July 19, 2025 • 10 mins
Trying to fill your practice? Start with generosity!
In today’s Ask Allison, I talk about how small, intentional acts—like sharing resources or making thoughtful referrals—can build connection and momentum. It’s not about doing more; it’s about giving wisely.
Sponsored by TherapyNotes®: Use promo code Abundant for 2 months free
Grab our free tools to grow your practice—weekly worksheets, the Tasky Checklist, and more: www.abundancepracticebuilding.com/links
Ready to fill your practice faster? Join the Abundance Party today and get 75% off your first month with promo code ASK: www.abundancepracticebuilding.com/abundanceparty
Have a question for me about practice building? Submit it via our Ask Allison form, and I'll add it to the queue: https://www.abundancepracticebuilding.com/ask_allison
▶️ Prefer video? This episode is also available to stream on our YouTube channel!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:07):
(Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai. Go Unlimited to remove this message.) Welcome to Ask Allison.
Y'all ask the questions about having a
fun and thriving practice and I answer them.
We have a worksheet for you today so
you can bring this answer into your life.
You can access that at abundancepracticebuilding.com slash
links, where you'll also be able to ask
any questions you have for Ask Allison.
If you want more support, we've got some
free trainings in there too.
(00:28):
If you can't get enough Ask Allison, check
out our YouTube channel for our entire Ask
Allison library.
Welcome back to Ask Allison.
Here is today's question.
Aside from the typical marketing strategies, are there
any other tips or ways of being that
I can help fill a practice?
I'm doing the typical things and waiting for
that effort to pay off, which I know
(00:49):
is an instant.
Just looking for other ways to get this
going.
Great question.
Before I answer, I would love to thank
TherapyNotes for sponsoring Ask Allison.
I've talked about TherapyNotes for years.
I know all their features by heart, but
what really sets them apart is that they
care about your experience.
It's not just about troubleshooting.
They actively implement user-suggested features like their
new AI notes and automated client payments.
(01:12):
Everyone at TherapyNotes believes in the product and
they want you to love it too.
Plus, they're independently owned, which means no venture
capital, no pressure to prioritize investors over customers.
This independence allows them to keep prices fair,
focus on innovation, and prioritize customer experience.
With over 100,000 therapists already on board,
they've proven you don't have to compromise success
for quality.
(01:33):
If you're ready to see for yourself, try
TherapyNotes free for two months with the code
ABUNDANT at TherapyNotes.com.
Alright, so there are lots of different ways
of being or things you could be doing,
but I'm going to focus on one today
and it's one that might be a little
unexpected, and that's be generous.
What you might be thinking when I say
that is maybe you picture giving away free
(01:55):
sessions or working for hours without getting compensated
for your time, but that's not what I'm
talking about here.
The generosity I'm referring to is about giving
what you can when you can without burning
yourself out or feeling like you're sacrificing your
time and energy.
It's about being generous in ways that serve
your community, not necessarily individual clients.
Being generous in ways that foster connections and
(02:17):
ultimately help build a practice that feels really
aligned with who you are.
Before we dive into how generosity can help
you grow your practice, I want to address
something that's on the minds of many private
practice owners, which is the fear of competition.
If you've ever thought to yourself, there are
only so many clients out there, or what
if I'm not the therapist they choose?
I really want you to take a deep
(02:37):
breath and let that go.
There are plenty of clients to go around,
I promise.
When you fully buy into this idea that
there's room for everyone, it completely shifts how
you approach your work.
Instead of worrying about your competition and stressing
about who's getting the next client, you begin
to fill a lot more space to be
generous.
You stop wasting time and energy worrying about
(02:58):
other people's success.
You free yourself up to think about how
you can serve others and contribute in ways
that are meaningful, even if it's not immediately
rewarding in the ways you expect.
Let me share some ways generosity can actually
help build your practice.
I want to emphasize this isn't about giving
away your time and resources to the point
of exhaustion.
Generosity does not mean giving away more than
(03:20):
you have to give.
It means offering what you can, when you're
able, and creating an environment where both you
and those around you can thrive.
One of the most powerful ways to be
generous in your practice is by sharing your
experience with others.
I'll give you an example from my own
experience.
If another therapist calls me because they're working
with a client who's presenting with a new
(03:41):
eating disorder symptom and they want advice on
best practices, I really don't hesitate to offer
my insights.
I do not see this as competition.
I see it as a chance to help
a fellow clinician.
If I have the time and the expertise,
I'll chat with them about what's working for
me in those situations.
I'll offer them new tools or I'll point
to resources that could be helpful.
This kind of generosity doesn't cost me anything
(04:03):
at all, other than just a few minutes
of my time.
But it can make the world of difference
for the therapist on the other end.
It's great for their clients.
It also is a great way to build
your professional relationships and show that you're invested
in the success of your colleagues, not just
your own.
Now let's talk about networking.
This is often erroneously seen as a transactional
(04:25):
thing.
What if we flip the script on that?
What if we're thinking, rather than thinking of
networking as like, how can I benefit from
this person?
You think in terms of how can I
connect people in a way that helps them
both?
This is a practice of generosity that can
have long-lasting positive effects.
So for example, if I meet a therapist
who specializes in the same area as a
(04:46):
good friend of mine, I don't just say,
hey, you should meet this person.
It's a very surface level introduction.
Instead, I take time to craft a thoughtful
email introduction where I explain who each person
is, what they do, why I think they'd
make a great team, how they can benefit
from getting to know one another.
This kind of really in-depth, meaningful introduction
helps build genuine connections between the two of
(05:08):
them and between me and each of them.
It's a really small effort on my part,
but it can have a huge value for
everyone involved.
Another way I practice generosity is helping people
connect when they're relocating or transitioning to a
new place.
If someone reaches out to me because they're
moving to a new city and they're looking
for recommendations, whether it's for therapy or networking
or whatever, I'll make a point to introduce
(05:29):
them to people I know in the city.
I don't just give them a list of
names.
I try to provide a personalized introduction with
context when I can so that that connection
is more meaningful.
This is not an ask for you guys
to all email me right now about this
because then I won't be able to do
all of it because I won't have it
to give, right?
All right, let's talk about what happens when
your practice is full and a potential client
(05:51):
reaches out.
I used to feel this pressure to always
be available, to always be taking on new
clients even when my schedule was full, but
over time I realized something really important.
Just because I can't take on a new
client doesn't mean I can't help them.
So if someone calls, my schedule's full, I
don't just say like, I'm really sorry, I'm
unavailable.
I talk to them about what they're going
through, what they're hoping to work on in
(06:12):
therapy, and then I provide them with a
hand-picked list of therapists I think would
be a great fit for their needs.
I don't refer them to just anyone.
I really take the time to hear about
their specific concerns, what they're looking for, and
I match them with someone I trust.
By doing this, I'm giving them something that
could truly make a difference in their journey
with therapy.
I'm showing them that I care about their
(06:32):
well-being even if I'm not able to
see them myself, and in doing so I'm
building a network of professionals who appreciate thoughtful,
generous approaches to referrals.
So it's a win-win.
Now let's talk about how generosity plays out
in a broader sense too.
If you're asked to share an event or
a networking opportunity, like a dinner or a
community gathering, don't hesitate to spread the word.
(06:53):
Even if you're not able to attend, let
your network know about the opportunity, and this
helps bring people together, foster that sense of
community.
I don't know how many times I'm saying
the word community.
A lot.
It might lead to new connections, collaborations, referrals
down the road for everyone, and it feels
good that you helped connect them.
And let's consider referrals within your own client
base.
(07:13):
If a client comes to you with a
request for a referral for a friend or
a family member, don't just send them to
anyone you're familiar with.
Think about who truly fits the need.
Someone you would trust to provide high quality
care.
This type of generosity shows that you're not
just thinking about your own business, the well
-being of others too.
And here's the thing, you can't give everything
you have all the time.
(07:33):
I've learned this the hard way, and there
are days that I just don't have anything
extra to give.
That's okay.
Generosity doesn't mean overextending yourself.
It means being thoughtful about when and how
you give.
And sometimes you'll have more to offer, sometimes
you won't.
The key is to really honor your limits.
Give in ways that feel good for you,
rather than feeling like you're giving out of
(07:54):
obligation or guilt.
A well-placed, I wish I could respond
to this right now, but I'm just not
going to be able to is totally fine.
Generosity is about balance.
It's about recognizing that while it's really important
to give to others, it's also essential to
take care of yourself.
If you're burned out or overwhelmed, you won't
have anything left to give.
And when you're able to show up for
(08:14):
others with genuine care and thoughtfulness, it creates
this ripple effect that benefits everybody involved.
I can tell you that the more I've
embraced generosity in my practice, the more it's
come back to me in unexpected ways.
It's built my network, created opportunities, helped me
develop strong relationships with clients and colleagues and
community members.
But more importantly, it's allowed me to build
(08:36):
a practice that feels really fulfilling and authentic
and connected to the people I serve.
If you're ready to embrace generosity in your
own practice and you want a tool to
guide you, I've got something for you.
You can DM me the word sheets and
I'll send you this week's worksheet, which is
who to network with, since that's an important
part of being generous.
You'll also get access to the worksheets in
(08:56):
the whole series.
So those are all designed to help you
implement the ideas I talk about and bring
more generosity in your practice in this circumstance.
Thanks for tuning in today and trust that
there are plenty of clients out there.
And when you have the time and energy
to be generous, it's a great option.
If you're ready for a much easier practice,
(09:18):
Therapy Notes is the way to go.
Go to therapynotes.com and use the promo
code ABUNDANT for two months free.
I hope that helped.
If you have questions for Ask Allison, or
you want to get your hands on the
worksheet for this episode, go to abundancepracticebuilding.com
slash links.
(09:40):
If you're listening, you probably need some support
building your practice.
If you're a super newbie, grab our free
checklist using the link in the show notes.
I'd love for you to follow, rate, and
review, but I really want you to share
this episode with a therapist friend.
Let's help all our colleagues build what they
want.
(Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai. Go Unlimited to remove this message.) Welcome to Ask Allison.
Y'all ask the questions about having a
fun and thriving practice and I answer them.
We have a worksheet for you today so
you can bring this answer into your life.
You can access that at abundancepracticebuilding.com slash
links, where you'll also be able to ask
any questions you have for Ask Allison.
If you want more support, we've got some
free trainings in there too.
(00:28):
If you can't get enough Ask Allison, check
out our YouTube channel for our entire Ask
Allison library.
Welcome back to Ask Allison.
Here is today's question.
Aside from the typical marketing strategies, are there
any other tips or ways of being that
I can help fill a practice?
I'm doing the typical things and waiting for
that effort to pay off, which I know
(00:49):
is an instant.
Just looking for other ways to get this
going.
Great question.
Before I answer, I would love to thank
TherapyNotes for sponsoring Ask Allison.
I've talked about TherapyNotes for years.
I know all their features by heart, but
what really sets them apart is that they
care about your experience.
It's not just about troubleshooting.
They actively implement user-suggested features like their
new AI notes and automated client payments.
(01:12):
Everyone at TherapyNotes believes in the product and
they want you to love it too.
Plus, they're independently owned, which means no venture
capital, no pressure to prioritize investors over customers.
This independence allows them to keep prices fair,
focus on innovation, and prioritize customer experience.
With over 100,000 therapists already on board,
they've proven you don't have to compromise success
for quality.
(01:33):
If you're ready to see for yourself, try
TherapyNotes free for two months with the code
ABUNDANT at TherapyNotes.com.
Alright, so there are lots of different ways
of being or things you could be doing,
but I'm going to focus on one today
and it's one that might be a little
unexpected, and that's be generous.
What you might be thinking when I say
that is maybe you picture giving away free
(01:55):
sessions or working for hours without getting compensated
for your time, but that's not what I'm
talking about here.
The generosity I'm referring to is about giving
what you can when you can without burning
yourself out or feeling like you're sacrificing your
time and energy.
It's about being generous in ways that serve
your community, not necessarily individual clients.
Being generous in ways that foster connections and
(02:17):
ultimately help build a practice that feels really
aligned with who you are.
Before we dive into how generosity can help
you grow your practice, I want to address
something that's on the minds of many private
practice owners, which is the fear of competition.
If you've ever thought to yourself, there are
only so many clients out there, or what
if I'm not the therapist they choose?
I really want you to take a deep
(02:37):
breath and let that go.
There are plenty of clients to go around,
I promise.
When you fully buy into this idea that
there's room for everyone, it completely shifts how
you approach your work.
Instead of worrying about your competition and stressing
about who's getting the next client, you begin
to fill a lot more space to be
generous.
You stop wasting time and energy worrying about
(02:58):
other people's success.
You free yourself up to think about how
you can serve others and contribute in ways
that are meaningful, even if it's not immediately
rewarding in the ways you expect.
Let me share some ways generosity can actually
help build your practice.
I want to emphasize this isn't about giving
away your time and resources to the point
of exhaustion.
Generosity does not mean giving away more than
(03:20):
you have to give.
It means offering what you can, when you're
able, and creating an environment where both you
and those around you can thrive.
One of the most powerful ways to be
generous in your practice is by sharing your
experience with others.
I'll give you an example from my own
experience.
If another therapist calls me because they're working
with a client who's presenting with a new
(03:41):
eating disorder symptom and they want advice on
best practices, I really don't hesitate to offer
my insights.
I do not see this as competition.
I see it as a chance to help
a fellow clinician.
If I have the time and the expertise,
I'll chat with them about what's working for
me in those situations.
I'll offer them new tools or I'll point
to resources that could be helpful.
This kind of generosity doesn't cost me anything
(04:03):
at all, other than just a few minutes
of my time.
But it can make the world of difference
for the therapist on the other end.
It's great for their clients.
It also is a great way to build
your professional relationships and show that you're invested
in the success of your colleagues, not just
your own.
Now let's talk about networking.
This is often erroneously seen as a transactional
(04:25):
thing.
What if we flip the script on that?
What if we're thinking, rather than thinking of
networking as like, how can I benefit from
this person?
You think in terms of how can I
connect people in a way that helps them
both?
This is a practice of generosity that can
have long-lasting positive effects.
So for example, if I meet a therapist
who specializes in the same area as a
(04:46):
good friend of mine, I don't just say,
hey, you should meet this person.
It's a very surface level introduction.
Instead, I take time to craft a thoughtful
email introduction where I explain who each person
is, what they do, why I think they'd
make a great team, how they can benefit
from getting to know one another.
This kind of really in-depth, meaningful introduction
helps build genuine connections between the two of
(05:08):
them and between me and each of them.
It's a really small effort on my part,
but it can have a huge value for
everyone involved.
Another way I practice generosity is helping people
connect when they're relocating or transitioning to a
new place.
If someone reaches out to me because they're
moving to a new city and they're looking
for recommendations, whether it's for therapy or networking
or whatever, I'll make a point to introduce
(05:29):
them to people I know in the city.
I don't just give them a list of
names.
I try to provide a personalized introduction with
context when I can so that that connection
is more meaningful.
This is not an ask for you guys
to all email me right now about this
because then I won't be able to do
all of it because I won't have it
to give, right?
All right, let's talk about what happens when
your practice is full and a potential client
(05:51):
reaches out.
I used to feel this pressure to always
be available, to always be taking on new
clients even when my schedule was full, but
over time I realized something really important.
Just because I can't take on a new
client doesn't mean I can't help them.
So if someone calls, my schedule's full, I
don't just say like, I'm really sorry, I'm
unavailable.
I talk to them about what they're going
through, what they're hoping to work on in
(06:12):
therapy, and then I provide them with a
hand-picked list of therapists I think would
be a great fit for their needs.
I don't refer them to just anyone.
I really take the time to hear about
their specific concerns, what they're looking for, and
I match them with someone I trust.
By doing this, I'm giving them something that
could truly make a difference in their journey
with therapy.
I'm showing them that I care about their
(06:32):
well-being even if I'm not able to
see them myself, and in doing so I'm
building a network of professionals who appreciate thoughtful,
generous approaches to referrals.
So it's a win-win.
Now let's talk about how generosity plays out
in a broader sense too.
If you're asked to share an event or
a networking opportunity, like a dinner or a
community gathering, don't hesitate to spread the word.
(06:53):
Even if you're not able to attend, let
your network know about the opportunity, and this
helps bring people together, foster that sense of
community.
I don't know how many times I'm saying
the word community.
A lot.
It might lead to new connections, collaborations, referrals
down the road for everyone, and it feels
good that you helped connect them.
And let's consider referrals within your own client
base.
(07:13):
If a client comes to you with a
request for a referral for a friend or
a family member, don't just send them to
anyone you're familiar with.
Think about who truly fits the need.
Someone you would trust to provide high quality
care.
This type of generosity shows that you're not
just thinking about your own business, the well
-being of others too.
And here's the thing, you can't give everything
you have all the time.
(07:33):
I've learned this the hard way, and there
are days that I just don't have anything
extra to give.
That's okay.
Generosity doesn't mean overextending yourself.
It means being thoughtful about when and how
you give.
And sometimes you'll have more to offer, sometimes
you won't.
The key is to really honor your limits.
Give in ways that feel good for you,
rather than feeling like you're giving out of
(07:54):
obligation or guilt.
A well-placed, I wish I could respond
to this right now, but I'm just not
going to be able to is totally fine.
Generosity is about balance.
It's about recognizing that while it's really important
to give to others, it's also essential to
take care of yourself.
If you're burned out or overwhelmed, you won't
have anything left to give.
And when you're able to show up for
(08:14):
others with genuine care and thoughtfulness, it creates
this ripple effect that benefits everybody involved.
I can tell you that the more I've
embraced generosity in my practice, the more it's
come back to me in unexpected ways.
It's built my network, created opportunities, helped me
develop strong relationships with clients and colleagues and
community members.
But more importantly, it's allowed me to build
(08:36):
a practice that feels really fulfilling and authentic
and connected to the people I serve.
If you're ready to embrace generosity in your
own practice and you want a tool to
guide you, I've got something for you.
You can DM me the word sheets and
I'll send you this week's worksheet, which is
who to network with, since that's an important
part of being generous.
You'll also get access to the worksheets in
(08:56):
the whole series.
So those are all designed to help you
implement the ideas I talk about and bring
more generosity in your practice in this circumstance.
Thanks for tuning in today and trust that
there are plenty of clients out there.
And when you have the time and energy
to be generous, it's a great option.
If you're ready for a much easier practice,
(09:18):
Therapy Notes is the way to go.
Go to therapynotes.com and use the promo
code ABUNDANT for two months free.
I hope that helped.
If you have questions for Ask Allison, or
you want to get your hands on the
worksheet for this episode, go to abundancepracticebuilding.com
slash links.
(09:40):
If you're listening, you probably need some support
building your practice.
If you're a super newbie, grab our free
checklist using the link in the show notes.
I'd love for you to follow, rate, and
review, but I really want you to share
this episode with a therapist friend.
Let's help all our colleagues build what they
want.
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