Advertise on podcast: The Practice of the Practice Podcast | Where Modern Psychology Meets the Business of Therapy

How do you know when your private practice is ready to grow and bring on new clinicians? What systems, supervision, and cultural foundations do you need to build a successful teaching practice? When is the right time to expand to another location without compromising client care? In this episode, Joe Sanok speaks with Anne Luckinbill about growing Seasons Counseling into a four-location teaching practice. They discuss when to hire new clinicians, the importance of strong supervision and practice systems, and how to build a supportive workplace culture. Anne shares practical advice on expanding sustainably, maintaining quality client care, and knowing when the time is right to open another location.

How can you help high-conflict clients move beyond anger and toward solutions? When dealing with difficult people, how can you set firm boundaries without escalating conflict? Are you helping clients process their feelings, or actually equipping them with the skills to move forward? In this episode, Joe Sanok speaks with Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq., about four practical skills for managing conflict: the BIFF method for difficult written communication, EAR statements to demonstrate empathy and respect, SWYP to shift conversations toward solutions, and SLIC for setting boundaries and enforcing consequences.

As CAQH transitions to DataSpring, how can you protect your credentialing process and advocate for your practice? What could changes to supervisory billing mean for the future of private practice? Are you getting reimbursed at a rate that truly reflects your practice's value? In this episode, Joe Sanok speaks with Jeremy Zug about major changes in insurance billing and what they mean for mental health private practitioners. They explore fluctuations in reimbursement rates, the importance of understanding your practice's position in the marketplace, and how to negotiate rates that support sustainable growth. Jeremy also discusses changes to supervisory billing and the potential consequences for new therapists entering the field and building their own practices.

Could AI make clinical documentation easier without taking therapists' attention away from their clients? How can progress notes help therapists identify patterns and measure meaningful change over time? As AI transforms private practice, what makes the therapeutic relationship irreplaceable? In this episode, Joe Sanok sits down with Maria Szandrach, co-founder of Mentalyc, to explore how AI can simplify clinical documentation and help therapists deliver more effective care. Drawing on her own experience navigating the mental health system as a teenager, Maria shares what inspired her to improve access to mental health support and make progress tracking easier for clinicians.

Should counselling in 2026 include AI skills? How do counsellors market their practices with AI? Why should therapists learn about AI - if only to answer their clients' questions? In this episode, Joe Sanok speaks with Dr. Lindsay Oberleitner about the growing role of artificial intelligence in mental health care and why therapists need to understand it, even if they choose not to use it in their own practices. They explore the potential benefits and risks of AI in counselling, the importance of ongoing education, and how clinicians can evaluate AI-generated content and engage in informed conversations with clients about its use.

How can you recognize the patterns of narcissistic abuse before they undermine your sense of self? What role can reconnecting with your body play in the journey toward healing? How can practitioners help survivors rebuild their self-worth with patience, compassion, and care? In this podcast, Joe Sanok speaks with Deanna Scaldaferri about recognizing narcissistic abuse, healing from emotional trauma through mind-body practices like Reiki, and rebuilding self-worth through patience, compassion, and intentional self-care.

What are the biggest gaps holding your practice back from being more profitable? How do you know if your practice is actually healthy financially? If you stopped doing everything yourself tomorrow, would your practice keep running, or would the whole thing fall apart? In this podcast, Joe Sanok and Micah Adler explore how to identify and close the biggest gaps in your practice across leadership, revenue, margins, and operations to build a more efficient and sustainable business.

What does it really take to succeed in solo private practice, and when might a group practice be the better choice? In this episode, CPA and CAC Advisors founder James Childress joins the conversation to unpack the financial and business realities of running a therapy practice. Drawing on his research into more than 9,000 Google reviews of private practices, James reveals that 65% of one- to four-star reviews focused not on the quality of therapy, but on the experience surrounding it including scheduling, billing, communication, and access to care. The conversation explores the hidden costs of solo practice, including overhead, administrative work, and the potential trade-off between earning more per session and taking home less overall. James also shares strategies for making therapy easier to access, creating multiple pathways for clinicians to contribute within group practices, and building practices where clinicians can grow their entrepreneurial skills while earning more. Ultimately, the episode challenges the assumption that solo practice is automatically more profitable or desirable, and offers therapists a more practical framework for deciding which practice model best fits their goals, finances, and professional life.

Can you boost one Facebook ad per month? How can you use barcodes on your marketing materials? What is a good way to start AB testing on Facebook ads? In this episode, Joe Sanok checks in with Jen on the progress of building Great Lakes Online Counseling and explores practical ways to begin marketing the new practice. Joe and Jen discuss creating posters focused on specific client needs, using QR codes to connect potential clients directly to the website, and experimenting with Facebook advertising.

What should therapists know before bringing ketamine-assisted therapy into their practice? Could psychedelic-assisted therapy help clients move beyond feeling stuck in traditional treatment? What mistakes should therapists avoid when stepping into this emerging field? In this episode, Joe Sanok speaks with Jonathan Sabbagh and Myriam Barthes, Co-Founders of Journey Clinical, about the growing field of psychedelic-assisted therapy and how therapists can begin incorporating ketamine-assisted psychotherapy into their practices. Jonathan and Myriam share what led them to create Journey Clinical, how ketamine-assisted therapy can complement existing therapeutic relationships, and what the process typically looks like for both therapists and clients. They also discuss common mistakes therapists make when entering this emerging field, including undercharging for their work and underestimating the skills they already bring to psychedelic-assisted care.

In our current economy, is it worth being a landlord? Can you buy a property without spending any money? Have you ever considered creative financing?  In this episode, Joe Sanok speaks with Emily Runyan about the pros and cons of owning your own practice building, creative financing options, and how practitioners can think strategically about real estate as a long-term investment. Emily shares how she used equity and local bank relationships to purchase property, the financial and professional benefits of becoming a landlord, and the responsibilities that come with it. She also offers advice for practitioners who want to build a practice and lifestyle that fit their long-term goals.

How can couples counselling help elevate the whole community? What is the best way for couples to regulate and find solutions together after conflict? Can you validate your partner's feelings without agreeing with their perspective? In this episode of Practice of the Practice, Joe Sanok speaks with Julie Menanno, MA, LMFT, LCPC, about how couples can build secure, lasting relationships and why healthier relationships can have a ripple effect beyond the couple themselves. Julie explains why relationship struggles are often rooted in patterns between partners rather than one person being "the problem," and why couples need to address emotional wounds before communication skills can truly take hold.

How much time is Medicaid credentialing costing your private practice? What could your team accomplish if repetitive billing and eligibility checks were automated? How can AI help you spend less time on admin and more time working with your clients? In this podcast episode, Joe Sanok speaks with Justin Ith from Aria about the biggest administrative time sucks facing private practice owners, including Medicaid credentialing, eligibility checks, and supervisory billing. They explore why working with Medicaid can be complicated and time-consuming, from outdated credentialing portals to the ongoing need to verify patient eligibility.

Are we expecting one person to give us everything we're missing in life? What if our relationships could teach us more about ourselves than we ever expected? Could the smallest acts of love be the ones that matter most? In this episode, Robin Ducharme discusses her journey from realtor to matchmaker and ultimately love coach, driven by her passion for helping people build healthier, more fulfilling relationships. She challenges common myths about love, particularly the idea that a partner should "complete" us or that relationships should be effortless. Robin emphasizes honesty, transparency and shared values when entering new relationships, especially after divorce or heartbreak. She also views relationships as opportunities for personal growth and encourages people to approach them with curiosity. Finally, she highlights the importance of small, everyday acts of kindness and presence, and reminds private practitioners that supporting healthy relationships is meaningful work that contributes to overall well-being.

This episode explores the transition from CAQH to DataSpring and what the change means for therapists and independent practice owners. Melissa Schneider speaks with Dr. Alex Ding about clinician data privacy, insurance company access, credentialing, and the move from a nonprofit to a for-profit model. He explains how DataSpring aims to reduce administrative burden while maintaining clinician control, security, and transparency around professional information.