265 - The Burnt Out Practice Owner: What Do You Do When Practice Ownership Feels Out of Alignment With Your Temperament? With David Clinton
“Things that are sacred. I don't use that word a lot, but the work for me feels sacred. I don't think sacred is supposed to be cool or sexy.” - David Clinton
All good things must end, including this special series. But not before my chat with the delightfully analog David Clinton, a dear friend and former practice owner.
After exiting his group practice just as the pandemic hit, David found his happy ending (or beginning) as a solo therapist with a limited online presence. His 20+ year career reminds us that we can contribute good things to this field by cultivating stubborn hope and an embodied way of being no matter which professional space we inhabit.
“I don't really have any social media. I'm hard to find…on purpose,” admits David, who’s built his solo practice caseload by referral rather than online strategy. “It's quiet, and there's things I really like about that.” That stillness created a space where he could pursue relationship-building in real time and honor what he calls the sacredness of his work. “There's something simpler about the solo practice,” David says. “I feel like it allows for much more authenticity.”
For group practice owners, authenticity lies in the sweet spot somewhere between leading and serving. David agrees. “Doing it well is about learning to live with a kind of tension and existing with this sort of middle space.” That’s not everyone’s zone of genius. And that’s okay.
Stay tuned for big news about the future direction of these conversations about group practice! Until then, stay right here in this Conversations with a Wounded Healer podcast feed with us for more intriguing discussions at the intersection of caring for self while caring for others.
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.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
RECOMMENDED EPISODES
CWH: David Clinton––From Prom King To Therapist
GUEST CONTACT AND BIO
David Clinton (he/him) is a licensed counselor who has worked in private practice for over 20 years in the western suburbs outside of Chicago. During that time he has served as a clinician, supervisor, and group practice owner.
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