If you’ve been considering a private practice course, you might be wondering: “Do I really need to pay for this, or can I figure it out on my own?”
Starting a private practice is both exciting and overwhelming. There are forms to complete, decisions to make, and systems to set up—all before you can even start seeing clients.
The truth is, you can start a private practice on your own—many therapists do. But that route often comes with hidden costs, whether in money, time, or stress.
So, the real question is: What’s the best investment for you—time or money?
The Cost of Figuring It Out on Your Own
Let’s break down what the DIY approach can look like.
Here’s what I personally spent when I started my private practice in 2019:
- $600 on a lawyer to review my intake forms—forms I wrote myself that didn’t even need edits.
- $500 on a credentialing specialist who sat on my insurance applications for months without making progress.
- $2,000 on my first and last month’s rent + office furniture before telehealth was widely accepted.
- $450 down payment + $69/month on a website that I mostly built myself.
- $150/hour on an accountant to guide me through EIN registration, email setup, and accounting—over multiple sessions.
Beyond the financial costs, there was also the time cost—hours spent researching, making mistakes, and feeling stuck because I didn’t know what I didn’t know.
The Hidden Costs of DIY
If you decide to go the self-taught route, here are a few things to consider:
1. Money
Starting a business comes with expenses, whether you take a course or not. The difference is how you spend that money. DIY often means:
- Paying professionals by the hour for piecemeal support (legal, accounting, credentialing).
- Investing in tools and resources without knowing which are truly necessary.
- Losing income if delays or mistakes slow down your ability to see clients sooner.
A structured course may have an upfront cost, but it often bundles key information and tools to reduce unnecessary spending elsewhere.
2. Time
The biggest cost of DIY is often time—not just in setting things up but in second-guessing your choices.
- Researching business licenses, legal forms, and credentialing requirements takes hours.
- Trial and error can lead to wasted months (for example, applying incorrectly for insurance panels).
- Without a clear roadmap, overwhelm can lead to procrastination, delaying your ability to see clients and earn income.
A course, on the other hand, can provide a streamlined, step-by-step approach that helps you set up your practice faster.
3. Mental Energy
Starting a business is a learning curve. Doing it alone can feel isolating, especially when you hit roadblocks.
- The pressure to “get everything right” can be overwhelming.
- Without a structured plan, it’s easy to feel stuck or unsure what to do next.
- Decision fatigue can slow down progress, sometimes indefinitely.
A course or mentorship can offer clarity, reassurance, and a proven path forward, reducing stress and uncertainty.
So…Should You Invest in a Private Practice Course or Not?
There’s no single right answer. It depends on your priorities and resources.
- If you prefer to learn through trial and error, don’t mind spending extra time researching, and want to spread out costs, DIY may be the way to go.
- If you value efficiency, want a structured plan, and prefer to avoid common mistakes, a private practice course could be a worthwhile investment.
Regardless of the path you choose, the key is making an informed decision that aligns with your goals, budget, and timeline. There’s no shame in taking the long route—or in getting support to fast-track the process.
If you decide you’d like a structured roadmap to launching your practice, you can check out the Aligned Practice Blueprint Course: My step-by-step guide to setting up your practice the right way, with a focus on increasing your income and increasing your free time in a way that feels aligned and sustainable.
But whether you go DIY or take a guided approach, know that you’re capable of building a thriving private practice—in the way that works best for you! You’ve got this!
