Fearless Practice

About Fearless Practice

Where are you in your private practice journey? How's it going for you? I'm Jules Smith, and I'm so glad you're here. The Fearless Practice podcast is your go-to resource for building a thriving private practice in Canada. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, this podcast is here to guide you every step of the way. I share practical tips on everything from launching your practice and filling your schedule to expanding into a group practice. But you won't just hear from me—I also interview Canadian therapists from across the country who share their real-life experiences, challenges, and wins. These honest conversations offer valuable insight, inspiration, and support to help you confidently create a private practice that works for you. Let's learn, grow, and build fearless practices—together.

Publisher

Jules Smith

Category

business · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

26 Nov 2021

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

203 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   7 Oct 2026

   6 Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a Canadian Private Practice | Ep 203

   Starting a Canadian private practice can be such an exciting time in your life, but also very overwhelming! This means that sometimes things can get missed, or too much time can be spent on one task, running the risk of other important steps falling through the cracks. In private practice, anything missing could have serious consequences! It is important to be thorough. So, I thought it would be helpful to share a couple of common mistakes and how to avoid them! In this episode: Waiting for perfect clarity before launching Using US advice without adapting to Canada Underestimating privacy/security needs for a Canadian practice Setting policies too late Not blocking out consistent admin time Growing before your foundations are stable Waiting for perfect clarity before launching The cost of waiting for perfect clarity can be months of delay in launching your practice, which can lead to lost revenue and delays in building up your clientele base. That's why I love using WordPress. It gives you everything you need to start your website. With its built-in optimization and responsive, mobile-ready themes, there's no limit to who you can reach with your new website. No matter the size of your budget, WordPress (https://wordpress.com) has a plan that's right for you! Using US advice without adapting to Canada 'Sometimes, [US-based advice] does not apply in Canada or in your province, so you want to make sure you are listening to Canadian content like this podcast! Or other Canadian podcasts, or Canadian websites talking about private practice in Canada.' - Jules Smith For example, many provinces require all healthcare data to be stored on Canadian servers. So, if you have been only listening to US-based advice, you may have accidentally purchased a subscription to a US-based private practice management system, which could place you in some hot water! I highly recommend using JaneApp for a Canadian practice management system. Jane offers online booking, charting, scheduling, secure video, and invoicing on one secure, beautifully designed system. It makes admin a breeze and maintains an effective workflow. Underestimating privacy/security needs for a Canadian practice To send secure emails and keep my communication safe, I use and recommend Hushmail. Hushmail protects your clients by adding encryption to your emails, web forms, and e-signatures. It's secure, PIPEDA-compliant, and trusted by healthcare professionals worldwide. Plus, all of their servers are in Canada! Additionally, consider Nord VPN. It helps protect your internet connection and privacy online when working. VPN stands for "virtual private network," and it creates an encrypted tunnel for your data, protects your online identity by hiding your IP address, and allows you to use public Wi-Fi hotspots safely. Setting policies too late While it is true that you don't need everything to be perfect before launching your private practice, setting up your policies before you launch is essential. I know this can be a lot to research, think about, and write. So, you can always purchase my Fearless Practice Scripts that go over all of those policies. You can edit and discuss them with your attorney before publishing them for your practice's launch. Not blocking out consistent admin time I highly recommend reserving admin time and completing it between sessions. If you don't stay on top of your admin, it can lead to chronic stress, not being present with clients, and feeling overwhelmed. Growing before your foundations are stable Sometimes you want a group private practice right away, so you start hiring therapists within the first couple of months of starting your private practice. While some therapists may pull it off, for most therapists, this rapid growth pace may lead to burnout and overwhelm, and even risk associate or client dissatisfaction. Connect with me: Instagram Website Resources mentioned and useful links: Katie McLean: Combining Two Master's Degrees into One Practice | EP 202 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (http://www.fearlesspractice.ca/Jane) (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free! Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/191b5f96-da18-4f2e-8be8-6c1f62471f4a), and TuneIn

2. 

   30 Sept 2026

   Katie McLean: Combining Two Master's Degrees Into One Practice | Ep 202

   Some doors close so that others can open: when Katie didn't get accepted into the original Master's Education in Counselling program she wanted, it was disappointing. However, she ended up following another piece of her passion, teaching, and got her Master's in Teaching and Education. Then, once she had graduated, she combined that degree with her second Master's in Counselling Psychology, creating the degree she was initially looking for! Today, Katie runs her fully booked private practice where she combines her passion for teaching and psychology into one. Join us today as we discuss how she opened her practice, strategically marketed it with networking to become full, and built community to support her goals. MEET KATIE Katie is a Registered Provisional Psychologist in Calgary with a "just do it" attitude. She launched her private practice in November 2025 and has a bustling practice focusing on ADHD, Anxiety, OCD, and perinatal care. She is also the co-host of the Happiness of the Commons Podcast. Learn more about Katie on her private practice website, Psychology Today, Instagram accounts, and podcast. In this episode: Why Katie decided to start a private practice Registering as a Psychologist Completing two Master's degrees: Teaching and Psychology Marketing the practice Why Jane App makes private practice easier Why Katie decided to start a private practice While Katie loved working at a group practice initially for her provisional hours, once she was qualified and certified, she wanted to open her own Canadian private practice. Ultimately, for Katie, opening her own private practice meant two things: bringing more income home and having more freedom in her schedule. Registering as a Psychologist In Alberta, you can register as a psychologist with only a Master's degree: you go through a provisional period, which includes 1600 hours working under supervision with a registered psychologist. Once Katie's hours are completed, she won't have to pay for supervision any longer. She also has her Master's in Education, so Katie explains that she'd like to teach. Completing two Master's degrees: Teaching and Psychology Katie has always had a passion for psychology, so she completed her undergraduate degree in psychology. While studying, she worked in student affairs for some time, which included leadership, mentorship, and event planning, and it was something she really loved. Initially, Katie applied to complete her Master's of Education in Counselling. Unfortunately, she wasn't accepted into that course, but she was accepted into a Master's of Education in Teaching and Learning because, at that time, she was working in higher education. However, later on she was accepted to complete her Master's in Counselling Psychology. It was back-to-back Master's degrees, and Katie took six months off of school afterwards! Marketing the practice Now, Katie's practice is full, and her biggest and most successful marketing strategy has been networking. Katie puts a lot of effort into networking with therapists adjacent to her practice, because she knows that when the relationship is strong and solid, people trust and depend on each other, and can easily send referrals between practices. Why Jane App makes private practice easier Katie lists plenty of the reasons why she enjoys using Jane App in her private practice and encourages listeners to do the same: Clients can book sessions online directly, including a series of appointments a few weeks in advance Clients can also book many sessions in advance and can cancel one if they need to at least 24 hours before the session is due to begin Billing is incredibly easy Taxes are easy to manage All data is centralized in one spot Katie's advice to listeners Private practice is not impossible. There are challenges, but it can be done. Don't underestimate it, but you don't need to overestimate it either: with a good mentor or membership community, you can definitely open your own practice! Connect with me: Instagram Website Resources mentioned and useful links: Sandra Karlin: From Tech to Therapist in Private Practice | EP 201 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (http://www.fearlesspractice.ca/Jane) (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free! Learn more about Katie on her collective practice website, private practice website, Psychology Today, Instagram account, and podcast Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/191b5f96-da18-4f2e-8be8-6c1f62471f4a), and TuneIn

3. 

   23 Sept 2026

   Sandra Karlin: From Tech to Therapist in Private Practice | Ep 201

   Our paths can change in ways that we may not easily foresee. While Sandra was someone who always knew that she liked and wanted to help people, she only became a therapist later on in life: her first career was in tech! It was only after she completed her Master's degree - studying part-time while working in the Canadian tech hub - that she pivoted her career, starting both from scratch and in a new industry in counselling. Over the last three years, Sandra has graduated, started, and grown her private practice from solo to group, and become a new mom. In this episode, we cover her journey, what she has learned, and what she wants to share with you, the listener. Join us! MEET SANDRA Sandra Karlin is a Registered Psychotherapist and group practice owner of Beyond Happiness Counselling, supporting adults and couples in Kitchener‑Waterloo and virtually across Ontario. With a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, she brings a warm, supportive, and sensitive approach to therapy, helping clients make sense of what they're going through while building practical skills for change. Sandra works with concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness, self‑esteem and body image, grief and loss, career changes, major life transitions, trauma, and relationship challenges. Her integrative style includes mindfulness, person‑centred therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Walk & Talk therapy, and Gottman Method couples counselling (Clinical Foundations training). Learn more about Sandra on her private practice website, Psychology Today, LinkedIn, and Instagram profiles. In this episode: When Sandra started her private practice Running a private practice as a new mother Changing careers from tech to therapy Marketing the private practice Offering walk-and-talk therapy Sandra's advice to listeners When Sandra started her private practice Sandra completed her internship at a local clinic and then decided to stay on. While at the clinic, she slowly started building out her private caseload on the side. At times, Sandra was working with an average of two private clients for a year, so it was truly slow and steady! Sandra completed her Master's at Yorkville University and landed a great placement where she still occasionally works part-time, while now running her private practice. She also joined another group practice, where she works one day every two weeks, while managing her ever-growing practice with contractors. Running a private practice as a new mother Sandra started looking into hiring contract therapists when she was around four months pregnant. She was concerned about her client's therapy journeys and didn't want their work to be interrupted while she took maternity leave. So, Sandra decided to hire contractors to take over some of her caseload. Changing careers from tech to therapy She always knew that she wanted to help people and be of service, but that has taken shape over time: being a therapist is Sandra's second career. At first, Sandra worked in tech. However, she decided to complete her Master's degree part-time over four years while working in tech, and once she graduated, she made the switch. Marketing the private practice To market her private practice currently, Sandra has been using a mixed approach in terms of techniques, utilizing: Psychology Today referrals Word-of-mouth Google Ads Social media presence Videos on social media profiles Offering walk-and-talk therapy Sandra has found that offering walk-and-talk therapy in her private practice makes therapy more accessible. Some clients might feel nervous, shy, or too self-conscious to sit face-to-face with their therapist, and walking in nature means that you are side-by-side with them instead. Additionally, you get to be out in nature, which may aid in helping people's mental health, bringing a sense of calmness, and allowing one's eyes to travel as they gather their thoughts without feeling self-conscious. Walking also supports people's therapeutic journey by offering them a literal way to talk through their stuck patterns or thoughts, bridging new thoughts and patterns with physical motion. Sandra's advice to listeners If private practice is something that's often on your mind, try it out! Connect with me: Instagram Website Resources mentioned and useful links: My Biggest Takeaways from 200 Podcast Episodes! | EP 200 Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice Jane App (http://www.fearlesspractice.ca/Jane) (use code FEARLESS2MO for two months free) Get started with Hushmail here and get one month for free! Learn more about Sandra on her private practice website, Psychology Today, LinkedIn, and Instagram profiles Rate, review, and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and TuneIn

Who has been a guest on Fearless Practice

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Paula Gonzalez
• Taylor Nelson
• Sonya JF Barnett
• Anusha Kassan
• Alyssa Hasham

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

4.8 / 5

34 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 66 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

99

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

82

Contact Fearless Practice

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about Fearless Practice