Private Practice Elevation With Daniel Fava

In this episode of the Private Practice Elevation podcast, host Daniel Fava welcomes David Sturgess, a seasoned mental health professional and business consultant, to discuss the pivotal shifts required when transitioning from therapist to business owner.  The journey from being an agency therapist or employee to becoming a business owner of your private practice is filled with unique challenges and opportunities.    For therapists considering this path, understanding the nuances of business, the value of time and money, and the intricacies of marketing can be the difference between thriving and merely surviving.   David Sturgess has a compelling background in mental health, with over 16 years of experience in the field. His journey began as a 911 operator and first responder, which unfolded into a strong interest in psychology and led his current career.    David worked for several years in youth residential treatment facilities and transitioned into private practice six years ago as a result of desiring to

In this episode of the Private Practice Elevation podcast, host Daniel Fava interviews special guest Steve Cuffari, a marriage and family therapist and current client of Private Practice Elevation about his experience investing in SEO for his private practice.   Daniel and the Private Practice Elevation team have been helping Steve expand his practice’s visibility through SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for about two years now.    Steve shares his journey of transitioning from working at an organization to starting his own private practice - without taking insurance from the get-go.    He discusses the importance of investing in a website and SEO to attract clients and shares valuable insights on honing your message, tracking numbers, and staying competitive.    Steve's story is a testament to the power of facing fears and investing in yourself to achieve success in private practice.    Tune in to learn from his experiences and gain valuable tips for your own practice. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: What l

Work-life balance is a myth! But rhythms of life and the changing of seasons are something that we can all embrace. In this episode, I sit down with Amy Dover, a seasoned therapist and successful group practice owner.  Amy has an inspiring story of transitioning from various practice settings to building her own flourishing group practice in Enterprise, Alabama. Throughout our conversation, Amy opens up about the rapid growth of her practice and the different seasons she's experienced as an entrepreneur.  We dive into the challenges of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and why Amy prefers to think in terms of finding a rhythm rather than balance. Because, honestly, balance never comes and only creates frustration.  She shares her insights on how to adapt to the changing demands of personal life and business, providing valuable advice for anyone looking to grow their practice while staying grounded. Key Takeaways Rethinking Balance: Amy encourages us to move away from the rigid idea of work-life balanc

In this episode of The Private Practice Elevation Podcast, Daniel Fava and Dr. Joshua Rosenthal dive deep into the transformative journey from solo practice to a thriving group enterprise.    Dr. Rosenthal shares his pearls of wisdom on leadership, emphasizing the importance of clarity in your professional and personal goals. He advocates for creating roles that align with your passions and strengths, a strategy that has proven successful for both him and his team.   Discover how Dr. Rosenthal navigated the complexities of scaling a business, from the inception of the Big Apple Day program—a summer camp for children ages 6-12 with developmental, social and/or learning difficulties.—to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and reflection within his team of over 300.    He candidly discusses the challenges of retention and the financial balancing act required to sustain growth.   Dr. Rosenthal also unveils his evolved leadership approach, where he focuses on growth and empowering a core leadership team,

In this conversation with Steve Bisson, you’ll learn all about mentorship - both giving and receiving - within private practice.  Steve discusses both his personal experience and the broader implications of mentorship in the professional development of therapists and mental health workers.  The episode delves into the core facets of finding and offering guidance in an often complex and challenging career path. Throughout the episode, we unpack the nuanced differences between mentorship and other forms of professional development tools such as business coaching, as well as the organic nature of establishing pivotal mentoring relationships.  The discussion emphasizes the importance of authenticity and trust in these relationships, illustrating how mentorship can significantly influence personal growth and career progression.  The episode is filled with anecdotes and strategic advice, inviting both new practitioners and experienced professionals to consider the impact of mentorship on their journey through the m

In this special episode of the Private Practice Elevation Podcast, Liz Fava, wife of host Daniel Fava, flips the tables around and interviews Daniel. If you’ve listened to this podcast for some time, you’ve likely gotten a small glimpse into Daniel’s life and Private Practice Elevation.  But have you ever wondered how this all got started? What was Daniel doing prior to helping therapists level up their private practices? What did it look like in 2016 when Daniel took a leap of faith and started his business?  What does the PPE team look like now and what services do they offer and why? What does the future look like for PPE? And, of course, what are some of Daniel’s favorites? Such as food, drink, books, etc. In a candid conversation with his wife Liz Fava on his podcast, Daniel Fava, the founder of Private Practice Elevation, opens up about the origins of his online marketing agency, the services it offers, and his journey through entrepreneurship and life.  Daniel also reveals his favorite aspects of his r

In this episode of the Private Practice Elevation podcast, host Daniel Fava dives deep into the significance of establishing core values for your private practice.    Crafting core values goes beyond traditional marketing—these guiding principles shape the culture, decision-making, and strategic direction of your therapy practice.   After sharing about what core values are, Daniel transitions into a solo discussion on the essence of core values and their profound impact on business operations.    He delves into the purpose of having core values, including aligning your team's actions, enhancing company culture, and influencing how you serve clients.    Through three main tips, Daniel illuminates the process of creating actionable and meaningful core values.    In the candid sharing of Private Practice Elevation's own set of core values, you’ll gain insights not only into building your own values but also into the ethos that guides Daniel's successful team at PPE.   Tune in to the full episode for a dive into

In this episode of the Private Practice Elevation podcast, host Daniel Fava interviews Brent Stutzman on how to position yourself as the number one trusted therapy practice in your area.    With around seven years of experience, Brent ventured into the marketing realm when his wife, a therapist, decided to start her own private practice.    His journey began with branding and marketing, which he mastered through self-learning due to budget constraints. He successfully launched 'Kid Matters Counseling' with his wife, achieving a waiting list status before its onset.    Eventually, Brent expanded his expertise to help other therapists establish and grow their practices, learning the critical importance of positioning as a trusted authority in the market. He also has launched TheraSaas, a powerful CRM for private practices.   His work is significantly impacted by the StoryBrand framework, which he has adeptly applied to launch over twelve practices across the country. As a certified Storybrand Guide, Brent empha

In this episode of the Private Practice Elevation podcast, host Daniel Fava sits down with Shannon Heers to discuss the topic of cultivating clinical confidence in private practice.    This conversation offers an in-depth look into the struggles that therapists often face, including impostor syndrome and the feeling of isolation when stepping out into the entrepreneurial world of private practice.    Together, they unpack strategies for growing confidence as a clinician, providing high-quality service to clients, and finding the necessary support systems.   Shannon Heers shares insights from her extensive experience in the realm of clinical supervision, highlighting the common issue of impostor syndrome among private practice therapists and the importance of developing a solid theoretical framework to guide interventions.    She emphasizes the value of connecting with others to overcome feelings of being overwhelmed or isolated within the practice.    With practical tips and relatable anecdotes, this episode

The digital age has opened up a plethora of opportunities for private practice owners to expand their reach and refine their marketing strategies.    Yet, with an overwhelming array of tools and resources available, deciphering which ones truly bolster one’s online presence can be a daunting task.    So, in this episode of the Private Practice Elevation podcast, we shed light on the most effective platforms and strategies for private practice marketing—straight from an agency that uses them.   We’ll dive deep into the treasure trove of tools and platforms that can significantly ease the journey of building a private practice website and mastering online marketing.    These insights are not just mere tips but are used by the Private Practice Elevation team to optimize and streamline processes both internally and for clients.    From website-building basics to advanced SEO tactics, we’ll outline the comprehensive lineup of resources that power successful online presences for private practices.    Whether it's W

In this episode of The Private Practice Elevation Podcast, Daniel Fava had a conversation with Jane Carter, a therapist and business coach for solopreneurs.    The episode focused on the importance of bringing fun and self-compassion into the process of building a business.    While building a business can be hard and challenging, finding ways to make it fun is essential to avoid burnout and maintain motivation.    Throughout the conversation, Jane and Daniel discussed the significance of self-awareness, reframing negative thoughts, and seeking support from others in navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.    The themes discussed in this conversation provide valuable insights and strategies for entrepreneurs to build successful businesses while maintaining their well-being and sense of self.  Key Takeaways:   Building a business should be fun, as it helps solopreneurs avoid burnout and stay motivated. Storytelling is an effective marketing strategy that can make business more engaging and enjoya

In this episode of the Private Practice Elevation podcast, host Daniel Fava sits down with Joshua Brummel, co-founder of Therapy Flow, to delve into the intricacies of using paid ads to elevate private practices.   The conversation kicks off with a glimpse into Joshua's background and how Therapy Flow evolved from a marketing agency into a specialized service for therapists. The company now offers a "done for you" practice development program that focuses on implementing digital strategies like Google Ads and Facebook ads, along with a HIPAA-compliant CRM system.   Their discussion covers crucial elements for success in paid advertising, emphasizing the importance of a website that converts traffic effectively.    They highlight the need for clear tracking mechanisms to gauge the return on investment (ROI) from ads. Joshua stresses the significance of having a solid sales process in place before diving into paid advertising to ensure that potential client inquiries translate into actual conversions.   The con

Introduction   In the world of SEO (Search Engine Optimization), text-based content often takes center stage.    Those who have done any work on their website’s SEO, you likely have spent a significant effort in crafting compelling articles, adding content to your pages, and optimizing keywords.    However, in the pursuit of improving website rankings, one vital element is often overlooked—images.    In this episode of The Private Practice Elevation Podcast, we'll explore the importance of optimizing images for SEO and provide you with tips and tricks to ensure your visual content doesn't go unnoticed by search engines.   Why Image Optimization Matters for SEO Enhanced User Experience: High-quality, well-optimized images can significantly enhance the user experience on your website. Fast-loading pages with attractive visuals keep visitors engaged and reduce bounce rates, which are crucial ranking factors for search engines. Ranking in Google Images: Google Images is a popular search engine in its own righ

 In this episode of The Private Practice Elevation Podcast, we delve into the inspiring story of Soribel Martinez, a licensed clinical social worker and CEO of SM Psychotherapy and Counseling Services.    Soribel shares her journey of overcoming adversity, including a life-threatening health condition, and how she used these experiences to build an unbreakable life and business.    Through her personal story and professional expertise, Soribel provides valuable insights and strategies for aligning purpose, mindset, marketing and hiring to create a resilient and successful business.   Soribel Martinez's story is one of resilience and determination. Born in the Dominican Republic, Soribel faced the challenges of immigration and the loss of her cultural identity at a young age. However, her journey took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with two brain aneurysms.    This life-altering event forced Soribel to confront her mortality and reevaluate her purpose in life.   Soribel's journey towards building an

A quick podcast episode where I share a little behind-the-scenes of 2023 at Private Practice Elevation.  

In this episode of the Private Practice Elevation Podcast, we are delving deep into the art of crafting an effective and high-converting contact page for your private practice website.    Your private practice website is more than just an online presence or an online business card. It is your gateway to connecting with clients, helping them find the support they need, and ultimately growing your private practice.    At the heart of this journey lies your contact page, a crucial element in the conversion process on your website.    Your contact page is where visitors take that crucial step of reaching out and booking appointments or learning more about your practice.    It is not just about design; it is about creating a seamless, inviting experience that encourages visitors to take action.    In this episode, Daniel Fava explores ten tips to help you create a seamless and inviting contact page that encourages visitors to take that crucial step of reaching out and booking appointments or learning more about yo

Psychology Today is a powerful marketing tool that many therapists and private practices rely on to attract clients, especially in the early stages of growing a practice.   However, not everyone knows how to utilize this platform to its full potential effectively.    In this episode of The Private Practice Elevation Podcast, we will delve into the insights shared by Omar Ruiz, a therapist and business coach, on maximizing your Psychology Today profile.    By following his tips and strategies, therapists can improve their online presence and generate more client referrals. What You’ll Learn About Maximizing Your Psychology Today Profile: Omar’s private practice journey and the ups and downs that led him to become an expert in using Psychology Today to get clients The difference between browsers and buyers on Psychology Today Tips for optimizing the profile picture and first four lines on Psychology Today The importance of evoking emotion and offering hope in the profile description Providing concrete

In this episode of The Private Practice Elevation Podcast, we’re going to dive deep into what therapists need to know about using AI for writing their marketing material.   Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a prominent tool in various industries, including marketing. AI writing generators have gained popularity, offering a solution for those who struggle with writing or need content quickly.    AI has simply changed content creation forever. The amount of time AI can save you as you create content, such as articles for your website and social media posts, is amazing. And it can be really tempting to outsource all your marketing copywriting to this powerful new tool.   But before you hand the keys over to ChatGPT or other tools, it’s important to understand the limitations and the ethics of using AI.   My conversation with Rebekah Hudson, a freelance marketing professional in the mental health industry, discusses the ethical concerns and limitations of using AI writing in marketing for therapists.    She

In this episode of The Private Practice Elevation Podcast, we will explore the journey of Chris McDonald, a licensed therapist and holistic practitioner, as she built her private practice.    We will delve into the challenges she faced, the strategies she employed, and the impact of integrating holistic modalities into her therapy work with clients.   Chris embarked on a journey to build a holistic therapy practice after leaving her job as a school counselor. With a passion for holistic modalities and a desire to integrate them into her practice, Chris set out to build a private practice that would cater to clients seeking a different approach to therapy, as well as fulfilling her own passions.   Listen to her journey about how she created a practice that was authentic to her and the strategies she uses to market her holistic therapy practice. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How networking and consultation groups can provide a stream of referrals in your holistic therapy practice How incorporating holistic

In this episode of The Private Practice Elevation Podcast, EMDR therapist and consultant Christy Pearl delves into the impact of childhood emotional patterns on our professional lives.    She emphasizes that most people have experienced some form of insecure attachment or emotional abandonment in their early family life, which can influence decision-making and the way we show up in our careers.    Christy explains that these patterns can manifest in various ways, such as struggling with boundaries, handling money, and feeling reactive rather than responsive in professional settings.    She highlights the importance of doing our own healing work and cultivating self-compassion and curiosity to overcome these patterns.    Christy also emphasizes the role of the body in healing and suggests that accessing our unconscious material is crucial for aligning our thinking brain with our emotional and physical memory.   If you’re feeling stuck, under-confident as a leader, or you’ve seen how certain situations trigger