The First Year of Private Practice: Don’t Overthink It, Just Take the Leap
Your first year doesn’t need to be perfect.
Here’s what to focus on and what to ignore so you can take the leap and get started.
Starting a private practice is exciting, but let’s be honest—it can also feel like a lot. You’re trying to set things up, attract clients, stay legal, stay ethical, and not totally burn out in the process.
Here’s the thing I wish more people said out loud: your first year is all about getting established. That’s it. You’re not trying to be a marketing pro or scale to six figures overnight. You’re figuring out what it actually means to run a practice. You’re building systems. You’re shaping the foundation for something that’s going to grow with you.
You’re also starting to build your story. And that story doesn’t need to be perfect from the jump. It just needs to be yours.
I’ve had to learn that the hard way. In both work and life, I’ve lost so much time trying to get things “just right” before launching anything. I’ve delayed websites, projects, emails, you name it... all because it didn’t feel finished. But here’s what I’ve learned: getting started and figuring it out as you go will take you way further than waiting for perfection ever will.
Let’s break down what’s actually worth your time in year one, and what you can safely ignore for now.
Focus on: A Simple, Professional Website
You don’t need a huge site with all the bells and whistles. Just something clean and easy to navigate. At minimum, make sure it includes:
Who you help
What services you offer
Where you work (or that you’re virtual)
How people can reach out or book a session
Start with four pages: Home, About, Services, and Contact. That’s plenty.
Skip: Spending Too Much on Branding
Yes, your brand matters. But you don’t need to pay a designer $2,000 for a logo right now.
Pick two calming colors, a nice Google font, and use a photo of yourself that feels like you. Your real brand is the way you make people feel when they land on your site or talk to you. The design stuff can grow later.
Focus on: Being Easy to Find
Set up your Google Business Profile. It’s free and helps people in your area find you when they’re searching for a therapist. Add your:
Website
Contact info
Office hours (even if you’re virtual)
A short bio and photo
Also list yourself on relevant therapy directories. These bring in people who are already looking for someone like you.
Skip: Trying to Be Everywhere on Social Media
No need to juggle Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and whatever else pops up this year.
Pick one platform that feels manageable and that your ideal clients actually use. Post once or twice a week. Keep it simple. Share what feels honest and helpful. That’s enough.
Focus on: Building Real Relationships
Word of mouth is powerful, especially in the beginning.
Reach out to other therapists, school counselors, doctors, or anyone in your community who might refer clients. You don’t need a script. Just introduce yourself, share who you help, and offer to connect.
Even one or two solid referral relationships can really help you fill your calendar.
Skip: Complicated Funnels and Automations
Unless you’re offering digital products, you don’t need sales funnels, drip sequences, or email automations in year one.
If you want to grow an email list, add a simple form to your site and offer a helpful freebie, like a journal prompt guide or a self-care checklist. Keep it easy.
Focus on: Getting Clear About Who You Help
You don’t need to lock into one niche forever, but it’s helpful to start narrowing in.
Think about the types of clients you feel most energized working with. What issues or identities do you feel particularly connected to? The clearer you are, the easier it is for people to know if you’re the right fit.
Skip: Trying to Get It Perfect
This one’s personal. I’ve wasted so much time trying to make things flawless. I’ve talked myself out of launching ideas, writing blog posts, and hitting publish on websites all because it didn’t feel “ready.”
The truth is, done is better than perfect. Especially when you’re just starting out.
Your website doesn’t have to be the final version. Your copy can evolve. Your niche can shift. Your first blog post might feel awkward. But putting something out there gets the ball rolling, and that momentum is everything.
Just start. You can always improve later.
Your first year is the time to build, to experiment, to figure out what works and what doesn’t. Think of it as the soft launch of the practice you're going to grow into. You're learning, you're adjusting, you're doing the thing. That's more than enough.