A Therapist Mom's Guide to Creating Your Ideal Schedule

Welcome to the world of private practice! Where being a Therapist, Mom, and entrepreneur can sometimes feel like a high-stakes game of Jenga. Removing and stacking pieces carefully so the whole thing doesn’t crumble. The good news is, with a bit of planning and a touch of finesse, you can harness the art of creating a schedule that not only works for you, but also seamlessly integrates with the needs of your clients and family.

So, let's dive into the Therapist Mom's guide to striking the perfect balance.

When you decided to go into private practice, you intentionally chose the freedom of running your business the way YOU wanted to.

To work the hours YOU wanted.

To answer to no one other than YOUrself.

As an expert in the field and someone who wears multiple hats, you're no stranger to the unique challenges that come with balancing the demands of your therapeutic profession, motherhood, and the responsibilities of running a private practice.

So why would you give up the freedom to make your schedule work for YOUr personal and professional lifestyle?

The Struggle for Balance

Picture this: your therapy sessions seamlessly blend with school pickups, family dinners, and your own self-care. Finding equilibrium in this intricate web can feel like an elusive dream. The constant quest to balance professional commitments with the needs of your family can leave you feeling stretched thin and overwhelmed.

The Schedule Conundrum

Crafting a schedule that not only meets your clients' needs but also aligns with your family's rhythm is a puzzle many therapist moms grapple with. The jigsaw of creating a timetable that accommodates therapy sessions, parenting duties, and personal time can be daunting, leading to stress and a potential sense of burnout.

Amy Grace, MA LPC, owner/operator of Real Life Creative Counseling in Denver, Colorado states “When I was first starting in private practice, I felt like I had to be available more evenings to make it work. But then I realized that it made no sense for me. I specialize in working with moms across the lifespan and yet, I was sacrificing my time with my own kids to do it. I don’t want to have my kids grow up to realize I helped other moms love motherhood, while simultaneously not having time for them. I now see clients only one day a week after school hours and the rest of the days during school. I also take almost all extra days off during the school year and the week between Christmas and New Years. The schedule works for me and my family and we are all better off because of it…including my clients.”

This is such a common viewpoint of Therapist Moms new to private practice, including myself. Very quickly one finds out this isn’t why they went into private practice in the first place.

Who am I?

Hi! I’m MacKenzie, your Self-Care Mompanion. I’m a therapist and mom, too. Over the past several years I’ve been working hard to make sure my private practice and side gigs are working for me, not me working for them. This has come with a lot of valuable coaching, mindset shifting and long talks with my husband. With support and collaboration from my TheraMama community, it becomes easier to follow the advice below. As my family changes, my business has to change with it.

The Toll On Your Well-Being

The perpetual juggling act can take a toll on you. Balancing the emotional demands of therapeutic sessions with the emotional labor of parenting can be draining. Recognizing the impact on your mental and emotional health is the first step in reclaiming control and creating a schedule that supports both your professional and personal growth.

Embrace Your Power as a Private Practice Owner

As the proud owner of your private practice, you hold the keys to your schedule. This means you have the freedom (and right!) to design a timetable that aligns with your energy levels, personal life, and professional goals. The million dollar question to crafting this amazing schedule? “How in the heck do I do that?!”

Let me tell you.

Start by identifying your peak performance hours – when you feel most focused and energized – and structure your work around those times. Be firm when telling clients your availability. If they are truly committed to the therapeutic process, they’ll make it work. You don’t need to be the one twisting yourself into a salted pretzel to get them onto your books. Remember, YOU’re the Boss. You have the final say in what best suits your needs. And if you give an inch today, they’ll expect that and more every time. It’s okay to be firm. (Trust me, I’ve learned this lesson the hard way.)

Prioritize Self-Care to Boost Productivity

In the chaos of managing both a private practice and a family, self-care often takes a back seat. However, it's crucial to remember that you can't pour from an empty cup. Schedule regular breaks throughout your day to recharge and avoid burnout.

Read that again…Schedule regular breaks.

Literally.

Put. Them. On. Your. Calendar.

Whether it's a quick walk, a mindfulness session, or a moment of quiet reflection, these moments of self-care will enhance your overall well-being and boost your productivity. And don’t skip lunch to squeeze another client in. A hangry therapist isn’t a good therapist.

Adrianne Wagner, LMFT in Pennsylvania can attest to this. She states “It can be too easy to think ‘I’ll squeeze another client in' and before you know it you’re seeing 7 clients back to back with no time to eat or barely a bathroom break. At the end of the day you’re not showing up well for yourself or your clients.”

I think she might be speaking from experience here.

Leverage Technology to Enhance Flexibility

Technology can be your bestie-boo in your quest for the ideal schedule. Embrace telehealth platforms, schedule management apps, and virtual tools that can make your practice more flexible and efficient. By incorporating these technologies, you can create a hybrid schedule that allows for a mix of in-person and remote sessions, offering both convenience for your clients and flexibility for your family commitments.

Make sure your operations are streamlined. For example, I don’t do back and forth emailing or texting with clients to reschedule. No one has time for that! I have online booking for a reason. I send them the link if they ask to reschedule so the ball is back in their court. Eventually they learn to just do that instead of even asking me to reschedule. Well, most of them.

Communicate Clear Boundaries

Establishing clear boundaries is crucial in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Clearly communicate your office hours, response times, and availability to both your clients and family. Setting expectations upfront helps manage everyone's needs and ensures that you're not constantly pulled in different directions. Remember, creating boundaries is not a sign of weakness but a commitment to your well-being and the quality of your service. It’s also great modeling of boundaries for your clients. It’s okay to have a conversation about how annoying they think it is and ask them to apply these principles to their life and see what they notice. They might be pleasantly surprised.

Involve Your Family in the Planning Process

Your family is an important part of your life. Involving them in the planning process can foster understanding and support. Discuss your schedule with your loved ones, consider their needs, and collaborate on finding solutions that work for everyone. This shared approach not only strengthens your family bond but also helps create a harmonious environment that supports your professional endeavors. When Mom feels supported, it makes leaving for work a whole heck of a lot easier.

Reclaiming Balance

Mastering your juggling act as a Therapist Mom and private practice owner is indeed a challenging feat, but it's also a journey filled with opportunities for growth and fulfillment. By embracing your role as a scheduling mastermind, prioritizing your self-care, using technology to ease your burden, communicating boundaries effectively, and involving your family, you can create a schedule that aligns with your values and allows you to thrive both personally and professionally.

So, go ahead! Be the Boss you always wanted to be and make sure your private practice is working for YOU.

Here's how you can work with me:

• Self-Reflection: Begin by reflecting on your own experience, expectations and self-care. How are those all impacting each other? Check out Journey to Self-Care Journaling Workbook to get started.

• Schedule a Consultation: Reach out for a consultation where we can discuss your specific challenges and goals.

• Therapists Need a Therapist, Too: Let’s work together! We'll develop personalized strategies to help you let go of perfectionism, find balance and embrace the imperfections that make being a TheraMama unique.