Section 1

Get Clear on Your Why

Before you do anything else.

Get honest about why you're leaving. Is this a "toward" move or an "away from" move? Both are valid, but knowing matters. Identify your top 5 professional values. (These will guide every decision that follows.) Name the kind of practice you actually want - not the one you think you're supposed to build.

📖 Want to go deeper? Module 1 of Trust Yourself walks you through reclaiming your internal compass and building from values instead of "shoulds."

Section 2

Before You Give Notice

A little advance planning can make a huge difference in how smooth (or bumpy) this transition feels. Some of this depends on the kind of practice you're leaving and the kind of relationship you have with your director.

Protect your information:

Gather your personal credentials and save them somewhere only you can access. Keep all of these in one easy-to-find place:

NPI number
License number, date issued, and next expiration date
Any specialty certifications
CAQH login information (if applicable)

Save copies of any CEU certificates, training records, or professional development documentation you'll need. If these live in the group's systems, make copies before you give notice. Know your own login credentials for everything. If you've been auto-logged into systems and don't actually know your passwords, reset them now. Make note of your current insurance panel enrollments (which panels you're credentialed with, effective dates, any relevant ID numbers). You may not have easy access to this information after you leave.

Know what you agreed to:

Pull out your employment contract or independent contractor agreement and re-read it carefully. Look for: notice period requirements, non-compete or non-solicitation clauses, client transition policies, and any language about what happens when you leave. If you have a non-compete, don't panic. Talk to trusted colleagues, mentors, or a business coach who understands these transitions. Non-compete fears are common and often bigger in your head than in reality. If it's a significant concern, consulting an attorney is also a reasonable step.

Start building your foundation:

Register your business (LLC/PLLC) and get your EIN Open a separate business bank account Secure your domain name and professional email address Get a business mailing address if you don't want your home address on public filings Purchase your own professional liability insurance (you'll want this in place before you see your first solo client) If you plan to accept insurance in your solo practice, start the credentialing process as early as possible. This can take 3-6 months and you can begin before you've officially left.

Section 3

Navigating the Departure Conversation

Here's the truth: how this goes depends a lot on your director and the culture of the practice. Some directors are generous, supportive, and genuinely want to help you succeed. Others get anxious, take it personally, or react from a place of fear. Most fall somewhere in between. It's worth preparing for a range of responses.

If you have a supportive director who wants to be a transition partner:

Have an honest conversation about your timeline and work together on a transition plan Ask if they're open to a gradual departure that serves your clients well Discuss how client transitions will be handled (more on this in Section 4) Ask about using their referral network or maintaining a professional relationship after you leave Express genuine gratitude. A good group practice experience is worth honoring, and this person may be one of your best referral sources for years to come.

If your director is anxious, reactive, or the relationship is strained:

Be prepared for the possibility that your access to systems (EHR, email, scheduling) could be revoked quickly - even same-day. This is why Section 2 matters so much. Keep your notice professional, clear, and in writing. Stick to what your contract requires. Don't badmouth the practice to colleagues or clients, no matter how the conversation goes. How you leave says everything about how you lead. Know that you are not responsible for managing your director's emotional reaction. You can be respectful and boundaried at the same time. If things get contentious, lean on your mentors, a consultation group, or a business coach for support. You don't have to navigate this alone.

Regardless of how it goes:

Give the notice period outlined in your contract (or more, if you can) Complete all your documentation before you leave. Leave your caseload clean. Update your Psychology Today profile and any directory listings to reflect your departure (timing should align with your agreed-upon transition plan)

Section 4

Client Transitions

This is one of the most important parts of leaving well. Your clients deserve to be centered in this process, with full autonomy about what happens next for their care.

Have a thoughtful conversation about each client:

Work with your director (if possible) to talk through each client on your caseload. For every client, there are typically three paths:

The client goes with you to your new practice
The client stays at the group practice and is matched with a new clinician
The client needs an outside referral (e.g., no availability at the practice for their specific needs, insurance, specialty, etc.)

The client gets to choose. Not you, not your director. Give every client clear, honest information about their options and let them decide what's best for their care. Prepare a simple, professional goodbye for clients who won't be transitioning with you. This matters. Endings are therapeutic. For clients who will transition with you, follow whatever process the group has in place for ethical handoffs. If there's no clear process, ask.

Records:

Understand that client records typically belong to the practice. However, some practices will allow a departing clinician to obtain a copy of records for transitioning clients through a signed Release of Information (ROI). If your director is supportive of this, work together to have each transitioning client sign an ROI authorizing the release of their records to your new practice. This makes for a much smoother clinical handoff. If this isn't an option, be prepared to start fresh with comprehensive intake documentation at your new practice.

Section 5

If You're Pre-Licensed

If you're still accumulating hours toward licensure, arrange a new supervision agreement BEFORE you leave. This is time-sensitive and non-negotiable. Clarify with your current supervisor how your accumulated hours will be documented Understand the financial implications - you'll now be paying for supervision out of pocket Some states have specific requirements about supervision for clinicians in solo practice. Check your licensing board's rules.

Section 6

Legal & Business Foundations

If you completed the prep work in Part One, you've got a head start. Skip anything you've already done.

Choose your business structure (sole proprietor, LLC, PLLC - talk to an accountant or attorney) Register your business name with your state Get your EIN from the IRS - it's free and takes 5 minutes online Open a separate business bank account Get a business mailing address if you don't want your home address on public filings Secure your domain name and professional email

Section 7

Money & Fees

Calculate your "enough" number - what you actually need to cover your life and practice costs Set your session fees (and your sliding scale policy, if you'll offer one) Decide: private pay, insurance panels, or both? If accepting insurance: update your CAQH profile and begin credentialing with panels NOW (this takes months, not weeks) If wanting to take in-network insurance: research the pros and cons of using large claims companies (like Headway or Alma) vs. self-billing through your EHR. There are real trade-offs in terms of fee control, admin load, and long-term sustainability. Talk to colleagues who've tried both. Most EHRs handle payment processing and insurance billing/claims posting. If yours doesn't, find a separate payment processor and/or billing service. Talk to an accountant about quarterly taxes, write-offs, and bookkeeping Be aware of the No Surprises Act and Good Faith Estimate requirements. The specifics for therapists are still evolving, but it's smart to have a plan for providing fee transparency to self-pay clients - and to stay current as guidelines become clearer.

📖 Module 5 of Trust Yourself helps you build a predetermined fee structure so you're not making money decisions from real-time panic.

Section 8

Insurance & Risk Management

Purchase your own professional liability (malpractice) insurance (if you didn't already in Section 2) Look into general business liability insurance If you're renting space, check whether your landlord requires proof of insurance Consider cyber liability insurance (you're handling protected health information) If you were on your group practice's health insurance plan, arrange your own health coverage (check the marketplace, professional association plans, or spouse/partner plans) If the group offered retirement benefits (401k, IRA), understand your rollover options

Section 9

Your Space

Decide: office, co-working therapy space, telehealth only, or hybrid? If renting: tour spaces, negotiate lease terms, and check for soundproofing If subletting: get a clear written sublease agreement Set up your space with the basics (seating, sound machine, tissues, clock, water) Make sure your space is ADA accessible (or have a plan for accommodations) If offering telehealth: confirm you're only seeing clients in states where you hold an active license. Look into interstate compacts (like PSYPACT or ASWB mobility) if you want to practice across state lines.

Section 10

Systems & Technology

Choose and set up your EHR (Electronic Health Record) system Get a HIPAA-compliant email address Set up a HIPAA-compliant phone or virtual phone system Set up a secure video platform for telehealth (if applicable) Confirm that every vendor you use (EHR, email, video, scheduling, payment) provides a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). You don't write these yourself - the vendor provides them. Collect and store every BAA in one place. Create your intake paperwork: informed consent, practice policies, cancellation policy, Notice of Privacy Practices, consent for telehealth (if applicable) Build a simple scheduling workflow (through your EHR or a separate scheduler) Set up your voicemail with a professional message that includes crisis resources (e.g., 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)

HIPAA Basics You Need in Place:

Have a written HIPAA Privacy Policy and a HIPAA Security Policy Have a documented plan for responding to a potential breach. For example: if your laptop with client notes is stolen, or if you accidentally send a client's information to the wrong email address - do you know exactly what to do, who to notify, and within what timeframe? Complete a basic Security Risk Assessment (templates exist online for small practices) Keep all BAAs organized and accessible

Section 11

Licensing Board & Regulatory Compliance

Check your state licensing board (in Texas, that's BHEC) for what's required to be displayed in your office AND on your website. Common requirements include:

Your license number and credentials
Fee disclosure or a statement about fees
Client rights / how to file a complaint with the licensing board
Notice of Privacy Practices

Post your license (or a copy) visibly in your office Make sure your website footer or a dedicated page includes all required disclosures Understand your state's record retention requirements (how long you must keep client records after termination) Create a professional will or practice continuity plan. If something happens to you - illness, emergency, death - who has access to your client records? Who will contact your clients? As a solo practitioner, this is not optional. Name a trusted colleague and put it in writing.

Section 12

Your Website & Online Presence

Choose a website platform (Squarespace, Wix, WordPress, etc.) Write your homepage in your voice - not "Welcome to My Practice" Write your About page like a human, not a CV Create clear service pages that describe transformations, not just techniques Include all licensing board-required disclosures on your site (see Section 11) Add a Privacy Policy page (link it in your footer) Add a Terms of Service page (link it in your footer) Add a cookies disclosure/consent notice, especially if your site uses analytics, scheduling widgets, or any third-party tools that place cookies Set up or claim your Psychology Today profile Set up your Google Business Profile Update any directory listings where you appeared under your group practice

📖 Module 2 of Trust Yourself is all about building a digital home that actually feels like you - from your homepage to your PT profile.

Section 13

Getting the Word Out

Tell your professional network you're launching (personal emails, not a blast) Identify 3-5 referral sources you'd love to build relationships with Decide on ONE social media platform where you'll show up consistently (just one) Claim your business name on social platforms even if you're not posting yet Create a simple "I'm open for referrals" message you can send to colleagues Consider: Do you want a newsletter? (Start simple. A monthly email is plenty.)

📖 Modules 3 and 4 of Trust Yourself cover brand visibility and networking in a way that won't make you feel gross. Promise.

Section 14

Ongoing Systems & Sustainability

Set up a CEU tracking system (the group practice may have handled reminders or records for you - now it's all yours) Find or create a peer consultation group. Solo practice can be isolating. Regular clinical consultation isn't just good practice - it's protective. Build an after-hours crisis plan. What happens when a client is in crisis at 10pm? Have a documented protocol, even if it's "call 988 and I'll follow up in the morning." Join at least one professional association (state or national) for community, resources, and liability protection Create a simple system for tracking referral sources so you know what's working

Section 15

The Stuff Nobody Tells You

It's going to be lonely at first. That consultation group from Section 14? Start looking now. Build a 3-6 month financial cushion if you can (or at minimum, know your timeline to "enough") Done is better than perfect. You don't need a finished website to see your first client. You will second-guess yourself. That's normal. It doesn't mean you made the wrong choice. Give yourself a realistic timeline. Credentialing alone can take 3-6 months. Plan accordingly and don't panic if your first few months are slow. You might grieve the group practice, even if leaving was the right call. That's okay. You can be grateful for what it gave you and ready for what's next. Celebrate what you're building - even (especially) when it's messy.

📖 Module 6 of Trust Yourself is about integration and trusting yourself through the uncertainty. It's the module that holds it all together.

The "I'm Going Solo" Checklist

Before You Begin

The Group Practice Transition

Get Clear on Your Why

Before You Give Notice

Navigating the Departure Conversation

Client Transitions

If You're Pre-Licensed

Building Your Solo Practice

Legal & Business Foundations

Money & Fees

Insurance & Risk Management

Your Space

Systems & Technology

Licensing Board & Regulatory Compliance

Your Website & Online Presence

Getting the Word Out

Ongoing Systems & Sustainability

The Stuff Nobody Tells You

Want to go out on your own?

Let’s Go….

Before You Begin

The Group Practice Transition

Get Clear on Your Why

Before You Give Notice

Navigating the Departure Conversation

Client Transitions

If You're Pre-Licensed

Building Your Solo Practice

Legal & Business Foundations

Money & Fees

Insurance & Risk Management

Your Space

Systems & Technology

Licensing Board & Regulatory Compliance

Your Website & Online Presence

Getting the Word Out

Ongoing Systems & Sustainability

The Stuff Nobody Tells You

Want to go out on your own?

Let’s Go….

"The Snail Mail" Newsletter

Thank you!