Private pay isn't a dream. It's a decision.
I help mental health therapists stop subsidizing broken systems and build practices that don’t require their burnout to survive.
I’m DJ Burr. I’m a licensed mental health counselor and author of The Private Pay Practitioners Playbook (#1 bestseller in Practice Management). I am the founder of the Private Pay Practitioners community, with over 17,000 members worldwide.
I've been exactly where you are—navigating the transition from an insurance-dependent practice to a thriving private pay business. I've made costly mistakes, discovered what truly works, and now I help other therapists bypass the trial-and-error phase.
Private pay isn't just a dream; it's a conscious choice. And I'm here to help you make it a reality.
I want to see everyone succeed. We got this.
35% off of all services and products for BIPOC professionals. Click to learn more.
〰️
35% off of all services and products for BIPOC professionals. Click to learn more. 〰️
Hi, and welcome.
Offerings
What we cover:
A focused 6-week coaching program with weekly accountability for therapists ready to build or rebuild their private pay practice. This isn't more information - it's implementation with support.
Weekly Structure:
Weeks 1-2: Money Mindset Your relationship with money is running your business whether you realize it or not. We dig into your money story, where your pricing fears come from, and what's actually driving your decisions. This is the work most programs skip - and it's why therapists stay stuck.
Weeks 3-4: Niching & Positioning "I work with anxiety and depression" is forgettable. We get crystal clear on who you actually want to work with, what makes you different, and how to talk about it in a way that attracts the right people. You'll leave with messaging that feels like you - not a corporate template.
Week 5: Marketing & Client Acquisition Practical strategies for getting clients in the door without feeling sleazy. Referral systems, networking that doesn't make you want to hide, and visibility that fits your personality.
Week 6: Systems, Sustainability & Action Plan Set up the basics that keep your practice running smoothly. We map out your next 90 days so you leave with momentum, not just ideas.
What you get:
Six weekly 55-minute sessions
Implementation homework between sessions
Email support throughout the 6 weeks
Personalized action plan
Who this is for: Therapists who need accountability and consistent support to actually implement what they're learning. You've read the books, taken the courses, maybe even know what to do - you just need someone in your corner helping you do it.
Note: Limited scholarship pricing available for therapists experiencing financial hardship. Email djprivatepay@gmail.com to inquire.
I got my first full-fee client at $300! I became reinvigorated with networking and the clarity to say no to things I don't want to do! I feel more in my adult self in a lot of ways - clear, calm, confident. Thinking strategically! I have done 3 other programs, and this is the most hands-on, really specific look I've been able to get at my business. You didn't waste time with 'therapetizing' and instead really applied a 'boots on the ground' strategy."
— Shelley Freeman, LCMHC
The missing piece usually isn't more training or credentials. It's the business framework to package and present what you already do brilliantly.
—DJ Burr, from “The Private Pay Practitioners Playbook”
Not sure where to start? Have specific questions that don't fit a structured program?
This is an open consultation - you bring the topics, we work through them together.
Common things people bring:
"Should I drop insurance or go hybrid?"
"How do I raise my rates without losing clients?"
"I have three niche ideas and can't pick one"
"My website isn't converting - what's wrong?"
"I want to start a group but don't know where to begin"
"I'm burning out and need to restructure my practice"
No agenda required. No prep work. Just you and your questions.
You'll leave with clarity on your next steps
Looking forward to working with you.
SCHEDULING/PAYMENT: For this service, you can check my availability and pay directly when booking by going to my online calendar
https://privatepaypractitioners.as.me/
What coaching clients are saying:
"I've done 3 other programs and this is the most hands-on, really specific look I've been able to get at my business. You didn't waste time with 'therapetizing' — boots on the ground strategy. I got my first full fee client at $300!" — Shelley F., LCMHC
"4 weeks is not enough time! I left feeling like I want more, every single week. My niche and my entire view on private pay changed." — Kelley Y., LLPC
"I thought I knew my niche, but DJ helped me focus it down to crystal clear. Now I know how to explain not only WHO I serve, but HOW I help them in one clear sentence!"
— Ashley Marie Eckstein, LMFT, Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist
“DJ knows what he is talking about, he won't sugar coat it, and he is a blast to sit with. I am thankful for this opportunity and for having the chance to work with DJ!”
-Jake Ross, LISW-S, LCSW
Full Practice Review: Your Complete Private Pay Visibility Audit
You are not the problem.
Your effort is not the problem. Your credentials are not the problem. The fact that you care deeply about your clients is not the problem.
The problem is that nobody has looked at everything -- your Psychology Today profile, your website, your Google Business listing, your social media, your directories -- and told you honestly what is working, what is broken, and what you should stop wasting time on.
That is what the Full Practice Review does.
WHAT YOU GET:
A complete audit of every client-facing channel in your practice -- reviewed by someone who has done this hundreds of times and knows exactly what private pay clients are looking for when they land on your profile, your website, or your Google listing.
Here is everything included:
Psychology Today profile audit with a custom niche statement written for you
Website audit -- homepage clarity, messaging, call to action flow, mobile experience, and SEO basics
Google Business Profile audit
Social media review of one platform -- Instagram or Facebook, your choice
Directory listings scan -- Therapy Den, Good Therapy, and any others you are on
Blog or content review if you have one
Complete channel-by-channel scored report with prioritized action items
90-minute deep dive call to walk through everything, answer your questions, and build your implementation plan
HOW IT WORKS:
Purchase your review and complete the intake form with all your links
I conduct a thorough audit of every channel you submit
You receive your complete scored report with specific, prioritized recommendations
We meet for 90 minutes to walk through the report, build your implementation plan, and answer every question you have
You leave knowing exactly what to fix, what to keep, and what to stop doing
THIS IS FOR YOU IF:
You are doing a lot of things but nothing seems to move the needle
You want someone to look at everything and tell you where to focus
You have been meaning to get serious about your online presence but keep putting it off
You want a comprehensive game plan, not just a profile tweak
You are tired of guessing
THIS IS NOT FOR YOU IF:
You just launched and have nothing online yet -- start with a strategy call instead
You are looking for someone to do the work for you -- this is a review and a roadmap, not done-for-you marketing
ABOUT YOUR REVIEWER:
I am a licensed mental health counselor with 16 years of clinical experience who built a thriving private pay practice from scratch. I am the author of The Private Pay Practitioners Playbook, an Amazon bestseller in Medical Practice Management, and the founder of the largest free community for private pay therapists with over 16,600 members.
I have reviewed hundreds of therapist profiles, websites, and marketing strategies. I know what works because I have done it myself and coached dozens of others through it.
This is not theory. It is pattern recognition from someone who has seen what works and what does not across hundreds of practices.
IMPORTANT:
Limited availability. I take a limited number of Full Practice Reviews each month to ensure every client gets the attention they deserve.
Your Full Practice Review must be completed within 90 days of purchase. This includes submitting your intake form, receiving your report, and completing your call. Services not scheduled within 90 days expire without refund. All sales are final.
Group practice owners: individual clinician profile reviews with custom niche statements are available at $200 per clinician. Contact me for details.
$725 | BIPOC practitioners receive 35% off with code ACCESS3
Our Communities
Private Pay Practitioners Facebook Community
Private Facebook community with over 15,000 practitioners on the path to private pay. Access free content, community support, and encouragement along the way.
Private Pay Practitioners | Premium
Private, paid Patreon community for practitioners ready for a deeper dive, including strategies, systems, group feedback, and exclusive content. There are four different paid tiers to choose from.
Private Pay Practitioners of Georgia
Private Facebook community for Georgia private pay practitioners. DJ is back in his home state and this group will be the hub for in-person networking events.
Black Private Pay Practitioners Facebook Community
Private Facebook community for Black-identified practitioners on the path to private pay. Access free content, community support, and encouragement along the way.