239 - The Burnt Out Practice Owner: Can You Be Both A Lazy Entrepreneur And An Owner Who Shows Up? With Alicia Taverner
“I just never wanted to be burnt out again. And I never want my staff to feel that way. I also want to have a personal relationship with the people that I'm training.” - Alicia Taverner
Being a practice owner isn’t *all* bad. The folks who do it well just know how to set industrial-strength boundaries. Not me, but some folks…like Alicia Taverner, LMFT, owner of Rancho Counseling in California.
“I've never been a burnt-out practice owner,” Alicia admits. A beat, then, “Actually, I was burnt out––I take it back––in community mental health and nonprofit organizations.” It turns out that private practice ownership is Alicia’s jam. How is that possible, you ask? “The most therapists I've had working for me is three,” she says, proud of having resisted industry pressure to scale up or break her other non-negotiable. “We don't take any insurance; it's all cash pay.”
While the success of a small, cash-only practice may astonish some, Alicia shrugs off their incredulity. She fully recognizes the value of her personal and professional time and has set super clear priorities: work-life balance and ample opportunity to train the therapists in her care.
Alicia thinks practice owners could be more transparent with peers about net vs. gross income and the market share that a business must secure to thrive. “People tout these vanity numbers like, Oh, we did a million dollars this year! Okay, but that doesn't mean that's what you took home!”
Banking a million doesn’t automatically translate to success if your life is a wreck. Alicia is refreshingly honest about her ownership goals. “How can I have the most fun and work the least? That's always been what I was looking for!”
If you have a burning question or a topic that you'd like to hear discussed on this series, email me at sarah@headheartbiztherapy.com or send me a DM on Instagram @headheartbiztherapy.
Groups for Wounded Healers
We’re currently running one cohort of the Burnt Out Practice Owner support group and Authentic Leaders group. Please join the waitlists to be updated about future groups: Burnt Out Practice Owner Support Group Waitlist and Authentic Leaders Group - Fall 2024 Waitlist
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
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CWH147 - Annie Schuessler, Rebel Therapist™ - Make an impact beyond traditional private practice
CWH099 - Rachel Alexandria - The Enneagram Episode
GUEST CONTACT AND BIO
Alicia Taverner is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, #50414, with a Bachelor's Degree in Speech Communications from the University of La Verne, and a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University.
Alicia has contributed to several online and print magazines, podcasts, and had a regular spot on a local radio show as a relationship expert.
Alicia specializes in helping couples find the calm within the storm of some of the most difficult relationship struggles, such as infidelity, divorce, and postpartum anxiety and depression. Alicia is also a trained Discernment Counselor and helps couples explore options for continuing their relationship despite some very heavy challenges.
She resides in the Inland Empire with her husband and three children. Her personal passions include biking, snowboarding, yoga, and spending time with family and friends.
Burnt Out Practice Owner Support Group
Hey Practice Owners!
Do you feel exhausted, over-extended, and under-appreciated?
Does the thought of returning to solo practice cross your mind from time to time (or more often)?
If so, you’re not alone.
Running a group practice is a challenging and often thankless job. And it can be hard for others to relate if they aren’t business owners too.
Add your name to the waitlist here to be part of the next BOPO support group cohort: https://www.headheartbiztherapy.com/burntout
Authentic Leaders Group
Are you a therapist stepping into leadership for the first time?
Or maybe you've been in a leadership position for a while, but are bumping up against new struggles?
Our Authentic Leadership Group is here to help you become the authentic and wholehearted leader you aspire to be. And we believe this journey is best undertaken with the guidance of experienced mentors alongside fellow learners.
Current cohort running February - September 2024.
Join Sarah in this journey of self-discovery and leadership mastery, where you'll enhance your leadership skills and forge meaningful connections with fellow therapists who are committed to their own growth and the betterment of the therapy field.
Add your name to the waitlist now at https://www.headheartbiztherapy.com/authentic-leaders-group
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