Podcast (group): Play in new window | Download | Embed
What is the formula for transforming your practice into a collaborative network? Do you want to build a community in therapy? How can you embrace change and continue to adapt and thrive in the evolving mental health landscape?
In this podcast episode, Andrew Burdette speaks about structuring a collective group practice with Lisa Lovelace.
Podcast Sponsor: Therapy Notes
As a therapist, I can tell you from experience that having the right EHR is an absolute lifeline. I recommend using TherapyNotes. They make billing, scheduling, notetaking, telehealth, and E-prescribing incredibly easy. Best of all, they offer live telephone support that’s available 7 days a week.
You don’t have to take my word for it – Do your own research and see for yourself – TherapyNotes is the #1 highest-rated EHR system available today, with 4.9 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.com and on Google.
All you have to do is click the link below, or type promo code JOE on their website TherapyNotes., and receive a special 2-month trial, absolutely free.
If you’re coming from another EHR, TherapyNotes will import your demographic data quickly and easily at no cost, so you can get started right away.
Trust me, don’t waste any more of your time, and try TherapyNotes.
Meet Lisa Lovelace
Dr. Lisa Lovelace is the founder of Synergy eTherapy, an innovative online therapy practice that provides accessible mental health care across multiple states. As a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience, Dr. Lovelace specializes in anxiety, depression, stress management, and substance use disorders, offering compassionate, evidence-based support to clients through virtual sessions.
Her work has been featured in major media outlets, where she shares insights on mental wellness, entrepreneurship in therapy, and the future of digital mental health services.
Visit Synergy eTherapy and connect on LinkedIn.
In This Podcast
- The unique business structure of Synergy Therapy
- How to create a supportive culture
- Helping therapists transition to a business mindset
- Planning to unplug and take a vacation
- Dr. Lovelace’s advice to private practitioners
The unique business structure of Synergy Therapy
When Dr. Lovelace started her practice a few years ago, she did not have the financial bandwidth to provide her therapists with every service that they needed.
With my legal team at the time, because it was all remote, we came up with a marketing agreement, “I’m helping you with this and you’re going to help take up some overflow but it’s your business. You need to have your own business entity. You create your own fees, hours, and do your consults” … They pay me monthly for services and apps … And I pay them monthly a pretty good, high commission split … And it all goes underneath the umbrella of the marketing aspects that I [manage]. (Dr. Lisa Lovelace)
So, Dr. Lovelace provides her contractors now with services and platforms, and they handle their mini-practice with hours, fees, and clients. They pay her a fee for the use of her marketing efforts of their work, and she pays them a commission split for the clients they see.
How to create a supportive culture
Many practice owners sit on the fence between wanting contractors because they like how it functions, and employees to have a cohesive community of therapists working under the same umbrella practice.
In Dr. Lovelace’s case, she’s created something in between!
This [practice for my staff] has been the best of both worlds because they have the ability to work wherever they want, whether it’s at a university or doing other platforms or being in-person somewhere, there’s no limitation. And I think that is hard to create now. (Dr. Lisa Lovelace)
Lisa may not be making huge profits like other practice owners because the business model looks different, but for her values, this system works. She enjoys watching her staff succeed and being able to build them up however she can.
I feel like there [are] a lot of ways to think about it. So as long as you have the legal backing … I always try to encourage people not to limit themselves from what they think or what they have heard. What is it you want? (Dr. Lisa Lovelace)
Helping therapists transition to a business mindset
Due to Lisa’s practice structure, she helps her new therapists learn how they can manage their mini-practice under her collective’s wing.
I talk a lot about diagnosing somebody, charging a [credit] card, marketing … So it’s about helping them to understand to shift their narrative that … Now this [business] is [theirs]. (Dr. Lisa Lovelace)
Lisa understands the feelings of impostor syndrome, fear, or shame that can come up when someone is becoming their own boss for the first time. That is why she mentors and coaches her new hires to move through these challenges and quickly settle into their new roles.
Lisa also works with her therapists around burnout and teaches them when to restructure their work, take a step back, or ask for additional support.
Planning to unplug and take a vacation
Often the stress of not being available for the business is more about the business owner feeling too anxious to turn off their phones. At some point, and depending on your intention with the business, it needs to get to a point where it can survive without you for some time.
That is why you need to hire good employees whom to trust and who can continue the legacy of the practice even when you are not directly in the office.
Only me knows how to do certain things for certain people, so I … still don’t know how [to] do that! (Dr. Lisa Lovelace)
It is one of Lisa’s goals to get her business to a place where she can unplug for a week without needing to be available.
Dr. Lovelace’s advice to private practitioners
Trust your gut, do the thing! Try not to get indecision-paralysis. Get a mentor and someone who inspires you, and try to learn from them. Remember that you have so many choices and that you can cultivate that important muscle to execute these decisions.
Useful links mentioned in this episode:
BOOK | Dr. Lisa Lovelace – Bubble Breathing Adventures: Find Your Superpower
Visit Synergy eTherapy and connect on LinkedIn.
Check out these additional resources:
- Be Your Own Biller with Danielle Kepler | GP 264
- Practice of the Practice Network
- Group Practice Launch
- Group Practice Boss: www.practiceofthepractice.com/grouppracticeboss $149 a month
- PoP Group Practice Owners Facebook Group
- Free resources to help you start, grow, and scale
- Work with us
- Practice of the Practice Network
Meet Andrew Burdette
Andrew founded Mindful Counseling PLLC in Asheville, NC shortly after completing his graduate program in clinical mental health counseling. At the start of the pandemic, he pivoted to an online solo practice, and in 2022, began to grow a group practice. He most enjoys helping clients and colleagues identify what ignites their passions and assisting them in creating a life rooted in authenticity. Andrew approaches his business development with alignment in mind and enjoys the integration process connecting the many puzzle pieces and systems required to run a successful practice.
Visit Andrew’s website and Apply to work with him.
Email him at [email protected]
