Should I Join a Group Practice or Go Solo as a Mental Health Clinician?

For many therapists, deciding whether to join a group practice or establish a solo practice can feel like a defining professional choice. Both paths offer benefits as well as challenges, and it is common to weigh questions about autonomy, financial structure, administrative demands, supervision and clinical support, and long-term goals before committing to a direction.

Some clinicians are drawn to the independence of solo work and the opportunity to fully shape their practice. Others find themselves looking for community, support with licensure, shared expertise, or relief from the business and administrative responsibilities that can quickly become overwhelming. Neither route is inherently better, and what feels right often depends on your goals, values, and readiness for different levels of structure and responsibility.

This blog highlights key considerations clinicians often explore when making this decision, drawing on real insight from therapists working in both solo and group practice settings.

Autonomy and Support

One of the biggest differences between solo and group practice is the level of autonomy.

Clinicians in solo practice often described the flexibility as a major benefit. Being able to create their own schedules, adjust their workload, and focus on specific populations or specialties made their work feel more sustainable long term. Samantha Haling, LPC, shared that “being able to work less while still earning enough to support myself has been lifechanging,” particularly as she manages personal limitations that calls for more flexibility in her schedule. Similarly, Rachel Townes, LPC, emphasized that autonomy and freedom were central to her decision to pursue solo practice, including the ability to offer telehealth and structure her work-week in a way that fits her life.  In contrast, clinicians in group practice shared that while they still had flexibility, they also had access to built-in support. Haling reflected on her time in group practice as “invaluable”, highlighting the ability to learn from her colleagues, receive supervision, and feel supported early in her career.

Financial Considerations

Financial differences between the two settings are important, but not always straightforward. Solo practitioners highlighted the ability to earn more per session and have greater control over their income. Nadine Graham, LCSW, notes that “100% of the profit, after overhead, comes back to me,” highlighting this as a major benefit of owning a private practice.  Some described this shift as significantly improving their work life balance. Antaysia Thomas, LCSW, echoed this, emphasizing that the financial autonomy of solo work, including the ability to manage income, expenses, and tax write-offs more directly. However this also comes with full responsibility for managing the business side of practice. Townes emphasized the importance of understanding bookkeeping, taxes, marketing, and business structure, while Thomas notes the realities of dealing with insurance companies and facilitating billing, which can be complex and time-consuming.

Group practice clinicians typically receive a percentage of the session rate, but many felt that the administrative support, marketing support, and reduced financial risk made this tradeoff worthwhile. For fully licensed clinicians, group practice can still be a strong long-term option. Many noted that a fair percentage split combined with administrative support and potential benefits allows them to maintain a steady income while avoiding the added responsibilities of running a business.

Support and Professional Development

Support looks different depending on the setting.

Group practice clinicians consistently emphasized the value of supervision, collaboration, and learning from colleagues. These opportunities were especially important for building clinical confidence and navigating complex or high-risk cases. Eli Mick, LCSW, shared that working in a group practice has been especially helpful in navigating situations that feel outside of his scope or experience. He noted that having colleagues to consult with, learn from, and refer within the practice not only supports clinical decision-making, but also helps reduce feelings of isolation and burnout.

In solo practice, clinicians noted that support is still available, but requires more intentional effort. Many rely on consultation groups, peer networks, and ongoing supervision to stay connected and supported.

Administrative Responsibilities

A key difference between the two paths is the responsibility of running a business.

Solo practitioners are responsible for all administrative tasks, including insurance credentialing, billing, documentation, and marketing. Townes strongly emphasized the importance of understanding the business side of private practice, including entity types, tax filing, and marketing strategies.  Graham echoed this, noting that solo practice requires managing not only client care, but also billing, documentation, networking, and overall practice operations – essentially functioning as a full-time business owner. Thomas added that while there are systems out there that can help, such as billing platforms and bookkeeping tools), clinicians are ultimately responsible for managing these processes and problem-solving when issues arise. 

In group practice, these responsibilities are often shared or managed by the organization. Haling notes that this allowed them to focus more on clinical work and skill development, without the added pressure of managing a business. Kat Brewer, LCSW, echoed this, sharing that having support with administrative tasks such as insurance credentialing, billing, and marketing allows her to focus more fully on the therapy itself, which is what she is most passionate about.

Isolation and Connection

Many clinicians noted that being a therapist can feel isolating regardless of the setting.

In solo practice, isolation may be more noticeable, particularly for those working from home or primarily providing telehealth services. Haling shared that working from home can feel isolating at times, requiring intentional effort to stay connected with colleagues. Graham emphasized the importance of maintaining a consultation network, both for clinical support and ethical decision-making, while Townes described regularly engaging in peer consultation and supervision to maintain connection. Thomas added that connection in solo practice often requires intentionality, whether through networking events, shared workspaces, or online communities for therapists.  Group practice can offer more opportunities for connection and collaboration, though some clinicians noted that busy schedules can still limit day-to-day interaction. Even so, Haling reflected on the value of simply being around other clinicians and having opportunities for informal support. David Southall, LPC, also noted that even in a group setting, therapy can still feel isolating, especially as David works via telehealth. He shared that he is intentional about staying connected, whether through contributing knowledge to colleagues or engaging in activities like exercise and time with family between sessions.

Final Thoughts

There is no single “best” option. Instead, the decision often comes down to what will best support your growth and wellbeing at this stage of your career.

Many clinicians, including Haling, recommended starting in a group practice to build clinical skills, gain experience, and develop confidence before transitioning into solo work. Kaitlin Ingebresten, LPC, also reflected that early-career clinicians can become very focused on reaching licensure, which is understandable, but can sometimes lead to rushing past an important stage of growth. She emphasized the value of taking time to fully step into the role of being a therapist, building skills, gaining experience, and allowing space to grow before moving into independent practice.

At the same time, others, like Graham, always felt aligned with independent practice, describing herself as a “self-starter” who was drawn to building something of her own. Thomas offered a more direct perspective for those considering solo work: “start small, learn as you go, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.”

Ultimately, both paths can be fulfilling. The most important question is not which option is better, but which one best supports you right now.

Credits

Featured Clinicians

• Alyssa Wall, LPC, LSATP - RVA Counseling

• Brian Caperton, LPC - RVA Counseling

• David Southall, LPC - RVA Counseling

• Eli Mick, LCSW - RVA Counseling

• Kaitlin Ingebresten, LPC - RVA Counseling

• Kat Brewer, LCSW - RVA Counseling

• Kevin Salvas, LCSW - RVA Counseling

• Skyler Gutierrez, LPC - RVA Counseling

• Samantha Haling, LPC – Freebird Counseling

• Rachel Townes, LPC – Aurora Counseling

• Nadine Graham, LCSW – Epiphany Counseling and Consulting, LLC

Nadine’s Professional website can be found here.

Nadine Graham, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 18 years of experience serving individuals and families in the Richmond, Virginia area. She earned both her undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University and has worked across a range of healthcare and clinical settings, including dialysis, hospice, home health, care coordination, and transplant services. Nadine is the founder and owner of Epiphany Counseling and Consulting, LLC, where she provides individual therapy to clients navigating chronic illness, depression, anxiety, and life transitions. She also serves as a board-certified clinical supervisor for Master of Social Work graduates pursuing clinical licensure and has facilitated psychosocial groups in independent living homes. Her work is grounded in a compassionate, holistic approach that supports clients in building resilience and improving overall well-being.

• Antaysia Thomas, LCSW – Youth Life Services

Antaysia’s Professional Website can be found here.