Venture Capital in mental health is changing how practices grow—and not always for the better. In this honest episode, Dan King and clinical psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Carr discuss why VC-backed models often ignore clinician realities, what self-pay practices can (and can’t) handle, and how owners can plan sustainable legacies without burning out.
We begin with the promises: higher insurance premiums, administrative support, flexible hours, and scalable growth. Then we compare these with real-world challenges—margin pressures impacting clinicians, retention issues, and the difficulty of scaling quality quickly. Dr. Carr shares her experience managing a self-pay practice, including practical rate decisions, community-centered care, and where investor expectations conflict with clinical excellence.
You’ll learn the key differences between venture capital and private equity, why locality and culture matter for retention, and how to screen both clinicians and investors for mission fit. We also explore succession and legacy planning: why owners need a long runway, how to step back from daily operations, and ways to collaborate with non-clinicians without compromising ethos.
Takeaways:
- What venture capital often misunderstands about clinical work and profit margins
- When self-pay is advantageous—and when expanding is difficult
- Private equity versus venture capital pressures and how impact investing varies
- Hiring and retaining staff in community-based models
- A practical roadmap for succession planning and exit readiness
Transform Your Group Practice
Actionable insights for practice owners and clinicians who want to lead, grow, or exit with purpose. This is the podcast shaping a stronger mental health system — one practice at a time.
- Subscribe and listen to more episodes: https://yourgrouppractice.com/
- Want to be a guest? Reach out: info@yourgrouppractice.com
About the Host
Dan King is a lawyer turned private equity founder with a passion for fixing burnout in mental health. With a background in M&A, Shark Tank deals, and psychology, he now leads Fireside Strategic — investing in group practices that put people first.
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danmking
- Website: firesidestrategic.com
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