253 - The Burnt Out Practice Owner: Is it Really Possible to Balance Parenting and Practice Ownership? with Rachael Sytsma-Ramos
“What I would tell younger me would be, you have to expect that it is going to be harder than you think.” - Rachael Sytsma-Ramos
I am the mother of many things: plant babies, doggos, and multiple podcasts. I’ve also birthed several businesses and quite a few artistic endeavors. But I’m not mama to any little humans. So, when Rachael Sytsma-Ramos, Psy.D, suggested an episode focusing on the dynamics of practice ownership and parenting, I was instantly intrigued.
Rachael is mama to two children under five (!!) and the founder of Relational Psychology Group, a Chicago-based queer-owned, operated, and identified group practice that serves queer and gender-diverse clients. She also manages a full caseload of 22-24 clients per week beyond typical ownership duties like marketing, bill paying, and supervising.
I know what you’re thinking: “Damn! Rachael has a lot of balls in the air!” You’re so right. But I’ve never met a practice owner who didn’t. That truth lends our conversation universal appeal––whether you’re raising kids, are child-free by choice, or are navigating circumstances that have interrupted your family planning.
Practice ownership is a constant negotiation and, spoiler alert: there’s no perfect equation for maintaining boundaries, scheduling self-care, or managing expectations. Identifying your non-negotiables as they pertain to your staff, clients, and personal life is an excellent place to start. Rachael agrees. “At the end of the day, I know I have to divide [my] attention, so I really do try to be very intentional about my time.”
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.
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GUEST CONTACT AND BIO
Relational Psychology Group, Inc.
Rachael Sytsma-Ramos (she/her) is a Clinical Psychologist in the Chicagoland area and mom of 2. Her primary clinical specialties are working with queer and transgender/gender-diverse clients, polyamorous/ethical non-monogamy relationships, and neurodivergent clients. Sprinkle in women's issues, intimate partner violence and sexual abuse survivors and that's her typical clientele. She practices from a feminist-relational lens and is hell-bent on dismantling systems of oppression with her clients.
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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
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