A major benefit of private therapy practice? Flexibility.

These days, there are so many different ways to work as a therapist. The expansion of telehealth platforms has created new opportunities to connect with clients and reshaped what it means to be in private practice. But with so many models to choose from, you might be wondering how to build a flexible private therapy practice that works best for you and your life. 

Four benefits of building flexibility into your private practice

Working flexibly usually involves working remotely, individualized scheduling, and working limited hours. And according to recent research, it provides a host of benefits.

A 2018 survey of over 3,000 professionals found that 97% of people felt that having a flexible job would have a “huge” or “positive” effect on their overall quality of life. Here are some of the benefits of building flexibility into your private practice.

 

1. More time for what matters most

To improve your work-life balance, you need a flexible work schedule that honors your priorities so you have time to tend to what matters most. 

For example, maybe you’re a caregiver to an elderly relative, a parent to young children, or you’re working on another degree. In building a flexible private practice, you can make time for those responsibilities and see clients at times that work best for you. 

The flexibility I get with Rula is awesome. My son’s in school full time and my daughter goes three days a week. So the days they’re both in school are the only days I work with Rula. All of the time in between, I’m running my business. 

– Ashley Ayala

 

2. Reduced work-related stress

Working flexibly allows you to reduce work-related stressors and create routines that are better for your well-being. For example, some therapists in private practice might work three or four days a week with slightly longer hours. So even if they commute to an office they no longer need to do so every day. 

And therapists who choose to shift to an entirely digital practice no longer need to commute at all! Of course, you might enjoy meeting clients in-person sometimes (and this can be a benefit for them as well). But working flexibly allows you to choose how often those in-person appointments occur.

Rula has always provided me with the flexibility I need. I am in total control of my schedule and am never required to have a minimum number of hours. This is especially important for me, as I am also a mother and want to be able to be present with my son and participate in every event he has. 

– Michelle Munoz

3. Keeping burnout at bay

It’s no secret that there’s a provider shortage. The uptick in demand for mental healthcare has left many therapists feeling burned out. Overwhelming caseloads, piles of paperwork, and little time for self-care or peer support can take a toll on your well-being. 

But research shows that increasing flexibility in the workplace can help reduce burnout among therapists. In creating a work schedule that gives you time to take care of yourself and your loved ones, you’ll have more capacity to deliver the best care possible for your clients. 

The support I receive from Rula allows me to do better work with clients and the flexibility to see more clients thanks to their communication and billing support. 

– Amy Mikulski

 

4. Removing barriers to care

In choosing to embrace telehealth and work flexibly, therapists can offer critical mental health services to more people who need them. 

Running a traditional in-person private therapy practice allows you to serve the people in your immediate vicinity. By utilizing telehealth services and working flexible hours, you can expand your practice’s footprint. While your state’s licensing requirements will ultimately dictate the geographic area you can practice in, a flexible, digital practice can connect you to a greater number of potential clients. 

I have a few folks who are on a set schedule, and a few others who need more flexibility because of their working hours. The fact that Rula is telehealth helps me work clients into my schedule beautifully.

– Amy Mikulski

How Rula supports freedom and flexibility for private practice therapists

Many therapists love the idea of rethinking the traditional practice model and bringing more balance into their days. But even if you’re ready to start building a flexible private practice, you might still be wondering: 

• How many days a week will I need to work?
• How many clients will I need to see to meet my financial goals?
• Will reducing my hours make me seem less invested?
• What if I’ve never had to seek referrals or market my own practice before? 
• Will I have to stop seeing any of my current clients?
• Is a group practice like Rula right for me?

The truth is, the answers to these questions are unique to every therapist and running a successful private practice involves so much more than delivering excellent care. It means dealing with taxes, insurance, marketing, and more. While these tasks are a necessary part of doing business, many therapists say they’d much rather be working with clients than dealing with paperwork. 

At Rula, we believe therapists deserve the freedom and flexibility to focus on their craft and offer the best care possible. So we built an innovative group practice model that removes the administrative heavy lifting while preserving therapist autonomy. 

Here’s how we’re supporting therapists in building flexible private practices that work for their unique needs:

• No caseload requirements: With no minimum caseload required, you get to set the number of clients you’d like to see.
• You own your schedule: You have complete ownership over your schedule. You set the days and times that you’re available and update them whenever you need to.
• Start seeing clients in as little as two weeks: As soon as we help you get credentialed and onboarded, we’ll begin sending referrals your way that are matched to your interests and specialties. 
• Keep your existing clients: If you have an existing practice you can keep seeing your current clients in whatever way you choose.
• Rula handles client paperwork: Prior to their first session, we’ll help your clients navigate their insurance, set up billing, and complete any necessary assessments. 
• Get paid on time: You’ll be paid by direct deposit every two weeks without ever having to send out an invoice.

Final thoughts

There are so many benefits to running a private practice. But as a therapist, it can be hard to stay on top of all the administrative tasks. 

Enter Rula, an innovative group practice that sends well-matched referrals your way while you maintain complete control over your schedule. We’ll handle credentialing, insurance, billing, and more so have the time and flexibility you need to take good care of yourself and your clients.

Ready to start building a flexible private practice with Rula?

Click here to learn more