Join Dr. Misty for a wealth of info that you never got in grad school about how to launch a thriving, inclusive practice!
Impostor Syndrome Affects Neurodivergent Mental Health Counselors in a Unique Way That Deserves Special Attention. ...more
Blog
April 15, 2024•4 min read
Starting today, with this very first post, we’re laying down the foundation for a journey we’ll embark on together. A journey where no question is too small, no doubt too silly, and no idea too out th... ...more
Blog
March 18, 2024•3 min read
Dr. Misty and friends will share a whole bunch of amazing resources and insight about how to build a thriving, inclusive practice, and help answer all those questions you didn't get answered when you ... ...more
Blog
March 18, 2024•3 min read
You know, women are taught that it's rude to toot their own horns. I think that's a bunch of patriarchal bullshit. I'm going to toot my own horn all I want because dammit, I've earned it.
I graduated from my masters program with my degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy in 2015. Right after that --and I mean RIGHT after that-- I started my private practice. It was a challenge and I didn't have a lot of support because many of the mentors and instructors in my program were pushing towards working in community mental health.
Now, I understand that there is a great need for therapists willing to work in community mental health, there are many clients who need care and not enough therapists to meet those needs. But the community mental health agencies in my area paid around $25-$30 per hour. I could make that much (probably more, actually!) serving at a restaurant, bartending, or something else that I didn't need to work my ass off in a university setting for 4 years at undergrad and then 3 more years at grad school just to make the same wage I made before I started school. It wasn't going to work for me. I knew I valued my time, my education, and my skills more than that.
So I pushed through the Negative Nancy feedback I was getting, found an AMAZING supervisor (shout out, Katy!!!) who was willing to support me in my entrepreneurial endeavors, and I built my own business from scratch. Fast forward through working by my lonesome in my private practice, doing great, but lonely, work, and I decided to expand my business to include more therapists, specifically interns and associates working toward full licensing. At this time I had also completed some more educational pursuits which included my AASECT Certified Sex Therapy certification and my PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. I realized through my PhD that I absolutely LOVED mentoring and supporting new therapists just coming into their own therapist identity, the ones working through impostor syndrome, and I loved watching them experience that passion to build their own businesses just like I did.
When I first started to expand my business, my first intern was Michell, who is now my business partner and colleague in our company, FlowArt Learning, where we create and teach courses for the general public about the intersectional identities of being neurodivergent and queer. We have an amazing podcast called Neurosparkly where we talk about what it's like to be neurodivergent while being a therapist (something I'll share with you here in Baby Therapists as well), lots of topics about neurodivergence in general, lots of topics about queerness in general, some sex therapy topics, and much more. It's fun and insightful, and of course, like Michell and I, it's very awkward.
My practice is now a half a million dollar clinical private pay practice and still, about 50% of our clients are people who have financial difficulties work with myself and my therapists at a reduced rate. It's extremely important to me to give back to lower income communities because those communities, like neurodivergent and queer communities, are a part of my roots. I will never stop serving people who need my care, and I would love to show you how to build a thriving practice that sits close to your core values and social justice ideals while still making you a great income. You deserve it!
I hope you'll allow me to support you in your journey towards your business creations as well, as I have had the honor to do with so many students, interns, and associates before you. I know you'll appreciate my insights and I would love to watch your excitement blossom into something amazing, and real, and profitable, and difference-making. Let's do this!
Here you can see a full list of services and courses that are offered at Baby Therapists:
Coaching
Dr. Misty offers 90-minute group coaching sessions monthly. Dr. Misty will often have guest speakers join the coaching sessions to share other insights as well!
Consulting
If you need more 1:1 support, Dr. Misty offers consulting packages starting at 3 sessions to help you build your business plan and launch your business with complete success.
Social Media
Dr. Misty will be offering a wonderful Done For You monthly social media subscription specifically for therapists, with already created posts that you can edit to meet your practice's needs. Just add your logo, change to your brand colors, and social media for the month is done! Stay tuned!
Online Courses
I've created courses to start you in the right direction with practice building, as well as courses to walk you through how to build your own business plan, supervisor matching courses, and financial budgeting for therapists courses! I'm always adding new courses as well!
Certifications
This is the Baby Therapist Ultimate Masterclass, and it includes a 1:1 meeting with Dr. Misty to review your specific questions on how to launch your practice into success!
Community
All members of Baby Therapists get to participate in the FlowArt Babies private group, where you can meet and network with colleagues, ask questions, and get some amazing ideas to help support your practice's growth.
Business Planning
Interested in starting your practice but feel overwhelmed with the prospect of creating a business plan? Let me do it for you! I've created TONS of business plans for therapists starting out in private practice, just like you, and I'd be thrilled to create a customized plan with you.
Want More?
Stay tuned for more business building amazingness here at Baby Therapists, and don't forget to sign up for our newsletter for amazing articles and tips!
More courses by Dr. Misty and her terrific colleagues are offered on our sister site at FlowArt Academy
Would you like customized help from Dr. Misty on how to establish your new practice? Dr. Misty offers packages for 3, 6, 9, and 12 sessions to help you brainstorm and come up with your business plan. If you'd prefer for Dr. Misty to create a customized business plan for you, she offers Done For You Business Planning Creation for Therapists!
All of our courses are neurodivergent friendly, offering a video, an audio, a printable PDF, and a dyslexia friendly PDF!
Baby Therapists Mini Course
An Intro to the Basics of Starting a Practice
90 minutes
3 Key Lessons
Graduates of the mini-course get a discount on the Ultimate Certification course!
The Importance of a Great Supervisor
Why It's Essential to Shop Around for Your Best Fit
2 hours
4 Lessons
Included in Baby Therapists Certification Course
Baby Therapists Ultimate Certification
Earn a Certificate with this Full In-Depth Course of The Most Important Aspects of Building a New Practice
10 hours
12 Lessons
Flagship Certification Course
Check out what participants of Dr. Misty's courses have to say:
"As a newly licensed professional counselor venturing into private practice, the journey felt daunting until I came across this course. The modules on business building specifically tailored for mental health professionals provided me with a roadmap to establish my practice on solid ground. The insights into marketing, supervision fit, and financial planning were particularly transformative. It’s not just a course; it’s an investment in your future success. I can't recommend it enough to anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in the mental health field."
Josh James, LPC
"Starting my journey as a new "baby" therapist, I felt overwhelmed with where to begin in building a practice that resonates with my values and reaches the clients I am most passionate about helping while also helping me make a sustainable living wage. This course was a game-changer. The lessons on branding and niche marketing helped me find my voice and position my services in a competitive market. The practical tools and strategies shared have been invaluable in growing my practice. This course is a must for any therapist serious about making a difference."
Samantha Riggins, LGPC
"This course came to me at the perfect time. As a new grad wanting to start my own private practice, I had learned the clinical skills in school but they didn't teach anything about how to build and sustain a private practice. Like Dr. Misty said about her instructors, mine seemed to steer students into community mental health too. The modules on ethical considerations in business, along with the advice on digital marketing and networking, have been a game changer for how I look at building myself as a businesswoman. The community and support from the other participants were also so encouraging and supportive. I’m ready to confidently expand my practice and make a bigger difference (and more money!) than I ever thought possible."
Tasha Cole, LGPC