We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Sheena Horsford recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Sheena, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

I started my own practice in 2019 as a newly licensed clinician. I started part time seeing a few clients weekly. As a new practice owner, since I had a full time job, I was not focused on the management of a business. I was excited to see clients independently and make whatever anyone was willing to pay me at the time. My business was more of a hobby that I made money on the side to supplement my lifestyle doing something I loved. I wanted to remain part time and keep it small. This was perfect for someone like me at the time who did not want to be very visible and known in my community. Once I completed all of my paperwork to establish my business, I rented a space and began seeing clients in person. Some of the initial key challenges was setting practice policies. An early lesson I learned was when a client no-showed for the session and I didn’t get paid. Not being familiar with how business worked, I asked my landlord at the time if I could pay a reduction in rent because my client did not show up. The landlord, whom I was so thankful, informed me that rent was due no matter if clients showed up or not. She suggested I create a late cancellation policy/no show fee so that my business would be protected. Initially that was so difficult to enforce because I did not identify myself as a business owner, rather a clinician getting paid to see clients. Over time, after receiving late cancellations and not enforcing my policy, I realized it was hurting me and I was not modeling good boundaries to my clients. Fast forward 6 years later, I own a private therapy practice and I work as a couple and family therapist full time. It would have been very helpful for me to learn early on how to run a business and not a hobby. I would have learned how to make my business visible and how to market my company or delegate that responsibility to an expert. The advice I would give a young professional starting their own practice is to network with other professionals who are running a practice successfully and work on your money mindset. As an entrepreneur, it’s important to challenge some of those limiting beliefs we have learned about making money and accumulating wealth that often hold us back from setting boundaries and enforcing policies in our business that also help the business to grow.

Dr. Sheena, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am Dr. Sheena. I am a couple and family therapist and have been practicing for over 15 years. I got into my profession by chance when I was applying for different graduate programs and happened to find Michigan State’s Couple and Family Therapy Program. When I saw the information online I was really excited to see that there was a training clinic on campus and the graduate students saw client in person with the support of their professors’ guidance. I was accepted into the program and my first time in the therapy room felt perfect! I knew I was in the right place doing what felt truly natural for me.
I am currently the CEO of Mending Hearts, a virtual private practice for couples, individuals, and families. I help couples who feel lonely living as roommates to feel desire and connection with their partner. I help women feel empowered to be sexual and embrace their sexuality. Finally, I help adult families who have been silenced and isolated by trauma, learn to communicate and share their pain with each other. I’m very proud of the growth of my practice this year and milestones I have reached. In 2025 I challenged myself as the CEO to become more visible and build community while stretching my mindset around growth. I have invested in myself by completing a clinical training to enhance my skillset. I have expanded my network and have built community with other private practice owners. I have completed multiple speaking engagements in the community, and I have improved my social media presence. Believing and trusting yourself and the process really works.

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

I think building a supportive community of professionals in your field and networking is very important to help you succeed as an entrepreneur. As a small business owner, it has made a difference in my business growth and financial success creating a supportive community. If no one knows your business exists, it’s hard for people to refer it. Word of mouth is still a powerful marketing tool.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Yes as a book lover, there are several books that have impacted my entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy. The first book, “We Should All be Millionaires” by Rachel Rodgers challenged and shifted my money mindset. It really helped me to recognize how I had a lot of limiting beliefs around growing and making money.

The Power of Focus Tenth Anniversary Edition by Jack Canfield-helped me to learn the importance of time management and delegating tasks

The Hustle Cure: A New Approach to Burnout and Productivity for Women by Sophie Cliff-teaching me how to work based upon my personal productivity level

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell-taught the importance of living

The Millionaire Nextdoor by Thomas J. Stanley-taught me money management and the importance of living within your means.

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason-taught me money management and the importance of living within your means.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mendingheartstogether.com
• Instagram: drsheena_h