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IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH (THAT MEANS THERAPISTS TOO!)

Writer's picture: Christina RunnelsChristina Runnels

Updated: May 2, 2024

Mental Health Awareness

Happy Mental Health Awareness Month! I’m sure you’re celebrating this annual awareness month by sharing information online, hosting educational events, and taking other steps to increase awareness and advocate for the field of therapy. This time of the year, I also like to take a minute to remind my therapist clients that they need to be checking in with a therapist regularly to decompress, learn new skills, and stay at their best for clients. In this blog, I’m going to talk a little about the importance of prioritizing your own therapy needs as part of running your private practice. 


Therapy for Therapists – You Really Need to Go 

During your education, you likely heard professors talk about therapy for therapists and how important it is. Then, you got out in the real world and started offering therapy, and suddenly, there just wasn’t enough time in the day for everything. Your own therapy appointments were likely the first thing to go. When you neglect regular therapy visits, you are much less likely to offer the level of support your clients need, and you increase your risk for burnout. 


How Can You Make Therapy a Priority?

When you have clients who repeatedly fail to prioritize their therapy sessions (showing up late, canceling at the last minute, not practicing new skills between sessions), what advice do you give them? I usually give my clients the following advice – be consistent, ask for help or delegate other priorities, and commit to regular sessions in order to make progress. I’m sure you’ve given some of this advice to your own clients. If you want to prioritize your mental health when you open a private practice, it’s time to follow your own advice: 

  • Put your regular therapy sessions on your calendar, block out the time, and don’t cancel or reschedule unless there is truly an unavoidable emergency. 

  • Depend on other people for help or delegate responsibilities to ensure you have time to dedicate to regular therapy sessions. 

  • Put your therapy sessions in your budget. They are an expense of doing business, and you should consider your therapy sessions a business expense. In many states, that also means they’re a tax write off, so that’s a win-win. 

  • Remember how important therapy is to ensure you offer your clients the best care while also supporting your family and loved ones – not to mention feeling your very best. 


Want More Private Practice Tips?

Running a private therapy practice isn’t easy, but it’s something just about anyone can do well with the right guidance. If you have questions about staring a private solo or group practice or you’re struggling to even decide where to begin, I’ve got you covered. I’m Christina Runnels, a licensed professional counselor and therapy practice coach. I offer a range of private practice coaching and mentorship programs to help therapists start, maintain, and grow their private therapy practices. When you’re ready to get started, I’m here to help. From a single consultation to a full new practice starter package, I can provide the level of support you need to achieve your private practice goals. 

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