What Living Your Values Really Looks Like in Private Practice

Resource - Values List

The new year is approaching and it’s a time to get reflective and think about the values you want to uphold in your business; we all care more about where we purchase our goods and services these days, and we want to buy into meaningful value-based businesses that align with our own values, so being clear on where you stand will help client make the right choice of therapists to see.

You may have already gathered that I’m incredibly passionate about helping you build a value-based business. So much so, the subheading of my first book, A Therapist’s Guide to Private Practice, is ‘Building a Value-Based Business’!

I’ve previously written in detail about how to identify your business values and what to do with them once you have them.

Building a Value-Based Business Part 1

Building a Value-Based Business Part 2

This time, I want to discuss what living your values really looks like in private practice. Before we dive in, let’s recap the benefits of this approach.

Why Build a Value-Based Business?

Research shows that values-driven living significantly improves psychological well-being. A 2017 study published in Behavior Research and Therapy found that aligning with personal values reduced stress and increased life satisfaction.

Building a value-based business has helped my practice thrive, improved my well-being, and impacted my ability to build caseload and attract clients. Here’s how:

1. Authenticity Builds Trust

When you operate authentically, potential clients can sense it. This alignment between values and actions makes your messaging feel genuine, which helps build trust, even before the first session.

2. Clear Branding Attracts Your Ideal Clients

Knowing your values and embedding them in your business naturally leads to clear and consistent branding. Everything from your website copy to your social media presence tends to reflect what you stand for, making it easier for clients who share those values to feel seen and understood.

3. Alignment Creates Word-of-Mouth Referrals

Clients who feel a strong connection to your values are more likely to recommend you to others. People refer professionals they trust, and value-aligned practices often feel more trustworthy and relatable.

4. Values Act as a Filter

Rather than trying to appeal to everyone, operating with clear values helps you attract the right clients while repelling those who are not a good fit for your approach. This focus leads to better therapeutic outcomes. It also helps prevents burnout, as you won’t be trying to meet mismatched expectations.

5. Values Build Long-Term Relationships

When clients feel you and your practice align with their values, they’re more likely to return for additional support in the future. This helps you build a steady, loyal caseload over time.

6. Values Boost Your Professional Reputation

Consistently running your practice in line with your values will help you establish a strong professional reputation. Colleagues, supervisors, and referral networks notice therapists who work with integrity and are more likely to send clients their way.

7. Increased Job Satisfaction is Reflected in Your Work

When therapists operate in line with their values, they experience less burnout and greater job satisfaction. This is always reflected in the quality of care they provide, which naturally attracts more clients. Equally, clients are drawn to therapists who are passionate and present in their work and running a values-based practice ensures this energy remains sustainable.

Members continue reading - What Living Your Values Really Looks Like in Private Practice and how you can demonstrate them in your business day to day. Download a Values List