August 30, 2025 • 10 mins
Leaving a group practice and wondering if you can take your clients with you? In today’s Ask Allison, we’re breaking down the legal and ethical gray areas around client ownership, what non-compete clauses really mean, and how to handle transitions in a way that protects you and your clients. By the end, you’ll know what steps to take before you leave, how to keep your integrity intact, and how to make this move with confidence.
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Grab our free tools to grow your practice—weekly worksheets, the Tasky Checklist, and more: www.abundancepracticebuilding.com/links 
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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's today's question.
Hi, I'm planning to leave the group practice
I've been working at for the last three
years.
I've heard different things.
Can I bring my group practice clients with
me to my practice?
(00:49):
Great question.
We're going to dive in, but first I
want to thank Therapy Notes for sponsoring Ask
Allison.
They are my top choice practice management system.
I've talked about them for years.
I want you to know what sets them
apart is that they genuinely care about your
experience.
It is not just about troubleshooting.
They actively implement user-suggested features like secure
messaging, clinical outcome tracking, real-time insurance checks
(01:11):
and their AI feature therapy fuel.
Everyone at Therapy Notes 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 their prices
fair, to focus on innovation and to prioritize
customer experience with over a hundred thousand therapists
(01:32):
already on board.
They've proven you don't have to compromise success
for quality.
If you're ready to see for yourself, try
Therapy Notes free for two months, use the
code abundant at therapynotes.com.
Okay.
I am of the very firm belief that
ethically those are your clients.
They do not belong to the group, but
the world doesn't always run according to my
(01:53):
preferences.
So before you pack your bags and tell
your clients to follow you, there are a
few crucial ethical and legal considerations that need
to be addressed.
So let's talk about what's really going on
when it comes to client quote unquote ownership,
non-competes and your rights as a therapist
when you make a move.
Okay.
Let's get straight to it.
Can you take your clients with you?
(02:13):
The answer is say it with me.
It depends.
I'm sorry.
There are a few key factors that are
going to determine whether or not you can
take your clients with you.
And it mostly comes down to the contracts
you've signed and the legal agreements you've made
with the agency or the practice you're leaving.
The first thing to think about is whether
or not you signed a non-compete clause
as a part of your employment or contract
(02:35):
with your current practice and non-compete clause
typically says that you agree not to solicit
clients from the practice.
If you leave now, here's the thing.
These clauses don't always hold up in court.
And in some States they're banned because ultimately
your clients have the right to choose who
they want to see.
However, just because ethics and the law might
be on your side doesn't mean you can
(02:57):
act recklessly.
How you handle this situation is still extremely
important.
And it's all about making sure you're respectful
of the relationships you've built with both your
clients and the practice that you're leaving.
So even though non-compete clauses often don't
hold up in court, there's still an ethical
approach to taking clients with you.
When you leave, there is the risk that
(03:19):
the group practice owner will sue you for
breach of contract.
If you've signed a non-compete, even if
they don't win, it's still going to be
expensive and stressful for you.
So here's what I recommend you do first,
review your contract, take a look at any
agreements you signed.
When you join the practice, read the fine
print, especially if you signed something with a
(03:39):
non-compete clause or any language that restricts
your ability to take clients with you.
Get in touch with an employment attorney for
professional review.
It is better to know what's legally binding
than get caught in a tricky situation.
Next, if the lawyer that you spoke to
gives the okay, have an open conversation.
If you didn't sign a non-compete or
(03:59):
if your contract is vague on the issue,
it's time to have an honest conversation with
the practice owner or manager.
Ask them how they would like you to
handle client transitions.
Don't assume that it's okay to take clients
and run, be really transparent with the practice
and be sure to keep your clients rights
at the forefront of the discussion.
If your practice owner is open and understanding,
they may give you the green light to
(04:20):
let your clients know where you're going and
offer them the option to either follow you
to your new practice or stay in the
current practice.
That is what you should be offering if
you have the ability to.
Never just assume your clients want to come
with you.
You always need to give them the option
of staying also.
Number three, be transparent with your clients.
(04:40):
You need to be upfront with your clients
about what's happening.
Let them know where you're going.
And this is again, if your non-compete
situation allows for it.
And if the practice says, cool, let them
know where you're going, give them the choice
to follow you, continue working with someone else
at the current practice.
You must emphasize that it's their choice to
make.
Don't manipulate or pressure your clients into following
(05:02):
you.
If they're not ready or they don't want
to, I'm sure you wouldn't do that, but
I'm just saying it anyway.
Their trust is the most important thing and
you want to make sure that they feel
in control of their therapeutic journey.
So what happens if you signed a non
-compete?
Let's say you did sign a non-compete
or an agreement that has some tricky language
about client transitions.
If that's the case, you need to proceed
(05:23):
very carefully.
Some contracts, for example, say you can take
clients with you, but you have to pay
a fee to the practice for each session
the client attends with you at your new
practice.
This is one of those gray areas that
can get really complicated.
So it's really important to get good legal
advice before making any decisions.
If you're feeling uncertain about what your contract
means or how it might affect your ability
(05:44):
to move clients, consult an employment attorney.
They can really help clarify what's enforceable, what's
not, and what your options are for navigating
the transition.
And there are many of you who never
signed a single thing when you started working
because the group practice you work at didn't
have the proper systems in place.
You should have signed something.
If there is not a non-compete, but
(06:04):
you should have signed some forms.
If you signed nothing, if it was a
handshake agreement, if there is nothing that says
how much you can, you're making per session,
those kinds of things, then you should be
safe to take your clients with you.
Again, give them the option to stay in
the group if the group practice owner has
somebody that they can work with.
All right, I want to give some perspective
as a group practice owner, just so that
(06:26):
you have some insight from the other side.
In my practice, I would never, ever, ever
have a non-compete clause because I truly
believe that that therapeutic relationship is more important
than anything else, including business profits.
If a therapist is leaving my practice and
their clients want to continue seeing them, I
fully support that.
The client's relationship with their therapist should absolutely,
(06:47):
obviously, in my mind, take priority over any
kind of revenue loss or business arrangement.
It can be really tough from a business
perspective when a therapist leaves, especially if they've
built up a solid client base.
But at the end of the day, if
a client has a relationship with a particular
therapist and the therapist is moving on, I
want them to follow that therapist.
(07:07):
It's about providing the best care for the
client, even if it means losing business temporarily
for a group.
Now, I'm going to get real with you
for a moment.
You got a CYA.
As much as it feels like the right
thing to do, you still need to make
sure you're legally protected when you're making that
transition.
I know that reading contracts can feel like
a pain, but it is important to understand
what you've agreed to.
(07:28):
If you have any doubts about the contract
you signed, take it to a lawyer who
specializes in employment.
Don't trust that everything's going to be fine.
Having a professional review the documents can save
you a ton of stress down the road.
It's not going to cost a ton.
Even if you feel really confident that your
clients have the right to choose who they
work with, remember that it's always better to
(07:48):
be proactive and make sure that you're in
the clear.
No matter what, the client's needs should always
come first.
It's easy to get caught up in the
business concerns or fear of losing clients, but
the therapeutic relationship is at the core of
what we do.
Your clients trust you with incredibly personal and
sensitive information.
The last thing you want to do is
betray that trust by being unethical in how
(08:10):
you handle a transition.
Keep the conversations with your clients open and
transparent with regards to their options.
Do not bash the practice even if the
owner is acting like a horrible person, which
does happen sometimes.
Let them know they have options.
Make sure they know you're prioritizing their well
-being throughout the transition.
So, final thoughts.
If you are considering making the leap into
(08:31):
private practice, I know it can feel daunting.
There's a lot to think about from the
legal stuff to setting up your business, transitioning
clients.
But remember, you don't have to do it
alone.
There are resources and communities out there to
help you navigate this process with confidence.
If you're ready to move into private practice
and you want some support, join us in
the Abundance Party.
It's an incredible community of therapists who are
(08:52):
making that leap and we provide step-by
-step guidance and support so that you can
succeed.
And if you're struggling with this whole client
transition thing, I'm here for you.
If you want to deem in me the
word sheets, I will send you this week's
free worksheet, Working in Group Practice versus Going
Out on Your Own.
You'll also get access to all the previous
worksheets in the series.
You'll get step-by-step guidance on how
(09:14):
to navigate these tricky situations, how to make
ethical decisions, how to keep your business moving
forward.
All right.
I hope that you're doing well, and I
will talk with y'all soon.
If you're ready for a much easier practice,
TherapyNotes is the way to go.
Go to TherapyNotes.com and use the promo
code ABUNDANT for two months free.
(09:37):
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.
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
(09:59):
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's today's question.
Hi, I'm planning to leave the group practice
I've been working at for the last three
years.
I've heard different things.
Can I bring my group practice clients with
me to my practice?
(00:49):
Great question.
We're going to dive in, but first I
want to thank Therapy Notes for sponsoring Ask
Allison.
They are my top choice practice management system.
I've talked about them for years.
I want you to know what sets them
apart is that they genuinely care about your
experience.
It is not just about troubleshooting.
They actively implement user-suggested features like secure
messaging, clinical outcome tracking, real-time insurance checks
(01:11):
and their AI feature therapy fuel.
Everyone at Therapy Notes 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 their prices
fair, to focus on innovation and to prioritize
customer experience with over a hundred thousand therapists
(01:32):
already on board.
They've proven you don't have to compromise success
for quality.
If you're ready to see for yourself, try
Therapy Notes free for two months, use the
code abundant at therapynotes.com.
Okay.
I am of the very firm belief that
ethically those are your clients.
They do not belong to the group, but
the world doesn't always run according to my
(01:53):
preferences.
So before you pack your bags and tell
your clients to follow you, there are a
few crucial ethical and legal considerations that need
to be addressed.
So let's talk about what's really going on
when it comes to client quote unquote ownership,
non-competes and your rights as a therapist
when you make a move.
Okay.
Let's get straight to it.
Can you take your clients with you?
(02:13):
The answer is say it with me.
It depends.
I'm sorry.
There are a few key factors that are
going to determine whether or not you can
take your clients with you.
And it mostly comes down to the contracts
you've signed and the legal agreements you've made
with the agency or the practice you're leaving.
The first thing to think about is whether
or not you signed a non-compete clause
as a part of your employment or contract
(02:35):
with your current practice and non-compete clause
typically says that you agree not to solicit
clients from the practice.
If you leave now, here's the thing.
These clauses don't always hold up in court.
And in some States they're banned because ultimately
your clients have the right to choose who
they want to see.
However, just because ethics and the law might
be on your side doesn't mean you can
(02:57):
act recklessly.
How you handle this situation is still extremely
important.
And it's all about making sure you're respectful
of the relationships you've built with both your
clients and the practice that you're leaving.
So even though non-compete clauses often don't
hold up in court, there's still an ethical
approach to taking clients with you.
When you leave, there is the risk that
(03:19):
the group practice owner will sue you for
breach of contract.
If you've signed a non-compete, even if
they don't win, it's still going to be
expensive and stressful for you.
So here's what I recommend you do first,
review your contract, take a look at any
agreements you signed.
When you join the practice, read the fine
print, especially if you signed something with a
(03:39):
non-compete clause or any language that restricts
your ability to take clients with you.
Get in touch with an employment attorney for
professional review.
It is better to know what's legally binding
than get caught in a tricky situation.
Next, if the lawyer that you spoke to
gives the okay, have an open conversation.
If you didn't sign a non-compete or
(03:59):
if your contract is vague on the issue,
it's time to have an honest conversation with
the practice owner or manager.
Ask them how they would like you to
handle client transitions.
Don't assume that it's okay to take clients
and run, be really transparent with the practice
and be sure to keep your clients rights
at the forefront of the discussion.
If your practice owner is open and understanding,
they may give you the green light to
(04:20):
let your clients know where you're going and
offer them the option to either follow you
to your new practice or stay in the
current practice.
That is what you should be offering if
you have the ability to.
Never just assume your clients want to come
with you.
You always need to give them the option
of staying also.
Number three, be transparent with your clients.
(04:40):
You need to be upfront with your clients
about what's happening.
Let them know where you're going.
And this is again, if your non-compete
situation allows for it.
And if the practice says, cool, let them
know where you're going, give them the choice
to follow you, continue working with someone else
at the current practice.
You must emphasize that it's their choice to
make.
Don't manipulate or pressure your clients into following
(05:02):
you.
If they're not ready or they don't want
to, I'm sure you wouldn't do that, but
I'm just saying it anyway.
Their trust is the most important thing and
you want to make sure that they feel
in control of their therapeutic journey.
So what happens if you signed a non
-compete?
Let's say you did sign a non-compete
or an agreement that has some tricky language
about client transitions.
If that's the case, you need to proceed
(05:23):
very carefully.
Some contracts, for example, say you can take
clients with you, but you have to pay
a fee to the practice for each session
the client attends with you at your new
practice.
This is one of those gray areas that
can get really complicated.
So it's really important to get good legal
advice before making any decisions.
If you're feeling uncertain about what your contract
means or how it might affect your ability
(05:44):
to move clients, consult an employment attorney.
They can really help clarify what's enforceable, what's
not, and what your options are for navigating
the transition.
And there are many of you who never
signed a single thing when you started working
because the group practice you work at didn't
have the proper systems in place.
You should have signed something.
If there is not a non-compete, but
(06:04):
you should have signed some forms.
If you signed nothing, if it was a
handshake agreement, if there is nothing that says
how much you can, you're making per session,
those kinds of things, then you should be
safe to take your clients with you.
Again, give them the option to stay in
the group if the group practice owner has
somebody that they can work with.
All right, I want to give some perspective
as a group practice owner, just so that
(06:26):
you have some insight from the other side.
In my practice, I would never, ever, ever
have a non-compete clause because I truly
believe that that therapeutic relationship is more important
than anything else, including business profits.
If a therapist is leaving my practice and
their clients want to continue seeing them, I
fully support that.
The client's relationship with their therapist should absolutely,
(06:47):
obviously, in my mind, take priority over any
kind of revenue loss or business arrangement.
It can be really tough from a business
perspective when a therapist leaves, especially if they've
built up a solid client base.
But at the end of the day, if
a client has a relationship with a particular
therapist and the therapist is moving on, I
want them to follow that therapist.
(07:07):
It's about providing the best care for the
client, even if it means losing business temporarily
for a group.
Now, I'm going to get real with you
for a moment.
You got a CYA.
As much as it feels like the right
thing to do, you still need to make
sure you're legally protected when you're making that
transition.
I know that reading contracts can feel like
a pain, but it is important to understand
what you've agreed to.
(07:28):
If you have any doubts about the contract
you signed, take it to a lawyer who
specializes in employment.
Don't trust that everything's going to be fine.
Having a professional review the documents can save
you a ton of stress down the road.
It's not going to cost a ton.
Even if you feel really confident that your
clients have the right to choose who they
work with, remember that it's always better to
(07:48):
be proactive and make sure that you're in
the clear.
No matter what, the client's needs should always
come first.
It's easy to get caught up in the
business concerns or fear of losing clients, but
the therapeutic relationship is at the core of
what we do.
Your clients trust you with incredibly personal and
sensitive information.
The last thing you want to do is
betray that trust by being unethical in how
(08:10):
you handle a transition.
Keep the conversations with your clients open and
transparent with regards to their options.
Do not bash the practice even if the
owner is acting like a horrible person, which
does happen sometimes.
Let them know they have options.
Make sure they know you're prioritizing their well
-being throughout the transition.
So, final thoughts.
If you are considering making the leap into
(08:31):
private practice, I know it can feel daunting.
There's a lot to think about from the
legal stuff to setting up your business, transitioning
clients.
But remember, you don't have to do it
alone.
There are resources and communities out there to
help you navigate this process with confidence.
If you're ready to move into private practice
and you want some support, join us in
the Abundance Party.
It's an incredible community of therapists who are
(08:52):
making that leap and we provide step-by
-step guidance and support so that you can
succeed.
And if you're struggling with this whole client
transition thing, I'm here for you.
If you want to deem in me the
word sheets, I will send you this week's
free worksheet, Working in Group Practice versus Going
Out on Your Own.
You'll also get access to all the previous
worksheets in the series.
You'll get step-by-step guidance on how
(09:14):
to navigate these tricky situations, how to make
ethical decisions, how to keep your business moving
forward.
All right.
I hope that you're doing well, and I
will talk with y'all soon.
If you're ready for a much easier practice,
TherapyNotes is the way to go.
Go to TherapyNotes.com and use the promo
code ABUNDANT for two months free.
(09:37):
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.
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
(09:59):
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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