Private pay isn't a dream. It's a decision.
Business Consulting for Mental Health Professionals in Private Practice
PRIVATE PAY PRACTITIONERS provides business development coaching and online educational programming in the field of private practice business development, delivered through weekly, biweekly, and monthly sessions, and offers practice guidance via social media platforms.
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 15,000 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.
Welcome
Offerings
What we cover:
Session 1: Diagnosis
Why your current setup isn't working
Ideal client clarity (you're probably too broad)
Pricing analysis - are you charging what you need?
Website messaging audit - does it actually convert?
Service delivery issues - wrong modality, wrong structure?
Session 2: Implementation Plan
Updated ideal client profile and positioning
Key messaging points for your website (not full copy - just the core message you should be communicating)
Consultation or intake process refinement
Networking strategy for your actual niche
60-day action plan with specific steps
Who this is for: Practitioners already in private pay but struggling with wrong-fit clients, inconsistent referrals, pricing problems, or feeling stuck at a certain revenue level.
What you get: Two 90-minute sessions, updated ideal client profile, messaging framework, consultation scripts, and 30 days of email support
What we cover:
Is private pay actually right for you, or are you romanticizing it?
Real talk about what private pay looks like (income fluctuation, marketing yourself, being your own boss)
Your current practice situation and what needs to change
Timeline for transition - abrupt vs. gradual
What you'll need in place before you launch
Decision-making framework based on your specific circumstances
Who this is for: Therapists in community mental health or on insurance panels who are considering the switch but need honest guidance about whether private pay aligns with their goals, personality, and situation.
What you get: 90-minute consultation, decision framework worksheet, and follow-up email with personalized recommendations
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”
"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
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.
What we cover:
Ideal client identification (don't skip this)
Pricing strategy based on your market and needs
Website messaging framework that pre-qualifies clients
Essential systems only - scheduling, intake, billing basics
90-day implementation roadmap
What NOT to do (avoid my expensive mistakes)
Who this is for: Therapists ready to launch private pay who need the practical roadmap without the fluff. You've made the decision, now you need to know what to do first, second, and third.
What you get: 60-minute intensive consultation, implementation roadmap, and follow-up email with templates and resources.
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.