The Build Your Private Practice Podcast

What if one relatively simple change could improve your cash flow, reduce your credit card processing fees, and make it easier for clients to say yes to therapy?
That's what we're talking about in this episode of The Build Your Private Practice Podcast.
This summer, 253 Canadian therapists shared how clients are paying for therapy inside their practices.
And one number stood out.
More than half of therapists said extended health benefits are the biggest source of client payments.
But about half of therapists also said none of their practice income comes in through direct billing.
That's a big gap.
Because when clients have to pay the full session fee upfront, submit their own claim, and wait to be reimbursed, that can create a real cash-flow challenge for them.
And it can cost your practice more, too.
In this episode, we cover:
How Canadian therapy clients are paying for sessions

Why extended health benefits matter so much in private practice

What direct billing actually means

Why paying the full session fee upfront can be a barrier for clients

How direct billing can make therapy easier to access

Why clients may prefer therapists who offer direct billing

How credit card processing fees can quietly add up

What the numbers can look like for a solo practitioner

How much larger the savings can become in a group practice

What to check before offering direct billing

How to handle balances your client's insurer doesn't cover

Why you should give yourself a little lead time to get set up

How to start the process this week

For a solo practitioner seeing 20 clients a week, the difference can add up to thousands of dollars a year in reduced credit card processing fees.
And that's before you count the potential impact of making payment easier for clients.
Direct billing doesn't change the care you provide.
It simply removes one more hurdle between your client and the therapy they're already covered for.
So if you've been thinking direct billing sounds complicated—or assuming it isn't available to you—this episode is worth a listen.
Your first step?
Check which insurers accept direct billing claims from someone with your professional designation.
Then start the registration process.
You may be able to make this change within the month.
Grab the free Direct Billing Toolkit here.
Read the full Canadian Therapist Marketing Report here.
Explore tools, programs, and support at:
https://buildyourprivatepractice.ca/
Join our Facebook community for Canadian therapists:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildyourprivatepractice
Listen and subscribe here:
https://thebuildyourprivatepracticepodcast.libsyn.com/

Private practice is changing.
There are more therapists entering the field.
Clients have more options.
AI and digital platforms are reshaping how people access support.
And being a strong clinician, while absolutely essential, may no longer be enough on its own.
In this episode of The Build Your Private Practice Podcast, Liane sits down with Michael Kerman, founder and president of Leading Edge Seminars, to talk about what he's seen change across more than 30 years of working with Canadian therapists—and where he believes the profession is heading next.
Michael has had a front-row seat to the way therapists learn, grow, and build their careers.
And one thing is clear:
The therapists who thrive in the years ahead will be the ones who keep learning.
Clinically.
Professionally.
And as business owners.
In this episode, we cover:
How therapist training has changed over the past 30 years

Why therapists are becoming more integrative in their clinical work

How virtual care changed the way therapists work and learn

What Michael noticed at BYPP's 10-year celebration

Why specialization and reputation are becoming increasingly important

Why clinical skill and business skill need to work together

How therapists can stand out without becoming "marketers"

Why speaking, community involvement, and professional visibility matter

What AI could mean for the future of therapy

Why therapists need to keep challenging themselves as the profession changes

What newer therapists should invest in now

Why experienced clinicians still benefit from lifelong learning

The importance of caring for yourself alongside your clinical and business growth

How Leading Edge Cancún combines professional development with actual rest

One of the biggest messages from this conversation is simple:
Never stop learning.
Your clinical skills matter.
Your business skills matter.
Your ability to adapt matters.
And so does your willingness to keep growing as a person.
Because building a long, meaningful career in this profession isn't about reaching a point where you finally know everything.
It's about staying curious enough to keep learning.
Michael also shares the story behind Leading Edge Cancún, where therapists can combine high-quality clinical training in the mornings with time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the afternoons.
Liane will also be presenting an evening session on:
Protecting the Work Only You Can Do: The Forces Reshaping Private Practice and How to Stay Ahead
If the idea of meaningful professional development paired with a real break sounds good to you, you can learn more here:
https://leadingedgecancun.com/?ck_subscriber_id=4286739213
Use code BYPP100 to save $100 off your training/accommodations package.
Explore tools, programs, and support at:
https://buildyourprivatepractice.ca/
Join our Facebook community for Canadian therapists:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildyourprivatepractice
Listen and subscribe here:
https://thebuildyourprivatepracticepodcast.libsyn.com/

Gratitude is something we talk about a lot this time of year.
But what if it could be more than a feeling?
What if gratitude was something you intentionally practiced in your private practice?
In this Thanksgiving episode of The Build Your Private Practice Podcast, Liane is reflecting on what she's most grateful for after celebrating 10 years of Build Your Private Practice—and why the people and relationships behind the work matter so much.
Because no private practice is built entirely on your own.
There are colleagues who answer questions when you're stuck.
Referral partners who trust you with the people they care about.
Team members who keep things moving behind the scenes.
Friends and family who hold things together when your workday runs late.
And sometimes, one of the most meaningful things you can do is simply let those people know you noticed.
In this episode, we cover:
What Liane is most grateful for after 10 years of Build Your Private Practice

Why gratitude is more than something we feel once a year

How a simple thank you can strengthen professional relationships

Why being specific makes a thank-you note more meaningful

The three people Liane encourages you to thank this Thanksgiving

Why a genuine thank you should come without an ask attached

How small acts of appreciation help build stronger communities

Why the strongest practices are often deeply connected to the people around them

How to make gratitude an intentional part of your private practice

Why relationships matter when you're building something sustainable

This Thanksgiving, Liane has one simple challenge for you:
Write three thank-you notes.
One to someone who has supported your practice professionally.
One to a colleague who has been there when you needed them.
And one to someone who helps make your work possible behind the scenes.
Keep them short.
Make them specific.
And leave the ask out.
Because sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is simply:
I noticed what you did, and it mattered.
Private practice can feel isolating, but you don't build something sustainable alone.
Take a few minutes this week to acknowledge the people who have helped you along the way.
Explore tools, programs, and support at:
https://buildyourprivatepractice.ca/
Join our Facebook community for Canadian therapists:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildyourprivatepractice
Listen and subscribe here:
https://thebuildyourprivatepracticepodcast.libsyn.com/

Ten years.
That's how long Build Your Private Practice has been supporting therapists as they navigate the business side of private practice.
And in this episode of The Build Your Private Practice Podcast, Liane is taking you behind the scenes of BYPP's 10-year celebration—and sharing some of the biggest lessons she's learned along the way.
From what went right to what went sideways, this episode is a look at what it really takes to build something that lasts.
Because whether you're building a business, growing a private practice, running a workshop, or trying something new, things will not always go exactly as planned.
And that doesn't mean you're doing it wrong.
What matters is how you respond, what you learn, and whether you keep moving forward.
In this episode, we cover:
What the BYPP 10-year celebration looked like behind the scenes

Why nobody builds a sustainable business or private practice alone

What happened when parts of the event didn't go according to plan

Why people often remember how you handled a problem more than the problem itself

What Liane learned from the feedback after the event

Why documenting your systems and processes makes future growth easier

How workshops can be a simple, natural way to grow your private practice

Why sharing what feels "basic" to you can be incredibly valuable to someone else

The lesson behind asking for the testimonial, opportunity, consult, or next step

Why therapists may need to get a little louder about the expertise they already have

One of the biggest takeaways from the day?
You don't have to have everything perfectly figured out before you take the next step.
Your workshop does not need to be revolutionary.
Your event does not need to run flawlessly.
Your marketing does not need to be complicated.
Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is share what you already know, make the invitation, and give people a chance to say yes.
Because if you don't ask, the answer is already no.
And if you've been sitting on an idea for a workshop, a group, a talk, or another way to share your expertise, this episode is a reminder that you may already know more than enough to begin.
If you're feeling full of ideas but unsure what to prioritize next in your practice, Liane can help you get clear on your next move.
Learn more about Accelerate Your Practice here:
https://www.buildyourprivatepractice.ca/accelerate-your-practice
Learn more about Scale Your Practice here:
https://www.buildyourprivatepractice.ca/scale-your-practice
Explore tools, programs, and support at:
https://buildyourprivatepractice.ca/
Join our Facebook community for Canadian therapists:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildyourprivatepractice
Listen and subscribe here:
https://thebuildyourprivatepracticepodcast.libsyn.com/

Your calendar is full. Clients are coming in. Revenue is coming in.
So why does your private practice still feel financially stressful?
Being busy and being profitable are not the same thing.
In this episode of The Build Your Private Practice Podcast, Liane shares the story of a therapist who had her first truly profitable month—without adding a single new client or working more hours.
What changed?
She got clear on her cash flow, started planning properly for taxes, and finally understood what the money coming into her practice actually needed to do.
Because a full calendar tells you about your revenue. It doesn't necessarily tell you whether you have a profitable private practice.
And when you're already fully booked but not making enough—or constantly worrying about money—the answer usually isn't squeezing more clients into your schedule.
Sometimes, you need better systems around the income you're already earning.
In this episode, we cover:
Why a full practice can still feel financially stressful

The important difference between revenue and profit

Why a booked-out calendar doesn't necessarily mean your practice is profitable

How unclear cash flow can make a thriving practice feel financially tight

Why setting money aside for taxes matters

Why seeing more clients isn't always the answer to making more money

How better financial systems can create more stability without increasing your caseload

Why follow-up is one of the most underused ways to turn inquiries into clients

What profitability gives you beyond the numbers

How to build a practice that supports your life instead of draining it

If your practice is full but money still feels tight, start by looking at the money you're already making.
Can you clearly see your cash flow?
Are you consistently setting aside what you'll need for taxes?
Do you know what's actually available to you after your practice expenses and obligations are covered?
The goal was never just to be busy.
It's to build a profitable, sustainable practice that gives you more freedom—not one that asks you to keep working harder.
If you're ready to turn your full practice into one that feels more profitable, sustainable, and supported, Scale Your Practice can help.
Learn more here:
https://www.buildyourprivatepractice.ca/scale-your-practice
Explore tools, programs, and support at:
https://buildyourprivatepractice.ca/
Join our Facebook community for Canadian therapists:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildyourprivatepractice
Listen and subscribe here:
https://thebuildyourprivatepracticepodcast.libsyn.com/