We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lindsey Cope a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lindsey, thanks for joining us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

There was a moment at the end of 2022 where I knew in my gut I was ready for more. I had been networking steadily and connecting with clinicians in the field, and their stories inspired me! With a mixture of clinical and business experience in my background, I felt confident that I could take the step to starting a business.

I started slowly, and my main steps included acquiring an office space, forming my LLC, creating my website, and getting my business license. I think some of the steps that I anticipated being difficult, such as finding the right office space, came quickly, while others were more involved than I had thought. I remember at one point my to-do list only getting longer, despite my efforts.

Looking back, one thing I would have done differently would be enjoying the process more as I went. I can be very focused on the steps–what’s next? what more needs to be done?–and I sometimes lost sight of the exciting achievements along the way. Thankfully, I had wonderful people around me who helped me to slow down and acknowledge those moments.

My advice for anyone looking to start their own therapy practice would be to work on your mindset first. I have struggled with a scarcity mindset, particularly around money, and I spent a good deal of time individually and in my personal therapy addressing this before starting the process of opening my practice. Scarcity creates fear, anxiety, and can lead to desperate or urgent actions. I would encourage anyone looking to start a therapy practice to challenge scarcity beliefs around money, clients, and referrals.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve always known I wanted to be in the therapy field, completing both my undergraduate and graduate degrees in social work. After working at a private practice for a couple of years, I transitioned to working at a higher level-of-care eating disorder treatment facility. I found a passion for supporting teen girls and women in challenging learned beliefs about food, body, and worth, and have continued that focus at the outpatient level.

I specialize in working with women with eating disorders, and have a passion for working with athletes and active women. I use mindful self-compassion and body-based practices to help women begin to let go of learned beliefs about their bodies and begin to relate a little more gently with themselves.
I’m proud of the way I am able to provide non-judgmental support and kindness in the therapy space. I believe that we all have the resources we need within us, but due to past experiences and societal messages, we’ve disconnected from our true selves. Therapy is a way to begin to reconnect with ourselves, and I feel honored to work with women on this journey.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

I believe connection is essential for therapists. Our work demands a lot from us–emotionally, mentally, and even physically. We sit with individuals on the hardest days of their lives. And, especially when we are in private practice, it can feel isolating to not have support available. I would encourage those new to the field to find other clinicians whom you trust and feel your values and perspectives align with; create a network that you can turn to when you feel unsure, overwhelmed, or just need support.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One thing they tell you repeatedly when you’re pursuing a degree in social work is “you’ll never make money.” In fact, I had professors spend half their classes warning us to not continue in the field unless we were prepared to struggle financially. When I got offered a job right out of graduate school that paid $26,000, I thought that was going to be the standard amount one could make due to all of this messaging.

Thankfully, over the years I have had female mentors who worked hard in their own businesses to challenge this mindset. They taught me how to balance a desire to to make therapy accessible with a need to financially support myself. They showed me what it is to know your worth and charge accordingly, while still holding compassion for the clients and people I work with.

I mentioned a scarcity mindset earlier, and I think unlearning this belief that you can’t make money as a therapist is a huge step towards challenging a scarcity mindset.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.paceyourselfcc.com
• Instagram: @lindseycope.lcsw