A good therapist always knows what to say
Myth 2: You have to have your own life completely figured out to help others
Myth 3: Burnout means you're not cut out for this work
Myth 4: Real therapists don't Google client symptoms or consult with colleagues mid-week
What are some of the myths about good therapists that you still hear floating around?
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email and forms easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://get.paubox.com/solutions/private-practice
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
Client Patterns that Reflect Societal Patterns
2026/08/28
In this week's episode, we look at responses to a Reddit post that asks, "Therapists, what are the common patterns you've noticed in your clients that simultaneously tell you what's going on in society as a collective?"
This piqued my interest! What are some of the patterns you've seen in your therapy work that reflects societal shifts?
View the post on Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/askatherapist/comments/1pc9ewu/therapists_what_are_the_common_patterns_youve/
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email and forms easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://get.paubox.com/solutions/private-practice
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
Link to Dopamine Nation:
https://amzn.to/4xplsSr
(this is an affiliate link)
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
Favorite Therapy Tools to Break Unhealthy Patterns
2026/08/21
Sharing some of my favorite therapy tools to help break unhealthy patterns. What are some of your favorites?
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email and forms easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://get.paubox.com/solutions/private-practice
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
Would You Rather...? Therapist Edition
2026/07/31
Just a fun episode of "would you rather...?" therapist edition. I hope you have fun listening!
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email and forms easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://hubs.la/Q04k58tL0
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year :)
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
My Most Used Non-Clinical Skills in Private Practice
2026/07/24
Though our clinical skills are clearly the meat and potatoes of our work, private practice also involves a number of important non-clinical skills as well. In this episode, I share my most-used non-clinical skills in private practice.
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email and forms easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://hubs.la/Q04k58tL0
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year :)
Check out my playlist “Private Practice Marketing Strategy”https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi4iw1FZZYrAaqD-YMZm_Hc5WSZMq5WSB&si=qZzl_JKQ5R-9-B1O
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
The Most Fundamental Therapy Skills Explained: Empathy
2026/07/17
We’re continuing our “fundamentals of therapy” series today and taking a closer look at empathy. We all know how central empathy is to the therapeutic process, but we don’t always talk about how to practice becoming more empathic. In this episode, we explore the facets of empathy, and name some practices to help us become more empathic therapists.
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email and forms easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://hubs.la/Q04k58tL0
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year :)
Watch the previous episode in this series on Active Listening:
https://youtu.be/8bZFqdxUrF4
Links Mentioned:
Carl Rogers: “Empathic: An Unappreciated Way of Being"
http://www.sageofasheville.com/pub_downloads/EMPATHIC_AN_UNAPPRECIATED_WAY_OF_BEING.pdf
Article: "A transdisciplinary framework for empathy research"
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2026.1703147/full
APA’s Dictionary of Psychology Definition of Empathy:
https://dictionary.apa.org/empathy
Psychepedia Article: “Empathy: Affective vs Cognitive Types Explained"
https://psychepedia.arabpsychology.com/trm/empathy-affective-vs-cognitive-types-explained/
Article: "Therapist Empathy and Client Outcome: An Updated Meta-Analysis"
https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fpst0000175
Article: “Cultivating Empathy"
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/11/feature-cultivating-empathy
Previous Episode on the importance of staying curious with therapy clients:
https://youtu.be/SSNG7iHEar8
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
How do I Set my Fee as a New Private Practice Owner?
2026/07/10
Many of us can get caught up on figuring out how to set our rate in private practice. Do we just make up a random number? Do we charge whatever other people seem to be charging?
In this episode, I share the same rate calculator I’ve been using for years. Rather than guessing, you can use this formula to be empowered to name your desired income and work backwards to charge a rate that will earn the income you want.
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email and forms easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://hubs.la/Q04k58tL0
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year :)
Links Mentioned:
Easy Rate Calculator:
https://mailchi.mp/f8d5d4be782e/hourly-rate-private-practice
*Don’t forget to make a copy of it, otherwise it won’t work :)
Video: "Should You Offer a Sliding Scale in Private Practice?”
https://youtu.be/YH1-L7olgGo
Heard Article: "Therapist Income Benchmarks: What to Expect in Private Practice"
https://www.joinheard.com/articles/therapist-income-benchmarks-what-to-expect-in-private-practice
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
Step-by-Step Marketing Plan for Private Practice in 2026
2026/07/06
A step-by-step guide on how I would market my practice if I were starting from scratch in 2026.
Free Checklist: Start a Private Practice in Counseling:
https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
Links Mentioned:
Last Week’s episode: "How to Launch a Successful Private Practice in 2026”
https://youtu.be/tydi5vXa0JM
Training: Website Copy in a Weekend:
https://privatepracticeskills.teachable.com/l/pdp/website-copy-in-a-weekend
Free Workshop on SEO and AIO in 2026:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VosuMl8CTwo
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
How to Launch a Successful Private Practice in 2026
2026/06/26
With all the changes in the therapy profession and private practice lately, I’ve heard folks wonder if it’s possible to have a successful private practice in 2026. I do wholeheartedly believe it’s still possible! But I do also think it’s wise to adapt our strategy to fit today.
In this episode, I share the two top tips I’d focus on to launch a successful private practice in 2026. The good news: they don’t have anything to do with AI or technology.
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email and forms easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://hubs.la/Q04k58tL0
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year :)
Links Mentioned:
Free Checklist: Start a Private Practice in Counseling:
https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
Training: “The Client Attraction System"
https://privatepracticeskills.teachable.com/p/client-attraction-system
Training: “Website Copy in a Weekend”
https://privatepracticeskills.teachable.com/l/pdp/website-copy-in-a-weekend
Video: "Beat Big Tech Therapy by not Playing Their Game”
https://youtu.be/wKrlL6oxUX4
Video: "Big Tech & AI Won't Replace Private Practice”
https://youtu.be/thRjsJPYccs
Video: "Develop your Niche in Private Practice”
https://youtu.be/bh6bJRb7iwQ
Video: "5 Ways to Find Your Therapy Niche”
https://youtu.be/FU1eHRDwkus
Video: "How to Find Your Specialty as a Therapist with Roy Kim, CSAT”
https://youtu.be/klbXEq4sIWs
Free Workshop: "SEO & AIO for Therapists: Simple Steps to Get Found on Google and AI”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VosuMl8CTwo
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
Private Practice in 2012 vs. 2026
2026/06/18
2026 Marie interviews 2012 Marie (the year I started private practice). Which do you prefer more?
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email and forms easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://hubs.la/Q04k58tL0
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!
LINKS:
*Some links are affiliate links. A percentage of purchases come back to me and help my channel immensely!
👉 FREE Guide: Start a Private Practice in Counseling: https://tinyurl.com/y9ek9en8
👉 All my filming gear: https://kit.co/privatepracticeskills/all-my-gear
This podcast is geared toward therapists of all kinds, including psychologists, MFTs, LPCCs, social workers, and others in the clinical counseling field. Welcome to Private Practice Skills! I’m Dr. Marie Fang, psychologist in private practice. I post videos offering tools I learned the hard way about starting and growing private practice so that you don’t have to.
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/privatepracticeskills
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/privatepracticeskills/
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
Big Tech Therapy is Making Headlines
2026/06/12
The land of Big Tech Therapy has been making headlines. I cover some of them in this episode.
*The links shared below are a reference only and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Marie Fang, Private Practice Skills, or its sponsors.
If you’d like a great summary of all that I covered, check out ZynnyMe’s article:
https://www.zynnyme.com/blog/alma-headway-and-the-big-question
If you feel compelled to do something, this r/therapists post links to several options at the systemic level:
https://www.reddit.com/r/therapists/comments/1tvzpov/support_and_advocacy_for_therapists/
Build Better Health’s Mental Health Insurance Reform Task Force’s Petition (if you’d like to sign):
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/we-demand-a-system-that-reflects-the-true-value-of-mental-health-care
Thank you to Paubox for sponsoring this episode. Paubox makes HIPAA-secure email and forms easy and streamlined. Check them out here:
https://hubs.la/Q04k58tL0
*Get $250 off your first year with Paubox with coupon code "SKILLS"
*Bonus Deal:* If you add the Paubox badge to your website you get an extra $100 off your first year - that means you can get your whole first year free if you apply both deals!
Citations:
Alma has investments from Cigna and Optum:
https://cignaventures.com/alma-raises-130m-in-series-d-funding-led-by-thoma-bravo-to-advance-its-mission-to-simplify-access-to-high-quality-affordable-mental-health-care/
Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), the parent company of several Blue Cross Blue Shield programs, invests in Headway:
https://www.hcsc.com/newsroom/news-releases/2023/strategic-investment-headway-behavioral-health
Reference: HCSC is parent company of Blue Cross Blue Shield:
https://www.hcsc.com/who-we-are
Rula backed by Blue Venture Fund:
https://bhbusiness.com/2024/09/17/digital-mental-health-platform-rula-health-expands-to-50-states/
Reference: Blue Venture Fund invests on behalf of Blue Cross Blue Shield:
https://blueventurefund.com/
Headway and Alma announce 30 percent cut in Optum Rates, January 2025:
https://clearhealthcosts.com/blog/2024/11/2-digital-mental-health-platforms-cut-pay-rates-for-therapists-with-unitedhealths-optum-stirring-anger/
Aetna cuts rates with Alma-contracted therapists:
https://bhbusiness.com/2026/05/21/aetna-cuts-rates-with-alma-contracted-therapists/
r/therapists megathread on Aetna’s rate cuts through Alma:
https://www.reddit.com/r/therapists/comments/1tj1bl1/megathread_aetna_alma_reimbursement_changes_90837/
APA urges Aetna to halt rate cuts:
https://updates.apaservices.org/apa--american-psychiatric-association-urge-aetna-to-pause-reimbursement-rate-cuts-for-behavioral-health-clinicians
Aetna Launches Aetna Mental Health on Demand:
https://www.aetna.com/insights/news/aetna-launches-mental-health-on-demand.html
CVS Announces Aetna Mental Health on Demand:
https://www.cvshealth.com/news/condition-management/aetna-launches-aetna-mental-health-on-demand-to-provide-real-time-access-to-care-and-ongoing-support.html
Proof News Article: "Woman’s Talkspace Therapy App Sessions Exposed in Court"
https://www.proofnews.org/womans-talkspace-therapy-app-sessions-exposed-in-court/
FTC Sues Amazon for Monopoly Power:
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/09/ftc-sues-amazon-illegally-maintaining-monopoly-power
Class Action Lawsuit Against Headway:
https://www.classaction.org/news/headway-hit-with-class-action-over-alleged-disclosure-of-patient-info-to-google
Clear Health Costs Article: "Therapists have misgivings on the platforms: Alma, Headway etc. and the business of therapy”
https://clearhealthcosts.com/blog/2025/11/therapists-have-misgivings-on-the-platforms-alma-headway-etc-and-the-business-of-therapy/
Website: www.privatepracticeskills.com
This podcast is not intended as professional or legal advice. Be sure to seek the services of a professional if you are in need of them.
Podcast reviews
Read Private Practice Skills podcast reviews
MissCGC 2026/05/02
Interesting but Negative
Currently in grad school to become a therapist. Listening to this podcast really bums me out. There’s excessive complaining about pay in every episode...
shirely84 2025/03/02
In grad school - this podcast helps my imposter syndrome
I’m currently in grad school to become a therapist and this podcast has been super informative and delivers information in a very digestible way. I li...
vveronica95 2024/09/01
Favorite therapist/ mentor
I really appreciate Dr. Marie Fang’s thoughtful, value- driven and encouraging style as she discussed these important and often nuanced challenges the...
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