Third time’s the charm sometimes, and it was the case for Alexina! She had to be persistent and resilient, and was able to find a way through financial troubles to finish her Master’s degree and start her own solo Canadian private practice.

In this podcast episode, we discuss why she chose to go solo rather than join an already-existing group practice and how she got to where she is today.

If you’d like some tips, advice, or just a good story of resilience from a fellow therapist, give this episode a listen!

MEET ALEXINA

Alexina is a Registered Clinical Counsellor practicing in North Vancouver, BC. She opened her solo private practice 4 months ago, immediately upon registration with the BCACC, something she had never imagined she would do. Alexina has over 10 years of healthcare and mental health experience, from pharmacy assistant to the past Executive Director of the BC Psychological Association. When she's not working, she’s either watching TV or running the trails on the North Shore.

Learn more about Alexina on her practice website, LinkedIn, and Psychology Today profiles.

In this episode:

• Becoming a therapist

• Why go back to school after working?

• Going into solo private practice

• How the practice is going

• Alexina’s advice to private practitioners

Becoming a therapist

Alexina’s route to working as a therapist was roundabout.

Alexina applied to Yorkville and got in, but couldn’t afford the tuition because she was accepted on such short notice, and didn’t have enough time to sort out student loans and payment plans. She was then suggested to try out Adler University, and that route worked!

Alexina was the Executive Director of BC Psychological Association for two of the four years that she worked there, and it provided her with the financial means to go back and complete her Master’s degree.

Why go back to school after working?

While Alexina enjoyed working as the Executive Director of the BC Psychological Association, she kept her eye on the prize of completing her Master’s degree, and this was partially due to being motivated by the people around her.

Working allowed her the financial freedom to continue with her studies, and the motivation from her colleagues pushed her to return to school and complete her qualification.

Going into solo private practice

From Alexina’s work, she knew about the different options that were available to her. She applied to organization jobs, but didn’t hear back and decided to try reaching out to group practices. However, she ultimately decided not to go with a position in an already-established group practice.

Therefore, Alexina turned towards starting her own Canadian private practice, because she began to think more deeply about the benefits of solo practice.

How the practice is going

Right now, Alexina’s practice is getting off the ground slowly.

‘It’s really difficult when you’re a new practitioner of any kind in the community for people to find out that you exist, unless you’re working with an existing practice or clinic somewhere.’ - Alexina Picard

Alexina’s been working hard to get her practice’s name out there, but she has learned that these things simply take time, no matter how hard you work, and she’s gotten okay with that.

Alexina’s advice to private practitioners

Learn as much as you can yourself. If you need to, consider putting your money to use by hiring a few professionals to set things up instead of spending money trying to do it yourself.

Connect with me:

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Resources mentioned and useful links:

Alison Chisholm: Building More Than a Private Practice | EP 177

Learn more about the tools and deals that I love and use for my Canadian private practice

Sign up for my free e-course on How to Start an Online Canadian Private Practice

Jane App (use code FEARLESS for one month free)

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Learn more about Alexina on her practice website, LinkedIn, and Psychology Today profiles

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