Professional Consultation
For therapists ready for private practice development & expansion
Meet Kelsey Blahnik, LCSW-S
Executive Director of The And Way Therapy Group, Therapist, Author, and Speaker
I know the professional side of therapy can feel both meaningful and overwhelming.
With experience in both private practice and public-sector mental health, I understand the unique challenges therapists face at different stages of their careers. I have worked as part of larger systems, independently, and now as the owner of a growing group practice.
Whether you are starting your first private practice, rethinking the way your current practice is structured, or considering expansion, consultation gives you space to slow down, ask honest questions, and make decisions with more clarity.
Through professional consultation, I help therapists think through:
Starting a private practice
Growing or refining an existing practice
Expanding into a group practice
Making ethical and HIPAA-conscious business decisions
Aligning your practice with your values, capacity, and financial needs
Navigating clinical, professional, and leadership challenges
My approach is collaborative and practical. Your goals, values, and vision stay at the center of our work together.
After each consultation session, I follow up with tailored resources and referrals when appropriate, so you leave with more than insight. You leave with next steps.
My goal is to help you build a practice that is ethical, sustainable, and aligned with the kind of therapist and business owner you want to be.
Private Practice Consultation
Support for every step of your private practice journey
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Are you hoping to start a private practice and feeling overwhelmed or unsure of where to start? I'm here to provide guidance and mentorship on building your private practice.
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Are you looking to make some changes to your practice, such as switching EHRs or adding an insurance panel and want some guidance in the process? Or are you looking for someone to talk through your current practice policies to see if there's anything you could be doing to make your life easier? I'd love to help!
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Ready to take the next step in your practice by expanding and aren't sure how to manage things like payroll or supervisory billing? Or maybe you've already expanded and are looking for support as you grow into your next phase. I'd love to guide you in this exciting next step!
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Do you have an idea of who your ideal client is but struggle to find them? Or are you needing someone to brainstorm with about what type of clients are the best fit for you? I'd love to sit down with you and help you find more of the clients that bring you the most fulfillment in your practice.
Consultation Costs
I offer individual consultations for mental health professionals at a rate of $150 per 50-minute session. These sessions are more than just a one-time conversation; they include follow-up support with a personalized list of resources and referrals to services that can benefit your practice.
Some seeking consultation have asked…
Do I need ongoing consultation, or can I schedule one session?
You can schedule consultation based on what you need. Some therapists use one session to talk through a specific decision, clinical question, or practice concern. Others prefer ongoing consultation while starting a private practice, growing a group practice, or working through more complex clinical or business questions.
Clinical Consultation
Supporting & enhancing your clinical knowledge
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Are you looking for guidance on how to blend EMDR and IFS together to best support your client's needs?
I provide guidance for therapists on how to effectively blend these two approaches to improve your client's outcomes. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your skills, I offer personalized support to help you use these modalities together.
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Whether you have a client with OCD you need to consult with an expert on, or are you looking to expand your clinical knowledge about working with clients with OCD, I'd love to share my expertise with you.
Common Questions About Consultation
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Professional consultation for therapists is a space to receive guidance, strategy, and support as you navigate the clinical, ethical, business, and emotional realities of private practice. Consultation may focus on starting a private practice, building systems, finding your ideal client, expanding into a group practice, or strengthening your clinical work through approaches like EMDR, IFS, or OCD-informed care.
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Professional consultation may be a good fit for therapists who are starting a private practice, feeling stuck in their current practice, considering leaving a group practice, expanding into a group practice, or wanting more support around clinical decision-making. It can also be helpful for therapists who want a thoughtful place to talk through business decisions without losing sight of their values, ethics, or clinical integrity.
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Yes. Consultation can help you think through the practical and emotional parts of starting your own therapy practice, including pricing, insurance, documentation, boundaries, scheduling, ideal clients, referral sources, and long-term sustainability. The goal is not just to help you start a private practice, but to help you build one that makes sense for your life, values, and clinical goals.
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Professional consultation is offered at a rate of $150 per 50-minute session. Depending on your needs, sessions may be used for a one-time consultation or ongoing support as you start, develop, or expand your private practice.
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Before starting a private practice, therapists often need to consider licensure requirements, business structure, insurance panels, private pay rates, documentation systems, ethical obligations, marketing, consultation support, and financial stability. It is also important to think honestly about your capacity, your ideal caseload, and what kind of practice model will be sustainable for you over time.
Read more about insurance panels here. -
You may be ready to leave a group practice if you want more autonomy, have a clear sense of your clinical niche, understand the financial responsibilities of private practice, and are prepared to manage the business side of your work. That said, leaving a group practice can come with hidden costs, so consultation can help you look at the full picture before making a decision.
Read more here to learn if you are ready to leave your group practice. -
No. Professional consultation is not the same as clinical supervision. Supervision is typically required for licensure and includes formal oversight, evaluation, and responsibility according to licensing board requirements. Consultation is usually used by licensed professionals who want support, guidance, or another experienced perspective, but it does not replace required supervision or legal/ethical obligations.
Additional Resources
I have wrote a couple of blogs that go into further detail about some of the questions you may be pondering as you navigate starting a group practice or seek additional support in your own group practice. Click on each topic below to learn more.
Also, if you are serious about private practice in any form, I recommend the Practice of the Practice Academy as a resource for therapists building sustainable practices. In their program, you will learn more about the business side of owning a practice. I am an affiliate because I believe in the content. Click here to learn more about their program.