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

Kristen, 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?

Establishing my solo private practice over the past six months was only possible because I had the support I needed to take the leap. I had toyed with the idea for a while, knowing that one day I would eventually have my own private practice. I’m currently back in school to obtain my doctorate degree, which was a big decision and lifestyle shift, so I was unsure if I could make another significant change.

Prior to my own practice, I was working with a group practice that I had just spread myself a little too thin in, but my appreciation for and commitment to the group that helped me grow made it hard for me to take any steps away. The people in my life were influential in helping me consider what the transition could look like, despite my hesitations. I had a supervisor in my doctorate program last year who encouraged me to take a chance on myself. Additionally, I had a friend who recently opened her practice and colleagues that offered to answer my questions along the way. Plus, my partner being a business owner and believing in me provided all the motivation I needed.

The main steps I took to create my business were establishing my LLC, setting up my electronic record system, and designing my website. The most challenging aspect was getting myself credentialed with insurance companies, which tends to be a difficult and frustrating task for most therapists. My main advice for opening and establishing your own private practice is to allow your loved ones to support you, expand your professional network for people to guide you, and use your mentors because their insight is invaluable.

Kristen, 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’m the owner and sole therapist of Custer Therapy LLC, a solo private practice in Maryland! I offer services to treat anxiety in adults, which also includes addressing other mental health symptoms and disorders that may present along with anxiety. I also provide supervision to entry level therapists, and enjoy creating presentation on topics I’m passionate about sharing with others. I provide culturally responsive and trauma-informed care, maintain allyship with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and create a safe, affirming space for my clients.

In addition to being a therapist and operating my practice, I’m also in the third year of my doctorate program. Deciding to go back to school after being in the field with my master’s was both the easiest and hardest choice I’ve made. Being in the role of a student, while also managing my practice and providing care to my clients is challenging to balance at times. However, integrating these roles has expanded my knowledge, competencies, and self-awareness, which allows me to enhance the therapeutic services and experiences I offer my clients.

I originally got into the field of clinical psychology because I found the information I had been searching for to help me conceptualize my world and relationships. I knew I wanted to be in a field that allowed me to grow, helped others, had the possibility for a doctorate, and allowed for an individual to hold multiple roles. I found value in the clinical work and research, and enjoy integrating these aspects with social justice and advocacy. I’ve had moments within various parts of my career that I questioned if I was on the right path, and imposter syndrome is a very real thing therapists, counselors, and psychologists experience throughout their careers. So learning how to personally navigate those emotions becomes especially important, and your supervisors or own therapy can be essential.

I’m proud of myself for currently accomplishing what I dreamed of doing. I’m pursuing my doctorate, I’m operating a business, and I’m seeking new opportunities to grow myself and my practice. I want to be unlimited in the field and diversify my work, so all that I’m doing now is fulfilling that, plus, contributing to my ability to continue to achieve those goals in the future of my career. However, I’m most proud of turning something I once perceived as my weakness into my strength. When I was younger, I thought my anxiety was a hinderance, an unfortunate trait, making me too sensitive and fearful. I have since learned and discovered that experiences of anxiety are part of the human condition. Anxiety is a tool for survival and emotional connection. This shift occurred in the beginning of my education, and it is ever evolving, but it is the basis for all of my current work as an anxious human helping other anxious humans thrive.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I would choose the same profession! I feel lucky to have found a field and career that align well with my lifestyle, personal values, interests, and life goals.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Aside from my education and training, the most helpful thing to succeed in the field of clinical and counseling psychology is understanding yourself.

Therapists learn to practice self-awareness and self-reflection throughout their schooling and practice. It’s essential to understand ourselves in order to best serve our clients. Understanding who you are – your values, beliefs, personality, strengths, areas of growth, etc. – also promotes a more compassionate and open environment because we are showing up authentically for our clients to safely hold space for their vulnerability.

Truly and deeply understanding yourself as therapist is additionally important to owning a private practice. We are in a field where who we are as humans impacts how we present as therapists, which influences how our practices are displayed. I think people can be successful in this field by taking a general approach in their therapeutic style and business values. However, we can use our personal insight and self-knowledge to shape and guide the companies we create. This allows clients to find the care they want, that’s unique to them, because therapy is not one size fits all. Being direct and clear in what you care about, how you practice, what you believe in, and who you are is essential to success.

When you look at my website, you likely won’t learn much about my personal life. You will, however, see who I know myself to be reflected in its pages.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://custertherapy.com
• Instagram: @kristen.the.therapist
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristencuster.LCPC

Image Credits

N/A – myself and a friend took all of the photos!