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

Fearless Practice

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! It helps you to enjoy your everyday work instead of feeling unnecessarily drained.

In this podcast episode, I chat with Rhea, who started her virtual Canadian private practice after graduating, and who has built her success around focusing on her ideal clients and in the future hopes to build connections with her community, of both clients and therapists.

MEET RHEA

Rhea is a Registered Psychotherapist in Ontario, mom of 2 and business owner. Her practice is focused on mood and anxiety disorders, life transitions, BIPOC and cultural issues, as well as the perinatal period.

Learn more about Rhea on her website, Instagram, and Psychology Today profiles.

In this episode:

• How Rhea developed her career in therapy

• Starting a solo practice

• Marketing the practice

• Overcoming issues

• Thinking on the future

How Rhea developed her career in therapy

In Rhea’s previous work life she was working with clients with autism. She ended up leaving the field, and wasn’t sure what to do.

When she was working with patients with autism, she did feel like she wanted to do more for them but felt constrained by the role that she was employed under.

So, after Rhea left that job, she took some time to think about what she wanted to do and considered the things that she enjoyed doing to shift these passions into a career. She ended up finding a masters program that enabled her to unite her interests with counselling in a way that she was excited about.

Starting her solo practice

Even though Rhea was uncomfortable and a little scared about the unknown, she started exploring what she needed to do to set up a new practice. She started looking for only a few clients in the beginning to get a feel of what it would be like.

Rhea worked part-time and had some financial support from her husband while she was launching her practice, both of which helped her to navigate the uncertainties in the beginning before her practice was more fully established.

Marketing the practice

Rhea launched a Psychology Today profile for herself and her practice to advertise herself and her business.

She also opened up accounts on a few other free platforms where clients often may search for therapists, as well as launching a small Instagram account.

Within her community, Rhea’s practice is starting to gain some traction by word-of-mouth as well.

Overcoming issues

For Rhea, a common problem that she is working on resolving is the issue of scheduling, and of finding a time that works well for her and for clients to have a session.

Additionally, niching was something that Rhea had to work on and to find the right fit. Once she niched down, things became easier.

A powerful bonus of working within your niche and within your skill set and with the clients that you want to work with also reduces your risk of burnout.

Thinking on the future

Rhea is focused on making more connections in her community within the next six months to a year. Having one or two specific goals can help you to figure out your direction..

Connect with me:

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Website

Resources mentioned and useful links:

Ep 128: Christina Page: Transitioning from Agency to Private Practice | EP 128

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 Rhea on her website, Instagram, and Psychology Today profiles

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