When I decided to set up in private practice in 2021, I felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. The idea of working for myself had been a long-standing goal - to have more autonomy, flexibility, and the chance to create my own therapeutic space. But as the reality set in, I quickly realised how much there was to think about beyond simply offering sessions to clients.

 

There were so many questions racing through my mind, like:

 

• What will I name my practice?

• How much should I charge for sessions?

• Should I operate as a sole trader or set up a limited company?

• Where will I advertise or market my counselling service?

• How do I securely store client records and session notes?

 

And that was just the start.

 

Getting Clear on the Practical Stuff

One of the first hurdles I had to overcome was understanding the different business structures available. I seriously considered setting up as a limited company, but after doing some research and weighing up the pros and cons, registering as a sole trader felt like the more appropriate choice for me. It was also the simplest way to get started - with fewer admin requirements and less paperwork to manage in those early days. But I still had to open a separate business bank account, register with HMRC, and think carefully about how I would track my income and expenses.

 

I’d definitely recommend speaking to an accountant early on, even if just for an initial consultation. It gave me peace of mind and helped me avoid costly mistakes down the line.

 

The Legal and Ethical Foundations

As a counsellor, I’m used to thinking in terms of ethical frameworks, but starting a business meant getting to grips with the legal side too. I needed to make sure I had the right insurance (professional indemnity and public liability), a GDPR-compliant privacy policy, and secure systems for storing client notes and managing communications.

 

In the beginning, I tried using a few practice management systems, but I found many of them to be clunky, overly complex, or just far too expensive for what they offered. That frustration was one of the driving forces behind creating Practfull - something simpler, more intuitive, and built with real therapists in mind. I’ve been using Practfull myself every weekday for the past 18 months, and it’s made the day-to-day running of my private practice feel so much more streamlined and manageable.

 

Finding Clients and Being Found

Marketing felt like a bit of a mystery at first, but I quickly realised how important it was to have a well-written website - one that clearly communicates my therapeutic approach and the types of presenting issues I work with.

 

I also signed up to a few professional counselling directories, and over time, I found that most of my clients came through a combination of word-of-mouth, my Psychology Today profile, and a few local listings.

 

Social media can be a useful tool too, as long as it feels authentic. I focused on showing up in a way that aligns with my values, rather than trying to ‘sell’ myself - and that’s made the process feel much more natural.

 

Setting Fees (and Getting Comfortable Talking About Them)

Pricing was another area I agonised over. I worried about charging too much - or too little. Eventually, I settled on a rate that reflected my experience, training, and local market - but also allowed me to sustain my work and take care of myself.

 

What helped was remembering that therapy is valuable. If I couldn’t afford to keep practising because my fees were too low, I wouldn’t be able to help anyone at all.

 

I also introduced a cancellation policy from the very beginning, and while it felt awkward to enforce at first, I now see it as an essential part of maintaining clear boundaries and upholding the therapeutic frame, valuing the work for both myself and my clients.

 

You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out

Looking back, I realise that no amount of research could have fully prepared me for the experience of working in private practice, but having support made a huge difference. I spoke with other counsellors who had made the transition, and that connection and reassurance kept me going when I doubted myself.

 

If you’re considering taking the leap, my advice is: don’t wait until everything is perfect. Start where you are, ask questions, and allow yourself to learn as you go.

 

Your practice doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. It just needs to work for you and the clients you’re here to help.