Do you want to start a private therapy practice? Here are some things we’ve learned from our 20 years and three group practices to help you know what it takes to find success. These are not tips on how to do it, but qualities you’ll need to possess (or develop) in order to do it well.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Ifr-HTI5c
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
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*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

Shrink Think Podcast

191. What It Takes To Be Successful in Private Practice

Going to therapy every week is a great thing, but what makes it effective is when you practice something different between sessions toward meaningful change. We discuss some reasons why you might struggle with doing the work outside the therapy office, and what you can do to address this with your therapist.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/HSpRej2Pze4
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/


233. Clients Who Don't Do Work Between Sessions

Amber Drake is a current graduate student attending UH at Hilo, studying clinical mental health counseling and graduating in May 2025. She’s doing an internship at Aloha House, a partial hospitalization program, volunteers with NAMI Maui, sits on the state board of directors with NAMI Hawaii, is a NAMI Maui affiliate leader, and is certified as a youth mental health first aid instructor. Amber sat down with us to share her story about how NAMI helped her recover from mental illness, which led her to a career in the mental health field and active participation with the organization that helped her.

Nat'l Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

The Shrink Think Podcast

235. NAMI Mental Health Resources: Interview w/ Amber Drake

If you’ve ever thought you’re too much, crazy, too boring, or too dumb when you share with your therapist, you might have a specific wound that the therapeutic relationship an help heal.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/US2LfZpdS0I
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

236. Are You “Too Much” For Your Therapist?

If there’s something in your life you keep doing that it’s healthy and you know you need to change but can’t seem to get started, this episode is for you. We often cling to unhealthy patterns because they’re familiar and changing means walking into the unknown-which is hard to do!

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/sheCzwfPVY0
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

237. Why We Fear Change & Cling To The Unhealthy

Saying “I’m fine” to people when asked how you’re doing, may not be the emotionally honest answer. Sure, there are times and places to give a socially acceptable answer. But with people close to you, this answer blocks connection and prevents closeness in relationships.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/US2LfZpdS0I
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

238. Saying "I'm Fine" Is Emotional Dishonesty

Can psychology and spirituality play nice together? Many people believe they cannot mix but we argue they can - and should. Whether a client wants to involve their spiritual beliefs or not, therapy should make space for it without forcing it upon anyone so this important part of life can be addressed.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/5lHC5hMRxTM
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

240. The Role of Spirituality in Therapy

Without advocating for or against medication, we address the importance of understanding how it can play a part in the direction therapy goes. As therapists, we don’t need to know as much as prescribers (Primary Care Docs or Psychiatrists) do, but we should be familiar with medication so therapy can include this critical piece of the puzzle.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/itDFsJHafXg
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

239. Medication Can Play A Significant Role In Therapy

Going to therapy is about self-exploration and self-understanding. You learn more about yourself as your therapist reflects you back to yourself. If you’re focused on trying to earn your therapist’s approval by being a “good client,” then you’re missing the point and not getting what you need out of therapy.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

241. Stop Trying To Be A "Good Client" In Therapy

You can’t change the world around you but when YOU change, the world around you begins to adjust. As you get healthier, set better boundaries, and become more peaceful, your world will become calmer, safer, and more positive. Bad things will still happen, because that’s a part of life, but the world around you will always be a reflection of what’s in you.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/US2LfZpdS0I
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

242. Your World Is A Reflection Of You

People often think that being “nice” means you will be “safe” in the world, and others won’t hurt you or take advantage of you. Unfortunately, being nice is often a people-pleasing tendency that seeks to pacify what we believe others want at the expense of our needs, honesty, and healthy relationship.

Aaron Potratz & Nathan Hawkins are behavioral health experts, licensed counselors, and clinical supervisors with over 35 years of experience. They each own a private group therapy practice and co-own a third one together. Aaron is also a business consultant for therapists in private practice wanting to start, grow, or expand their business.

*Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/US2LfZpdS0I
*Now on YouTube: @shrink-think
*Sign up for our FREE email course on overcoming fear and insecurity at:
https://www.shrinkthink.com/podcast
--------------
*Member of the PsychCraft Podcast Network*
https://psychcraftnetwork.com/

243. If I’m Nice I’m Safe (People-Pleasing)

Welcome to the Shrink Think Podcast hosted by Aaron Potratz and Nathan Hawkins, two licensed counselors. With engaging, informative conversations and light-hearted humor, the Shrink Think Podcast aims to normalize and demystify therapy for those beginning or continuing their mental health journey; in short, to bridge the gap between clients and therapists.

Episodes are geared toward simplifying complex therapeutic concepts, exploring personal contributions and needs in relation to therapy, and both informing and empowering individuals to know what to expect from the process and their own therapist.