Alex Shink
August 23, 2023

Daina Golson, LPC.

1. What's your practice focus and what kind of clients knock on your door ?

My practice uses a holistic approach to treat the whole person- supporting mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and relational health and healing. Understanding the essential connection between mind, body, spirit and community, I use an integrative approach to mental health. Clients who seek out my services want to learn about mental health from a holistic perspective, through understanding the states of the nervous system and how they impact mental function and capacity.

2. Tell us about yourself. 

What inspired me into private practice was my desire to engage as a therapist in a different way than I had experienced working in mental health agencies. I wanted to approach therapy from the holistic perspective that I so deeply resonated with in my studies. I am still motivated seven years later by this vision to spread information about mental health with less stigma, using our understanding of the nervous system that we all have in our body and how it impacts mental health.

3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.

I felt grateful to witness the healing of a client that was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. This diagnosis can feel devastating to clients. Through our trauma focused work together and healthy lifestyle changes, using mindful meditation, breath work and physical movement practices, by the end of our time together this client no longer met criteria for the diagnosis.

4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?

One of the hardest things for me starting out was learning the business aspect of the private practice, given that we do not learn about this in our programs. Taking insurance is not an easy task either, having to learn the ever-changing landscape of the insurance world is no easy feat. Also, I find it lonely working in private practice and miss interacting with peers and colleagues. I find so much support in those interactions when working with other therapists.

5. What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today?\

Top 3 tips I would give someone getting into private practice is:


  1. Don't let a lack of knowledge about business scare you off from reaching your professional goals. There are many programs and companies out there now that can be helpful in learning about the business side of private practice.
  2. Invest in billing companies and marketing platforms. Reach out to peers for help and support. Get a professional email, set up a website, and get an EHR program.
  3. Most importantly, embrace and validate all of the feelings of being new at something!

6. Where can people find you?

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