How to Stay Independent in Private Practice (Even If You Use Services & Software)

I’m hearing this more and more:

Clinicians are telling me they don’t feel like their practices are truly independent or “private.”

They describe feeling at the mercy of all the different services they’ve signed up for—whether it's credentialing platforms, billing tools, or marketing services. Somewhere along the way, they lose their sense of autonomy.

One of the main reasons I went into private practice was to work for myself. I wanted to set my own hours, choose my rates, build my own brand. I wanted a practice that reflected me—not a system or agency. And honestly, the independence and freedom are still some of my favorite parts of being in private practice.

So in this post, I want to share a few practical ways you can protect your independence as a private practice owner.

1. Find Tools That Serve You

One of the biggest mindset shifts you can make is this:

You decide what you need—your tools don’t.

Start by identifying what you actually need to run your practice. Don’t let a service or software define your process for you. A great place to start is by learning from other clinicians (shameless plug: check out my YouTube channel) and consulting with an accountant or lawyer.

Make a simple list like this:

Your Needs Might Include:

• A way to keep notes and documentation

• An intake packet

• A steady stream of client referrals

• Telehealth tools

• Billing or payment processing

Now look for tools that solve those needs.

You might end up with:

• An EHR for documentation and telehealth

• A lawyer to draft your intake paperwork

• A directory or Google Ads campaign for referrals

Notice the difference here?

You're choosing tools based on your workflow—not building your workflow around someone else’s platform.

The tools should serve you—not the other way around.

2. Know What You’re Signing Up For

Before signing up for any platform, read the fine print.

• Are you an employee? A contractor?

• What are the expectations around how you manage clients?

• What happens when you want to leave?

For example, if you’re working with a credentialing service, make sure you know whether you can manage your own paneling afterward. Or if you’re listed on a referral platform, understand whether they control how you contact or retain clients.

Too many clinicians find themselves bound to terms they didn’t fully understand—and it’s not their fault. These contracts are often vague or misleading.

Protect your autonomy by understanding what you’re agreeing to—and by making sure you can leave on your own terms if needed.

3. Learn the Basics (Even If You Outsource)

Another way to maintain independence is to avoid becoming overly reliant on services you don’t understand.

Let’s say you sign up for a billing platform that also handles claim submissions and credentialing. That may sound convenient—but if you ever need to leave, would you know how to handle those tasks on your own?

You don’t need to be an expert, but you do need a working knowledge of every major area of your business. This way, you can catch errors, ask better questions, and stay in control.

Areas you should understand at a basic level:

• Marketing

• Billing

• Credentialing

• Bookkeeping

Even if you outsource all of them—you’ll feel far more confident knowing you could handle them if you had to.

4. Let’s Talk Marketing

Marketing is often where clinicians feel most dependent.

It can be tempting to hand everything off to a service or agency, especially if you’re short on time or feel overwhelmed by digital marketing.

But here’s the truth:

Even a basic understanding of marketing can dramatically increase your confidence—and protect your independence.

You’ll be able to:

• Spot good (or bad) advice

• Choose the right platforms

• Avoid wasting money on generic solutions

If you’re interested in learning the essentials of private practice marketing, set up a free call with me. I’d be happy to chat through where you are and what might help.

Conclusion

Private practice should feel like yours—not someone else’s.

The more you learn, the more you stay in control. You don’t have to do everything yourself, but you do want to understand how your practice runs—and feel empowered to make informed decisions.

Because real independence in private practice doesn’t just come from setting your own schedule.

It comes from knowing your systems, understanding your tools, and being able to walk away from anything that no longer serves you.