Episodes

  • Regan Swerhun: Expanding Private Care to Northern Communities | Ep 185

    Regan Swerhun: Expanding Private Care to Northern Communities | Ep 185
    Jan 14 2026
    Have you ever felt a persistent pull toward work that feels more aligned with who you are, even when it means leaving something secure behind? Regan had the same feeling, and made the decision to lead a Canadian private practice with fellow colleagues that was built on their shared values. In this episode, Regan and I talk about her non-linear journey into therapy. We explore how she and her practice are finding creative ways to serve rural and Northern First Nations communities, and how she is thinking about safety and accessibility for virtual clients. We also dive into marketing with authenticity, building trust through your website and social media, and why community-building has been at the heart of her growth. Join in for the conversation! MEET REGAN At 26, Regan Swerhun left a stable community counselling job to follow her passion for trauma-focused work and build a private practice in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She now focuses on EMDR and trauma-informed therapy, offering both in-person and online sessions. Regan also provides counselling to youth in Northern First Nations communities and uses social media to make mental health conversations more real and accessible. Learn more about Regan on her private practice website, LinkedIn, and Psychology Today profiles. In this episode: Why Regan pursued a career in therapy Leaping into private practice Creative ways of offering safe spaces for therapy Marketing the private practice Why Regan pursued a career in therapy 'Honestly, therapy was not my first choice. It was kind of a roundabout life journey to get to where I am now.' - Regan Swerhun Though Regan began a degree in business, she decided to switch and focus on social work. While completing her Master's degree in Social Work, Regan began working in a hospital in Toronto. There, she quickly discovered that she enjoyed doing patient intake and hearing people's stories and their unique life experiences. This signaled to her that something lay beyond. Once moving back to Thunder Bay, she focused on clinical work at a not-for-profit. 'I got a good position at one of our not-for-profit organizations in town. So, I was with that company for three years, so really, as of recently - this Fall - made the transition, but in the time that I was with the community programs, I learned a lot.' - Regan Swerhun The same itch that Regan had while working in the hospital came back again when she worked at the organization and she craved to run her own private practice. Leaping into private practice Regan was asked by a colleague who had already been in private practice for a long time if she would be interested in working with him. However, due to some differences in provincial laws and regulations, she cannot co-own it. So, they split it up as leaders. 'It has made it feel like I'm immensely leading this group practice, but I have the support [from him] … because there is so much start-up.' - Regan Swerhun Creative ways of offering safe spaces for therapy Regan and her team's long-term goal is to serve rural communities that don't have easy access to therapy and its services. While Regan drives twice a month up to a northern, more rural community to see clients, she also is planning to offer more virtual services. 'Our ongoing plan is to connect with other community buildings in the areas and create a partnership … where someone can open up the door for them, someone can help to have the laptop ready … and then leave that space.' - Regan Swerhun Marketing the private practice Regan and her team have worked a lot on the practice website. One of their main goals was to really make an effort to show what their office space looks like, and feels like, to interested clients. 'The whole basis of our marketing strategy right now is just to build community. We're new, we're here, this is what we're about, and this is all of the inside that we can let you see through before you step into our world!' - Regan Swerhun Regan combines website and social media efforts to showcase the Canadian private practice and notes that it has now grown enough to also attract clients through word-of-mouth. If you need extra support for your marketing efforts, you can try applying to this grant! Connect with me: Instagram Website Resources mentioned and useful links: Dana Etherington: SEO Tips for a Thriving Canadian Private Practice | EP 184 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Create your website with WordPress! Learn more about Regan on her private practice website, LinkedIn, and Psychology Today profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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    25 mins
  • Dana Etherington: SEO Tips for a Thriving Canadian Private Practice | Ep 184

    Dana Etherington: SEO Tips for a Thriving Canadian Private Practice | Ep 184
    Jan 7 2026
    Have you ever found yourself loving the work of therapy, but feeling frustrated by systems that make it difficult for your clients to receive the help they need? Dana reached that crossroads and made a brave, intentional leap toward a practice that supports both her clinical values and her personal well-being. In this podcast episode, Dana and I talk about her path into psychotherapy, and what it looked like to slowly and thoughtfully transition from hospital work into full-time private practice. We also dive into learning SEO as a solo practitioner, using AI without losing your human voice, and why giving your practice time to grow organically can be a powerful choice. There's so much practical wisdom in this conversation, and I'm excited for you to listen in! MEET DANA Dana is an occupational therapist who practices psychotherapy and the owner of Cedar Tree Therapy, a private practice in Whitby, Ontario. With close to a decade of mental health experience, Dana sees individuals with anxiety, eating disorders, and OCD. Learn more about Dana on her private practice website and Psychology Today profile. In this episode: Dana's academic background and current practice Going from clinical work to private practice How Dana's private practice has evolved The therapist book club Researching marketing and SEO best practices Dana's advice for listeners Dana's academic background and current practice While Dana's private practice is situated in Whitby, Ontario, she completed her Master's degree in occupational therapy at McGill University in Montreal. 'I came back to Ontario after finishing my Master's, and in Ontario specifically … occupational therapists are one of the six regulated healthcare professionals that can practice controlled active psychotherapy. So, my practice is entirely psychotherapy, and my license type is that I just happen to be an occupational therapist.' - Dana Etherington Due to Ontario's regulatory laws, Dana can practice psychotherapy with an occupational therapy background. Remember to always check your province's regulations when planning your future Canadian private practice! The bridge between Dana's occupational therapy background and her current psychotherapy-focused practice is built on her appreciation for her clients. 'I loved spending the day getting to know people, and it felt like such an honor to hear people's stories. From then on, I knew that was how I wanted my career to go, and it feels so special to be trusted by clients to hear some really complicated and vulnerable parts of their lives.' - Dana Etherington Going from clinical work to private practice After graduating, Dana didn't immediately go into private practice. She first spent time working at a psychiatric hospital beforehand. 'I was working my nine-to-five at the psychiatric hospital, and then I started my private practice part-time. I'd see maybe four clients a week after I was done with my hours at the hospital.' - Dana Etherington Dana felt frustrated by the systemic barriers that made it difficult for people who needed support and help to find it, and that passion encouraged her to begin offering therapy in her own Ontario private practice. When Dana became a mother, she knew that she had to choose between working in the hospital and committing to her private practice. 'I knew I couldn't go on working both these jobs any longer. I was at this point where I had to make a choice: I either had to leave private practice behind or I had to jump in with both feet. So, I chose to jump in … And I have been full-time ever since 2023!' - Dana Etherington How Dana's private practice has evolved 'I think it's the best decision I've ever made. It allows me to be the therapist I want to be, and also the mother that I want to be, too. It offers me that flexibility, it allows me to have time and space to also take care of myself. I couldn't think of a better career choice for me.' - Dana Etherington Right now, Dana has an in-person office in downtown Brooklyn as well as sees clients online. In terms of staff, Dana currently has a contractor. She is open to expanding one day, but not right now. At this moment in time, she enjoys the time, space, and energy, and is giving the practice the chance to grow organically. The therapist book club As a way to create more community, Dana and some of her fellow therapy colleagues have decided to launch a local therapist's book club in one of the members' offices. They meet in person over an evening once a month, where they can discuss therapy, private practice-related work, and books that they are collectively reading about their work and specialties. Researching marketing and SEO best practices Since Dana is running her Canadian private practice, she threw herself into researching everything there is to know about SEO. Some of the tips she has for listeners are: Get clear on your niche Don't be afraid to commit to your niche ...
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    22 mins
  • Jillian Bagan: Growing a Queer-Informed Practice | Ep 183

    Jillian Bagan: Growing a Queer-Informed Practice | Ep 183
    Nov 26 2025

    We're revisiting episode 143: Jillian Bagan: Growing a Queer-Informed Practice. Their powerful reflections on growing a queer-informed practice continue to resonate, and we're excited to share this encore episode with both new and longtime listeners.

    You can find the show notes to the original episode here.

    Connect with me:

    Instagram

    Website

    Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:

    Jennifer Bonilla: Building a Culturally Responsive Private Practice | EP 182

    Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice

    Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice

    Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice

    Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free)

    Get some help and freebies on your website with WordPress!

    Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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    37 mins
  • Jennifer Bonilla: Building a Culturally Responsive Private Practice | Ep 182

    Jennifer Bonilla: Building a Culturally Responsive Private Practice | Ep 182
    Nov 19 2025
    Have you noticed gaps in your community where there are needs that require attention? Are you hearing the same or similar pains over and over in the lives of the people around you? This is what happened to Jennifer, and she took the initiative to provide services to those whom she saw needed them the most. In this episode, Jennifer and I discuss how she based her new, growing Canadian private practice on the values of cultural awareness, belonging, and identity, and how she is making the transition to solo practice financially stable. We also talk about blogs, working with AI, instilling balance, and why adaptability is an important gift that you should give yourself when working in this mental health field. There are many gems to share, so welcome our conversation! MEET JENNIFER Jennifer Bonilla is a Registered Psychotherapist and the founder of Therapy Across Seasons, serving adults and families online across Ontario. She specializes in helping clients understand how attachment and family dynamics shape their confidence, boundaries, and relationships. Guided by compassion and cultural awareness, Jennifer supports people in moving through life's seasons with greater clarity, connection, and resilience. Learn more about Jennifer on her practice website, Instagram, and LinkedIn profiles. In this episode: Why Jennifer decided to become a therapist Starting a private practice Centering Culture in Private Practice Financial prep to curb fear Marketing the practice Jennifer's advice for listeners Why Jennifer decided to become a therapist Jennifer started in the mental health field as a child and youth worker. While Jennifer enjoyed working with youth and children in Toronto, she saw gaps in care. Starting a private practice Jennifer appreciated the experience that she had working in other group practices, but she knew that she wanted to start her own practice because she wanted to lay her own foundation. Apart from wanting to ground her practice on a specific set of goals and values, Jennifer also wanted to live a professional life that had more flexibility to it. She wanted to create her own schedule, rather than follow one from someone or something else. Centering Culture in Private Practice Jennifer noticed that many of her clients kept having the same or similar issues around culture, identity, belonging, and self-assurance. These conversations kept coming up, and Jennifer noticed that at the core of some of her clients' anxieties were anxieties around cultural identity. Financial prep to curb fear Jennifer is working in phases. She still has a caseload in the other group private practice, and sees clients on the side in her new, growing private practice. She's slowly transitioning out of one and into the other as her income grows to make this change carefully and intentionally, without risking her income and livelihood. By taking it slowly, such as building up emergency savings, relying a little on contract work, and slowly transitioning into private practice, Jennifer can keep making her professional choices from a place of intentionality, not fear. Marketing the practice Jennifer is going full-tilt on marketing her solo practice. When she has the time - or makes the time - she writes blogs, vlogs, and networks to get her business off the ground. When it comes to writing blogs, Jennifer does use AI tools to help her with prompts, but is careful to keep her words her own. Furthermore, Jennifer is brainstorming about the possibility of hosting workshops from 2026 onwards. Jennifer's advice for listeners Take a seasonal perspective. Remember that things come and go, times change. What is sustainable overall? How can you adapt throughout the times? Connect with me: Instagram Website Resources mentioned and useful links: Encore: Affordable Ways to Start a Canadian Private Practice in 2025 | EP 181 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Create your website with WordPress! Learn more about Jennifer on her practice website, Instagram, and LinkedIn profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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    29 mins
  • Affordable Ways to Start a Canadian Private Practice in 2025 | Ep 181

    Affordable Ways to Start a Canadian Private Practice in 2025 | Ep 181
    Nov 12 2025

    We're bringing back Episode 157: Affordable Ways to Start a Canadian Private Practice in 2025 for an encore. Whether you missed it the first time or need a refresher, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you launch your practice without breaking the bank.

    You can find the show notes to the original episode here.

    Connect with me:

    Instagram

    Website

    Resources Mentioned and Useful Links:

    Leading with Authenticity in Private Practice: Year 9 | ep 180

    Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice

    Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice

    Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice

    Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free)

    Get some help and freebies on your website with WordPress!

    Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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    14 mins
  • Leading With Authenticity in Private Practice: Year 9 | Ep 180

    Leading With Authenticity in Private Practice: Year 9 | Ep 180
    Nov 5 2025
    This is a very special episode: my ninth annual yearly review! In this episode, I share insights into how my Canadian private practice has been going this year. Including the significant changes that have occurred, how their impacts landed, and where we are going from here … into Year 10 in 2026! Thank you to my listeners for being on this path alongside me. I'm so excited for another great year of episodes ahead! Onwards and upwards! In this episode: Direct billing has been great Success with lowered prices Monthly land tax donations My transition Here's to year 10! Direct billing has been great As you may have heard, from year eight we implemented direct billing and that has continued to be an asset. If you are interested in learning more about the process of including direct billing and how I did it, you can listen to this podcast episode. Or, if you're sitting on the fence and still deciding whether or not you want to use direct billing, and some more information could be useful to you, you can listen to this episode. Success with lowered prices Last year we decided to lower our rates and haven't looked back! If you want some more information and guidance on lowering or raising your rates, check out this episode I did discussing this exact topic. Monthly land tax donations The third change we've been implementing since the middle of this year has been donating monthly to the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Again, if you are interested in doing the same or you want to learn more, you can listen to this episode. My transition If you're a long-time listener (hello!) you may have heard the episode on my personal big change which happened in the middle of last spring, where I shared the personal story of my transition. In episode 163 I talk about coming out as trans nonbinary, and why I decided to share this news on this platform, and with my audience. In fact, when this episode airs and you are listening to it, I'll be healing from top surgery! 'I am so excited for this next part of my journey. I feel so lucky that I am able to get top surgery, I just can't wait for it to happen.' - Jules Smith However, while this change has been profound and important, my biggest fear about transitioning in an established private practice was realized: my client intake dropped significantly. It can take time to build trust and I think it may be due to the inconsistencies in branding as I redo my professional photos and video. As this episode airs, my private practice website should be finished with my updates! Luckily my associate's intakes have remained steady, and my current client caseload has sustained itself, but I won't lie that it was stressful initially when the dip happened. 'I forgot a bit about how difficult it is when you are starting a private practice, and how stressful it can be to brand yourself. So, I have a renewed sense of respect for all the Canadian therapists out there that have decided to go into private practice! It can be stressful, but I'm here with you, and we'll get through it together!' - Jules Smith Here's to year 10! There will be another year of the Fearless Practice Podcast thanks to Jane App! I truly enjoy working with them and love using their EMR :) Additionally, Jane App decided to upgrade the promo code so that you can now have a two-month grace period when you sign up! The new code is: FEARLESS2MO. Thank you so much to my podcast team and lastly, thank you to my audience. Here's to another year of podcasting together! Connect with me: Instagram Website Resources mentioned and useful links: Ep 179: Grace Kim: How Therapy Sparked a Private Practice | EP 179 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get some help and freebies on your website with WordPress! Check out my private practice Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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    12 mins
  • Grace Kim: How Therapy Sparked a Private Practice | Ep 179

    Grace Kim: How Therapy Sparked a Private Practice | Ep 179
    Oct 29 2025
    Have you ever had a therapy experience so powerful that it clarified exactly how you want to help others? Has a specific modality inspired your niche in private practice? That's exactly what happened to Grace Kim, whose experience shaped her path as a Canadian private practice therapist. Once she experienced EMDR therapy, Grace changed her career path, and the journey that she's taken has been nothing short of exciting and fulfilling. MEET GRACE Grace Kim, MSW, RSW, is the founder of REM Therapy Services, a small and growing group practice based in Markham, ON. The practice specializes in EMDR therapy, supporting high-achieving yet heavy-hearted individuals, as well as those who feel stuck in the past. REM Therapy Services offers EMDR intensives for clients seeking faster relief in therapy, along with clinical consultations for trauma therapists learning the EMDR modality. With a vision to grow as expert providers and educators of EMDR, REM Therapy Services is committed to serving both the local community and beyond. Learn more about Grace on her practice website, Psychology Today, and Instagram profiles. In this episode: How Grace became a therapist Taking off the golden handcuffs Going from client to therapist Building up a solo private practice Grace's advice to listeners How Grace became a therapist As Grace explains, her journey to becoming a therapist and running a group private practice in Canada today has been a winding road. While she started grad school with a certain plan in mind, by her graduation, the plan had changed. At first, after graduation, she worked in child welfare, community mental health, and in some hospitals. Taking off the golden handcuffs Grace joined this group private practice in 2018, six years after she graduated. It was a scary transition for her at first, going from a secure, salary job to a billable hours-based income. At that time, however, Grace was newly married and living in a home with her partner where they enjoyed dual income streams, so the risk of going into a financial red zone, so to speak, was low. Going from client to therapist In 2018 and early 2019, EMDR therapy entered into Grace's professional picture, which changed her path and steered her more towards the idea of opening up her own Canadian private practice after she had a strong personal experience with it. After Grace first experienced EMDR therapy, it sparked her interest in offering it as a modality herself as a therapist for other clients. She started practicing it, saw great results, and got strong, positive feedback: all of which encouraged her to nurture her own small side private practice while still working for the other, larger group practice. Building up a solo private practice Grace's milestone and goal to quit working in the other group practice and go full-time on her own was when she had 10 clients per week. That was what she was working towards, and once she hit that goal - and she did - she made the jump. Now, Grace has recently hired her first associate and is developing her solo practice into a group practice! Grace's advice to listeners Networking is your friend! You can be a wonderful, highly skilled clinician, but you need to get your name and your practice's name out there. Connect with other brilliant therapists to plug into the referral and sharing network. The more we support each other, the more clients get seen, the more good work gets done, and the more we all change our communities for the better. Connect with me: Instagram Website Resources mentioned and useful links: Alexina Picard: Starting a Private Practice After Graduation | EP 178 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free) Get some help and freebies on your website with WordPress! Learn more about Grace on her practice website, Psychology Today, and Instagram profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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    37 mins
  • Alexina Picard: Starting a Private Practice After Graduation | Ep 178

    Alexina Picard: Starting a Private Practice After Graduation | Ep 178
    Oct 22 2025
    Third time's the charm sometimes, and it was the case for Alexina! She had to be persistent and resilient, and was able to find a way through financial troubles to finish her Master's degree and start her own solo Canadian private practice. In this podcast episode, we discuss why she chose to go solo rather than join an already-existing group practice and how she got to where she is today. If you'd like some tips, advice, or just a good story of resilience from a fellow therapist, give this episode a listen! MEET ALEXINA Alexina is a Registered Clinical Counsellor practicing in North Vancouver, BC. She opened her solo private practice 4 months ago, immediately upon registration with the BCACC, something she had never imagined she would do. Alexina has over 10 years of healthcare and mental health experience, from pharmacy assistant to the past Executive Director of the BC Psychological Association. When she's not working, she's either watching TV or running the trails on the North Shore. Learn more about Alexina on her practice website, LinkedIn, and Psychology Today profiles. In this episode: Becoming a therapist Why go back to school after working? Going into solo private practice How the practice is going Alexina's advice to private practitioners Becoming a therapist Alexina's route to working as a therapist was roundabout. Alexina applied to Yorkville and got in, but couldn't afford the tuition because she was accepted on such short notice, and didn't have enough time to sort out student loans and payment plans. She was then suggested to try out Adler University, and that route worked! Alexina was the Executive Director of BC Psychological Association for two of the four years that she worked there, and it provided her with the financial means to go back and complete her Master's degree. Why go back to school after working? While Alexina enjoyed working as the Executive Director of the BC Psychological Association, she kept her eye on the prize of completing her Master's degree, and this was partially due to being motivated by the people around her. Working allowed her the financial freedom to continue with her studies, and the motivation from her colleagues pushed her to return to school and complete her qualification. Going into solo private practice From Alexina's work, she knew about the different options that were available to her. She applied to organization jobs, but didn't hear back and decided to try reaching out to group practices. However, she ultimately decided not to go with a position in an already-established group practice. Therefore, Alexina turned towards starting her own Canadian private practice, because she began to think more deeply about the benefits of solo practice. How the practice is going Right now, Alexina's practice is getting off the ground slowly. 'It's really difficult when you're a new practitioner of any kind in the community for people to find out that you exist, unless you're working with an existing practice or clinic somewhere.' - Alexina Picard Alexina's been working hard to get her practice's name out there, but she has learned that these things simply take time, no matter how hard you work, and she's gotten okay with that. Alexina's advice to private practitioners Learn as much as you can yourself. If you need to, consider putting your money to use by hiring a few professionals to set things up instead of spending money trying to do it yourself. Connect with me: Instagram Website Resources mentioned and useful links: Alison Chisholm: Building More Than a Private Practice | EP 177 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free) Get some help and freebies on your website with WordPress! Learn more about Alexina on her practice website, LinkedIn, and Psychology Today profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn
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    30 mins