How I Scaled My Practice Without Burning Out
Jun 04, 2025
If you’ve ever thought about growing your therapy practice, you’ve probably also asked yourself this:
“But won’t it be more work?”
That was my biggest fear, too.
When I first considered expanding from solo to group practice, I was already maxed out. My calendar was full, my evenings were spent catching up on admin, and the idea of adding more to my plate felt like a fast track to burnout.
But here’s the truth: Scaling doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your well-being.
In fact, when done right, growing your practice can reduce burnout, not add to it.
Here’s how I scaled sustainably, and what I wish more therapists knew before they took the leap.
1. I Built a Foundation Before I Hired
I didn’t wait until I was drowning to start preparing for growth.
Even before I hired my first therapist, I spent time documenting my processes: intake, billing, scheduling, onboarding, all of it. I created templates and SOPs (standard operating procedures) for the things I did on repeat, so I wasn’t reinventing the wheel every time.
That way, when I finally brought on a team member, I wasn’t scrambling. I already had clear expectations, workflows, and systems in place, and that created a smoother, more sustainable experience for both of us.
2. I Didn’t DIY Everything
One of the best decisions I made was asking for help.
I hired a bookkeeper early on. I worked with a systems expert to help me set up my EHR properly. I even invested in business coaching and consultation for group practice owners to have a sounding board for all the “what ifs” in my head.
Delegating wasn’t always easy, especially when I felt like I should be able to do it all. But letting go of that pressure gave me the bandwidth to lead instead of getting buried in busywork.
If you want to scale without burning out, support is not optional. It’s essential.
3. I Focused on Hiring the Right People
There’s a difference between growing fast and growing well.
I wasn’t interested in hiring just anyone to fill a seat. I knew I wanted a values-aligned, mission-driven team. So I took my time with hiring, and it paid off.
I created a clear job description, got specific about what I was looking for, and built an interview process that helped me get to know applicants beyond their resumes. I also set expectations from day one, which helped avoid confusion and misalignment later.
Hiring the right people makes all the difference. When your team shares your vision, everything feels lighter.
4. I Set Boundaries Around My Time
In the early days, I was tempted to be “on” 24/7, answering team messages at night, checking email during dinner, saying yes to every request.
That didn’t work.
I had to learn to protect my time like a CEO, not just a clinician. That meant setting communication norms with my team, building white space into my calendar, and treating rest like a non-negotiable.
Burnout doesn’t just happen from seeing too many clients. It happens when your business controls your life.
The more I respected my time, the better I was able to lead, and the healthier our practice became.
5. I Kept Things Simple
Not everything needs to happen at once.
I didn’t launch a dozen new services or hire five therapists in my first month. I grew intentionally, one step at a time.
We focused on solidifying one role before adding another. We kept our offerings streamlined. We reviewed our processes regularly and made small tweaks instead of big overhauls.
That simplicity created stability. And stability is what makes growth sustainable.
Final Thoughts
Scaling your practice doesn’t mean you have to hustle harder or stretch yourself thinner. In fact, if you’re feeling stretched now, that’s the sign that something needs to shift.
The goal of group practice isn’t just more, it’s better.
Better support. Better systems. Better alignment with the life you want to build.
Want Help Avoiding Burnout as You Scale?
Before you hire your first team member, it’s essential to make sure your practice is truly ready and that you’re setting yourself up for sustainable growth, not added stress.
It’s the first chapter of the Group Practice Playbook, created to help you scale with intention, not overwhelm.
