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...

This episode of The Therapist Mom Podcast is designed for private practice therapists (and especially therapist moms) who are navigating that tricky space where your time, energy, and income all need to work together—and you want a system that actually supports you. If you're feeling overwhelmed by intake processes, wondering whether to require a phone consultation before booking new clients, or if you should just let folks book their first session directly, you’re in the right place.

As someone who has built a private practice while raising kids, navigating military moves, and managing all the curveballs of motherhood, I know it takes more than good intentions to create a system that works for real life. In this episode, I’m walking you through my honest, unapologetic perspective on client intake, what’s worked (and hasn’t), and practical scripts and strategies that help you convert at a high rate—without the hustle or guilt.

Let’s talk about designing an onboarding process that actually works for YOU and your ideal clients.

Pros & Cons of Letting Clients Self-Schedule:

A breakdown of why self-scheduling can create low-barrier access (and when it might backfire).

Why I Require a Consultation First (And My Script):

How a quick phone consultation sets a healthy foundation, protects your energy, and gets your ideal clients booked.

How to Evaluate and Change Your Intake Systems:

A permission slip to adapt your process as your life and practice evolves—without guilt or “shoulds.”

1. [00:34] – Common pain points of intake processes and why this episode matters to private practice therapists.
2. [03:55] – Pros and limitations of letting clients self-schedule their first session.
3. [07:39] – Why clients often miss key info on your website and how this affects your practice.
4. [10:18] – The deeper value of a consultation call and how it increases client buy-in.
5. [15:43] – How connecting on a call impacts your perceived value (and conversions!).
6. [18:49] – My exact consultation script and how it sets you up for success.
7. [26:15] – When to self-schedule and when to require a call (plus: giving yourself permission to evolve).

It’s tempting to think there’s a “right” way, but your intake process needs to be in alignment with your current needs, energy, private-pay versus insurance, and the clients you want to work with.

Example: For me, requiring a quick phone consultation lets me vet for fit, protects my energy (and time!), and helps clients feel connected right away.

When you spend 10–15 minutes on a call:

1. Clients feel seen and supported before they ever step into session.
2. You can clarify all the practical details: fees, online vs in-person, weekly scheduling, what you do (and don’t) offer.

This episode of The Therapist Mom Podcast is packed with honest, practical insights for therapist-moms who want a private practice that fits real life (and real stress levels). If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all the “shoulds” of marketing, burned out by doing too much, or simply unsure which strategies actually bring clients to your door, this episode is for you.

As a therapist, coach, and fellow mom navigating both meltdowns and marketing calendars, I know firsthand that small, intentional shifts can lead to more clients (and way less stress). Let’s dig into the good stuff and give yourself permission to ditch the hustle and simplify.

1. Strategy Over Survival Mode: How to stop throwing spaghetti at the wall and start picking a few aligned marketing actions that actually work for you, your energy, and your ideal clients.
2. The Only Two Non-Negotiable Marketing Moves: Why every private practice needs a website and a strong network (and how to start even if both feel intimidating).
3. Permission to Edit Before Adding: How to drop what isn’t working, quiet the comparison trap, and build a plan that feels sustainable (so you can have time for you, too).

1. [00:03] Spaghetti-at-the-wall marketing: Why copying other therapists’ marketing doesn’t guarantee results
2. [00:06] Personal story: My experience trying all the strategies—and realizing context is everything
3. [00:14] Less is more: How to pick 3-5 focused strategies that make sense for YOUR ideal client
4. [00:15] Identifying your client: Where are they actually looking for a therapist?
5. [00:16] Social media: Does it really work? Who finds you vs. who sees you
6. [00:18] Networking: Relationship-building, not cold-selling, is how you fill your practice
7. [00:23] Why a website is non-negotiable: Your most important marketing asset
8. [00:24] Behind the scenes of networking: How to build referral sources (no extrovert energy required)
9. [00:27] Edit, don’t add: How to review what’s working, what’s draining, and where to focus next
10. [00:29] Validation vs. referrals: Likes aren’t clients—how to spot what’s truly sustainable

Feeling ready for practical, doable steps? Grab the free Comprehensive Connecting Networking Scripts guide from the show notes and let’s make marketing feel more like a supportive part of your practice.

Let me know: What’s one marketing strategy you’re dropping, and one you’re leaning into? I’d love to hear from you on Instagram or in a review. Here’s to a year of clarity, simplicity, and more time for what matters most!

💻 This episode is sponsored by Jane, the all-in-one practice management software I use and love. Book your FREE Live Demo HERE and when you're ready to...

Being eight months pregnant and running a private practice at the same time is a lot. In this throwback to Episode 38, I’m sharing exactly what that season felt like for me as I tried to support my clients while prepping for baby number three.

In this episode, I share:

1. What sessions were like with sciatica, heartburn, and nonstop fatigue
2. How I adapted my practice and schedule to match what my body actually needed
3. Lessons from my three very different pregnancies about knowing when to step back
4. How I communicated with clients, transitioned caseloads, and managed referrals
5. Why clear boundaries with both my clients and myself were non-negotiable

If you’re pregnant, planning to be, or supporting someone through it, this episode is a reminder that you can honor your needs and still keep your practice going without pretending everything is perfect.

Check out The Maternity Leave Blueprint to learn how a thoughtful plan, clear communication, and a bit of financial prep can help you step away with confidence and return to a practice that’s still running strong.

💻 This episode is sponsored by Jane, the all-in-one practice management software I use and love. Book your FREE Live Demo HERE and when you're ready to sign up use code ASHLEY1MO for a 1 month grace period

⭐️ Follow on Instagram @Raisedtoempower

⭐️ Grab your FREE networking guide for therapists HERE

⭐️ Learn more about how I can help support you and your practice, and ways we can work together at www.raisedtoempower.com

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Ashley Comegys specializes in helping therapist moms build private practices that allow them the time freedom, flexibility and autonomy they need in their careers. Looking for support in either starting your practice, or looking to revamp your marketing and systems? Let’s chat— book your consultation here!

🎧 If you find today's episode helpful or inspiring, be sure to share it with your therapist friends, subscribe to the show, and leave your five star rating and review.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, supervision, or legal advice.

I’m sharing a replay of Episode 28 as part of our maternity leave replay series. I recorded this episode during my third pregnancy, right in the middle of the second trimester, when things were physically easier than the first trimester but emotionally much heavier than I expected.

In this episode, I talk honestly about what it looked like to run a full private practice while parenting two young kids, falling behind on notes, avoiding planning because it felt overwhelming, and quietly carrying a lot of fear about what adding another baby would mean for our family. This was a season where my body felt more functional, but my bandwidth was stretched thin in every other way.

In this episode, I talk about:

• The emotional weight of the second trimester after first trimester survival mode

• Falling behind in your practice and the urge to avoid looking at what feels overwhelming

• Parenting high needs kids while preparing for another baby

• What “bare minimum mode” looked like for me and why it was necessary

• How support, therapy, and tighter boundaries helped me reengage with my practice

Check out The Maternity Leave Blueprint to learn how a thoughtful plan, clear communication, and a bit of financial prep can help you step away with confidence and return to a practice that’s still running strong.

💻 This episode is sponsored by Jane, the all-in-one practice management software I use and love. Book your FREE Live Demo HERE and when you're ready to sign up use code ASHLEY1MO for a 1 month grace period

⭐️ Follow on Instagram @Raisedtoempower

⭐️ Grab your FREE networking guide for therapists HERE

⭐️ Learn more about how I can help support you and your practice, and ways we can work together at www.raisedtoempower.com

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Ashley Comegys specializes in helping therapist moms build private practices that allow them the time freedom, flexibility and autonomy they need in their careers. Looking for support in either starting your practice, or looking to revamp your marketing and systems? Let’s chat— book your consultation here!

🎧 If you find today's episode helpful or inspiring, be sure to share it with your therapist friends, subscribe to the show, and leave your five star rating and review.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, supervision, or legal advice.

Content Warning: This episode discusses pregnancy and the challenges of the first trimester. Please listen with care.

This week, I am sharing a throwback to Episode 15. I recorded it a couple years ago during my third pregnancy, and everything I shared then still hits home for anyone trying to keep a practice running while also in the thick of early pregnancy.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• What working through the first trimester actually looked like for me
• The symptoms that made sessions challenging and how I adjusted when I felt awful
• How I handled last minute cancellations before I was ready to share I was pregnant
• The simple language I used with clients when I needed to step back
• Why bare minimum mode became the most realistic plan

This replay is honest and unfiltered, and it is here to offer a little clarity and a little comfort if you are trying to care for clients while your body is working overtime behind the scenes.

Check out The Maternity Leave Blueprint to learn how a thoughtful plan, clear communication, and a bit of financial prep can help you step away with confidence and return to a practice that’s still running strong.

💻 This episode is sponsored by Jane, the all-in-one practice management software I use and love. Book your FREE Live Demo HERE and when you're ready to sign up use code ASHLEY1MO for a 1 month grace period

⭐️ Follow on Instagram @Raisedtoempower

⭐️ Grab your FREE networking guide for therapists HERE

⭐️ Learn more about how I can help support you and your practice, and ways we can work together at www.raisedtoempower.com

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Ashley Comegys specializes in helping therapist moms build private practices that allow them the time freedom, flexibility and autonomy they need in their careers. Looking for support in either starting your practice, or looking to revamp your marketing and systems? Let’s chat— book your consultation here!

🎧 If you find today's episode helpful or inspiring, be sure to share it with your therapist friends, subscribe to the show, and leave your five star rating and review.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, supervision, or legal advice.

Today’s episode brings back one of the most-requested conversations from the show: maternity leave in private practice. It originally aired as Episode 18, and it’s one of those episodes listeners keep returning to.

This replay walks through the four big pieces that come up when you’re trying to build a maternity leave plan that works for you and your practice.

Here’s what’s inside:

• What working during pregnancy actually looked like for me, especially in the early trimesters

• How I approached talking with clients about pregnancy and time off

• The financial planning steps that made the biggest difference

• Different ways to set up client coverage without overcomplicating it

And woven through the whole conversation is a reality a lot of therapists don’t hear often enough: maternity leave in private practice is allowed.

Check out The Maternity Leave Blueprint to learn how a thoughtful plan, clear communication, and a bit of financial prep can help you step away with confidence and return to a practice that’s still running strong.

💻 This episode is sponsored by Jane, the all-in-one practice management software I use and love. Book your FREE Live Demo HERE and when you're ready to sign up use code ASHLEY1MO for a 1 month grace period

⭐️ Follow on Instagram @Raisedtoempower

⭐️ Grab your FREE networking guide for therapists HERE

⭐️ Learn more about how I can help support you and your practice, and ways we can work together at www.raisedtoempower.com

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Ashley Comegys specializes in helping therapist moms build private practices that allow them the time freedom, flexibility and autonomy they need in their careers. Looking for support in either starting your practice, or looking to revamp your marketing and systems? Let’s chat— book your consultation here!

🎧 If you find today's episode helpful or inspiring, be sure to share it with your therapist friends, subscribe to the show, and leave your five star rating and review.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, supervision, or legal advice.

This episode is me taking a clear, honest look at what the last twelve months held for me personally and professionally. I’m talking about the real stuff that unfolded while running a practice, raising kids, and juggling more medical appointments than I ever want to see on my calendar again.

Instead of pretending everything was polished in 2025, I’m letting you in on the behind-the-scenes reality we don’t usually share out loud. Comparison snuck in for me more than I wanted to admit. Other folks looked like they were thriving while I was just trying to steer the ship straight.

But this is also the year I leaned hard into naming what did get done and that’s why the “Ta Da List” is making an appearance too. Certifications happened. Advocacy work happened. Teaching, supporting, parenting, surviving. I did all of that and it all counts, even if it didn’t look the way I imagined.

If this year landed heavy for you too, consider this your reminder that you’re not the only one. We’re all figuring it out one imperfect step at a time. Thanks for being here and for making space for therapist moms to show up exactly as we are.

💻 This episode is sponsored by Jane, the all-in-one practice management software I use and love. Book your FREE Live Demo HERE and when you're ready to sign up use code ASHLEY1MO for a 1 month grace period

⭐️ Follow on Instagram @Raisedtoempower

⭐️ Grab your FREE networking guide for therapists HERE

⭐️ Learn more about how I can help support you and your practice, and ways we can work together at www.raisedtoempower.com

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Ashley Comegys specializes in helping therapist moms build private practices that allow them the time freedom, flexibility and autonomy they need in their careers. Looking for support in either starting your practice, or looking to revamp your marketing and systems? Let’s chat— book your consultation here!

🎧 If you find today's episode helpful or inspiring, be sure to share it with your therapist friends, subscribe to the show, and leave your five star rating and review.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy, supervision, or legal advice.