Should I take the leap into private practice?

If you're a therapist working in an agency setting, you've probably asked yourself this question—maybe more than once:
"Should I leave and start my own private practice?"

At Take Care Collective, we hear this all the time from clinicians who feel stuck, burnt out, or simply ready for a change. Choosing to leave the stability of an agency job is a big decision. But for many, private practice offers something agency work can’t: freedom, sustainability, and the ability to work in alignment with your values (which is why we both did it).

Here’s why it might be the right next step for you.

1. You Want More Autonomy

Agency work can be rigid. Your schedule, your caseload, your productivity targets (if I hear someone mention KPIs ever again, I might scream)—they’re often dictated by someone else. In private practice, you call the shots. You choose:

• Your ideal clients

• Your schedule

• Your fee structure

• Your treatment approach

This autonomy can be incredibly liberating—and often leads to better outcomes for both you and your clients.

2. You're Tired of Burnout Culture

Let’s be honest: many agencies run on a burnout model. Back-to-back sessions. Unrealistic productivity quotas. Minimal support. Little time to breathe—let alone grow.

In private practice, you can build a model that honors your capacity, not just your credentials. That might mean seeing fewer clients per week, weaving in breaks, or prioritizing rest and creative time.

3. You Want Financial Sustainability

A common myth is that agency work is more “secure” than private practice. But here's the reality:
In many agencies, you're overworked and underpaid. In private practice, your earning potential is much higher—and you get to decide how and when to scale.

It takes planning and intention, but many therapists find that private practice offers a healthier financial future, especially when supported by a strong community and solid systems.

4. You're Craving Alignment With Your Values

Agencies often require you to serve populations or use models that don’t resonate with your training or ethics. In private practice, you have the space to align your work with your values—whether that means being trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, neurodivergent-affirming, or all of the above.

When your work reflects your principles, it stops feeling like a job and starts feeling like a calling again.

5. You Want to Grow (Without Burning Out)

Professional growth doesn't have to mean more bureaucracy, more certifications, or more pressure. It can mean deepening your skills, taking on clients who inspire you, building a niche, or integrating creative work.

Private practice gives you room to evolve as a clinician and a human—on your terms.

So, Should You Leave?

Not everyone is ready to jump tomorrow. But if you’re feeling the nudge, here’s what we want you to know at Take Care Collective:

✅ You’re not selfish for wanting more.
✅ You’re not alone.
✅ And yes—you can do this.

With the right support, you can build a practice that’s not just financially viable, but emotionally sustainable.

Want Help Making the Leap?

At Take Care Collective, we help therapists like you transition into private practice without burning out in the process. Whether you're just beginning to imagine this path or already have one foot out the door, we’re here to guide and support you every step of the way.

Ready to take care of yourself while taking care of others?
Let’s build something better—together.