How to Know When You’re Ready to Move to a Group Practice

One of the most significant decisions a therapy practice owner can make is when to move your business from a solo private practice to a group practice. This decision will significantly impact your professional and personal life, so it is important to carefully consider several factors to determine if you’re ready to make this transition. 

It is not an easy move, but it has been one of the best decisions I have made for my business. My group therapy practice has expanded my reach and taken me to new heights. Yet it should only happen when you are ready and your business and skill sets have developed to the right point. 

Therefore, in this blog, I will explore some of the significant factors you must consider to evaluate if your solo practice is ready to make the leap to a group practice. These considerations include the following:

• Caseload and Demand
• Clinical Experience and Expertise
• Desire for Collaboration
• Business and Administrative Skills

I will also provide some helpful services to assist you when you are ready to move your business to the next level. These services will be your next steps in the process and give you the skills, mindset, and empowerment you need to pursue your dreams as a business owner. 

Caseload and Demand

Properly assessing and managing caseload and demand is essential for providing quality care, maintaining a thriving private practice, and achieving your business goals. A clear sign that you need to consider a group practice is when your caseload outpaces your ability to keep up. Suppose you’re consistently fully booked or turning away clients due to high demand. In that case, you might be ready to develop a group practice. Your group therapy practice can provide additional resources and scheduling flexibility to accommodate that high demand.

Here are some ways to explore if you are ready for a group practice based on client demand:

• Market Research, Analysis, and Outreach: Before establishing a group practice, conduct thorough market research to understand the demand for your mental health services in the local area. Identify the target demographic, patient preferences, and specific needs your business plan aims to address. This may involve utilizing online platforms, social media, podcasts, referral sources, and online therapy to increase visibility and reach potential clients.
• Scheduling and Appointment Management: More clinicians in a practice may create scheduling issues, so be sure to develop an efficient scheduling system to optimize patient appointments and minimize wait times. Explore appointment management software or tools to streamline scheduling, reminders, and follow-ups, with a particular eye toward the experience of new clients.
• Quality of Care: Your practice has grown because of the quality care your clients are receiving. Commit to providing that same high-quality care even as your practice grows. This will require a system to monitor client satisfaction and feedback to ensure that the increased caseload handled by other providers and clinicians doesn’t compromise the quality of care. Consider hiring part-time or full-time healthcare or administrative staff to help maintain excellent client experiences. Include this in your administrative cost projections.

Clinical Experience and Expertise 

When embarking on the journey of starting a group practice, the aspect of clinical experience and expertise plays a pivotal role in shaping the success, reputation, and effectiveness of the practice. Establishing a group practice requires careful consideration of your clinical qualifications, skill sets, and expertise plus the ability to assess these qualities in the other professionals you will involve in the practice. 

This step will also involve your personal and professional goals. Reflect on your own values as a business owner. Determine if moving to a group practice aligns with your desire to expand your services, specialize in a particular area, or simply enjoy a more collaborative work environment. Ensure that the group practice’s mission and values align with your own.

When considering these aspects, here are some specific elements to consider:

• Diverse Skill Sets: A successful group practice often includes professionals with diverse clinical backgrounds and specialized skill sets. Consider the range of expertise you wish to employ within the group, ensuring that it aligns with the services you intend to offer. Diverse skills enable the practice to provide comprehensive care and address a broad spectrum of patient needs.
• Quality Assurance: A group practice will require systems for regular peer reviews, case discussions, and continuous education to ensure that the practice’s clinical standards remain top-notch. Proper credentialing is a must for all those involved in the clinical work of your counseling practice.
• Client-Centered Care: A group practice’s clinical experience and expertise should center around providing optimal client outcomes. It is critical to develop systems and procedures to ensure your practice’s collective focus is client-centered.
• Clear Role Definition: Hiring other professionals without a clear plan is not a strong business model. Before you begin your group practice, clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each clinician within the organization. Ensure that every team member’s clinical expertise is utilized effectively and roles are complementary to provide seamless patient care.

Desire for Collaboration

Moving to a group practice means working closely with other healthcare professionals. A group practice could be a good fit if you enjoy exchanging ideas, discussing cases, and collaborating on patient care. 

Effectively implementing a collaborative system will involve these critical elements:

• Protocols and Procedures: Group private practices need established protocols and procedures to ensure that the most important things are covered. This involves the following:
  • proper office space
  • professional development opportunities
  • adherence to HIPAA
  • health insurance protocols
  • Electronic Health Records (EHR)
  • precautions to ensure wellness and avoid professional burnout.
• Communication: You will need to prioritize communication and have a system that facilitates communication with colleagues, staff, and clients. Regular staff meetings and communication systems must be built into your structure from the beginning. 
• Conflict Resolution: Whenever a group of human beings work together, there will be times of disagreement. Having the willingness and ability to resolve conflicts and address disputes in a constructive manner is essential for maintaining a harmonious work environment. 

Business and Administrative Skills

Launching your own group practice requires efficient practice management. Beyond clinical expertise, the effective management of business operations and administrative tasks is essential for the practice’s success, sustainability, and overall client experience. Integrating these skills into the group practice ensures a well-rounded approach prioritizing clinical excellence and effective business management.

Here are some administrative skills you will need as you launch a group practice:

• Time Commitment: While hiring other clinicians may ease the pressures of your caseload, additional aspects will impact your time. Consider the time commitment required for group practice participation, including meetings, case discussions, and coordination with colleagues, which may take up additional time outside patient appointments.  
• Financial Stability: Assess your financial situation and stability before expanding your practice. Group practices may involve shared overhead costs and revenue-sharing arrangements. Make sure you understand the financial implications and bookkeeping requirements, and be prepared to make sound financial decisions. 

Legal and Contractual Considerations: Carefully review any contracts or agreements associated with developing a group practice. Ensure that you understand the terms, responsibilities, and expectations before making a decision. Owning a group practice will require skills to facilitate efficient day-to-day operations and adherence to healthcare regulations and standards.