Season Two Episode Five “Pulling Back the Curtain: The Truth of Private Practice” A grounded, honest, deep dive into the realities of solo private practice — the freedom, the burden, the business, the ethics, and the emotional weight that come with running your own therapy practice. This episode gives new and emerging clinicians the clarity, structure, and self‑reflection needed to decide whether private practice is truly the right next step.

In this one‑on‑one conversation, Bonnie Popso, LCSW — a seasoned social worker and therapist with decades of experience in Community Mental Health — shares her hard‑won insights and wisdom from the front lines of CMH. Together, we explore the realities, challenges, and heart behind serving communities in need.

Group practices are often marketed as the “Goldilocks zone” of the therapy world — not as overwhelming as Community Mental Health, not as risky as solo private practice. But what’s the truth behind the model that so many early‑career clinicians step into?

In this extended one‑hour episode of The Unlicensed Therapist, we pull back the curtain on the realities of group practice work. Whether you’re pre‑licensed, newly licensed, or considering your next career move, this episode gives you the tools to make an informed, empowered decision.

• The two major group practice structures — W‑2 employee vs. 1099 contractor

• How each model impacts your taxes, benefits, autonomy, and income

• The real percentage splits and what they mean for your financial health

• Built‑in advantages like supervision, consultation, and streamlined administrative systems

• The hidden trade-offs around identity, autonomy, and long‑term earning potential

• How clients experience group practices and why they often prefer them

• A full interview checklist to help you evaluate any group practice with confidence

This episode ties together themes from earlier in the season — imposter syndrome, ethics, documentation, identity, and burnout — to help you understand how group practices can either support your growth or limit it.

• Transitioning out of Community Mental Health

• Interviewing for their first therapy job

• Debating between W‑2 and 1099 roles

• Considering long‑term career paths in the field

• Curious about the business side of therapy