This episode of The Therapist Mom Podcast is packed with real-life, actionable insights for therapist moms who are trying to juggle a private practice and motherhood—especially during those relentless high-illness seasons. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your practice running when daycare calls (again) or felt the guilt of canceling on clients because your child is sick, you’re not alone—and you’re absolutely in the right place.

As both a therapist and a mom of three—with plenty of urgent care visits and rescheduled sessions under my belt—I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel to manage everything when life throws you those inevitable curveballs. In this episode, you’re going to hear my candid story of scrambling to pick up my daughter from daycare, plus the practical systems and compassionate boundaries I’ve put in place to make my business (and motherhood) sustainable.

Whether you’re new to private practice or a seasoned pro, if you need permission to build a flexible, values-aligned business that honors both your clients and your family, this conversation is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Building Flexibility Into Your Practice

How to navigate unpredictable childcare and sickness without feeling like you’re failing your clients (or your kids).

Communicating With Clients About Life’s Disruptions

Straightforward scripts and tips for having honest but professional conversations with clients when you need to reschedule.

Setting Boundaries and Managing Guilt

Why you don’t have to give free sessions when you have to reschedule—and how to handle tough feelings that come up around client cancellations and boundaries.

Episode Timestamps

1. [00:00:02] Introduction—Why therapist moms need a different kind of support during sick season and what this episode will cover.
2. [00:01:33] The reality check: private practice vs. agency life when kids are home sick.
3. [00:05:05] A behind-the-scenes story of urgent care visits, full client days, and hard choices.
4. [00:08:07] How to set expectations early with clients (including scripts for the intake session).
5. [00:17:38] Handling guilt, late cancellation fees, and why you don’t owe anyone a free session.
6. [00:23:30] Final thoughts on self-compassion, building resilient systems, and being gentle with yourself.

Top Takeaways on Managing Private Practice When Your Kids Are Sick

1. Establish Flexibility From Day One

Let’s break this down: Building flexibility into your private practice isn’t just for your sanity—it supports your clients, too. During your intake session, set expectations with new clients that, as a parent, you may have to reschedule on short notice. This honest approach creates understanding and trust right off the bat. For example, I often say, “I take consistency seriously, but sometimes I may need to reschedule due to my kids’ needs.”

2. Use Clear, Compassionate Communication (Without Oversharing)

Here’s how you can start implementing this TODAY:

1. Step 1: When you need to reschedule, keep your message simple: “I need to cancel/reschedule our session today because my child is sick.” No need for details or apologies—just direct, respectful communication.
2. Step 2: Offer alternative...