Renting An Office- Therapist Adulting 101

Renting An Office: Therapist Adulting 101

5 Things to Consider When Starting a Counselling Practice.

One of the things I remember most vividly after finishing my master’s degree in counselling psychology is the overwhelming sense of… well, overwhelm. Every time I thought about next steps, my brain kindly responded with a full system crash. The options were endless, the starting point was a mystery, and the only thing I knew for certain was that I wanted private practice and I wanted an office. I wanted to be surrounded by other professionals and chit-chat in the hall while we waited for clients. I didn’t want to purchase furniture or decor right off the bat, so I wanted something that was already set up. With loads of natural light, beautiful plants, throw pillows nobody asked for, and wall art that said “A professional works here” while also saying “I have a personality.” Beyond the aesthetic vision board in my head, private practice meant I could focus on my specialty areas, work with the clients I was most passionate about, and finally forge the professional path I’d been dreaming of, one carefully curated bookshelf at a time.

The question that kept me spinning in circles was: Where do I even start? If you’ve ever stared at your freshly printed diploma and thought the same thing, congratulations, this blog post is your new best friend. Think of it as a map. Not a perfect map, but better than nothing (unlike the ones I used to fold wrong every single time).

Fair warning: I had to split this into two parts because I have a lot to say and zero ability to be brief. But if you get to the end and still have questions, reach out, I promise I won’t leave you stranded.

Step 1 - Register or Certify with the Right Organization

First things first: in Alberta, there are three main labels for mental health professionals — psychologists, counselling therapists, and social workers. Psychologists and social workers have regulating colleges (CAP and ACSW, respectively), while counselling therapists are currently in the process of being regulated, date TBD, because these processes moves at its own pace.

If you’re heading into counselling therapy, your first move is to register with CCPA and ACTA. You’ll need reference forms from your supervisors, so keep those relationships warm, you’ll be sliding into their inboxes soon. Your supervisors send the forms directly to CCPA, and once your CCC certification is approved, you’re ready for the next step. Cue the confetti.

Step 2 - Operating as a Business

Here’s the plot twist nobody warned you about in grad school: you are now a business owner. I know. You just wanted to help people. Surprise! Here’s are some things to think about:

Business license: Check whether your city requires one. In Calgary, the City of Calgary website has everything you need.

Sole proprietor vs. corporation: One means you are the business; the other means the business is its own entity. Both have pros and cons. Talk to an accountant before deciding. Yes, an actual accountant. Not just a very confident friend.

What is your business structure?

Who is your ideal client? What's your niche? What makes you different?
What are your values and mission as a therapist?
How do you want clients to book you? Platforms like JaneApp and Owl are excellent, and you may be able to get a discount through your professional organization.
Solo practice forever, or do you see yourself bringing in associates down the road?
Online only, hybrid, or in-person? Many new therapists start online and add office space later.
How many clients do you want to see per week? Do you want to work weekends? (Spoiler: you don't have to)
If you incorporate, how much do you want to pay yourself?

Not an exhaustive list, but a solid place to start without completely short-circuiting your brain.

And that’s a wrap on Part 1! If your head is spinning a little, that’s normal, and honestly, it means you’re taking this seriously. The good news is that you only have to do most of this once, and future-you will be very grateful that present-you pushed through it.

In Part 2, we’ll get into finding your space, making yourself visible, and building the kind of professional community that makes this job feel a lot less like a solo expedition. Stay tuned, it gets more fun from here.