Deposits in the Bank: What Private Practice Has Taught Me About Resilience
When I reflect on my journey—from running multiple insurance brokerages to launching my own therapy practice, and eventually becoming the CEO of Build Your Private Practice—one theme keeps rising to the surface: steady effort matters. And not just the kind of effort that produces immediate results, but the kind that builds over time, often unnoticed... until it really counts.
A few years ago, my partner (also a psychotherapist) shared a concept with me that stuck. He described our personal and professional growth like making deposits into a bank account. At first, it felt like a simple metaphor—do the work, see the rewards. But the more I thought about it, especially in the context of private practice, the more powerful it became.
There are two kinds of “accounts” we tend to manage in business and in life:
The Checking Account—where day-to-day operations happen. You book the sessions, send the invoices, manage the admin, show up for clients, and handle all the moving parts of your practice. You’re in action mode. These deposits pay off quickly—you see momentum, referrals, and revenue.
The Savings Account—this is where the deeper, quieter work lives. It’s the boundary you set that felt uncomfortable but necessary. It’s the time you spent refining your systems. The decision to invest in mentorship or community when it felt like a stretch. The moment you chose rest over hustle so you could avoid burnout.
These aren’t always immediately visible “wins.” But they build resilience. Confidence. Clarity. And when life throws you a curveball—personally or professionally—that’s the account you draw from.
I’ve had seasons of intense challenge. I’ve lost loved ones, faced personal grief, and navigated some hard decisions in both life and business. During those times, I didn’t need a new strategy. I needed inner reserves. And I had them—because I’d been making deposits all along.
Here’s the thing: we don’t always realize the value of the small, consistent efforts we make—until we really need them.
Whether it’s refining your intake process, learning how to lead a team, saying no to clients who aren’t aligned, or simply stepping back to reevaluate your goals—these are all quiet investments in a stronger, more aligned version of you and your practice.
So if you’re in a season where the results aren’t obvious, or you’re wondering if your effort is even “working,” I want to remind you: not every deposit gives you an immediate return.
But trust me—when you need it most, you’ll be grateful that account is full.
