Trusting the Jump: What I Learned Leaving the Safety of an Agency Job

Taking Your Steps Towards the Therapist’s Leap: My Journey from Agency Burnout to Blissful Private Practice

This is a candid guide for therapists ready to take control of their practice, income, and energy — without losing themselves in the process. Because YOU matter.

If you’ve ever dreamed of running your own private practice but felt overwhelmed by where to start — this is for you! I have been practicing therapy for a handful of years, working with various populations in both non-profit and for-profit agencies.

Becoming a therapist is one of the most rewarding paths imaginable. But let’s be honest, graduate school doesn’t prepare you for the real-world transition. Plus, they certainly don’t prepare you for running your own business, managing taxes, or handling the logistics of private practice.

From Internship to Independence: Why I Left Agency Life

Graduate programs give us theory, but internship is where we truly learn to be therapists. It’s where you discover your strengths, develop confidence, and begin to understand the weight of holding space for others.

Working at an agency can be an incredible experience. I loved mine for so many reasons — the supervision, consistent income, community support, and opportunities to grow. It’s where I discovered my ideal clients and my true therapeutic passions.

But agency work also teaches you something else: your limits. It challenges you to face your boundaries, manage countertransference by practicing what you preach, and protect your own mental health.

Once you’ve found your rhythm — once you know what kind of therapist you are and what kind of life you want — you might start to feel that quiet tug toward independence.

The Turning Point

For me, the turning point was realizing how much of my income was being taken off the top... sometimes nearly half. I wanted more control: over my schedule, my clients, and my time.

I am blunt, honest, and not afraid to admit I was terrified to leave the security of a W2 job with insurance and built-in support. But when my own insurance stopped meeting my needs and the numbers no longer made sense, I knew it was time; I had outgrown my shell, so to speak. So, I jumped into private practice.

What the Transition Looked Like

I resigned in May and immediately applied to everything I could, such as Alma, Headway, and Zocdoc. I completed onboarding with them all in just a week and was credentialed in a month to start seeing insurance clients.

I started seeing clients the same day my resignation took effect. Two weeks later, I received my first private practice paycheck — and within one month, I had a full caseload.

Five months in, I transitioned from an LLC to an S-Corp because I was making more than expected. I now see half the number of clients I used to and make double the income. My days feel lighter, my clients are better aligned with my scope and energy, and I finally have time to breathe. It is possible!

Tools That Made It Possible

What truly made my transition sustainable was cutting back anything unnecessary. For me, Headway and Psychology Today was the winning combo. I used Headway to get credentialed with insurance for free but stayed because they offer telehealth, handle my billing, client communications/assessments, and gave me a complimentary three-month Psychology Today membership to fill my caseload. It’s simple yet streamlined, efficient, and therapist-centered. It may not have all the bells and whistles, but it works for me, especially starting out. Little risk, high reward.

To summarize, I didn’t find much traction with Zocdoc (only one client in two months), and I eventually closed my Alma account since I wasn’t ready to pay for a full EMR system (and my trial was up!). I recently joined Berries AI for note-taking, report generation, and sending session recaps to clients. I found that these two together are still cheaper than most EMRs.

I also make it a point to attend some of the free therapy conferences. They’re a great way to mingle, connect with other providers, and expand your referral network. You’d be amazed how many therapists have clients whose family members or friends could benefit from a referral — and this helps avoid any therapeutic complications.

These conferences have been inspiring to attend, and many providers, offices, and platforms love to collaborate with fellow therapists.

Open your mind — the opportunities are all around you! Drop some business cards at local coffee shops, nail salons, or anywhere your ideal clients might be. Think: where are my clients spending time when not in my office?

Pricing and Growth

Pricing services was challenging at first. How do you put a number on the worth of helping someone in need? Or the cost of your bandwidth? I had to learn through trial and error, and that’s okay — you will too.

I started out with insurance only, earning less than $100 an hour until I matched the income I had before leaving my agency. With each client who completed therapy, I used it as an opportunity to reevaluate my needs and rates.

Over time, I transitioned to what’s considered the local expectation for LMFTs in Arizona — typically $120–$175 per individual session. This can absolutely be flexible as needed and should reflect your training. If you’re getting profile views but not bookings, try adjusting your rate a few dollars. I’ll warn you — pricing too low can sometimes lead to more no-shows or clients who aren’t fully invested.

Since starting my private practice, I’ve had zero no-shows, and I truly believe part of that comes from valuing my work and setting fees that reflect that.

Keep in mind that each season brings new clients, new rhythms, and new opportunities to adjust your availability, pricing, or focus. Your practice can evolve alongside you.

Reflection Questions for Therapists

• Who is my ideal client, and what qualities make them feel most aligned with me?

• What topics or issues do I feel most energized talking about in sessions?

• Which client moments feel most rewarding or fulfilling for me right now?

• What boundaries do I need in place to protect my energy and passion for this work?

• How do I want my schedule, income, and lifestyle to feel a year from now?

• What adjustments might this new season invite me to make — in availability, pricing, or focus?

  
  

Final Thoughts

I’ve heard from other therapists (and my CPA) that my path isn’t common, but I truly believe it can be. With low-cost support, a clear niche, and genuine passion for your work, it’s absolutely possible to build momentum quickly and sustainably. Some clients have told me they chose me because they could tell how much I love what I do.

Therapists deserve financial stability, creative freedom, and clients who fit their gifts. This work isn’t easy, and we shouldn’t make it harder than it has to be.

Here are a couple of tools that made my transition smoother:

• Headway Referral — earn $100 for onboarding and $150 after seeing your first client

• Use code KRISTENVALLELY for $50 off Berries AI after your free trial

  
  

If you found this helpful, feel free to share it with another therapist who’s thinking about taking the leap — therapists blossom more together. How lucky are we to be in a field where there are unlimited clients, a desire to collaborate, and navigate healing in this world together?

Written by Kristen Vallely, LMFT — helping therapists and clients thrive through conscious, authentic connection.