From Insurance to Private Pay: Building a Practice with Tara Wells

EPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of The Claim Game, Jeremy Zug sits down with Tara Wells, sports social worker and founder of Finish Line Mindset, to discuss building a private practice around therapy, coaching, and prevention.Tara shares her approach to separating coaching from clinical work, transitioning from insurance to private pay, and using networking to grow her practice. They also discuss setting boundaries, finding the right niche, and building the confidence to create a practice that works for you.KEYWORDSPrivate Practice, Sports Social Work, Sports Mental Health, Private Pay Practice, Mental Health Practice, Practice Growth, Alma, Headway, Private Practice MarketingTAKEAWAYSKnow the Line Between Coaching and Therapy: Clearly defining the scope and boundaries of each service is essential when offering both.Your Niche Can Be an Advantage: Specific messaging helps the right clients and referral partners understand who you serve.Insurance Isn't the Only Path: Tara shares how she moved from insurance platforms to a private-pay model that better fits her practice.Relationships Build Practices: Networking and word-of-mouth referrals have become key drivers of Tara's growth.Set Boundaries Around Your Business: Creating intentional time away from clients and work helps protect your life outside the practice.Start Before You Feel Ready: Experiment with marketing, networking, and new opportunities while you still have a safety net.CHAPTERS00:00 Building a Practice Around Therapy and Coaching13:41 The Journey from Insurance to Private Pay28:43 Setting Boundaries as a Practice Owner37:50 From Self-Doubt to Taking the LeapRESOURCESToday Sponsors: Visit practicesol.com Learn More About Finish Line Mindset and The Unpacked Mastermind Connect with Tara on Instagram and TikTok Learn More About The Claim Game: Visit practicesol.com/podcast The Hourglass Learning Hub: Dive deeper into RCM best practices and downloadable tools mentioned in this episode, like the various checklists and templates, by visiting The Hourglass Learning Hub. Our Blog: Explore years of educational articles on billing and practice management at Practice Solutions Blog. Insurance Billing Basics: Steps for Therapists to Successfully Take Insurance.