1st Edition

A Therapist’s Guide to Private Practice Building a Values-based Business

By Sarah Rees Copyright 2025
    216 Pages 29 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    216 Pages 29 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    This book is a comprehensive guide to setting up, running and growing a successful private therapy practice that resonates with your values and professional goals.

    Guiding you through every detail, from making the initial decision to set up your own private therapy practice to scaling your practice, this guide will support you in overcoming the common challenges you may encounter. It is filled with practical exercises, templates and checklists, including business planning actions at the end of each chapter so you can craft your first business plan. Ensuring you have a solid foundation and can shape a private therapy practice that meets your financial and personal needs while reflecting the passion that led you to your profession.

    A motivational and inspiring read for therapists, psychotherapists, coaches, and counselors. Get ready to turn your dream into reality and create something profoundly impactful and uniquely yours.

     

    Acknowledgments

    Foreword by

    Dr. Mary Welford

    Introduction

    1.Is It Time To Start Your Private Practice?

    Sarah D. Rees

    2. Your Next Key Decisions

    Sarah D. Rees

    3. Money Matters

    Sarah D. Rees

    4. Building a Caseload

    Sarah D. Rees

    5. Marketing Your Practice

    Sarah D. Rees

    6 . Creating a Website

    Sophie A. Wood

    7. Data Protection

    Sophie A. Wood

    8. Getting Ready for Therapy Sessions

    Sarah D. Rees

    9. Risk in Private Practice

    Sarah D. Rees

    10. Self-Care for Therapists

    Sarah D. Rees

    11.How to Scale Your Practice

    Sarah D. Rees

    Biography

    Sarah D. Rees, is a CBT Therapist with a successful private practice in Cheshire. She founded the popular Substack community, ‘Therapists Corner,’ which has supported thousands of therapists to set up and grow their private practice. She is passionate about high-quality, diverse mental health provision being developed in a way that is valued and accessible.

    'This book is a guide to both setting up a practice and cultivating a personal and professional life that is both rewarding and sustainable. It offers insights, pragmatic advice and essential knowledge whilst encouraging you to shape your own ideas via reflective exercises so you can develop a practice that’s the right fit for you and your clients. A practice that is consistent with your values and ethics and puts wellbeing, both your own and other people's, at its core. With this book as your guide, you will be well-equipped to create a private practice that resonates with your values, nurtures your wellbeing and fulfils your professional aspirations.'

    Dr Mary Welford, Consultant Clinical Psychologist.

     

    'Many therapists aspire to set up in private practice yet struggle with where to begin. Written by someone who has been there, done it, and got the T-shirt, this book has you covered. Practical, accessible and personable.'

    Jason Roscoe, CBT Therapist, Trainer, and Supervisor in Private Practice

     

    'This is a refreshing and delightful book on private practice by CBT therapist Sarah Rees (with contributions from Sophie Wood). It provides the much needed ‘bog standard’ information for those looking to set up in private practice - finance and tax; marketing and branding, as well as providing a clear and empathic understanding of some of the challenges a therapist may face, such as, moving from full employment to private practice. What I most like about this book is how accessible it is. The chapters feature advised-based content, which includes accurate step-by-step instructions on creating a website, as well as useful exercises aimed at helping the reader make clear decisions, in their goal to establish a values-based practice. Sarah and I share an interest in the power of community-based support for private practitioners, and it is a pleasure to recommend this book.'

    Caz Binstead, is an integrative therapist, and specialist in private practice. She was the divisional lead (and architect) of the BACP Private practice toolkit, is a published writer (and author), and, co-lead of #TherapistsConnect.

    'A timely and warmly written book that will be useful for counselling and psychotherapy students, educators, and supervisors working with supervisees in private practice. Sarah shares the valuable lessons she has learnt whilst working in private practice throughout the book in the hope that the reader can navigate a smoother path.'

    Elaine Beaumont, Lecturer and Psychotherapist at School of Health & Society, University of Salford.

     

    'This is the book I wish I'd had when I began my private practice; but it's also the book I'm excited to finally have, 10 years later! Answering all the common 'what if' questions that therapists consistently raise regarding independent work, and providing lots of practical advice and reassurance, this is a must-have for any therapists practicing, or considering practicing, within the private sphere. Not only will it help you to establish and build an effective and successful therapy practice, it will also encourage you to consider how to do this in a way that aligns with your values and satisfies you both financially and professionally.'

    Dr Hannah Wilson, Clinical Psychologist