I’ve spent the last ten years working as a therapist with individuals, families, and couples, focusing on areas like love and connection, LGBTQIA+ identity, and gender-affirming care for transgender people. My goal is to help clients align their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health using a holistic and systematic approach to therapy.
However, being a therapist today comes with its challenges. There’s a simultaneous mental health crisis and a shortage of therapists. In the U.S., one-third of the population lives in areas lacking mental health professionals, hitting communities of color, rural, and low-income areas the hardest. On top of this, many therapists are also small business owners. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows self-employment is the most common environment for psychologists, creating another layer of challenges as they balance their practice and business responsibilities.
When I started my own practice, I was moving from Illinois to Georgia. Some warned that as a LGBTQIA+ therapist, the unique challenge of dealing with insurance and attracting clients in Georgia could make things tough. Yet, I was determined to serve my clients in Illinois while expanding in Atlanta. Now, my private practice is thriving. I work as the Love and Connection Expert for Hinge, consult on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and sit on the board for It Gets Better, a group supporting LGBTQIA+ youth worldwide. My journey taught me valuable lessons about balancing priorities, which tools to use to succeed in business, and how to grow a practice.
Therapists face the tough task of meeting mental health needs while building a sustainable practice. Here are a few lessons that have been crucial for me. First, nurturing relationships within your professional community is essential. Building a strong network has not only contributed to my professional success but has also led to meaningful friendships. These relationships offer support and keep me informed about the latest trends and news. As therapists, it can be tempting to try to go it alone, but collaborating with peers who are either experienced or on a similar journey can be incredibly enriching.
Entering private practice allowed me to significantly broaden my community. Since starting, I’ve worked with clients navigating relationships, gender transitions, or LGBTQ+ issues and shared my expertise with others wanting to serve these communities too. This collaborative effort aims to weave more empathy and therapeutic practices into society.
It’s also important to minimize your administrative workload by selecting the right tools. As a small business owner, it’s vital to choose technology that simplifies processes, manages insurance issues, and centralizes business operations. When I moved to Georgia, the pandemic forced me to quickly adapt my business. My old electronic health record (EHR) system was out-of-date, lacking features like telehealth and messaging. With help from my wife, an expert in health administration, we chose SimplePractice, a user-friendly EHR that supported my needs and growth potential. This change has reduced paperwork, cut billing time, and freed up more personal time, crucial since becoming a parent in July 2020.
Knowing the signs of burnout and practicing self-care is another key to maintaining a successful practice. In recent years, many therapists have reduced their client load due to burnout, impacting overall access to care. It’s essential to pay attention to your mental health and make self-care a priority. Some tips include taking vacations, finding a quality EHR to cut down paperwork, working with a therapist yourself, and staying physically active.
Starting a practice can feel overwhelming, but with the right tools, therapists can effectively serve their clients and help address the broader mental health crisis. Moe Ari Brown, LMFT, is a leading mental health expert for Gender Identity and has worked extensively with LGBTQIA+ people. Through his professional journey, he shares lessons to inspire others towards authenticity and self-love.
