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

Fearless Practice

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 counsellors are not taught business skills in school, they can be learned, and you can work as an expert in your niche while being profitable and building your dream virtual group practice!

In this podcast episode, I chat with Brittany about her experience of launching, managing, and working in her group practice that’s virtual across Canada. She shares her advice and experience from starting without knowing to confidently planning for her future.

MEET BRITTANY

Brittany Wells-Pantaleo, MSW, RSW, is the Founder and Clinical Director of Moncton Counselling and Wellness. With a Master's degree in Social Work and as a Registered Social Worker, she has dedicated my career to supporting individuals in their mental health journeys. In 2021, she established Moncton Counselling and Wellness with the goal of providing compassionate and effective counselling support. Her organization has since grown, serving individuals and couples across Canada.

Learn more about Brittany on her LinkedIn profile, practice website, and Instagram page.

In this episode:

• Why Brittany became a social worker

• Starting a private practice

• Developing a group private practice

• Using Jane App for a virtual practice

• Navigating virtual counselling ethically

Why Brittany became a social worker

Brittany’s social work journey began in Ontario in 2016. While she was completing her undergrad, she began working in social worker positions. Brittany worked in the shelter system with a women’s shelter and a youth shelter.

Brittany applied and luckily got in the first round for her masters, and started in-person, but with the COVID-19 pandemic she had to move online for the last six months of her two and a half year program.

Even though it was an intense experience, Brittany explains that it provided her with invaluable experience and skills which she brought with her on her journey to today.

Starting a private practice

In 2021, Brittany moved to Moncton, New Brunswick and began working for another private practice before venturing out on her own.

By connecting with a fellow therapist, Brittany began receiving some referrals and building up her referral network and learning from this more experienced practitioner.

However, Brittany’s father was diagnosed with cancer, and she decided to take a risk and go out on her own so that she could stay closer to family during this time.

Developing a group private practice

Once Brittany understood what the mental health landscape looked like in Moncton, she came to find that there were lots of people seeking therapy and that there were a lot of waitlists.

Since no other therapists were taking clients and Brittany’s waitlist also began to grow, she considered opening up a virtual wing of her private practice.

Using Jane App for a virtual practice

Brittany highly recommends Jane App for managing her virtual group practice. Technology is all-encompassing these days, and so choosing a software managing system is important because it becomes an integral part of what your Canadian private practice develops around.

Navigating virtual counselling ethically

Since starting her private practice, Brittany has learned that it is slightly different for social workers.

It is always good practice to work with your attorney or legal advisor, and get in touch with the relevant associations or colleges before you start working in a province, in-person or virtually.

Connect with me:

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Resources mentioned and useful links:

Ep 117: Courtney Vezina: Incorporating Community Values into Private Practice | EP 117

Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice

Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice

Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)

Learn more about Brittany on her LinkedIn profile, practice website, and Instagram page