On October 23, I had the opportunity to participate as a guest panelist at the Washington Group Practice Owners Network (WAGPON) October Summit in Seattle.
Alongside other group practice owners, I shared some of what I've learned about hiring, leadership, and the challenges of running a mental health practice. One topic that stood out for me was something I've come to believe pretty strongly over the years: Just because you have enough clients to hire another therapist doesn't mean you should.
Why Hiring the Right Therapist Matters
I founded Clarity Counseling Seattle in 2010, originally as a solo practice. As we've grown I've learned that one of the most important decisions I'll ever make is who joins our team. When a practice is busy and prospective clients are looking for appointments, there's a natural temptation to bring someone on quickly. After all, you want to help people get the care they're looking for, and it's always been difficult for me to turn someone away who needs real help, immediately.
But I've learned to be patient and selective.
A therapist might have the right credentials and experience on paper, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're the right fit for our practice. I'm also looking for clinical judgment, curiosity, integrity, and someone who genuinely cares about the people they're working with. I'd much rather take longer to find the right person than hire someone simply because we have room on the schedule.
What Does This Mean for Clients?
Most people looking for therapy probably don't spend much time thinking about how a group practice hires its therapists. And why would they? But I think it really matters. When someone reaches out for couples or relationship therapy, or any other kind of counseling, they're trusting us with something deeply important in their lives. I want to feel confident that the therapists at Clarity are people I'd trust to work with someone I care about. That's the standard I try to bring to hiring.
Learning From Other Seattle Practice Owners
One thing I appreciate about gatherings like the WAGPON Summit is the chance to compare experiences with other practice owners. Even after 8 years of running Clarity as a group practice, there's plenty to learn from people who are approaching similar challenges in different ways.
I'm grateful to WAGPON for organizing the event and inviting me to contribute. And I'm proud of the team we've built at Clarity Counseling Seattle.
If you're looking for therapy in Seattle or online anywhere in Washington, you can learn more about our clinicians or get in touch with us here.