how to determine if Coaching for Therapists is Worth the Investment
- Avivit Fisher
- Sep 29
- 8 min read
For a therapist who's focused on building your practice and excelling professionally at the same time, there are significant benefits to hiring a coach. A coach can help you build a sustainable practice, enhance your business, and add another layer to your personal development. If you've been wondering about the value of hiring a coach to help you grow your practice and level up professionally, this article will help you make the right decision.
Understanding the Value of Coaching for Therapists
If you’re a therapist who’s working hard to build your practice while trying to stay on top of your professional growth, you’ve probably wondered: “Would hiring a coach actually help me?”
The short answer? Yes. A good coach will help you build a sustainable practice, attract more clients, and level up professionally. But not every coaching option will be worth your time, money, or energy. Let’s unpack what coaching can do for you, the common challenges it helps solve, and the questions you should ask before making the investment in coaching services.
As a private practice owner, your goal is to determine what type of coach is right for your current goals, but first...
Why Coaching Matters for Therapists
Coaching often gets confused with consulting, mentorship, spiritual guidance or even supervision. But here’s the difference:
A consultant gives you answers.
A mentor shares their personal path.
A coach helps you reach your goals faster with tailored support, accountability, and strategy.
Think of a coach as your motivator, strategist, and cheerleader rolled into one. If you’ve ever felt stuck (because of client acquisition, burnout, or figuring out how to run your business without running yourself ragged), coaching gives you a framework to move forward with clarity. A coach's objective becomes your success.
Understanding the Investment in Coaching
Yes, coaching is an investment, financially and personally. The truth is: a low-cost option with someone inexperienced can end up being more expensive in the long run. Worse, it can send you on the wrong path and stunt your growth altogether. I'd urge you to stay away from novices whose low rates may seem like a "good deal".
Before you hire, ask yourself:
Do I want to attract more private-pay clients?
Am I looking to sharpen my professional skills?
Do I need clarity around the business and financial side of practice ownership?
If the answer is yes, then coaching can pay off. Let's also not forget the time and energy investment that you will have to do while working as a coach. Unlike hiring a freelancer or a consultant, working with a coach means that you'll have to be actively engaged in the process. You must be open to self-reflection, willing to implement new strategies, and committed to your own growth and development.
And lastly, if you're willing to invest your time, money, and energy into the process of working with a coach, you need to be open to input and embrace change. Coaching is designed to challenge your current beliefs and assumptions, pushing you out of your comfort zone. It requires a certain level of vulnerability and a willingness to explore new possibilities. If you are resistant to change or unwilling to step outside of your comfort zone, coaching may not be the right fit for you.
You’ll need to show up, do the work, and stay open to change. Otherwise, you won’t see the return.
Common Challenges Coaching Helps With
Running a practice comes with more than clinical challenges. Many therapists struggle with:
Self-doubt and imposter syndrome
Marketing overwhelm
Inconsistent client flow
Burnout from trying to do it all
Add the need for consistently attracting and retaining new clients to the mix, and you're left with a unique set of obstacles. A coach can help you build systems, clarify your marketing strategy, and keep you accountable so you don’t drown in the day-to-day.
Some of the areas where coaching makes a difference:
Setting up a private practice with the right foundation
Develop a marketing strategy for generating new leads and referrals to your practice.
Expanding into group practice or multiple locations
Creating a financial plan that supports your lifestyle and goals
Not every coach will be able to help you with everything at once. And that's ok. You may find that you can tackle some of these issues on your own. But for the ones that you can't, hiring a coach can certainly help.
Types of Coaching for Therapists
Not every coach works the same way. When I started coaching therapists in 2017, I mostly worked with local practice owners whom I met face-to-face. Since then, I've had clients in other states and locations worldwide with whom I meet online.
Here are your options:
One-on-one (in person or online): Personalized support, but higher investment. If you want to find someone who'll be in the same physical space as you, you will limit your options in finding a good fit for your needs. What's more, a coach who travels to your location or has their own office will likely be more expensive as well. The online coaching option opens you to a variety of possibilities in terms of finding the best fit for your needs.
Group coaching: More affordable, plus the benefit of peer support. This type of coaching can be useful if your goal is to be part of a community of other therapists who are on the same path as you. You may not receive as much individualized attention from your coach as you may want but you will benefit from the camaraderie and input from other members of the group.
Online coaching programs: Flexible, but less individualized. Typically, with this option you can go at your own pace and feel less pressured to achieve a particular goal. The drawback is that you experience less urgency and accountability.
FAQs: Coaching for Therapists
Here are some of the most common questions therapists ask when considering marketing or business coaching:
How can I find marketing coaching tailored for therapists?
Look for someone who specializes in mental health or private practices. General business coaches often miss the nuances of running a therapy practice.
What are effective marketing strategies for therapy practices?
The best strategies right now are local SEO (like Google Business Profile), referrals, and building an online presence through your website and content.
How do I choose a marketing coach for my therapy business?
Focus on experience with therapists, a process that fits your goals, and a style you feel comfortable with. Avoid one-size-fits-all approaches.
What services do therapist marketing coaches typically provide?
Strategy sessions, client acquisition frameworks, branding, SEO, content, funnel setup, accountability, and sometimes technical implementation.
How can marketing coaching help grow my private therapy practice?
It gives you structure, saves you time, and helps you attract more of the right clients, not just any clients.
Budgeting for Coaching
As with most investments, you may want to know what the potential ROI will look like. The whole point of hiring a coach is that you can improve your financial situation by focusing on a particular aspect of your practice.
Depending on the level of your own engagement while working with a coach, you may see a significant return from investing in a coach. But the ROI depends on your goals. For example: if the average lifetime value of a new client is around $2,640, and a coach helps you consistently add even a handful of new clients, the investment can pay for itself quickly.
Average session rate | The average number of weeks in therapy | Average Client's Lifetime Value |
|---|---|---|
$165 | 16 | $2,640 |
Assuming your coach can help you gain new clients or set up processes that allow you to increase your caseload, you can calculate the ROI based on the average above or your own numbers.
So when budgeting, look at:
Monthly income and expenses
The value of one new client
Your readiness to commit time and energy
How to Research and Choose a Coach
Another thing to consider is the duration of the coaching program, the frequency of meetings, and additional resources that a coach will provide, like guides, tutorials, and accountability between the sessions.
Here are a list of questions you may want to ask your potential coach at a discovery call:
How did you develop your process and program?
What skills will I be able to enhance by working with you?
How much time will I have to dedicate to the homework that you give after each session?
Will I be able to contact you between sessions?
What kind of additional materials will you provide me with?
How did your previous clients improve their practices by working with you?
Ask for recommendations from colleagues.
Check qualifications, past client results, and testimonials.
Schedule a discovery call to get a feel for their style and approach.
Be wary of anyone who promises quick results without understanding your needs.
A good coach will also ask you questions at the goal to determine if you're the right fit for them as well. Beware of a coach who promises results without truly understanding what you're looking for.
The best way to start your research is by word of mouth. Ask your colleagues and experts in the field who they recommend.
Jot down the names you've been recommended and continue your research online. Learn about the coaches on your list from their websites, social media, and other content that's available. Make sure to pay attention to their style and demeanor and note the ones that resonate with you best.
But if none of the people in your network can recommend a coach, you can also search online and on social media platforms like LinkedIn where you'll be able to find information about their qualifications and expertise. Consider their qualifications, certifications, and any additional training they have received.
Additionally, make sure that you review testimonials from past clients when considering a coach. Look for feedback from therapists who have worked with them in the past. This can provide valuable insights into their coaching process, effectiveness, and the results they have helped therapists achieve.
Making the Decision
At the end of the day, whether coaching is “worth it” comes down to your goals, your readiness to change, and finding the right fit.
If you want to grow your practice sustainably, attract more private-pay clients, and feel confident in your business decisions — coaching may be one of the smartest investments you’ll make.
By the time you're done with your research, you can narrow down your choices to picking the right coach for your needs. To help you streamline this process, here are the steps that help you make an informed decision on whether coaching is worth the investment for you as a therapist.
Decide on the main business goal that you're trying to accomplish for your practice.
Outline the steps necessary for reaching this goal.
Ask yourself what skills and methods will help you reach this goal faster.
Look at the steps and skills necessary and define the area you need most help with.
Define the type of coach that can help you with your areas of need.
Start your search by asking your network for recommendations.
Research coaches online and look into their services, programs, messaging, and credentials.
Schedule a sales or discovery call to interview and get to know the coaches from your research.
Ask questions that will give you an idea of the coach's process, personality, work style, fees, and potential ROI for your practice.
Make an informed decision on the best fit for your needs.
👉 Ready to explore coaching tailored for therapists? Book a discovery call today.
