Is Independent Private Practice Sustainable? Data on Caseloads, Insurance & Income – An Interview...

Independent private practice has long been framed as the path to autonomy, flexibility, and professional freedom. But in today’s shifting healthcare landscape, the real question is financial sustainability. In this episode, Curt and Katie sit down with Lindsay Oberleitner, PhD, Head of Clinical Strategy at SimplePractice, to examine national data on caseload trends, insurance participation, access to care, and burnout. Together, they explore whether independent private practice is truly viable long term - and what therapists need to understand to remain financially and professionally sustainable. Drawing from the SimplePractice State of Private Practice report, this conversation moves beyond anecdotes and into the structural realities shaping independent private practice today and in the years ahead. -- Link tree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined Show notes (including a full transcript): https://therapyreimagined.com/modern-... -- About Our Guest: Lindsay Oberleitner, Ph.D., L.P., is a licensed clinical psychologist and Head of Clinical Strategy at SimplePractice, where she applies evidence-based practices to drive strategic clinical decision-making and advocate for mental health providers. Throughout her career, she has worked at the intersection of addiction, chronic health conditions, and the criminal justice system, underscoring her passion for advancing interdisciplinary training and collaboration. Her academic background includes a Ph.D. from Wayne State University, a postdoctoral fellowship and faculty role at Yale University School of Medicine, ongoing leadership positions on the American Psychological Association’s Continuing Education Committee, and publishing over 40 peer-reviewed articles. In this podcast episode: Financial Sustainability in Independent Private Practice We dig into the numbers behind independent private practice and ask the question directly: Is this model financially sustainable? They explore: -What percentage of outpatient behavioral health care is delivered through independent private practice -Why some clinicians are experiencing declining caseloads despite high demand for mental health services -Trends in insurance acceptance and what they suggest about economic pressures -What typical full-time caseloads look like for independent practitioners -How reimbursement rates influence livable income -The real costs of running a private practice, including health insurance, liability coverage, and administrative overhead -Why burnout cannot be solved by individual self-care alone Key Takeaways for Therapists Evaluating the Financial Sustainability of Independent Private Practice -Even in a climate where millions of people who need behavioral health services are not receiving care, some independent practitioners are reporting shrinking caseloads. The data suggests a structural mismatch between available providers and client access. -Financial sustainability is no longer guaranteed simply by opening a private practice. -Visibility and referral pathways matter more than ever. -Larger, well-funded platforms may dominate online search and marketing spaces. -Independent clinicians must think strategically about how clients find them. -Caseload expectations shift significantly depending on reimbursement rates and payer mix. Meet the Hosts: Curt Widhalm & Katie Vernoy Curt Widhalm, LMFT http://www.curtwidhalm.com Katie Vernoy, LMFT http://www.katievernoy.com A Quick Note: Our opinions are our own. We are only speaking for ourselves – except when we speak for each other, or over each other. We’re working on it. Our guests are also only speaking for themselves and have their own opinions. We aren’t trying to take their voice, and no one speaks for us either. Mostly because they don’t want to, but hey. Creative Credits: Voice Over by DW McCann   / mccanndw   Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/