For many psychologists and therapists, the dream is simple: set up a private practice, set your own hours, make good money, and help people.
Seems straightforward, right?
If you’ve worked in the field long enough, you know that private practice today is nothing like it used to be.
The mental health landscape has changed dramatically over the past decade. COVID flooded the field with therapists, universities started pumping out clinicians at unprecedented rates, and now, post-pandemic, the market is shifting again.
Solo private practice isn’t what it used to be, and in many ways, it’s harder than ever before. But that doesn’t mean group practice is the easy answer.
The Fantasy of Solo Private Practice
Many clinicians dream of going into private practice because they assume:
✔ They’ll have total freedom over their schedule
✔ They’ll make more money by cutting out the middleman
✔ They’ll have low overhead costs, since therapy only requires a room, a chair, and a computer
✔ If they’re good at therapy, clients will just find them
Sounds ideal. And maybe 5 years ago, during the pandemic, that was true. But today?
🚨 Here’s the reality of solo practice today:
💸 Overhead is more expensive than you think. Office lease, furniture, monthly software subscriptions, marketing, supervision—it all adds up. Most therapists spend way more than they expect just to keep their business running.
⏳ You will work more hours than you think. Therapy is only part of the job. There’s intake calls, scheduling, chasing payments, admin work, note-taking, networking, and running a business.
📉 Clients won’t magically find you. A good therapist is not the same thing as a good business owner. If you don’t know SEO, marketing, networking, and business strategy, you’ll struggle to stay full these days. Clients will not be able to find you and get the amazing help you can offer.
📑 It’s all on you. No built-in referrals, no IT department, no front desk staff, no one to handle crisis calls when you’re off. You’re running a full-fledged business alone.
For some people, solo practice is still worth it. But for most, the fantasy of “more money and fewer hours” quickly crumbles under the reality of business ownership.
Is Group Practice the Easy Way Out? Not Exactly.
Some people assume that running a group practice is the “easier” path. It is not.
Expanding from solo to group means:
❌ Taking on all the risk (leases, hiring, payroll, legal policies, supervision)
❌ Navigating group dynamics, leadership challenges, and organizational systems
❌ Ensuring quality control—if someone messes up, it’s your license on the line
❌ Keeping your team happy and engaged while balancing business needs
There’s a reason so many group practices fail (and they do fail). It’s not enough to hire good therapists—you have to create a business model that actually works long-term.
A good group practice owner is part clinician, part entrepreneur, part manager, and part strategist. If you don’t get all of those things right, your practice won’t survive.
So no, running a group practice is not easier. But joining one? Especially one with a demonstrated history?
That might be the smartest career move you make.
Why Joining a Group Practice Is Often the Best Choice
Here’s what most therapists don’t realize:
👥 Group practices take on the burden of running a business so you can just do therapy. No marketing, no admin work, no accounting. Just seeing clients and writing notes.
📈 You don’t have to worry about referrals drying up. A well-established group practice already has a referral pipeline. You don’t have to stress about constantly filling your caseload.
💰 The financial trade-off is usually worth it. While a solo practitioner could theoretically keep 100% of their income, they also have way more expenses and unpaid work. Many clinicians in group practice actually make more per clinical hour because they aren’t losing time to unpaid admin work.
🏡 You have a built-in community. Private practice can be shockingly lonely. When you’re in a group, you have people to consult with, learn from, and rely on when things get tough.
🔄 You have room to grow. Want to specialize in a new area? Get supervision? Reduce your caseload and still have financial stability? Good group practices offer growth opportunities that solo practice just can’t provide.
So… What’s the Best Move?
🔹 If you love business, want full control, and are prepared for the reality of running a company—solo practice might work for you.
🔹 If you just want to be a therapist, have a full caseload without worrying about business logistics, and want long-term security and professional growth—joining a strong group practice is likely the better choice.
But don’t just join any group practice.
Find one that is stable, well-run, and values clinician well-being. Look for:
✅ Clear policies and procedures (not just “we’ll figure it out as we go”)
✅ A strong referral pipeline
✅ Fair and transparent compensation
✅ High-quality supervision and professional development
✅ A positive, supportive workplace culture
The Future of Private Practice Is Changing
The days of just “hanging a shingle” and instantly filling your caseload are gone. The market is saturated. Clients have more options. And solo therapists are struggling.
The future of mental health belongs to well-run, high-quality group practices.
If you’re thinking about your next career move, take a hard look at what you want:
✔ Do you want to do therapy?
✔ Do you want stability?
✔ Do you want a full caseload without chasing referrals?
✔ Do you want work-life balance and a professional community?
If the answer is yes, a great group practice might be exactly what you need.