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

Kayla , looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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.

The first step was building the confidence to take the leap and believe in myself. My husband was a huge source of encouragement—he was the one who gave me the push to start my own practice, and I’m so grateful for his support. Honestly, in the beginning, I had to borrow some of his confidence until I started to truly believe in myself. Once I committed, I had to think of a name and build a website to bring it to life. Thankfully, my husband took over with the technical side of things.

One of the biggest challenges was marketing and getting clients to actually find my website. It’s a whole different world, and I quickly realized it’s not something you can just figure out overnight. Another hurdle was finding the right office space and furnishing it. I’ll admit, interior design is not my strong suit, and I initially tried to handle it myself. That turned into a bit of a disaster—I ended up repainting and redoing the whole office. Hiring an interior designer was a game-changer, and I only wish I’d done it sooner.

My advice to anyone starting their own practice? First, don’t hesitate to lean on the people who believe in you. My husband was confident that I could successfully run the practice, and borrowing some of his confidence in those early days made all the difference. Second, find a niche. I knew from the start that I wanted to work mainly with couples, and having a clear focus helped me build a practice that feels aligned with my passion and purpose. Third, don’t try to do it all yourself. Hire professionals for the things you’re not an expert at—it will save you so much time, energy, and frustration. Focus on what you’re great at and let others handle the rest. Starting your practice is a marathon, not a sprint, but it’s incredibly rewarding to watch it grow and see the impact you can make.

Kayla , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi! My name is Kayla Crane, and I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and the founder of South Denver Therapy. I specialize in helping couples and individuals navigate the complexities of relationships, trauma, and personal growth. From a young age, I was fascinated by human connections and how we communicate (or sometimes miscommunicate!), which eventually led me to this incredibly rewarding field. I believe that therapy isn’t just for when things are ‘broken’—it’s a space for growth, understanding, and strengthening the bonds that matter most.

At South Denver Therapy, we offer a range of services including couples counseling, premarital counseling, infidelity therapy, individual therapy, and EMDR therapy for trauma. I’ve found my passion in working with couples, particularly those who feel stuck or disconnected but still love each other and want to find their way back to a stronger, more fulfilling relationship. One of the things that sets us apart is our focus on being approachable and relatable—therapy doesn’t have to feel intimidating or clinical. My goal is to make clients feel heard, supported, and equipped with tools they can use long after they leave the office.

What I’m most proud of is the impact we’ve made in helping people not just survive but thrive in their relationships and personal lives. Many of my clients come in feeling like they’ve hit a wall, and watching them leave with renewed hope and confidence is what drives me every day. Another thing I’m proud of is the supportive, warm environment we’ve created at South Denver Therapy—it’s a space where clients feel safe to explore their challenges and grow.

For potential clients, I want them to know that therapy is for everyone. You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from it. We’re here to help you build better communication, heal from pain, and move toward the life and relationships you truly want. What I’ve learned over the years is that we’re not naturally taught how to communicate effectively or handle the complexities of love and life—it’s okay to need a little guidance. And that’s what we’re here for.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

SEO has been a game-changer for growing our clientele at South Denver Therapy. By focusing on local keywords, optimizing our website, and creating content that resonates with people searching for help, we’ve been able to connect with clients who truly need our services. Showing up in their search results at the right time makes all the difference.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Absolutely, I would choose the same profession and specialty. Working with couples has been incredibly rewarding—helping people navigate challenges, rebuild trust, and strengthen their relationships feels like meaningful work every single day. There’s nothing else I’d rather do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.southdenvertherapy.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/southdenvertherapy
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/southdenvertherapy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/south-denver-therapy
• Twitter: https://x.com/SDenverTherapy
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthDenverTherapy

Image Credits

Kalen Jesse Photography