Best Christina Sturgeon Podcasts (2024)

1
Heidi Sturgeon: How I Launched and Grew My Canadian Private Practice | Ep 134 52:46

13d ago52:46

52:46

Join Julia for an encore presentation of her 2022 conversation with Heidi Sturgeon. It's a thought-provoking episode that has an unexpected twist at the end! You can find the show notes here. Connect with me: Instagram Website Resources Mentioned and Useful Links: Ep 133: Canada’s new tax exemption on regulated therapy services | EP 133 Learn more …

1
Canada’s New Tax Exemption on Regulated Therapy Services | Ep 133 11:42

20d ago11:42

11:42

Today we are celebrating that Registered Counselling Therapists and Registered Psychotherapists no longer have to charge tax! There are decades of work behind the scenes to bring this to fruition, so it is a big deal! Thank you to the CCPA for making this happen! In this podcast episode, I’ll give you all the information about what this means and w…

1
Destin Jones: Creating Canadian Therapist Communities | Ep 132 40:04

27d ago40:04

40:04

Do you have a community of clients, peers, or professionals that you work alongside? How can communities open up new opportunities? Have you considered starting a community that isn’t focused solely on sales? Community is a bit of a buzzword in marketing and private practice these days, but it’s still truly valuable and a worthwhile investment to m…

1
Paige Abbott: Taking Private Practice at Your Own Pace | Ep 131 37:03

1M ago37:03

37:03

It can be easy to get caught up in looking at everyone else’s journey when instead it’s important to focus on your own. When you take private practice at your own pace, and when you incorporate your talents and passions and allow yourself to be guided from one spot to the next, you can more easily find your way in private practice instead of trying…

1
How to Create a Summer Schedule That Works for You! | Ep 130 13:14

1M ago13:14

13:14

As many therapists may have experienced with their practices, there’s usually a summer slump. Everybody is either away on vacation or taking time off work, and as such their schedules have changed, albeit temporarily, and this can make it challenging for therapists to maintain their usual steady stream of clients. More than that, you also want a ho…

1
Rhea Bridge: Niching in a New Practice to Reduce Burnout | Ep 129 29:00

2M ago29:00

29:00

In the beginning of starting a new practice, being a generalist seems like a good idea, especially when you want to welcome clients through the door and the idea of turning away new potential clients seems counterintuitive. However, niching down is not only helpful regarding your marketing or your skill set: niching down is also important for you! …

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Christina Page: Transitioning From Agency to Private Practice | Ep 128 39:30

2M ago39:30

39:30

With private practice, Christina, our guest today, went through a challenging experience and found it difficult herself to find the therapy that she needed. When she registered as a social worker and later as a perinatal therapist, she knew that she wanted to fill the niche in the market by serving the families in her community. Today, we discuss h…

1
Being Intentional When Starting a Group Private Practice | Ep 127 17:20

2M ago17:20

17:20

For many Canadian therapists, the trajectory seems to be that once you start getting full with clients that you should open a group private practice. However, if you blindly consider opening a group private practice without evaluating whether or not it is truly something that you want, then you may end up in a very stressful situation, feeling burn…

1
Celissa Vipond & Melissa Lindstrom: From Friendship to Successful Practice | Ep 126 26:31

2M ago26:31

26:31

Celissa and Melissa noticed the clear need for mental health services in Ontario over the pandemic, and decided to team up to put their expertise and skills to use to serve the community. As a team, Celissa and Melissa were able to balance starting a practice between the two of them while continuing their social work positions that they love. Their…

1
Kelly Hoskin: Trusting the Process for Success in Canadian Private Practice | Ep 125 27:38

3M ago27:38

27:38

Sometimes people can feel nervous to start their careers since they don’t know where it will end up. We may feel like we need to know exactly how the journey will look before we head towards a new destination. In this podcast episode, Kelly and I discuss how she had no intention of working in psychotherapy initially after grad school, but found her…

1
Redefining Work-Life Balance in a Canadian Private Practice | Ep 124 13:32

3M ago13:32

13:32

We always hear about “optimization”, and to the extent that many folks may be influenced to outsource everything possible so that they have more free time. But imagine this; if you had all this extra free time, after the time to rest, exercise, and spend time with loved ones, what would you be doing? If you had more free time and the mental capacit…

1
Michelle Ham: Joining a Collective to Build a Successful Practice | Ep 123 30:31

3M ago30:31

30:31

Many therapists may feel daunted by the idea of returning to school to get their masters or a PhD, especially after they have settled into their adult lives. However, it truly is never too late! If you have a desire to take your Canadian private practice to the next level, or you feel frustrated working on someone else’s schedule, and you desire mo…

1
Embracing the Dynamic Nature of Niching | Ep 122 13:59

3M ago13:59

13:59

As the saying goes; “the only constant thing is change”, and it’s true for Canadian private practices too. Sometimes you will set up a system that works well, but after months or years the practice has changed, and so the systems need to be updated. Or, the offering that you used to love doing with your clients is no longer something that used to l…

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Mila Arsenijevic: Balancing Growth in a Canadian Private Practice | Ep 121 26:33

3M ago26:33

26:33

Do you feel pressured to always be scaling and growing your Canadian private practice? In modern business, the idea is usually to push growth - but that’s not always the case! Sometimes not growing can also help private practice. Every now and then you need to intentionally stop growing and instead focus on the foundations of your private practice,…

1
5 Ways to Tackle Isolation With an Online Private Practice | Ep 120 8:57

4M ago8:57

8:57

Do you sometimes feel lonely working as a therapist? Do you have an online practice, and sometimes wish you could chat with a colleague between sessions to let off some steam or to get an ethical second opinion? How do you deal with isolation as an online therapist? Working as a therapist can be an isolating experience in and of itself, since you c…

1
What I Learned From Going to the CCPA Conference | Ep 119 11:01

4M ago11:01

11:01

Have you ever been to a counselling conference? Are you considering going to one this year for the first time, or are you a regular attendee? Whether you are more introverted or an extrovert, conferences offer spaces for both! Not just quiet workshops or long tables filled with fascinating people, but also where you can learn and develop your skill…

1
Brittany Wells-Pantaleo: Growing a Group Practice Virtually and Ethically | Ep 118 42:28

4M ago42:28

42:28

Many counsellors may enter into private practice without expecting to open it into a group practice, since it can be a journey that develops as you explore your niche, assess the needs of your community, and as you develop as a person. However, if you find yourself on the entrepreneurial path, don’t doubt that it can work! Even though many counsell…

1
Courtney Vezina: Incorporating Community Values Into Private Practice | Ep 117 35:12

4M ago35:12

35:12

There are many different ways in which you can instill and live out the values that you have founded your Canadian private practice on. For Courtney, the value of community is a driving factor that positively impacts the work that she and her colleagues do. So much so, that her private practice offers a scholarship for students doing their bachelor…

1
Samantha Sarty: Setting Business Boundaries to Grow Private Practice | Ep 116 39:42

5M ago39:42

39:42

Building a practice is a tricky task because we know that it is going to be difficult sometimes. The question is, when have we gone too far and are perhaps risking burnout? It can feel difficult to maintain your personal and professional boundaries when you are the boss and things depend on you, but in essence, your business does depend on you, so …

1
Jasmine Bird: Defining Your Success to Live Authentically | Ep 115 29:50

5M ago29:50

29:50

Jasmine is a great example of; working to live, not living to work. You do not have to grow your business exponentially just because you can. If you are doing well in your Canadian private practice, but the idea of owning a huge business is daunting to you - you don’t have to take it that far! One of the ways of building a truly successful business…

1
Imogen McIntyre: Using Your Niche to Build a Private Practice | Ep 114 39:41

5M ago39:41

39:41

How can you market your practice successfully in a big city? Do you have a specific niche that you want to figure out how to use well to connect with your best-fit client? Are you on the verge of considering to open two practices? Everyone talks about niching down, but it’s always helpful to speak to someone that did it and made it work well! In th…

1
Veronica Loffreda: Why Diversifying Brings You Success in Private Practice | Ep 113 52:42

5M ago52:42

52:42

When we want to do something really well, we may pick one path and stick to it, but hyperfocusing can cause us to develop blind spots to where we could improve. Sometimes there is success and new possibilities available to you when you try new things, diversify your approach, and look at things differently - without a fear of failure! There are mul…

1
Great Platforms You Can Use in Your Private Practice | Ep 112 12:51

6M ago12:51

12:51

Do you know some of the sweet spots to streamline your business processes? Is your Canadian private practice set up to support you, while you support your clients? Are you looking for some tips and tools that you can use to simplify your practice needs? There are so many different platforms and apps out there that it can seem overwhelming. If you a…

1
Marlee Rubel: Building an Online Private Practice in Toronto | Ep 111 45:03

6M ago45:03

45:03

A lot of counsellors may start private practices because they want flexibility and autonomy in their professional lives, as well as for the fact that they have noticed a direct need that they feel passionate about serving. Marlee, today’s guest, decided to go into private practice for those reasons. In this podcast episode, Marlee and I discuss pri…

1
What to Consider When Setting Your Private Practice Rates | Ep 110 9:43

6M ago9:43

9:43

Are you having trouble deciding on a starting rate for your private practice? There are so many ways to figure out how to start off. For example, your college or association may have a recommendation, or basing your rate on what other therapists are charging in your area - but these guidelines may not be enough to allow you to be profitable! You ma…

1
How to Build a Private Practice Website | Ep 109 12:33

6M ago12:33

12:33

As a Canadian therapist, one of the things that you know needs to get done is to build a website. It’s part of the deal of being a business owner, and having a great website is the cornerstone of being seen by your local community and getting your Canadian private practice noticed. I think everyone has one or two horror stories about trying to get …

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Michael Sorsdahl: Ccpa’s New Ethics Case Book and Why You Must Read It | Ep 108 39:17

7M ago39:17

39:17

How knowledgeable are you on current counselling ethics? How regularly do you follow up on changes and fluctuations in ethics and the recommended practices as times go on? Where should you start? As we know how society and the general public changes over the years, it makes sense that the recommended counselling practices and ethics would too. What…

1
Esther Chu & Richard Tatomir: Working as a Team to Help Canadian Therapists | Ep 107 42:39

7M ago42:39

42:39

We all know that working as a therapist can be a lonely job. When we work together, we can help one another reach higher heights in our Canadian practices, grow as professionals, and share the success with more people. This is what Richard and Esther have found on their journey so far. Richard hired Esther as an administrative assistant in the earl…

1
Dr. Chandra Ashton: Working In a Canadian Not-For-Profit and Enjoying It! | Ep 106 51:47

7M ago51:47

51:47

Have you worked in a not-for-profit organization before? Do you tend to steer clear from not-for-profit counselling positions due to common bad stories from what it could be like? So many therapists go into therapy because they feel a need and a desire to support and serve their communities. However, it can become tough, expensive, and challenging …

1
Ashley Schofield-McEachern: Transitioning From Nursing Into Therapy | Ep 105 37:55

7M ago37:55

37:55

Many of the skills that you learn from all your experience throughout your mental health career can be brought into the session room with a client - when done ethically and when asked for! Ashley worked as a nurse for many years in public health before deciding to return to university to get her masters, and move into Canadian private practice. She…

1
Angela Bishop: Build Your Career in Canadian Private Practice | Ep 104 37:50

7M ago37:50

37:50

What works for you one day, one year, or one decade may not stay the same. As you change and develop as a person, so will your needs, and what you need from your environment to feel supported and to offer your best work. In this podcast episode, I talk with Angela who used to have zero interest in running a Canadian private practice but who is now …

1
Why Taking Breaks Is Important in Private Practice | Ep 103 13:22

8M ago13:22

13:22

Do you often let fear stop you from taking a break and resting when you know you need it? Are you often pushing yourself beyond your limits but haven’t stopped to wonder why? Have you been feeling resentful towards work that you used to enjoy in the past? Taking the time to properly rest is something that can help you to feel more present with your…

1
Nicole Lobo: Turning Lemons Into Lemonade in Private Practice | Ep 102 43:47

8M ago43:47

43:47

If you had a tough experience as a counselling intern, you might feel inspired to create a space where future interns could have a different experience. It’s sometimes a healing response to turn the lemons of the past into the lemonade of the present, and that’s exactly what Nicole did. From her practicum, Nicole had a very challenging experience a…

1
Olivia Grigg: How to Host a Wellness Retreat | Ep 101 29:25

9M ago29:25

29:25

Which skills do you have that could be carried over into your private practice? Today’s guest Olivia Grigg, who works as a therapist, used to spend her summers running camps, and now she hosts successful wellness retreats! If there is something that you would like to do, whether start a podcast, create an e-course, or even host and launch a retreat…

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What I’ve Learned About Podcasting | Ep 100 15:52

9M ago15:52

15:52

100 episodes! What a milestone. In the beginning, I really wasn’t sure what would happen. I knew that I wanted to try podcasting but I had no idea what to expect. However, once I knew that it would be something I would enjoy and that it would be a great way to connect with you, I committed, and here we are two years later! In this episode, I talk a…

1
Christine Olsen: How to Settle Into Your Niche With Confidence | Ep 99 41:44

9M ago41:44

41:44

Has your road to private practice been rocky? Do you struggle with settling into your niche because you feel like you have to be applicable to every person? Do you feel that you need to add more specialities to be more complementary? There are so many different types of niches, and so many people that are looking for help. You may feel like you hav…

1
Why You Shouldn’t Start a Private Practice | Ep 98 13:05

9M ago13:05

13:05

Even though you might be hearing about how private practices are all the rage, it is still a choice of preference. Owning and running a private practice may not be well-suited to you, or your goals for your work, and that’s okay. Your work in the mental health industry does not need to look the same as others. If you haven’t felt a pull to start a …

1
Overcoming Sudden Obstacles in My Private Practice: Year Seven | Ep 97 18:27

10M ago18:27

18:27

We all have intentions for the new year when it begins, and ideas of what we’d like to do differently or in a new way. And it’s often the case that things don’t go as planned! However, it can be part of the overall process, and in the end new lessons are learned and new skills are acquired. At the beginning of my seventh year in Canadian private pr…

1
Shannon Smith: Starting a Second Career as a Therapist | Ep 96 40:47

10M ago40:47

40:47

How do counsellors get into the profession? Have you had an idea hanging around your thoughts for the last couple of years about trying something new? Has your mindset held you back from attempting to create some of your new dreams or ambitions? It takes courage for a person to try something new. But education, finances, family, time and so much mo…

1
Shelly Qualtieri: Using Lifelong Experience in a New Private Practice | Ep 95 45:31

10M ago45:31

45:31

Do you have a wide and varied range of experience from your years in the helping profession? How can you bring these skills and life experiences together into a Canadian private practice that you can run as your own boss? Are you worried about walking the right path? You can always learn how to incorporate your mental health field experience! Your …

1
Get Free Consultations for Your Private Practice! | Ep 94 8:44

10M ago8:44

8:44

Do you ever feel a call to reorganize, restructure, and get things back in order when a new season begins? Is your mind feeling refreshed and full of ideas after your summer break to relax? It’s officially fall, and these beginnings can sometimes provide you with a great opportunity to begin afresh, anew, or something different, and get to working …

1
Alanna Beitner: Create the Life You Want Through Private Practice | Ep 93 30:35

10M ago30:35

30:35

What does the life look like that you have envisioned for yourself? Are you your own boss with time flexibility and autonomy? Or working in an agency with paid vacations and sick days? There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing whether or not you want to start your own Canadian private practice. The yardstick that you could use is …

1
Masami Hirata: Use Marketing to Bridge the Gap Between Like, Know, and Trust | Ep 92 46:12

11M ago46:12

46:12

Have you heard of the marketing rule of seven? How can you build your “marketing house” from the ground up? What is the best sequence that you need to organize your marketing strategy into for authentic success? Marketing is a necessary strategy and tool that’s relevant across the board, for all businesses, including therapy. You need to focus on y…

1
Luc Grey: Following Your Entrepreneurial Calling as a Therapist | Ep 91 49:01

11M ago49:01

49:01

Are you working on your masters degree? How can you plan your practicum and private practice journey at the same time? Which great benefits can you enjoy from working with supervisors and counsellors when starting your new practice? There is so much to learn about Canadian private practice! There is no “right” way to go about it, because - as long …

1
Michelle Kent: Offering Ecotherapy in Your Canadian Private Practice | Ep 90 33:25

11M ago33:25

33:25

Do you love being in nature for your mental health? Have your clients expressed interest in nature walks to clear the mind and process their difficult emotions? Could you combine these two aspects into a service in your private practice? Ecotherapy is a great modality for therapy, and some practices are warming up to it! Of course, with it being ou…

1
Now Is the Time to Start Your Canadian Private Practice | Ep 89 9:19

11M ago9:19

9:19

It’s September, the start of a new season! If you’ve been reflecting over summer and you are coming up into the warmth of change with a desire to do something different, then consider this the time where you can get your own business going. Even though there are challenges, don’t let them get you down. There are going to be challenges no matter whi…

1
Canada’s Grow Your Business Online Grant: How to Apply | Ep 88 7:49

12M ago7:49

7:49

Are you searching for ways to save money in your private practice? Have you considered looking into the grants that you could qualify for? Have you heard of the micro-grant “Canada’s Digital Adoption Program” (CDAP) that’s specifically for small businesses? I decided to find out some more information about the CDAP grant after it came up in convers…

1
Ursula Kerr: Take a Risk, Start a Private Practice, and Be Your Own Boss | Ep 87 44:40

12M ago44:40

44:40

Ursula Kerr took many risks and leaps of faith, and through those moments of struggle and uncertainty, she has now created a thriving private practice that she enjoys working in each day. Life is not about working, but creating a job that you love doing is a great way to add value (and income) to your life! By hiring a consultant, getting professio…

1
Allyson Gassner: From Practicum to Private Practice | Ep 86 35:04

12M ago35:04

35:04

What are the essential fundamentals of setting up a private practice while you finish grad school? How can you use QR codes in your marketing to make it easier for your clients to find you? When is the right time or the best-suited time for you to step into Canadian private practice? In this episode, Allyson and I discuss navigating how to structur…

1
Tamara Reynolds: Building a Canadian Art Therapy Private Practice |Ep 85 59:10

1y ago59:10

59:10

Are you thinking about starting an art therapy private practice? Do you struggle with getting clients? Have you tapped into the resources within your network and direct community? The great thing about private practice is that even though the process of building it is unique to you (with your preferences and niche), there are so many things that yo…

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Christina Sturgeon Podcasts

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