a sample counseling private practice business plan template

Counseling Private Practice Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Counseling Private Practice Business Plan

Starting or expanding a counseling private practice requires a well-defined business plan. This sample counseling practice business plan, created by PlanBuildr.com, offers a proven roadmap, backed by over 20 years of experience. Each section is designed to guide you through key aspects like client acquisition, operational management, and financial planning, drawing on the expertise of a team that has helped many therapists establish and grow successful practices.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Counseling Private Practice business plan.

Sample Business Plan for a Mental Health Private Practice

Below is a business plan example to help you create each section of your therapy business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Peaceful Minds is a private counseling clinic that provides family and marriage counseling to residents living in or near Tigard, Oregon. The clinic primarily services couples and families with a variety of concerns, such as communication problems, mental illness, major life transitions, and affairs. The clinic employs highly-experienced counselors to assist clients with their mental health, help them navigate life challenges, and improve their quality of life. Counseling sessions can be conducted in-person or remotely, and an affordable sliding scale fee system is offered to families earning below the local median salary.

Peaceful Minds is led by Lydia White, who has been a marriage and family therapist for ten years. She has worked in other private practices around the community and has sustained a very positive reputation. Lydia is trained in Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) and will use that as her primary means of helping clients. However, she will employ other therapists who provide other forms of relationship and family therapy.

Product Offering

Below is a list of the services that Peaceful Minds will offer to its clients:

• Marriage counseling: This service helps married clients to overcome challenges in their marriage/relationship. Marriage counselors can help married clients with communication problems, issues with intimacy, resolving major conflicts, and more.
• Family counseling: This service helps families work through their challenges and conflicts as a whole. Some example issues include integrating blended families, healing from divorce, and working through grief.
• Individual counseling: By request, clients who are part of family or couples sessions can have one-on-one sessions with the therapist to work further on their concerns. In these sessions, therapists help clients work through their emotions and thoughts concerning their marriage/family problems. Therapists can also help clients treat and cope with any mental health challenges they live with.
• Group therapy: Group therapy offers a supportive environment for clients to connect with others facing similar challenges. In group therapy, clients can share their experiences, receive support from peers, and learn new coping strategies.

Clients will also receive a complimentary initial intake to ensure they find a therapist that can help them with their goals. All sessions are offered in-person or remotely, depending on the client’s request.

Customer Focus

Peaceful Minds will primarily serve residents that live in Tigard, Oregon and the surrounding areas. Tigard is one of Oregon’s largest cities and has a large population of families, married couples, and divorced couples. The city also has a very high median salary, which means that many residents have the disposable income to invest in counseling. The demographics of Tigard show that there is an enormous target customer base that will benefit from our services.

Management Team

Peaceful Minds is led by Lydia White, who has been a marriage and family counselor for ten years. She primarily utilizes the Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) technique to help her clients with their marriage or relationship concerns.

While Lydia has never run a private counseling practice herself, she has worked in private clinics for the duration of her career. She began her counseling career in 2013 shortly after completing her Master’s degree from Portland State University and obtaining her counseling license.

Success Factors

Peaceful Minds will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Affordable sliding scale fee: Counseling is an expensive investment for many clients. That’s why Peaceful Minds offers an affordable sliding scale fee structure to families who make less than the local median income.
• Remote or in-person sessions: Some people are eager to meet their counselors in person again, while others feel more comfortable connecting remotely. We allow clients to determine what form they want their sessions to take. We will only override this policy if another pandemic or public health concern occurs.
• Specialization in marriage and family matters: Very few clinics in town specialize in marriage and family counseling. Peaceful Minds will focus primarily on these matters, attracting this clientele from our competitors.

Financial Highlights

Peaceful Minds is currently seeking $300,000 to launch. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the office space and purchasing equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs. Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:

• Clinic interior build out and design: $50,000
• Office equipment, supplies, and materials: $20,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
• Marketing costs: $50,000
• Working capital: $30,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Peaceful Minds.

Company Overview

Who is peaceful minds, peaceful minds history.

After surveying the local client base and finding a potential clinic location, Lydia White incorporated Peaceful Minds as an S-Corporation on February 1st, 2023.

Currently, the business is being run remotely out of Lydia’s home office, but once a lease on the office location is finalized, all operations will run from there.

Since incorporation, Peaceful Minds has achieved the following milestones:

• Found a potential commercial space and signed a Letter of Intent to lease it
• Developed the clinic’s name, logo, social media accounts, and website
• Determined space design and required equipment
• Hired a virtual assistant to help with bookings and schedules

Peaceful Minds Services

Industry analysis.

The past few years have seen a revolution in the counseling industry. The importance of mental health and the benefits of talking with a counselor to cope with life’s challenges is on the rise. More than ever before, people are eager to work with a therapist as they navigate their challenges and improve their quality of life. This is creating a greater demand for therapists and counselors all around the nation.

There have also been some major shifts in marriage and divorce rates over the past few years. Divorces escalated during the pandemic, and marriages have been in decline for decades. We have also seen the rise of diverse families, such as families with same-sex parents and blended families. All of these changes create family, relationship, and marriage challenges that are far more diverse than decades past. Luckily, the stigma around therapy is dissolving, so more people than ever before are looking to counseling for help with their relationship or family matters.

Another recent change in the industry is the transition to remote services. Many people get their counseling sessions online through phone or video chat therapy, and this trend is expected to continue. However, now that the pandemic is over, more people want to go back to in-person sessions. Clinics that provide both options will have more resilience in the future.

A significant challenge that private practices face is major online therapeutic services. These services connect clients with therapists online from anywhere in the world. These essentially are “gig” opportunities for therapists and have gained popularity for several years for their affordable cost and convenience.

However, there has been significant pushback against these services due to the lack of quality counseling received and shady payment practices. As a result, many clients are returning to private practices to find therapists they can develop a true relationship with.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Peaceful Minds will serve the residents of Tigard, Oregon and its surrounding area. Peaceful Minds will primarily target clients who are married and have families. The community of Tigard has a large population of married couples, so there are many clients that could utilize our services. The community also has a significant proportion of affluent and middle-class residents that will be willing to pay for quality services.

The demographics for Tigard, Oregon are as follows:

Customer Segmentation

Peaceful Minds will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Married couples
• Millennials

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Peaceful Minds will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Riverside Therapy Center

Riverside Therapy Center has been a popular therapeutic clinic in town since 1988. It is a larger clinic, employing dozens of therapists, all with different backgrounds and areas of expertise. They offer counseling for individuals, couples, and families and have psychiatrists who can help with medication management. Clients who go to Riverside can get help to cope with a diagnosis, navigating a major life transition, or working through conflict with their partners or family.

Tigard Mental Health And Wellness

Tigard Mental Health And Wellness was established in 2002 to address the mental health concerns of the community. Like Riverside, it is a larger clinic with many therapists to choose from. These therapists come from many backgrounds and offer a variety of treatments and counseling for many disorders and situations.

Portland State University Counseling Services

Portland State University offers affordable therapy offered by Portland State University. It is run by students who are training to become licensed therapists but do not have a license yet. They are supervised by their professors, who are trained, experienced, and licensed therapists. Because licensed professionals do not conduct the services, they are offered at an affordable rate and only to clients who are in the lowest economic brackets of the community.

Competitive Advantage

Peaceful Minds will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Peaceful Minds will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Convenient location
• Qualified and highly trained team of counselors and therapists
• Diversity of counselor team and clientele
• Comfortable, relaxing atmosphere
• Sliding scale for low-income families
• Option for remote or in-person sessions

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Peaceful Minds is as follows:

Website/SEO : Peaceful Minds will develop a professional website that showcases pictures of the clinic and the services we provide. It will also invest in SEO so that the company’s website will appear at the top of search engine results.

Social Media : Lydia White will create the company’s social media accounts and invest in ads on all social media platforms. The company will use targeted marketing to appeal to our target demographics.

Doctor’s Offices : Lydia will visit multiple doctors and primary care offices to ask them to refer our clinic to any patients looking for services. We will ask them to keep a handful of our brochures on hand and hand them out to whoever requests a counseling clinic or is in need of one.

Ongoing Customer Communications : Peaceful Minds will maintain a website and publish a monthly email newsletter to provide tips on common marriage and family challenges.

Peaceful Minds’ pricing will be moderate, so clients feel they receive great value when utilizing our services. We will bill our clients’ insurance companies first and then charge our clients directly for whatever their plans don’t cover.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Peaceful Minds.

Operation Functions:

• Lydia White will be the Owner of Peaceful Minds and oversee the general operations of the company. She will also provide therapy services to her initial client base.
• Lydia recently hired a virtual assistant named Sanuye Grant. She will help with scheduling appointments, basic marketing tasks, and other general administrative duties.
• As the company’s client base increases, Lydia will hire several other counselors with diverse counseling techniques and backgrounds to meet her clients’ needs.

Milestones:

Peaceful Minds will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

• 07/202X Finalize lease agreement
• 08/202X Design and build out Peaceful Minds
• 09/202X Hire and train initial staff
• 10/202X Kickoff of promotional campaign
• 11/202X Launch Peaceful Minds
• 12/202X Reach break-even

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

Peaceful Minds’ revenues will come primarily from therapy services. The company will bill the patient’s insurance for services provided, and the remainder will be billed to the patient. In cases where insurance is not accepted, the entire service will be billed to the patient.

The major cost drivers for the company’s operation will consist of salaries, supplies, equipment, the lease, taxes, and marketing expenses.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and pay off the startup business loan.

• Year 4: 100
• Year 5: 150
• Annual rent: $100,000
• Average counseling session cost: $150

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, private practice business plan faqs, what is a private practice business plan.

A business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your therapy practice. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Counseling Private Practice business plan using our Counseling Private Practice Business Plan Template here .

What are the Steps To Start a Private Practice?

Starting a private practice can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your business goals and get started faster.

1. Develop a Solid Business Plan – The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed therapy business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. A solid private practice business plan should include market research on the counseling industry, potential market size and target customers, your mission statement, information about the services or products you will offer, marketing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.

2. Choose Your Legal Structure – It’s important to select an appropriate legal entity for your counseling private practice. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your counseling private practice is in compliance with local laws and other legal obligations.

3. Register Your Private Practice – Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your practice with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options – It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your private practice, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location – Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees – There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Equipment & Supplies – In order to start your practice, you’ll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business – Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your counseling private practice. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.

Learn more about how to open a successful private practice:

How to Open a Counseling Private Practice Business

Home > Blog > Mental Health Private Practice Business Plan PDF Template

Mental Health Private Practice Business Plan PDF Template

Author: Courtney Gardner, MSW

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Turning Your Passion Into a Business: Creating a Counseling Private Practice Business Plan

As a therapist, you have already gained a wealth of experience and knowledge in helping people overcome their mental health challenges. Opening your private practice is the next logical step in your career progression. However, being your own boss means that you will have to manage various aspects of your practice, such as finances, marketing, and administration. You must have a well-structured business plan to ensure that your practice thrives and you can provide the best possible care for your clients. This article will help you identify your goals , target market, and strategies for growth and enable you to make informed decisions on how to run your practice sustainably and successfully.

What is a Private Practice Business Plan and Why do You Need One?

Owning your practice is attractive for many reasons. However, developing a solid business plan is essential before taking the plunge. A business plan for a therapy practice outlines your vision for the practice and how you plan to achieve it. It helps to ensure that you have  considered all necessary details  and are ready for any challenges. Without a comprehensive business plan, you could quickly become overwhelmed, underfunded, and struggle to keep your practice running.

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A well-crafted business plan will guide you through obstacles and help ensure the success of your private practice. Although it requires a lot of effort upfront, it provides you with a roadmap to follow and the assurance that you are ready for this new venture. With passion, planning, and persistence, you'll be on the right track to turning your vision into reality.

Creating a Compelling Business Description and Service Offerings

Your business description and services are vital for attracting clients. Make sure to explain precisely what you do in a simple yet engaging way. When highlighting your services, focus on the key elements defining your practice while appealing to your ideal clients. Being authentic and letting your passion for the work shine through is indispensable. Remember, your business description is your chance to connect with potential clients, so speak with empathy, warmth, and care directly to them.

Finding Funding Sources and Estimating Costs for Your Mental Health Private Practice

Funding a new private practice can be challenging , but options are available if you do your research. As a therapist, your passion is to help people rather than to handle numbers and finances. However, to turn your passion into a sustainable business, you must consider the costs of starting and keeping your practice running.

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A solid business plan should include a financial plan that estimates your expenses. Some costs to account for include:

• Rent for office space. Get estimates from commercial realtors on average rates in your area—factor in additional expenses like utilities.
• Equipment like a desk, chairs, a laptop, and a phone system. Price out options to determine a budget.
• Marketing materials include a website, business cards, and advertising. Estimate costs for an essential website and 500 business cards to start.
• Licenses and insurance. Research the fees in your state for business licenses, liability insurance, and malpractice insurance.
• Employees. Calculate their salary and benefits costs if hiring other therapists or support staff.
• Miscellaneous. Leave room in your budget for unforeseen costs like office supplies, accounting services, and legal fees.

With those estimates in hand, you should explore various funding options. You may finance costs, take out a small business loan, get a line of credit, crowdfund, or search for grants available for therapists and counselors. It is crucial to compare rates and terms from different sources to find the best solution for your needs.

A financial plan and securing funding are two essential steps in turning your passion into a sustainable private practice. You should do your homework, get multiple estimates, build a buffer for unexpected costs, and explore all options for financing your dream. With a thoughtful budget and funding, you will be ready to confidently open your doors and start helping your clients from day one.

Increase your practice's revenue and reduce therapist burnout

Critical elements of a successful counseling private practice business plan.

You should include the following crucial elements to create a successful business plan for a mental healthcare private practice:

Mission Statement

A mission statement is essential to defining the purpose and values underpinning your practice. It is a powerful tool to articulate your vision and communicate your practice's core beliefs to your stakeholders. A well-crafted mission statement can help you stay focused on your goals and guide you toward making decisions that align with your values.

For example, your mission statement could be:

• To provide empathetic counseling and therapy services for individuals and families in our community.
• To offer compassionate, client-centered mental health services to help individuals live their happiest, healthiest lives.
• To deliver comprehensive mental health services to help clients overcome life's challenges and thrive.

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Business description.

The business description section is vital to your website or marketing materials. It concisely summarizes your practice, target clients, and your services. This is your chance to highlight your experience, qualifications, and what makes your business unique. It's essential to mention all the different services and approaches you offer to provide potential clients with a clear understanding of what you can provide. You should also specify the type of therapy or counseling you provide, such as individual, couples, family, or group therapy.

For instance:

• I offer counseling and therapy services to adults, teenagers, and children struggling with anxiety and depression. My integrative approach combines cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and a holistic view of wellness.
• I specialize in helping busy professionals and parents navigate life's stresses and reconnect with their purpose and priorities.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan will detail your startup costs, operating expenses, revenue projections, and how you'll finance your business. Estimate costs for insurance, marketing, and supplies. Project potential income from clients at your desired caseload and fee. Look into small business loans, crowdfunding, personal savings, or investor funding.

Operational Details

Include business logistics, including your business structure (LLC, corporation), location, equipment, marketing plans, partnerships, employees, and licensing/certification needs.

Market Analysis

Before starting your therapy practice, conducting a market analysis to determine your fees is essential. You can research your target market and competitors to assess demand and determine competitive advantages. Additionally, you can investigate what other local therapists are charging to set your fees at a reasonable and competitive level.

Competitive Advantage

In your business plan, it is essential to include a section that outlines your competitive advantage. This will help you identify what distinguishes you from other therapists. In this section, describe what makes you unique, such as your experience, credentials, treatment approach, or niche.

For example:

• Utilizing an innovative, trauma-informed methodology, I have helped clients overcome trauma for over ten years.
• I have a master's in social work, am a licensed clinical social worker, and have twenty years of experience helping clients using a mindfulness-based, solution-focused approach.
• My goal is to provide a safe, compassionate space where you can gain insight into yourself and your relationships, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, set healthy boundaries, improve communication, and find greater peace and fulfillment.

Financial Projections

To plan for the next three to five years, you should create financial documents such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Consider using key metrics and ratios to track your business's performance. Remember to factor in costs like rent, insurance, marketing, and your salary. If your revenue initially falls short, you should explore options like small business loans or lines of credit to help fund your business.

Avoiding Common Mistakes and Ensuring a Competitive Advantage

Creating a business plan that avoids common errors and establishes a competitive edge is imperative to develop a thriving private practice. You can accomplish this with careful planning and preparation. By anticipating potential obstacles and planning for lasting expansion, you can position your business for sustainable success.

Some of the significant mistakes to avoid include:

• Not having a business plan at all . Without a roadmap for your business, you'll struggle to secure funding or make critical strategic decisions. Sit down and create a comprehensive plan, even if you have to start small. You can always revise it later.
• Underestimating costs . It's easy to overlook expenses when you're passionate about your work. Do thorough research on the costs of renting office space, insurance, marketing, and other necessities. Build financial projections that account for both fixed and variable costs.
• Lacking a competitive advantage . What makes your practice unique? Maybe you specialize in a niche treatment area or offer flexible hours and payment options. Identify what sets you apart and makes you the best choice for clients. Promote this advantage in your marketing.
• Neglecting marketing . Don't expect clients to appear magically. You must actively market your services through a professional website, social media, networking, advertising, and more. Build marketing into your business plan and budget.
• Not planning for growth . A good business plan considers your initial startup and strategies for long-term growth. For example, you may eventually want to hire associate therapists, move to a larger office space, or expand into new treatment areas. Plan how you will fund and manage this growth.

Legal Requirements for Opening a Private Practice

Establishing a private practice requires meeting all the necessary legal requirements. These requirements may vary depending on your location and the type of practice you plan to run. Researching and understanding the legal obligations is crucial to ensure that your private practice starts on solid ground.

The most common legal requirements for opening a private practice include the following:

It is crucial to ensure that you meet your state's requirements for practicing, which typically include holding a master's or doctoral degree, obtaining supervised clinical hours, and passing your state's licensing exam.

Malpractice Insurance

Therapists must carry malpractice insurance to protect against lawsuits. Shopping around for coverage that meets your needs and budget is necessary.

Business Registration

To legally establish your business, you must register it as a sole proprietor, partnership, or corporation. Check with your local government to see if you require a business license or permit to operate in your city or county. Additionally, registering your business means you may need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, similar to a Social Security number. You'll use your EIN when filing business taxes and other financial transactions.

HIPAA Compliance

As a healthcare provider, it is crucial to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This means establishing privacy policies, using secure electronic records systems, and training staff on HIPAA guidelines. Ensuring that your practice is configured to safeguard client information appropriately is essential.

These essential legal steps ensure your private practice opens on the right foot. Dotting your I's and crossing your T's from the beginning will allow you to focus on building your business with confidence. If you feel overwhelmed, don't hesitate to consult a lawyer specializing in healthcare practices. Their guidance can help set you up for success.

Your Own Comprehensive Business Plan Checklist

To ensure you're on the right track,  ask yourself the following questions :

• Have you defined your mission statement and business goals?
• Have you researched your target market and competitors?  Identify client demographics, unmet needs, and similar businesses in your area.
• Have you created a financial plan with realistic projections?  Test your assumptions and get feedback from experts.
• Do you have a marketing plan to attract clients?  Consider your online presence, referral sources, and networking opportunities.
• Have you outlined operating expenses like rent, supplies, insurance, and technology?  Estimate high to be on the safe side.
• Have you developed a business entity like an LLC and obtained the necessary licenses?  Check with your state's requirements for mental health professionals.
• Have you created professional branding materials like logos, websites, and business cards?  Consistency builds credibility and awareness.
• Have you secured an office location that is professional, comfortable, and HIPAA-compliant?  Look for space that fits your budget.
• Do you plan to address unexpected challenges and adapt your business model based on results?  Be flexible and willing to change aspects that are not working.

Mental Health Private Practice Business Plan Template

This Mental Health Private Practice Business Plan PDF Template offers a comprehensive and structured framework for launching and managing a successful mental health clinic. It covers essential aspects such as market analysis, services offered, financial planning, and operational strategies. Ideal for therapists and psychologists, it's an invaluable tool for creating a tailored business plan that addresses the unique challenges of the mental health sector.

You have the passion, skills, and determination to establish your private practice. It's time to take action and turn your dream into a reality. Building a solid business plan may seem daunting, but it's the key to setting yourself up for success. With a roadmap, you'll have a clear direction and avoid costly mistakes. You are responsible for doing this right to yourself and your future clients. So, get started! Put on some music, roll up your sleeves, and begin working towards opening the doors of your private practice.

Are you looking for a way to simplify your progress note-writing and administrative tasks? Consider  Mentalyc ! Our HIPAA-compliant , AI-powered progress note generator uses audio recordings to create detailed progress notes quickly and easily. And with  our team plan , you can ensure that everyone on your team is on the same page. Sign up today and experience the benefits of Mentalyc for yourself!

After creating a business plan, you may still have questions about how to implement it. Here are some frequently asked questions about private practice business plans.

How often should I review and revise my business plan?

Reviewing and updating your business plan every 6-12 months is recommended to ensure it aligns with your current goals. As things change, it is critical to ensure your plan is up-to-date. Evaluate what strategies are working and what are not, and make necessary adjustments accordingly.

How do I get funding for my private practice?

There are a few options for funding a private practice:

• Personal savings : Therapists typically fund their practice using their savings. It is recommended to save enough money to cover initial costs such as office space, equipment, marketing, and operating expenses for at least 6-12 months.
• Business loan:  You can obtain a small business loan from a bank by providing financial projections, tax returns, and personal and business financial statements. Interest rates will vary based on your credit score.
• Crowdfunding : Websites such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and GoFundMe enable you to raise funds from individual donors while providing rewards in exchange and generating excitement for your new practice.
• Business credit card : If you plan on going this route, using a credit card specifically for business expenses is a good idea. Look for cards that offer rewards like cash back, travel points, or office supply credits, and be sure to pay the balance in full each month.
• Angel investors : Wealthy individuals may invest in small businesses in exchange for equity, but be wary as it may result in losing control and direction. Consider this option only as a last resort.

What are the keys to a successful business plan?

The keys to a successful private practice business plan are:

• A clear mission and vision.
• Realistic and well-researched financial projections.
• A marketing plan targeting your ideal clients.
• Competitive positioning.
• Planning for challenges and obstacles.

Review and revise as needed to keep your plan up-to-date and aligned with your goals. With hard work and persistence, you'll be on your way to opening a successful practice.

How do I price my services?

Pricing plays a critical role in your business plan. Research comparable mental health practices and align your costs and revenue goals to determine a competitive price. Factors that affect pricing include:

• Your credentials, experience, and specialty
• The complexity of treatment and time spent with clients
• Local market rates
• Cost of your office space, supplies, and other expenses
• Desired income

Begin by calculating your minimum hourly rate to cover expenses. Then, add a profit margin to achieve your income target. You may provide discounts for long-term clients, package deals, or sliding scales for low-income clients.

What insurance plans should I accept?

When  deciding which insurance plans to accept , research the most common designs in your area and consider accepting those with reimbursement rates that you can expect for your target client demographic.

Consider accepting:

• Medicaid (if eligible)
• Commercial PPO and HMO plans from major carriers

It's fundamental to become credentialed with each plan you want to join, understand their requirements, paperwork, billing procedures, and claims processing timelines, and only accept plans that will provide adequate reimbursement for your services.

How do I market my private practice?

Effective marketing strategies for a private practice include:

• Building an online presence with a professional website and active social media profiles
• Reaching out to local healthcare providers, community organizations, and businesses for referrals
• Advertising in relevant online directories and local print/radio sources
• Creating brochures, flyers, and business cards to distribute locally
• Joining professional associations for networking opportunities and credibility
• Offering free consultations and workshops to generate interest
• Asking satisfied clients for referrals and testimonials

Start with the basics and build your marketing efforts over time as your practice grows. Focus on consistency, delivering excellent client service, and using metrics to track your progress.

• Bassi, B. (2023, March 27).   Starting a Private Practice? Don't Make These Common Mistakes in Private Practice!  TelepsychHealth.  https://www.telepsychhealth.com/blog/common-mistakes-to-avoid-private-practice/
• Bhatla, A. (2022, October 28).   Start Your Psychiatry Private Practice pt.1: 4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Take The Leap . Osmind.  https://www.osmind.org/blog/4-questions-to-ask-yourself-when-opening-your-private-psychiatry-practice
• DeGrossa, B. (2022, May 30).   How To Develop A Private Practice Business Plan . CounselingWise.  https://www.counselingwise.com/key-parts-of-a-successful-business-plan/
• GoodTherapy. (2019, September 23).   How to Create a Solid Business Plan for Your Private Therapy Practice .  https://www.goodtherapy.org/for-professionals/business-management/private-practices/article/how-to-create-a-solid-business-plan-for-your-private-therapy-practice
• GoodTherapy. (2020, January 8).   Your Checklist for Starting a Private Practice in Counseling .  https://www.goodtherapy.org/for-professionals/business-management/private-practices/article/your-checklist-for-starting-a-private-practice-in-counseling
• Griffin, M. (2016, November 1).   Starting a Private Practice: Part One . CAMFT | California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.  https://www.camft.org/Resources/Legal-Articles/Chronological-Article-List/starting-a-private-practice-part-one
• Lavinsky, D. (2023, December 26).   Mental Health Private Practice Business Plan Template . Growthink.  https://www.growthink.com/businessplan/help-center/mental-health-private-practice-business-plan

All examples of mental health documentation are fictional and for informational purposes only.

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Counseling Private Practice Business Plan

If you are a counselor and thinking about starting or expanding your counseling business, then a business plan is necessary.

A business plan helps you build a roadmap for your business and will help you persuade investors about why they should invest in your firm.

Need help writing a business plan for your counseling private practice business? You’re at the right place. Our counseling private practice business plan template will help you get started.

Free Business Plan Template

Download our free counseling private practice business plan template now and pave the way to success. Let’s turn your vision into an actionable strategy!

• Fill in the blanks – Outline
• Financial Tables

How to Write A Counseling Private Practice Business Plan?

Writing a counseling private practice business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first section planned to offer an overview of the entire business plan. However, it is written after the entire business plan is ready and summarizes each section of your plan.

Here are a few key components to include in your executive summary:

• Introduce your Business: Start your executive summary by briefly introducing your business to your readers.This section may include the name of your counseling private practice business, its location, when it was founded, the type of counseling practice business (E.g., individual counseling, couples counseling, family counseling), etc.
• Market Opportunity: Summarize your market research, including market size, growth potential, and marketing trends. Highlight the opportunities in the market and how your business will fit in to fill the gap.
• Counseling Services: Highlight the counseling practice services you offer your clients. The USPs and differentiators you offer are always a plus.For instance, you may include assessment & evaluation or individual therapy as services and mention specialized expertise or holistic wellness approach as your USPs.
• Marketing & Sales Strategies: Outline your sales and marketing strategies—what marketing platforms you use, how you plan on acquiring customers, etc.
• Financial Highlights: Briefly summarize your financial projections for the initial years of business operations. Include any capital or investment requirements, associated startup costs, projected revenues, and profit forecasts.
• Call to Action: Summarize your executive summary section with a clear CTA, for example, inviting angel investors to discuss the potential business investment.

Ensure your executive summary is clear, concise, easy to understand, and jargon-free.

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2. Business Overview

The business overview section of your business plan offers detailed information about your company. The details you add will depend on how important they are to your business. Yet, business name, location, business history, and future goals are some of the foundational elements you must consider adding to this section:

• Individual counseling
• Couples counseling
• Family Counseling
• Group counseling
• Career counseling
• Mental health counseling
• Trauma counseling
• Describe the legal structure of your counseling practice business, whether it is a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or others.
• Explain where your business is located and why you selected the place.
• Owners: List the names of your counseling private practice business’s founders or owners. Describe what shares they own and their responsibilities for efficiently managing the business.
• Mission Statement: Summarize your business’ objective, core principles, and values in your mission statement. This statement needs to be memorable, clear, and brief.
• Business History: If you’re an established counseling practice service provider, briefly describe your business history, like—when it was founded, how it evolved over time, etc.Additionally, If you have received any awards or recognition for excellent work, describe them.
• Future Goals: It’s crucial to convey your aspirations and vision. Mention your short-term and long-term goals; they can be specific targets for revenue, market share, or expanding your services.

This section should provide a thorough understanding of your business, its history, and its future plans. Keep this section engaging, precise, and to the point.

3. Market Analysis

The market analysis section of your business plan should offer a thorough understanding of the industry with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. You should include the following components in this section.

• Competitive Analysis: Identify and analyze your direct and indirect competitors. Identify their strengths and weaknesses, and describe what differentiates your counseling private practice business from them. Point out how you have a competitive edge in the market.
• Market Trends: Analyze emerging trends in the industry, such as technology disruptions, changes in customer behavior or preferences, etc. Explain how your business will cope with all the trends.
• For instance, the integration of technology or digital tools has a booming market; explain how you plan on dealing with this potential growth opportunity.
• Regulatory Environment: List regulations and licensing requirements that may affect your counseling private practice business, such as licensing & certificate, ethical guidelines, privacy & confidentiality, insurance & billing, etc.

Here are a few tips for writing the market analysis section of your counseling practice business plan:

• Conduct market research, industry reports, and surveys to gather data.
• Provide specific and detailed information whenever possible.
• Illustrate your points with charts and graphs.
• Write your business plan keeping your target audience in mind.

4. Products And Services

The product and services section should describe the specific services and products that will be offered to customers. To write this section should include the following:

• Assessment and evaluation
• Individual therapy
• Couples therapy
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Psychoeducation
• Crisis intervention
• Consultation and workshops
• Additional services: Include a separate section to describe your counseling practice’s other services if you provide any, such as workshops, group therapy, crisis intervention, or consultation, in addition to regular counseling.
• Customized approach: Emphasize how dedicated your practice is to providing individualized, client-centered service. Highlight how you customize your services to each client’s unique demands, goals, and preferences. It might include customized interventions, treatment strategies, or therapeutic approaches according to the particular needs of the clients.
• Expertise or specialization: Highlight any areas of specialty your practice has or counselors who have experience with certain disorders (such as trauma, addiction, or anxiety). Mention any specialized training, accreditations, or experience that distinguish your business from others.

In short, this section of your counseling practice plan must be informative, precise, and client-focused. By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors and readers understand the value of your business.

5. Sales And Marketing Strategies

Writing the sales and marketing strategies section means a list of strategies you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key elements to include in your sales & marketing plan:

• Marketing Strategies: Discuss your marketing strategies to market your services. You may include some of these marketing strategies in your business plan—social media marketing, Google ads, brochures, content marketing, and print marketing.
• Sales Strategies: Outline the strategies you’ll implement to maximize your sales. Your sales strategies may include providing free consultations, offering packages and deals, partnering with businesses, offering referral programs, etc.
• Customer Retention: Describe your customer retention strategies and how you plan to execute them. For instance, introducing loyalty programs, discounts on annual membership, personalized service, etc.

Overall, this section of your counseling private practice business plan should focus on customer acquisition and retention.

Have a specific, realistic, and data-driven approach while planning sales and marketing strategies for your counseling practice business, and be prepared to adapt or make strategic changes in your strategies based on feedback and results.

6. Operations Plan

The operations plan section of your business plan should outline the processes and procedures involved in your business operations, such as staffing requirements and operational processes. Here are a few components to add to your operations plan:

• Staffing & Training: Mention your business’s staffing requirements, including the number of employees, trainers, or counselors, needed. Include their qualifications, the training required, and the duties they will perform.
• Operational Process: Outline the processes and procedures you will use to run your counseling private practice business. Your operational processes may include appointment scheduling, counseling sessions, treatment planning, billing & insurance, etc.
• Equipment & Software: Include the list of equipment and software required for counseling private practice, such as furniture, therapeutic tools, teletherapy tools, etc.Explain how these technologies help you maintain quality standards and improve the efficiency of your business operations.

Adding these components to your operations plan will help you lay out your business operations, which will eventually help you manage your business effectively.

7. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of your counseling private practice business’s management team. This section should provide a detailed description of each manager’s experience and qualifications, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

• Founders/CEO: Mention the founders and CEO of your counseling private practice business, and describe their roles and responsibilities in successfully running the business.
• Key managers: Introduce your management and key members of your team, and explain their roles and responsibilities.It should include, key executives(e.g. lead therapist, clinical director), senior management, and other department managers (e.g. operations manager, customer services manager.) involved in the counseling private practice business operations, including their education, professional background, and any relevant experience in the industry.
• Organizational structure: Explain the organizational structure of your management team. Include the reporting line and decision-making hierarchy.
• Compensation Plan: Describe your compensation plan for the management and staff. Include their salaries, incentives, and other benefits.
• Advisors/Consultants: Mentioning advisors or consultants in your business plans adds credibility to your business idea.So, if you have any advisors or consultants, include them with their names and brief information consisting of roles and years of experience.

This section should describe the key personnel for your counseling private practice services, highlighting how you have the perfect team to succeed.

8. Financial Plan

Your financial plan section should provide a summary of your business’s financial projections for the first few years. Here are some key elements to include in your financial plan:

• Profit & loss statement: Describe details such as projected revenue, operational costs, and service costs in your projected profit and loss statement . Make sure to include your business’s expected net profit or loss.
• Cash flow statement: The cash flow for the first few years of your operation should be estimated and described in this section. This may include billing invoices, payment receipts, loan payments, and any other cash flow statements.
• Balance Sheet: Create a projected balance sheet documenting your counseling private practice business’s assets, liabilities, and equity.
• Break-even point: Determine and mention your business’s break-even point—the point at which your business costs and revenue will be equal.This exercise will help you understand how much revenue you need to generate to sustain or be profitable.
• Financing Needs: Calculate costs associated with starting a counseling private practice business, and estimate your financing needs and how much capital you need to raise to operate your business. Be specific about your short-term and long-term financing requirements, such as investment capital or loans.

Be realistic with your financial projections, and make sure you offer relevant information and evidence to support your estimates.

9. Appendix

The appendix section of your plan should include any additional information supporting your business plan’s main content, such as market research, legal documentation, financial statements, and other relevant information.

• Add a table of contents for the appendix section to help readers easily find specific information or sections.
• In addition to your financial statements, provide additional financial documents like tax returns, a list of assets within the business, credit history, and more. These statements must be the latest and offer financial projections for at least the first three or five years of business operations.
• Provide data derived from market research, including stats about the industry, user demographics, and industry trends.
• Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
• Include any additional documentation related to your business plan, such as product brochures, marketing materials, operational procedures, etc.

Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the necessary information.

Remember, the appendix section of your counseling private practice business plan should only include relevant and important information supporting your plan’s main content.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

This sample counseling private practice business plan will provide an idea for writing a successful counseling private practice plan, including all the essential components of your business.

After this, if you still need clarification about writing an investment-ready business plan to impress your audience, download our counseling private practice business plan pdf .

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you need a counseling private practice business plan.

A business plan is an essential tool for anyone looking to start or run a successful counseling private practice business. It helps to get clarity in your business, secures funding, and identifies potential challenges while starting and growing your business.

Overall, a well-written plan can help you make informed decisions, which can contribute to the long-term success of your counseling private practice business.

How to get funding for your counseling private practice business?

There are several ways to get funding for your counseling private practice business, but self-funding is one of the most efficient and speedy funding options. Other options for funding are

• Bank loan – You may apply for a loan in government or private banks.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) loan – SBA loans and schemes are available at affordable interest rates, so check the eligibility criteria before applying for it.
• Crowdfunding – The process of supporting a project or business by getting a lot of people to invest in your business, usually online.
• Angel investors – Getting funds from angel investors is one of the most sought startup options.

Apart from all these options, there are small business grants available, check for the same in your location and you can apply for it.

Where to find business plan writers for your counseling private practice business?

There are many business plan writers available, but no one knows your business and ideas better than you, so we recommend you write your counseling private practice business plan and outline your vision as you have in your mind.

What is the easiest way to write your counseling private practice business plan?

A lot of research is necessary for writing a business plan, but you can write your plan most efficiently with the help of any counseling private practice business plan example and edit it as per your need. You can also quickly finish your plan in just a few hours or less with the help of our business plan software .

About the Author

Vinay Kevadiya

Vinay Kevadiya is the founder and CEO of Upmetrics, the #1 business planning software. His ultimate goal with Upmetrics is to revolutionize how entrepreneurs create, manage, and execute their business plans. He enjoys sharing his insights on business planning and other relevant topics through his articles and blog posts. Read more

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Counseling Private Practice Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business Plans » B2C Sector

Are you about starting a counseling private practice? If YES, here is a complete sample psychological counseling private practice business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE .

Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a counseling private practice. We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample counseling private practice marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for counseling private practice companies. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.

Are you a Psychologist, Social Worker or a Marriage Counselor? Do you know that you can make money from a thriving industry by going into private practice as any of the above practitioner?

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Yes indeed, the Psychologists, Social Workers and Marriage Counselors industry is one pretty large and profitable industry in the united states that is open for aspiring entrepreneurs who are qualified and competent to come in as a private practitioner and rake in huge revenue.

This is true because, reliable statistics has it that the Psychologists, Social Workers and Marriage Counselors industry in the United States of America generates roughly $15 billion annually. If you are qualified and well positioned, you can get your own fair share of the available market in the industry and smile to the bank on a regular basis.

If you want to partake in this thriving industry, you would need to obtain all the necessary licenses and certifications and then launch your own counseling private practice business. The truth is that, the market is still pretty much open for new practitioners to come in.

Although there are competitions at various levels in the industry, but if you are able to come up with a good business strategy, you are sure of getting your own fair share of the available market in the industry.

So, if you have decided to start a counseling private practice business in the United States, then you should make sure that you carry out thorough feasibility studies and also market survey. Below is a sample counseling private practice business plan template that will help you successfully write yours without much stress;

A Sample Counseling Private Practice Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

The Psychologists, Social Workers and Marriage Counselors industry of which professionals who are into counseling (private practice belongs to) is composed of mental health practitioners who diagnose and treat mental, emotional and behavioral disorders brought about by mental illness, substance abuse or physical and emotional trauma.

These practitioners consist of psychologists, social workers and marriage counselors. It is important to state that the industry mental health professionals who have a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree or a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree are not included in this industry.

A close study of the Psychologists, Social Workers and Marriage Counselors industry shows that in the last half a decade, the industry has grown consistently. Private counseling services are needed regardless of economic conditions, which insulate the industry from economic fluctuations.

Going forward, as people continue to be employed and regain a steady income, private health insurance will become more affordable, prompting consumers to seek private counseling services when needed.

A recent report published by IBISWORLD shows that the Psychologists, Social Workers and Marriage Counselors industry has a low level of concentration, with the majority of firms employing less than five people and no industry firm accounting for more than 1.0 percent of total industry revenue.

The practices and theories of psychology are highly fragmented. For instance, cognitive and behavioral psychologies have developed in isolation from each other. This makes it difficult to create large practices that dominate any particular area.

The report further stated that, the benefits to achieving scale in the industry are minimal because fixed costs are low. Group practices are increasing in number, but these are not large operations either. One major benefit of group practices is the ability to spread administrative costs across several practitioners

The Psychologists, Social Workers and Marriage Counselors industry is a thriving sector of the economy of the United States of America and they generate a whopping sum of well over $15 billion annually from more than 141,495 registered and licensed Psychologists, Social Workers and Marriage Counselors scattered all around the United States of America.

The industry is responsible for the employment of well over 231,393people. Experts project the industry to grow at a 3.4 percent annual rate within 2011 and 2016. It is important to state that there is no single organization that has a lion share of the available market in the Psychologists, Social Workers and Marriage Counselors industry.

It can’t be over emphasized that the demand for the services offered by the private counselors grows when public confidence declines and people’s ability to handle the issues on their own wanes. When the housing bubble burst and the US economy fell into a recession, consumer confidence plummeted.

This decline, coupled with high unemployment, falling incomes and bleak outlooks, caused Americans to seek out the assistance of professional psychologists and counselors, benefiting the industry.

However, as the economy slowly continues to recover and consumer confidence returns, demand for their services is expected to diminish. Going forward, clients and potential clients alike will likely require less guidance, high-income households will serve as the primary vehicle of growth for the industry

Lastly, as a private counselor, the key attributes needed to be able to make good success from the trade is patience, enthusiasm, passion about the specific area to be handled, and constant positivity. You are also expected to be highly proactive; you would need to be good at planning, preparation, and certain other organizational skills.

It is one thing to have a skill and it is another thing to know how to counsel people into becoming successful; which is why you must constantly get feedbacks from your clients to be able to measure their progress and your performance.

2. Executive Summary

Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP is a professional and licensed counseling (private practice) firm that is specialized in helping her clients overcome their challenges and achieve their personal goals and improving their competence, capacity and productivity.

The scope of our business offerings cover areas such as clinical psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, all other psychology, mental health social work, marriage and family therapy, child, family and school social workers, online counseling Services and retailing of self – help books and materials et al.

Our business will be located in – between a well – populated residential estate and a business district in Smethport – Pennsylvania, United States of America.

Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP is a client-focused and result driven private counseling organization that provides broad-based counseling, learning approaches and experience at an affordable fee that won’t in any way put a hole in the pocket of our clients.

We will ensure that we work hard to meet and surpass all our clients’ expectations as it relates to their career and personal goals whenever they hire our services. At Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP, our clients’ overall best interest would always come first, and everything we do is guided by our values and professional ethics.

We will ensure that we hire professional and certified psychologists, social workers and counselors with various skills set who are well experienced and passionate in helping our clients achieve their personal goals within record time.

Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP will at all times demonstrates her commitment to sustainability, both individually and as a private counseling organization, by actively participating in our communities and integrating sustainable business practices wherever possible.

We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our clients’ needs precisely and completely. We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for our partners, employees and for our clients.

Our overall business goal is to position our private counseling organization to become the leading private counseling brand in the psychologists, social workers and marriage counselors industry in the whole of Smethport – Pennsylvania, United States of America, and also to be amongst the top 10 private counseling business in the United States of America within the first 5 years of operations.

This might look too tall a dream but we are optimistic that this will surely come to pass because we have done our research and feasibility studies and we are enthusiastic and confident that Smethport is the right place to launch our private counseling business.

Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP is founded by Dr. Boston Smith and he will run the business with his business partner for many years Dr. Becky Allison. Dr. Boston Smith is a certified and renowned psychologist and marriage counselor.

He has well over 20 years of experience working with top government officials, corporate executives, celebrities and sports people both in the United States of America and Canada.

3. Our Products and Services

Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP is going to offer varieties of psychology and counseling services within the scope of the psychologists, social workers and marriage counselors industry in the United States of America.

Our intention of starting our private counseling business is to help our clients overcome their challenges, achieve their personal goals and improving their competence, capacity and productivity and of course to also make profits from the psychologists, social workers and marriage counselors industry and we will do all that is permitted by the law in the US to achieve our aim and business goal.

Our service offerings are listed below;

• Clinical psychology
• Industrial-organizational psychology
• All other psychology
• Mental health social work
• Marriage and family therapy
• Child, family and school social workers
• Online counseling services
• Retailing of self – help books and materials

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to build a highly competitive and effective private counseling business that will become the number one choice for both individuals and corporate organizations in Smethport – Pennsylvania and the whole of the United States of America.
• Our mission is to provide affordable, professional and highly effective private counseling services to a wide range of clients that cuts across different divides. We want to position Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP to become one of the leading private counseling brands in the industry in the whole of Smethport – Pennsylvania, and also to be amongst the top 10 private counseling firms in the United States of America within the first 5 years of operations.

Our Business Structure

Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP, is a private counseling firm that intend starting small in Smethport – Pennsylvania, but hope to grow big in order to compete favorably with leading firms in the psychologists, social workers and marriage counselors industry both in the United States and on a global stage.

We are aware of the importance of building a solid business structure that can support the picture of the kind of world class business we want to own. This is why we are committed to only hire the best hands within our area of operations.

At Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP, we will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, creative, passionate, result driven, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stakeholders ( the owners, workforce, and customers ).

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff / partners and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more as agreed by the board of trustees of the company.

In view of the above, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;

• Principal Partner / Chief Executive Officer
• Psychologists, Social Workers and Marriage Counselors

Office Administrator

• Marketing Executives

Client Service Executive

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Principal Partner / Chief Executive Officer:

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization

Psychologist, Social Worker and Marriage Counselor

• In charge of clinical psychology services
• Responsible for handling industrial-organizational psychology services
• Handles all other psychology services
• Handles mental health social work
• Provides marriage and family therapy
• Handles child, family and school social works
• In charge of online private counseling services
• Retails of self – help books and materials
• Handles any other duty as assigned by the Principal Partner / CEO.
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP
• Designs job descriptions with KPI to drive performance management for psychologists, social workers and marriage counselors
• Regularly hold meetings with key stakeholders to review the effectiveness of the organizations’ Policies, Procedures and Processes
• Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily activities of Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP.

Marketing Executive

• Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new students, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of development projects.
• Writes winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with organizations’ policy
• Responsible for handling business research, market surveys and feasibility studies for clients
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
• Documents all customer contact and information
• Represents Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP in strategic meetings
• Helps to increase sales and growth for Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP
• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP
• Serves as internal auditor for Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP.
• Welcomes clients and visitors by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the principal partners in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to clients when they make enquiries
• Receives parcels / documents for Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP

6. SWOT Analysis

Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP engaged the services of a core professional in the area of business consulting and structuring to assist our organization in building a well – structured private counseling business that can favorably compete in the highly competitive psychologists, social workers and marriage counselors industry in the United States and the world at large.

Part of what the team of business consultant did was to work with the management of our organization in conducting a SWOT analysis for Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP. Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP;

Our core strength lies in the power of our team; our workforce. We have a team that are considered experts in the industry, a team with excellent qualifications and experience in private counseling practice.

Aside from the synergy that exist in our carefully selected team members and our strong online presence, Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP is well positioned in a community with the right demography and we know we will attract loads of corporate and individual clients from the first day we open our doors for business.

As a new private counseling organization in Smethport – Pennsylvania, it might take some time for our organization to break into the market and gain acceptance especially from top profile clients in the already saturated psychologists, social workers and marriage counselors industry; that is perhaps our major weakness.

• Opportunities:

No doubt, the opportunities in the psychologists, social workers and marriage counselors  industry is massive considering the number of individuals and corporate organizations who would want to overcome their challenges and achieve their goals and to perform excellently well in their jobs and personal life. As a standard private counseling organization, we are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes our way.

Every business faces a threat or challenge at any part of the life cycle of the business. These threats can be external or internal. This shows the importance of a business plan, because most threats or challenges are to be anticipated and plans put in place to cushion what effect they might bring to the business.

Some of the threats that we are likely going to face as a private counseling organization operating in the United States of America are unfavorable government policies that might affect business such as ours, the arrival of a competitor within our location of operations and global economic downturn which usually affects spending / purchasing power.

There is hardly anything we can do as regards these threats other than to be optimistic that things will continue to work for our good.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The trend in the psychologists, social workers and marriage counselors industry shows that in the last half a decade, the industry has grown consistently. Private counseling services are needed regardless of economic conditions, which insulate the industry from economic fluctuations.

One thing is certain, the trend in the psychologists, social workers and marriage counselors industry is such that if you want to be ahead of your competitors, you should be able to acquire as much certifications as possible and you should be able to have loads of testimonies from your clients.

The truth is that, if your clients experienced huge difference in their life as a result of hiring the services of your organization, then they will be compelled to help promote your organization.

Another notable trend in this industry is the influence of technology; the advent of technology is responsible for the increase in income generated by private counselors all over the world. With technology, it is no easier for private counselors to counsel their clients that are thousands of kilometers away from them.

Tools like video calling / Skype, YouTube, live chat and Webcast et al are being used by private counselors to counsel clients in different parts of the world.

8. Our Target Market

The target market for private counseling firms is all encompassing. Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP is a professional and licensed private counseling firm that is specialized in helping her clients over life challenges, achieve their personal goals and improving their competence, capacity and productivity.

As a standard private counseling organization, Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP offers a wide range of services hence we are well trained and equipped to services a wide range of clients (public figures, celebrities and non – celebrities alike).

Our target market as a private counseling firm cuts across people of different class and people from all walks of life. We are coming into the psychologists, social workers and marriage counselors industry with a business concept and company’s profile that will enable us work with the clients from different background and different status. Below is a list of the clients that we have specifically design our private counseling services for;

• About to wed couples
• Married couples
• Religious organizations
• Working class adults / corporate executives
• Politicians
• Business people / entrepreneurs
• Government officials
• Celebrities
• Public figures
• Applicants / school Leavers
• Sports men and women
• College students
• People with undergoing depression
• People with mental challenges

Our competitive advantage

No doubt, the psychologists, social workers and marriage counselors industry is indeed a very prolific and highly competitive industry. Clients will only hire your services if they know that you can successfully help them overcome their challenges, and achieve their personal goals.

It is the practice for private counselors to acquire as much certifications as it relates to their area of specialization; it is part of what will make them stay competitive in the industry

We are quite aware that to be highly competitive in the psychologists, social workers and marriage counselors industry means that you should be able to deliver consistent quality service, your clients should be able to experience remarkable difference and improvement and you should be able to meet the expectations of your clients at all times.

Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP might be a new private counseling firm in Smethport – Pennsylvania, but the management team and the owner of the business are considered gurus in the industry.

They are people who are core professionals, licensed and highly qualified psychologists and marriage counselors that can successfully help her clients overcome their challenges and achieve their personal goal within a short period of time. These are part of what will count as a competitive advantage for us.

Aside from our robust experience and expertise of our psychologists, social workers and marriage counselors, we have a very strong online presence that will enable us counsel clients in different parts of the world from our online portals.

Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups private counseling businesses in the United States) in the industry. It will enable them to be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the psychologists, social workers and marriage counselors industry and we are going to go all the way to ensure that we do all it takes to attract clients on a regular basis. Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP will generate income by offering the following private counseling services;

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain, there would always be corporate organization and individual who would need the services of psychologists, social workers and marriage counselors in other for them to overcome their challenges and achieve their personal goals and also to enable them become peak performer in the career and in their family life.

This is the major reason why the services of private counseling firms will always be needed. We are well positioned to take on the available market in Smethport – Pennsylvania and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow our private counseling business and our clientele base.

We have been able to critically examine the private counseling market and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projections are based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to similar startups in Smethport – Pennsylvania.

Below are the sales projections for Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP, it is based on the location of our personal training and coaching company and of course the wide range of trainings that we will be offering;

• First Fiscal Year-: $150,000
• Second Fiscal Year-: $350,000
• Third Fiscal Year-: $750,000

N.B : This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and there won’t be any major competitor offering same additional services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We are mindful of the fact that there are stiffer competitions amongst private counseling firms in the United States of America; hence we have been able to hire some of the best marketing experts to handle our sales and marketing.

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall goal of Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP.

We will also ensure that our clients’ overcome their challenges in record time; we want to build a standard and first – class private counseling business that will leverage on word of mouth advertisement from satisfied clients (both individuals and corporate organizations).

Our goal is to grow Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP to become one of the top 10 private counseling organization in the United States of America which is why we have mapped out strategy that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with not only in Smethport – Pennsylvania but also in other cities in the United States of America.

Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP is set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;

• Introduce our private counseling firm by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to corporate organizations, religious organizations, households and key stake holders in Smethport – Pennsylvania.
• Print out fliers and business cards and strategically drop them in offices, libraries, public facilities and train stations et al.
• Use friends and family to spread word about our private counseling firm
• Post information about our private counseling firm on bulletin boards in places like schools, libraries, and local coffee shops.
• Placing a small or classified advertisement in the newspaper, or local publication about our private counseling firm
• Advertise our private counseling firm in relevant educational magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and radio station.
• Attend relevant educational expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Engage direct marketing approach
• Encourage word of mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied clients.

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We have been able to work with our brand and publicity consultants to help us map out publicity and advertising strategies that will help us walk our way into the heart of our target market.

We are set to become the number one choice for both corporate clients and private clients in the whole of Smethport – Pennsylvania which is why we have made provisions for effective publicity and advertisement of our business. Below are the platforms we intend to leverage on to promote and advertise Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP;

• Place adverts on both print (community based newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community based events / programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our brand
• Install our BillBoards on strategic locations all around Smethport – Pennsylvania.
• Engage in road show from time to time in targeted neighborhoods
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• Contact corporate organizations by calling them up and informing them of Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP and the services we offer
• List our private counseling firm in local directories / yellow pages
• Advertise our life private counseling firm in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site.
• Ensure that all our staff members wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles are well branded with our schools’ logo et al.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Generally counseling and consulting services are billed on per hour billing rate and flat fees on a weekly or monthly basis as it applies. As a result of this, Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP will charge our clients flat fees except for few occasions where there will be need for us to charge special clients on hourly basis.

At Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP we will keep our fees below the average market rate for all of our clients by keeping our overhead low and by collecting payment in advance. In addition, we will also offer special discounted rates to all our clients at regular intervals.

We are aware that there are some clients that would need special assistance, we will offer flat rate for such services that will be tailored to take care of such clients’ needs.

• Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America.

Here are the payment options that Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP will make available to her clients;

• Payment via bank transfer
• Payment with cash
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via mobile money
• Payment via Point of Sales Machines (POS Machines)
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for private counseling services without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials to clients who may want to deposit cash or make online transfer for our services.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

In setting up a personal training and life coaching business, the amount or cost will depend on the approach and scale you want to undertake. If you intend to go big by renting a place, then you would need a higher amount of capital as you would need to ensure that your employees are well taken care of.

This means that the start-up can either be low or high depending on your goals, vision and aspirations for your business. The start – up capital for a home based private counseling business without any overhead might fall between $500 and $2,000, while that of a medium and large scale would definitely be higher.

The materials and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere, and any difference in prices would be minimal and can be overlooked. As for the detailed cost analysis for starting a standard private counseling firm with a handful of employees; it might differ in other countries due to the value of their money.

However, this is what it would cost us to start our own standard and world class private counseling firm in the United States of America;

• Business incorporation fees in the United States of America will cost – $750.
• The budget for liability insurance, permits and license will cost – $3,500
• Acquiring an office space that will accommodate the number of employees we intend employing for at least 6 months (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive) will cost – $35,000.
• Equipping the office (computers, printers, projectors, markers, pens and pencils, furniture, telephones, filing cabinets, and electronics) will cost – $10,000
• The cost for accounting software, CRM software and Payroll Software – $3,000
• Other start-up expenses including stationery – $1000
• Phone and Utilities (gas, sewer, water and electric) deposits – ( $3,500 ).
• Launching an official website will cost – $500
• Amount need to pay bills and staff members for at least 2 to 3 months – $70,000
• Additional Expenditure such as Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions will cost – $5,000
• Miscellaneous – $5,000

Going by the report from the market research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need about one hundred and fifty thousand ( 150,000 ) U.S. dollars to successfully set – up a medium scale but standard private counseling firm in the United States of America. Please note that the salary for the payment of staff members for the first 3 months is included.

Generating Funds / Startup Capital for Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP

Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP is a partnership business that will be owned by Dr. Boston Smith and he will run the business with his business partner for many years Dr. Becky Allison. They are the sole financial of the business which is why they decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital for the business to just three major sources.

These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings and sale of his stocks
• Generate part of the start – up capital from friends and other extended family members
• Generate a larger chunk of the startup capital from the bank (loan facility).

N.B: We have been able to generate about $50,000 ( Personal savings $35,000 and soft loan from family members $15,000 ) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $100,000 from our bank. All the papers and document has been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to offer our private counseling services a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are well prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

Safe Refuge Private Counselors®, LLP will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and retraining of our workforce is at the top burner of our business strategy.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of three years or more as determined by the board of the organization. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check: Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts various banks in the United States: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of All form of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Leasing a standard office facility in a good location plus reconstruction: In progress
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating part of the start – up capital from the founders: Completed
• writing of business plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
• Design of Logo for the school: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the needed furniture, office equipment, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the business: In Progress
• Creating awareness for the business in Smethport – Pennsylvania: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with vendors and key players in various industries: In Progress

Counseling Private Practice Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Counseling Practice Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their counseling private practices. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through a counseling private practice business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a Counseling Private Practice Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your counseling private practice as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Counseling Private Practice

If you’re looking to start a counseling private practice, or grow your existing counseling private practice, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your counseling private practice in order to improve your chances of success. Your business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Counseling Private Practices

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a counseling private practice are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for counseling private practices.

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How To Write a Business Plan For a Counseling Private Practice

If you want to start a counseling private practice or expand your current one, you need a business plan. Below are links to each section of your counseling private practice business plan template:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of counseling private practice you are operating and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a counseling private practice that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of counseling private practices?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the counseling private practice industry. Discuss the type of counseling private practice you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.  

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of counseling private practice you are operating.

For example, your counseling private practice might specialize in one of the following divisions:

• Clinical psychology : this type of mental health private practice assesses, diagnoses, treats, and prevents mental disorders. Specialization within clinical psychology may focus on areas such as neuropsychology, geropsychology, child psychology, etc.
• Industrial-organizational psychology: this type of counseling private practice specializes in applying the principles of psychology to the workplace, to assist with a range of HR issues such as employee retention or productivity.
• Marriage and family therapy: this type of counseling private practice is licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples, and family systems.
• Social work: this type of counseling private practice includes services such as individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, and child and family counseling.

In addition to explaining the type of private practice you will operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of patients served, number of cases with positive outcomes, reaching X number of clients served, etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the counseling private practice industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the counseling private practice industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy, particularly if your research identifies market trends.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your private practice business plan:

• How big is the counseling private practice industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your counseling private practice ? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your counseling practice business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, schools, families, and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of private practice you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other counseling private practices.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t direct competitors. This includes psychiatrists, other healthcare providers, or members of the clergy. You need to mention such competition as well.

With regards to direct competition, you want to describe the other counseling private practices with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be counseling private practices located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of counseling private practice are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide options for the uninsured?
• Will you provide services that your competitors don’t offer?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a private practice, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of counseling private practice company that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products you will be offering. For example, will you provide psychodynamic therapy, behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, or integrative therapy?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the location of your counseling private practice company. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. For example, is your counseling private practice located in a busy retail district, a business district, a standalone office, etc.  Discuss how your location might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your counseling private practice marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertising in local papers and magazines
• Reaching out to websites
• Social media marketing
• Local radio advertising

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your therapy business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your counseling private practice, including answering calls, planning and providing therapy sessions, billing insurance and/or patients, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to book your Xth session, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your counseling private practice to a new city.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your private practice’s ability to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing counseling private practices. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a counseling private practice or successfully running a small medical practice.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Income Statement : an income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you see 5 patients per day, and/or offer group therapy sessions? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets : Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your counseling private practice, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement : Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a private practice:

• Cost of computer software.
• Cost of furniture and supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or a list of insurance plans you accept.  

Putting together a business plan for your therapy private practice is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will have an expert counseling private practice business plan; download it to PDF to show banks and investors. You will really understand the counseling private practice industry, your competition, and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful private practice .  

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