All Things Private Practice Podcast Episode 160: Overcoming Financial Obstacles in Private Practice [featuring Michael Fulwiler]
In this episode, I talk with Michael Fulwiler, Director of Brand at Heard, about the financial challenges therapists face in private practice and how to overcome them.
Here are 3 key takeaways:
- Understanding Insurance's Impact: Insurance companies keep therapists in the dark about reimbursement rates, leading to financial uncertainty and an average of 25% lower earnings compared to out-of-network providers.
- Strategies for Financial Growth: It's essential for therapists to set fees based on personal financial needs rather than industry benchmarks. Confidence and strategic fee management can alleviate financial strain and improve practice sustainability.
- Embrace Financial Support: Outsourcing financial management tasks can save precious time and reduce stress. Utilizing services like Heard can streamline bookkeeping, tax estimations, and filing, allowing therapists to focus on their core mission.
It's time to break the taboo around money in private practice and empower therapists to build sustainable, thriving businesses.
More about Michael:
Michael Fulwiler is the Director of Brand at Heard, the financial back office for therapists, and the host of Heard Business School, a new show for therapists building their own businesses. He’s also the creator of Therapy Marketer, a popular newsletter for therapists. Previously, he was the Chief Marketing Officer at the Gottman Institute.
- Heard website: joinheard.com
- Therapy Marketer: therapymarketer.co
- Report: joinheard.com/resources/downloads/the-heard-2024-financial-state-of-private-practice-report
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Thanks to Our Sponsors: The Receptionist for iPad, Alma, & All Things Private Practice + Empowered Escapes 2025 Retreats & Summits!
Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.
The Receptionist offers an iPad list check-in option where clients can scan a QR code to check in, which negates the need for you to buy an iPad and stand. Go to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice and sign up for a free 14-day trial. When you do, you'll get your first month free. And don't forget to ask about our iPad list check-in option.
✨ Alma
Thanks to Alma for sponsoring this episode.
Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details, and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.
✨ All Things Private Practice + Empowered Escapes 2025 Retreats & Summits
Learn about retreat opportunities at allthingspractice.com and empoweredescapes.com. Doubt yourself, do it anyway.
Mentioned in this episode:
The Receptionist for iPad
I want to thank The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode. From new patients faced with an empty lobby and no idea where to find their therapist to clinicians with a session running over time and the doorbell ringing, some of the most anxiety-ridden moments of a therapy appointment happen before a session even starts. The Receptionist for iPad, helps you tackle some of that pre-appointment apprehension and anxiety. The Receptionist for iPad is an easy-to-use digital client check-in system that helps your visitors check in securely to their appointments and notify their practitioners of their arrival via SMS, email, or your preferred channel. No more confusion, and less lobby checking or having clients sign in on paper logbooks. It can even help you upgrade and update your demographic information for your clients as well and even validate parking. Start a 14-day free trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link and you'll also get your first month free if you decide to sign up.
Resilient Mind Counseling
It's Patrick. Some of you may know that I own a group therapy practice in North Carolina, Resilient Mind Counseling. We specialize in supporting the Neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, and Black, Brown, and Asian communities online and across North Carolina. We also have limited in-person openings at our offices in Asheville and Cary. We really love working with clients who are coming to terms with both Autism and ADHD discoveries later in life or questioning, as well as the intersections of race, gender, identity, and orientation. All of our therapists have lived experience and identify as AuDHD, Autistic, or ADHD. Our team of affirming therapists offers a safe, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, inclusive, and accessible space where you can show up exactly as you are—no masking, no judgment, and no need to make eye contact, just real connection and healing. We accept most commercial insurances like Blue Cross Blue Shield, United, Aetna, and Med Cost, as well as self-pay options. We currently have openings for new clients. Visit our website at resilientmindcounseling.com. You can also text or call our HIPAA-compliant phone line at (828) 515-1246, or email us at scheduling@resilientmindcounseling.com.
Alma
I want to thank Alma for sponsoring this episode. Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details, and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.