After studying female group practice owners, here are the top lessons and tips for anyone considering this path:
1. Clarify Your Vision
Ask yourself:
- Who do you want to serve?
- What values will guide your practice culture?
- How big do you want to grow?
2. Learn the Business Basics
Take courses or seek mentors in:
- Finance and budgeting
- Marketing and referrals
- HR and employment law
3. Start Small
Many owners began with one or two clinicians and grew as systems and finances stabilized.
4. Build a Support Network
Mentorship and peer groups provide encouragement, advice, and resources you won’t find in graduate school.
5. Prioritize Sustainability
Set boundaries early, delegate tasks, and focus on long-term stability rather than quick growth.
Takeaway: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Launching a group practice takes courage, planning, and support, but it also offers freedom, impact, and personal growth. Use the lessons from these blogs to build a business that reflects your values and serves your community well.
The Brave Play Approach for Group Practice Owners and Mental Health Professionals
The Brave Play approach, created by Dr. Ashley Garrett, is designed for counselors, supervisors, and group practice owners who want practical tools for professional growth and long-term success. Dr. Garrett—Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, National Certified Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor—brings decades of clinical and leadership experience to her consulting, training, and supervision work.
Through Brave Play trainings, CE workshops, and consulting for counseling practices, you and your team gain powerful, interactive, and experiential opportunities to strengthen clinical skills, improve leadership, and build sustainable systems for growth. Brave Play’s innovative portable therapy kits bring expressive techniques directly into your sessions, giving both clinicians and clients hands-on ways to explore challenges, resolve conflicts, and build resilience.
If you are a group practice owner looking to improve ROI, retain clinicians, and expand your impact in the community, consider partnering with Dr. Garrett and Brave Play. These consulting services and continuing education experiences provide new skills, renewed energy, and meaningful connections that help counseling teams thrive.
Discover how Brave Play can support your practice management, counselor development, and client care. Contact Dr. Ashley Garrett today to schedule your next group workshop, counselor training, or business consultation for your practice.
References
Garrett, A. (2022). The Lived Experiences of Group Practice Ownership by Female Licensed Professional Counselors (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies, 12983.
