The Private Pay Practitioners Playbook
Are you tired of insurance hassles, low reimbursement rates, and working harder while earning less?
The Private Pay Practitioners Playbook gives you everything you need to build a thriving private practice that serves your ideal clients while creating the financial freedom you deserve.
Private pay isn't a dream. It's a decision.
Written by D.J. Burr, LMHC, LPC—founder of the 15,000+ member Private Pay Practitioners community—this isn't theoretical advice. It's battle-tested strategies from someone who's actually built a successful private pay practice and helped hundreds of therapists do the same.
What You'll Discover:
The 3 myths keeping therapists stuck in insurance systems
Step-by-step frameworks for identifying your ideal clients
Word-for-word scripts for consultations, networking, and difficult conversations
Proven referral systems that generate consistent clients without feeling "salesy"
Innovative service models beyond the traditional 50-minute session
Time management strategies that prevent burnout while maximizing income
Ready-to-use templates and systems you can implement immediately
The "Fall Advantage" strategy for optimal practice growth timing
Perfect for:
Therapists considering the transition to private pay
Solo practitioners struggling with inconsistent income
Clinicians tired of insurance limitations and administrative burden
Mental health professionals ready to build practices that align with their values
What Makes This Different: Most business books for therapists are either too generic or too tactical. This playbook gives you both the strategic framework AND the practical tools—complete with real case studies, implementation timelines, and a comprehensive appendix of templates.
Whether you're just starting out or ready to transition from insurance panels, this playbook provides the roadmap to build a practice that serves your clients at the highest level while creating the life you actually want to live.
Stop settling for a practice that doesn't serve you. Your sustainable, profitable private pay practice is waiting—this book shows you exactly how to build it.
Coming Soon!
Just a few reviews…
“The book is helpful, practical, and provides a step-by-step process for understanding your ideal client, marketing yourself effectively, and connecting with your ideal client. It’s been eye-opening and action-oriented in helping me become clearer about my niche and the clients who energize me. I highly recommend this book. I’m not done yet, but I’ll come up and update. So far, I’m impressed.”
“This book is excellent. I’ve been in private practice for 3 years and have been private pay the whole time. Even though some of the book was a review, it was a great way to tune up my practice and gave actionable items along the way. I have been considering diversifying my income streams and this has given me the clarity as well as a blueprint to move forward confidently. Highly recommend.”
“What makes this book so valuable is how accessible it is for therapists at any stage of their journey. Whether you’re just starting to dream about private practice, working toward licensure, or already a seasoned clinician and practice owner, you’ll find practical guidance and encouragement here. Reading it gives me a greater sense of confidence in running a private-pay practice on my own terms, without having to depend on insurance to build a practice that works for me and my clients.”
“Real advice for real private pay practice owners from someone who gets it. Every bit of this book and the knowledge within is practical and directly applicable to my practice as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Applying the strategies and utilizing the advice within for marketing has already paid for the book many, many times over - a fantastic investment.”
Private Pay Myth Busters
3 Lies Keeping Therapists Stuck on Insurance Panels
Myth #1: "Taking insurance is more ethical because you're helping people who can't afford therapy."
The Truth: When you're overwhelmed, underpaid, and burning out from insurance hassles, you're not helping anyone to the best of your capacity. The therapist who charges appropriately, works with ideal clients, and has the energy to be fully present is providing better care than the one who's spread too thin.
Plus, many insurance-based therapists end up with caseloads full of people who aren't fully invested in the work because they're not making a financial commitment. There's something powerful about investment - both economic and emotional.
Bottom line: Your sustainability serves everyone.
Myth #2: "I need to be an expert to charge private pay rates."
The Truth: You don't need to be the world's leading authority on your niche. You need to be good at what you do and clear about who you serve.
The therapist who has practiced for three years but has a clear specialty and firm boundaries often outperforms the one with twenty years of experience who takes on anyone and tries to be everything to everyone.
Bottom line: Clarity beats credentials.
Myth #3: "There aren't enough people who can afford private pay therapy."
The Truth: Millions of people spend money on life coaches, wellness programs, expensive gym memberships, and designer coffee every month. The issue isn't whether people have money - it's whether they see the value in what you're offering and whether you're reaching the right people.
Bottom line: The clients are out there. Your job is to find them.
The Real Question
These myths keep good therapists stuck in systems that don't serve them or their clients well.
The therapists who successfully transition to private pay aren't necessarily the most experienced or the most credentialed. They're the ones who get clear on their why, take systematic action, and commit to building something better.
Private pay isn't a dream. It's a decision.
Ready to make that decision?
Get the full roadmap: The Private Pay Practitioners Playbook Available on Amazon
© DJ Burr, LMHC, LPC | Private Pay Practitioners