The pros & cons of starting your own private practice
Key takeaways
- Starting your own private practice takes planning and patience, but it’s a chance to build something that truly reflects how you want to work.
- The first stage often comes with challenges around finances, admin, and compliance, but once your systems are in place, it becomes much easier to manage.
- The freedom to choose your hours, clients, and what you want the future to hold gives you the flexibility to shape a routine that fits your life.
- Having access to the right support and community can make a big difference as you navigate the ups and downs of working independently.
<div id="section-1">Is it time to branch out and go out on your own? </div>
There’s no single moment when you know for sure it’s time to venture out on your own and start a private practice. For some, it may come after years of working in busy clinics or under another provider’s name, and they feel as though they have outgrown that role. For others, it’s when they realise they want more control over their professional direction and how they work.
This path isn’t for everyone. If it were, far more practitioners would be doing it. Some take the leap and then decide they’d rather not manage the extra responsibilities that come with running a business, so they return to a clinic setting. Others describe it as one of the best decisions they’ve ever made, opening doors to growth and independence they hadn’t experienced before.
This article looks at the pros and cons of starting your own private practice and shares a few tips to help you decide if it’s the right step for you.
<div id="section-2">Pros of starting your own private practice</div>
Flexibility
One of the biggest perks of running your own practice is having the freedom to shape your days the way you want. You choose when you work, where you work from, and how you deliver your services. Maybe that means starting later in the morning, keeping Fridays free, or mixing face-to-face sessions with a few days of telehealth from home.
This gives you room to adjust your workload as life changes, which can be a difficult conversation to have in a busy clinic. You can scale up when things are steady, pull back when you need space, and make time for what matters to you without asking anyone for approval. If you have been wishing that you could plan your work around what actually works for you, this might be your chance.
It’s not just about leaving behind the 9-to-5 routine. It’s about creating a workday that actually fits your life and helps you show up well for your clients.
Grow at your own pace
Much like the flexibility benefits we talked about earlier, running your own practice gives you complete control over how your career develops. You’re not tied to the goals or growth plans of a larger clinic; you set the direction yourself.
If you’re happy with your current workload and don’t want to expand any further, you can do that without feeling like you are holding anyone back or not meeting expectations. On the other hand, if you’re ready to grow, you can explore new opportunities, services, or client groups at your own pace.
It really comes down to creating a direction that reflects your goals and values, instead of fitting into someone else’s business plan. That kind of autonomy lets you build a practice that reflects what matters most to you, both personally and professionally.
Financial benefits
Running your own practice often opens the door to greater financial rewards over time. You keep what you earn, rather than sharing a percentage with a clinic or practice owner, and you have the freedom to set your own rates. While income can fluctuate in the early stages, which we’ll dive into later in the blog, many practitioners find that once their client base grows, their earning potential does too.
And yes, there are certainly expenses involved in running your own practice, but you might also be able to claim tax deductions for costs like rent, professional development, marketing, software, and equipment. So it’s not all expense and no reward, it’s about finding a balance that puts you in the best position for long-term sustainability.
More control over client care
One of the best parts about having your own practice is the freedom to decide how you work and who you work with. You choose the clients you want to see, the niche you want to focus on, and the direction you’d like your work to take.
This freedom often means you’ll naturally attract clients you’re best equipped to support. Maybe you’re a psychologist who wants to focus more on trauma, but your current clinic doesn’t have the right referrals coming through. Or perhaps you’re an OT who’d like to move toward early intervention but can’t within your existing setup. Running your own practice gives you the space to shape your work around what you do best and who you can help most.
<div id="section-3">Cons of starting your own private practice</div>
Financial instability
The early days of private practice can feel uncertain, and it’s this time that many practitioners start to question whether they’ve made the right decision. Between registration costs, insurance, rent, and software subscriptions, expenses can add up faster than expected.
It often takes time to build a steady stream of clients and a reliable income, which means you’ll need some financial cushion and patience while things find their footing. Careful budgeting in those first few months can make a big difference in keeping things manageable, and it’s worth seeking financial advice from an accountant to ensure everything is on the right track.
Not backed by a clinical name
One of the biggest adjustments is learning how to promote yourself. Without an established clinic name behind you, it’s up to you to build awareness and credibility. You have to remember that you’re starting from scratch, and it’s worthwhile to allocate some time, money, and effort into getting your name out there.
This might involve setting up a website, networking with local referrers, and being active in professional circles. It can take a bit of energy at first, but marketing yourself is really about helping the right clients find you and understand what you offer.
If you’re not sure where to start with marketing, we’ve shared some helpful insights in our blog: Marketing Your Private Practice Therapy Clinic.
Legalities and compliance
Unlike working in a clinic where you’re covered by their registration, insurance, and systems, running your own practice means sorting all of this out yourself. It can feel like a bit of a con in terms of paperwork and admin, especially at the start when you’re trying to tick everything off and make sure it’s done properly. You’ll need to set up your own insurance, maintain registration, and put in place policies for privacy and record-keeping.
It can take some time to get your head around, but once everything’s set up, it’s much easier to manage. From there, it’s mostly about keeping things up to date and making sure your documentation and renewals stay current.
Administrative workload
When you’re doing everything yourself, you quickly realise just how much admin happens behind the scenes. Without a reception team to manage bookings, payments, and reminders, it can start to feel like there’s always another task waiting for your attention. There are constant emails to answer, invoices to send, and calendars to update, all on top of seeing your clients.
The good news is that this side of things just takes a bit of time to get the hang of, and there are plenty of tools that can make it easier. Platforms like Zanda, Halaxy, and Cliniko help with managing appointments, payments, and client notes, keeping everything in one place. It might take some trial and error to figure out what works best for you, but once everything’s set up, the admin becomes much easier to stay on top of.
Lack of connection with other practitioners
Working for yourself can be rewarding, but it can also feel a little isolating at times. When you’re not surrounded by other practitioners each day, you miss out on those casual chats, shared ideas, and the sense of support that comes from being part of a team. It’s a bit like working from home full-time; you’re productive, but the social side of work can start to feel a bit quiet.
If the quiet starts to feel a little too quiet, joining a shared allied health space can help break that isolation. You’ll still have the flexibility to run your practice your way, but you’ll also have opportunities to connect, collaborate, and share experiences with other professionals who understand the same challenges.
You can learn more about shared coworking spaces in our blog: Why renting a space could be the smartest move for your private practice.
<div id="section-4">Building a successful private practice takes time and careful planning</div>
If you’re thinking about whether to stay with a provider or branch out on your own, it helps to know that private practice comes with its share of challenges as well as rewards. Each step is a learning experience that helps you grow both personally and professionally. With the right support, tools, and preparation, you can build a practice that fits the way you want to work.
Every practitioner starts somewhere, and taking the time to set up strong systems and a clear plan can make the journey much less stressful. You don’t need to have everything sorted from day one; it’s something that grows and takes shape over time.
If you’re ready to take the next step, look for options that offer both flexibility and a sense of community as you find your rhythm. Shared allied health spaces like Kiah Place make it easier to start small, stay connected and grow your practice with the right support around you.
