What is "Build Your Private Practice"? And How Did It Begin?
If you’re new to the Build Your Private Practice community, you might be wondering:
What exactly is BYPP—and how did it all start?
Let me tell you the story.
Build Your Private Practice was founded by Christine Hakkola, a Canadian psychotherapist who—long before online therapy was the norm—had a thriving private practice and a passion for business systems and mentorship. Christine’s background was diverse: yoga teacher, leadership trainer, business consultant, and later, a psychotherapist. She brought all of that experience together when she started her own private practice in Barrie, Ontario after graduating with her Master’s in Counselling Psychology.
Within just a few weeks of launching, her practice was full. She didn’t rely on chance—she relied on clarity, strong business foundations, and intentional action. Before long, other therapists were reaching out, asking how she did it.
What started as one-on-one conversations turned into an early version of the BYPP Mastermind Course. From there, Christine began building a thriving mentorship platform to support Canadian therapists at every stage of private practice—from dreaming, to launching, to scaling. She moved her therapy practice fully online and began serving clients across the country, all while continuing to mentor therapists through courses, coaching, and community.
The Next Chapter: My Role and the Vision Ahead
I’m Liane Wood, and in 2023, I had the opportunity to step in as CEO of Build Your Private Practice and continue the incredible work Christine started.
When I acquired BYPP, I had already built a thriving private practice of my own in Belleville, Ontario, combining my background as a business owner (I previously ran three insurance brokerages) with my work as a psychotherapist. For years, I had been mentoring other therapists—helping them launch and grow aligned, sustainable practices with systems that actually support their lifestyle.
When the chance to lead BYPP came my way, it felt like a natural extension of everything I was already doing—except now, with the ability to serve hundreds more therapists across Canada.
What Christine built was special. She created a community rooted in generosity, clarity, and strategy—and my goal has been to build on that foundation and expand it to meet the evolving needs of therapists today.
So, What Is BYPP Now?
Build Your Private Practice is more than a coaching program. It’s a community, a resource hub, and a roadmap for Canadian therapists who want to launch, grow, and scale successful private practices—with clarity, confidence, and support.
Here’s what we offer:
A Free Facebook Community
A thriving group for Canadian therapists in private practice (or thinking about it) filled with resources, conversations, free trainings, live Q&As, and more.Courses + Programs
Whether you’re just starting or ready to expand beyond one-on-one work, our programs meet you where you are—offering step-by-step guidance to build a profitable, ethical, and sustainable practice.Private Coaching
For therapists who want personalized support and mentorship as they grow their practice, build additional income streams, or scale their business strategically.Practical Tools
Templates, trainings, and business systems designed specifically for Canadian therapists—so you’re not trying to adapt U.S.-based advice that doesn’t quite fit.
Who We Serve
Our community is full of therapists and counsellors who are:
Ready to leave agency or organizational work
Tired of burnout and craving autonomy
Eager to launch with clarity—or scale with structure
Looking for real-world business support that’s grounded, ethical, and Canadian-specific
If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place.
Whether you’re still dreaming of private practice or ready to go all in on your next growth stage, BYPP exists to support you at every step.
Our mission remains the same: to empower Canadian therapists to build practices that support their life—not drain it.
If you’re curious about our programs or just need help figuring out your next step, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can explore our free resources or book a free consultation—we’re here to help.
Welcome to the community.
