From Solo to Group Practice: When to Scale and How to Do It

Starting a solo private practice is exciting—you're running your own business for the first time, calling the shots, and building something that's entirely yours.

But at some point, you might start to wonder…

“Should I start a group practice?” Maybe you're looking to increase your income.

Maybe you want to reduce your clinical hours.

Maybe you're just ready for something new.

In this post (and video), I’m going to help you figure out whether starting a group practice is the right move for you.

We'll cover:

• The reality of starting a group practice

• The pros and cons

• And how to know when you're actually ready to take that leap

The Reality of Starting a Group Practice

A lot of people assume that starting a group practice is simple.

You’ve filled your caseload, so you hire another therapist and give them the overflow—right? Not exactly.

The reality is that starting a group practice is hard. There’s a lot to learn—from hiring and HR to accounting and marketing for people who aren't you. The learning curve is steep, and I wish more people talked about that.

Also, a group practice won’t instantly increase your income. In fact, in the early stages, it may decrease it. But with the right systems, support, and persistence, it can absolutely raise your long-term earning potential.

And then there are the hurdles—like figuring out W2 vs. 1099 hires, getting provisionally licensed folks paneled with insurance, and realizing platforms like Alma or Headway won’t always accept provisionally licensed clinicians.

Still, here’s the good news: you don’t have to figure it out alone. If you’re considering this move and want support, I offer one-on-one coaching.

The Pros of a Group Practice

I know the reality check might sound discouraging—but trust me, there are real upsides to building a group. Here are a few:

1. Increased Earning Potential

   Over time, your group practice can scale. There's no hard cap on growth.

2. More Variety in Your Work

   You can step back from clinical work and spend more time on supervision, marketing, operations, and leadership.

3. Greater Flexibility

   As you reduce face-to-face sessions, your day becomes more flexible.

4. New Skills & Professional Growth

   Running a group practice will stretch you in new ways—hiring, marketing, branding, leadership. It all becomes part of your skillset (and your resume will thank you).

The Cons of a Group Practice

It’s not all roses and lollipops. Here’s what you need to be aware of:

1. It’s a Lot of Work

   Hiring, onboarding, marketing—it’s a full workload.

2. Responsibility for Others’ Caseloads

   It’s now your job to fill someone else’s schedule. That pressure is real.

3. Less Control Over Quality

   Your practice’s reputation is now tied to other clinicians, which can be hard for those used to doing everything themselves.

4. More to Manage

   You're no longer just managing your caseload—you’re responsible for others’, too. Think paperwork, cancellations, insurance compliance, and more.

How to Know You're Ready

So how do you know if you're ready to start a group practice?

Here are some solid indicators:

1. Your Caseload Is Full

   If you can’t consistently fill your own schedule, it’ll be tough to fill someone else’s.

2. You Have Time or Flexibility to Take on More

   You’ll need the capacity to either increase your hours temporarily or reduce your caseload to focus on building the group.

3. You Understand the Long Game

   This isn’t a quick income boost. It’s a long-term investment that takes time, energy, and strategy—but can absolutely pay off.

Conclusion

If you're thinking about starting a group practice, know this:

It’s absolutely possible. But it’s also a big decision—one that comes with new responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities.

If you’re serious about exploring this next step, I’d love to help.

→ Click the button below and let’s talk through your goals, your questions, and your next move.