Are you wondering what’s working in private practice? Maybe you have big ideas like a podcast, e-course, consulting, or keynotes, if you want to grow your big idea to change the world, Apply for the Big Idea Mastermind.
How to Get to the Next Level of Private Practice
In trying to make money in private practice you have to know what stage you are in, are you:
- Starting a private practice, where you focus on keeping costs low and learning a lot!
- Growing a private practice, where you look at your use of time and start outsourcing a bit.
- Scaling a private practice, where you do the opposite of what you did under $100k, you outsource as much as you can and try to scale beyond yourself.
Private Practice Videos and Highlights
Top Private Practice Stories
Busting Myths About Starting in a Private Practice While Pre-Licensed
In talking with numerous pre- and provisionally-licensed clinicians, I’ve found there are several misconceptions about getting into a private practice while being pre-licensed. These misconceptions inhibit graduates and clinicians from moving forward with getting their practices started, which could help them prevent burnout, be income producing and overall life changing. Or these misconceptions can lead them down other paths that turn out unfulfilling, or toxic to their health and well-being. Here I’m busting the myths, so you can make more informed decisions about your future and career, because I don’t want another pre-licensed clinician to have to suffer unnecessarily.
The 4 Most Important Things I Learned While Starting My Private Practice
Truth be told, I never really considered opening up my own private practice. It was always an interest of mine to work in a private practice setting. But my assumption was always that I would be working at someone else’s group practice. And that is how my professional career started. I was lucky enough to find a very successful group practice where I was able to work as an intern, as well as work as a provisionally licensed counselor.
5 Ways to Market Your Online Counseling Practice
Once you establish your online counseling practice, your next step is to attract new clients through marketing. Fortunately, marketing your online practice is very similar to marketing an in-person practice. Here are some helpful steps to consider as you decide how best to spend your marketing time and dollars.
Private Practice Podcasts
Are You a Happitalist? | PoP 341
In this podcast episode, Joe Sanok speaks with Pete Kirkwood about launching a new podcast and intentional activities you can undertake to living a happier life.
Jaime Masters is an Eventual Millionaire [reverse podcast] | PoP 342
In this reverse podcast episode, Jaime Masters interviews Joe Sanok about all things in private practice, what he teaches and whether you should be a specialist or a generalist.
Nick Usborne Will Teach You Conversational Copywriting | PoP 343
In this episode Joe Sanok speaks with Nick Usborne about writing good copy, merging traditional and conversational copy and how it can benefit you.
Allan Dib Has a One Page Marketing Plan for You | PoP 344
In this episode Joe Sanok speaks with Allan Dib about his bestselling book, The 1 Page Marketing Plan – how you can get more customers, make more money and stand out from the crowd.
Dr. Chloe Carmichael Knows How to Get the Media’s Attention | PoP 345
In this podcast episode, Joe Sanok speaks with Dr. Chloe Carmichael about fostering fruitful media relations, how you can use media coverage to create more content and grow your practice.
Your New Year To Do List | PoP 346
In this podcast episode, Joe Sanok speaks about your New Years to do lists and the little steps you can take towards achieving your goals.
Past Monthly Income Reports
People often ask me why I disclose all this information? To me, I am inspired when other people are open and honest. Then I can learn from how they succeed or fail. My hope is that this helps others to grow in their businesses!
2018 Private Practice Income
- Building multiple streams of income for a private practice November 2018 $53,185.49
- Building Recurring and Predictable Income October 2018$55,079.57
- How to Absolutely Kill It In Private Practice September 2018 $48,012.81
- Start with Lifestyle, Then Build Your Business August 2018 $54,209.33
- You’re Not Stuck, Launch Your Big Idea July 2018 $47,853.48
- How to transition to Private Practice June 2018 $46,941.05
- How to grow a Private Practice May 2018 $62,692.95
- Making Money in Private Practice April 2018 $41,449.97
- Can you make money in private practice? March 2018 $43,859.53
- How to make more in consulting than in therapy February 2018 $43,623.98
- How to Grow an Income and Impact January 2018 $40,658.50
2017 Private Practice Income: $456,983.53
- How to Grow a Private Practice December 2017 Income $32,044.57
- Costs of Starting a Private Practice November 2017 Income $43,930.55
- How to Scale a Business October 2017 Income $39,154.45
- How much money can a counselor in private practice make? September 2017 Income $29,227.97
- Private Practice Income August 2017 Income $35,382.59
- Is there money in private practice? July 2017 Income $62,227.47
- How do private practices make money? June 2017 Income $32,578.72
- How to Add Multiple Streams of Income May 2017 Income $31,329.66
- Make Money in Private Practice April 2017 Income $29,248.40
- How much do counselors make? March 2017 Income $33,780.54
- How much do therapists make? February 2017 Private Practice Income $28,062.84
- January 2017 Private Practice Income $28,686.11
2016 Private Practice Income: $323,047.89
- December 2016 Private Practice Income $26,390.37
- November 2016 Private Practice Income Report $29,365.76
- October 2016 Private Practice Income Report $37,487.87
- September 2016 Private Practice Monthly Income Report $21,233.43
- August 2016 Private Practice Monthly Income Report $23,402.56
- July 2016 Monthly Income Report $21,780.77
- June 2016 Monthly Income Report $41,700.26
- May 2016 Monthly Private Practice Income Report $22,925.73
- April 2016 Monthly Income Report $31,776.33
- March 2016 Monthly Income Report $27,512.81
- February 2016 Monthly Income Report $17,790.27
- January 2016 Monthly Income Report $20,862.33
2015 Total Private Practice Income $234,969.14 (working 25-30 hours per week)
- December 2015 Monthly Income Report $20,030.69
- November 2015 Monthly Income Report $28,470.34
- October 2015 Monthly Income Report $23,215.45
- September 2015 Monthly Income Report $22,257.19
- August 2015 Monthly Income Report $23,330.67
- July 2015 Monthly Income Report $17,953.38
- June 2015 Monthly Income Report $28,680.91
- May 2015 Monthly Income Report $13,647.91
- April 2015 Monthly Income Report $18,397.42
- March 2015 Monthly Income Report $18,077
- February 2015 Monthly Income Report $10,258.02
- January 2015 Monthly Income Report $10,650.16
2014 Total Private Practice Income $110,736.79 (working 10-15 hours per week)
- December Monthly Income Report $11,746.06
- November Monthly Income Report $11,695.30
- October Monthly Income Report $13,784.57
- September 2014 Monthly Income Report $7,084.45 (but took 2 weeks off for baby)
- August 2014 Monthly Income Report $11,541.71
- July 2014 Monthly Income Report $8,477.47 (Accompanying podcast)
- June 2014 Monthly Income Report $8,486.38
- May 2014 Monthly Income Report $8,113.28
- April 2014 Monthly Income Report $7,834.16
- March 2014 Monthly Income Report $10,645.70
- February 2014 Monthly Income Report $6,483.14
- January 2014 Monthly Income Report $4,834.57
2013 Annual Counseling Income: $54,513.97 (January-December 2013)
- December 2013 Monthly Income Report $4,774.58
- November 2013 Monthly Income Report total: $5,148.16
- October 2013 Monthly Income Report total: $4,689.99
- September 2013 Monthly Income Report total: $3,137.30
- August 2013 Monthly Income Report total: $3835.74
- July 2013 Monthly Income Report total: $5,691.65
- June 2013 Monthly Income Report total: $4,471.29
- May 2013 Monthly Income Report total: $6,022.91
- April 2013 Monthly Income Report total: $2,116.96
- March 2013 Monthly Income Report total: $2,476.92
- February 2013 Monthly Income Report total: $2,685.12
- January 2013 Monthly Income Report total: $2,707.09
- December 2012 Monthly Income Report total: $2,287.97
- November 2012 Monthly Income Report total: $1,219.18
- October 2012 Monthly Income Report total: $3,213.87
- September 2012 Monthly Income Report total: $1,361.60
December 2018
Disclosure: many of the links below are affiliate links that will earn me a commission if you purchase through them, it’s one way that I help support the work I put into the website. Please click on them to help support Practice of the Practice.
Private Practice: This was one of the lowest months ever. I’ve stopped seeing most of my clients to work on more consulting and bigger things. It’s a really odd transition! $1,003.95
Other counselors: In 2015 we launched the Addictions Treatment: Intensive Recovery Program, which has started to bring in more clients that need additions help. I have four counselors that work for my Traverse City counseling private practice as 1099 contractors and I get a portion of what is brought in. In the past I reported just my portion, but I’m going to be reporting the gross sales that came in. Click the link if you want to add clinicians to your practice with my 1099 contracts: $6,275.90
Private Practice Paperwork Packet: $315
Consulting: (this sometimes includes building a website as part of the private practice coach session) I do private practice coaching. Usually there are three parts to private practice consulting:
- Website Evaluation and Tips
- Consulting: developing a niche within the private practice, building stronger referrals, increasing rates, and launching products to grow income
- I’m also growing my Consultant-to-Consultants side of my consulting (say that 10x fast!)
- Project management software and call recording
- This includes some speaking and events
$1,067
Podcast Sponsorship: $1,572.54
Hiring out my virtual assistant: $1,365.76
Practice of the Practice Consultants: $9,958.99
Next Level Mastermind Group: Aimed at people above $70k that are scaling, adding clinicians, looking to save time and increase money, and have big ideas we have just a couple spots left and it includes Slow Down School, click here to apply: $4,462
Million Dollar Practice Mastermind: This is a mastermind group lead by Kasey Compton and myself. To apply and read more click here. $5,238
E-books these sales are down since I started giving my book away for free, click here to get Practice of the Practice: A start-up Guide to Launching a private practice for free, instead of spending $9.99: $27.76
One Year Private Practice Plan: This is the weekly newsletter that walks people through exactly what they need to do when starting a private practice. I dropped the price from $149 annually to $17 as a one time fee $258.01
Start a Group Practice Mastermind: This Mastermind Group is limited to 12 people and is focused on the beginning stages of starting a group practice. How do you add a W2? How do you add a 1099? What contracts should you have in a private practice? How to set up systems? Alison Pidgeon teaches about group practice, does Q&A, and also you get hot seats. $4,712.26
Next Level Practice: This is the premier supportive community that combines webinars, community, and practical tools to help start a practice. $10,066.73
Blogging Course: This is the best 12-part course on how to blog to rank higher in Google for therapists. $0
Passive Income Sources
Aweber: This is the service I use to create emails, manage lists, and create follow-up emails where they can be in order for the person. It’s super cool! $14.70
BlueHost Referrals: If you are setting up a website, this is the best hosting because of their customer service and the ability to have unlimited websites hosted! $1,425
Cupla Media: They have these great videos to help you promote your business. Use code “thanksjoe” to get a ton off. $0
Jeff Gunther’s SEO Course: $0
VA Referrals: $0
Amazon Affiliate Referrals: If you are buying something on Amazon, it’d be great if you clicked the link. I get a small commission without you having to pay anything more: $9.51
NameCheap is who I use to purchase my URLs, they are so easy to work with when you’re setting up a website!: $0
Google Ads: $3.15
LegalZoom: Legal Zoom is a great way to file your PLLC or LLC paperwork and all other legal forms: $0
SwiftFile: I just started using them instead of LegalZoom, they’re cheaper and way better with customer service! $445
Grasshopper: This is the amazing virtual phone system I use, rather than an expensive land line system. I have the $12/month one and it is awesome. At least check them out and watch some videos. $700
Psychology Today: It’s a great way to build your practice. $0
Harris Group: Accountant for therapists $0
Practice Solutions: The best billing company for your private practice. $1,140
Gross Total: $50,051.75
Private Practice Expenses
1099 Counselors: $4,052.50
Rent and Utilities: $2,200
Marketing FB+YouTube+Twitter: $0
Charter Internet/website: $110
MeetEdgar: $49
Grasshopper: $81
Practice of the Practice Profit Sharing: $0
Upwork: $0
Aweber: $149
Lyft: $9.70
Teachable: $39
Google Suite: $52.73
Libsyn:$35
Zoom: $69.98
Dropbox: $0
Jamendo: $49
Virtual Assistants: $5,182.25
Drinks for the Office: $0 (see my blog post about should I offer drinks in my private practice)
Shipt: $12
Moo: $0
IT Support and Hosting: $95
Family Health Insurance: $603.36
QuickBooks + Harris Group CPA: $11
Other Consultants: $7,935
TOTAL EXPENSES: $20,735.52
Monthly Income Totals
Gross Income: $50,051.75 – Expenses: $20,735.52 = Total Net: +$29,316.23
REACH YOUR AMBITIOUS RESULTS
Let’s do some consulting.
CLICK HERE to discover more about my private practice consulting.
Some of the numbers from Google Ads, Amazon, NameCheap, and my e-books will not be paid until they reach a certain amount or 60-90 days after the sale.
Joseph R. Sanok, MA, LLP, LPC, NCC

Joe Sanok is an ambitious results expert. He is a private practice business consultant and counselor that helps small businesses and counselors in private practice to increase revenue and have more fun! He helps owners with website design, vision, growth, and using their time to create income through being a private practice consultant. Joe was frustrated with his lack of business and marketing skills when he left graduate school. He loved helping people through counseling, but felt that often people couldn’t find him. Over the past few years he has grown his skills, income, and ability to lead others, while still maintaining an active private practice in Traverse City, MI. To link to Joe’s Google+ .