You've built a thriving practice, you're at capacity, and you know the next step is hiring—but here's what nobody tells you: being an excellent therapist doesn't automatically make you a great leader. Most therapy practice owners struggle to scale not because they can't, but because we were never taught how to shift from clinician to leader. And the fear of becoming the kind of manager you never wanted to be? That's keeping you stuck in solo practitioner mode even after you've hired associates.

What You'll Learn:

• Why clinical excellence doesn't translate to leadership skills (and what actually does)
• The three most common leadership scenarios that keep therapy practice owners stuck in micromanagement mode
• How to create boundaries between being a leader and being a therapist for your team
• The difference between transactional leadership and transformational leadership—and why only one works for values-driven practices
• Five essential leadership conversations every practice owner needs to master
• Practical strategies for building team culture that reinforces your practice values
• How to step into authentic leadership without becoming someone you don't want to be

Key Topics Discussed:

• The leadership crisis: transitioning from solo clinician to team leader without any training
• Three common struggles when scaling: micromanagement, blurred boundaries, and leadership resistance
• Why most business leadership advice doesn't work for therapists (and what does)
• The myth of "natural born leaders" and why your therapeutic skills are actually your secret weapon
• Breaking down transactional vs. transformational leadership models
• Five critical leadership conversations: vision alignment, performance coaching, difficult feedback, growth planning, and boundaries
• Creating intentional team culture through values, rituals, psychological safety, and consistency
• The RECLAIM process applied to the People Pillar

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Sustainable Practice Framework™ - The 4 P's Strategic Pillars: Purpose, Profit, People, Process
• RECLAIM Process - Seven-step methodology for leadership transformation
• Story Reference: "Maria" - Cecilia's personal experience with micromanagement in early group practice years
• Leadership Development Resources - Coaching, mentorship, peer groups, and masterminds

Key Frameworks:

• People Pillar - Build and lead values-aligned teams through authentic leadership
• Transactional Leadership - Management based on tasks, performance metrics, and compliance
• Transformational Leadership - Leadership focused on vision, development, empowerment, and meaning
• Five Essential Leadership Conversations - Vision alignment, performance coaching, difficult feedback, growth planning, boundaries

Action Steps from This Episode:

1. Write down your top three leadership fears (be honest—nobody's listening)
2. Identify one limiting belief about leadership you're willing to examine
3. If you have associates, schedule a structured one-on-one with a clear agenda
4. Recognize external expectations about leadership that you've absorbed
5. Get clear on your practice values (actual operational values, not just mission statements)
6. If hiring soon, identify values that matter most in candidates beyond clinical credentials
7. Create one team culture initiative this quarter
8. Get leadership support for yourself (coach, therapist, peer group, or mastermind)

ABOUT YOUR HOST:

Cecilia Mannella is a leadership coach for therapists and wellness practice owners with 25 years as a mental health practitioner and 17+ years building her group practice from solo therapist to seven-figure success. She's lived through every leadership identity phase herself and now helps Canadian therapists navigate their own leadership evolution to scale sustainably.

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