How to Get Your Practice Together When Your Life Feels Messy

Let’s be real: there are times when being a therapist feels like you’re trying to hold everyone else together while your own world is on fire. If you’ve ever thought, “How can I possibly build my practice when my life is already falling apart?” You’re not alone. I’ve been there, and I understand the struggle.

Back in 2014, I was working two jobs in social work, living alone, and barely making my rent in NYC. On top of that, I was navigating my own emotional struggles. It felt impossible. Like, how could I dream of building a thriving practice when I could barely keep my head above water?

Here’s what I learned:

Motivation Is Fickle. Your WHY and discipline Will Save You.

Motivation comes and goes. I learned that early in life. But discipline and work ethic? That’s what will carry you when you don’t feel like showing up. It's the anchor that keeps you steady, even in the stormiest of times.

For me, my “why” was clear: I wanted to work with women and the LGBTQ+ community so they could live the life they deserved while healing their own traumas. Yes, I wanted to make more money, but more than that, I wanted to do meaningful work with the people I cared about most. That purpose became my anchor.

Set Goals, But Be Flexible

When you’re building a practice in the middle of chaos, timelines are important, but they’re not everything. Set clear goals and break them down into steps, but also allow yourself flexibility. Maybe it takes you an extra day, week, or even month to reach that milestone. That doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re human. And if this is truly what you desire, you are capable of it.

You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

One of the hardest lessons for us therapists to accept is that we need help, too. I leaned on my support system as much as I could. I also wasn’t afraid to outsource. For example, I hired a specialist to handle insurance enrollment because, let’s be honest, where was I going to find the time to do that while juggling two jobs? Delegation and outsourcing weren’t a luxury. It was survival.

Realistic Schedules Prevent Burnout

I knew if I overbooked or double-booked myself, I’d crash. And what good would that do my clients or me? So, I stayed realistic. I set boundaries with my time, such as scheduling a maximum number of client sessions per day and leaving time for self-care activities. I gave myself space to show up fully, both for my clients and for myself.

Don’t Ignore Your Own Needs

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs isn’t just a theory we toss around in grad school. It’s real life. Before you can be a successful entrepreneur, your basic needs, such as safety, stability, health, and relationships, must be acknowledged. You don’t have to “fix” everything first, but you do need to take care of yourself while you’re building. Otherwise, burnout or resentment will catch up.

And sometimes tending to yourself means pressing pause. Take time away when you need it. This could be a day off, a weekend getaway, or even a longer break if necessary. Rest doesn’t derail your progress. On the contrary, it fuels it. Giving yourself space to step back and breathe will make it easier to step forward again with clarity and energy.

Building a practice when life feels heavy isn’t easy. But it is possible. You don’t need to have it all figured out or be in the “perfect place” to start. You just need clarity, structure, and support.

If you’re ready to take the next step toward building the practice you’ve been dreaming of, I’d love to support you in making it happen. This could include one-on-one coaching sessions, resources and tools to help you manage your practice.