9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Central
IMHCA Members: $249
Non-Members: $309
*Registration includes a 30-minute 1-on-1 consultation
10 CEUs Awarded
Presented By: Christine Barker, LCPC and Carmel Brown, LCPC
Launching a private practice is both exciting and challenging. This workshop is designed for mental health professionals who want to confidently start, structure, and sustain their own practice. Over the course of the training, participants will learn:
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Foundational steps in setting up a practice, including choosing a business structure, meeting licensing requirements, and establishing policies and documentation.
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Financial planning essentials, from setting fees to managing bookkeeping, taxes, and insurance considerations.
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Best practices for ongoing operations, such as systems for workflow, client retention strategies, and compliance with legal/ethical standards.
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Practical tools for creating a welcoming, efficient practice environment—whether in-person, online, or hybrid.
Christine Barker, LCPC - Christine has been in private practice for 15+ years, 10 years as a solo independent contractor and going on 6 years as a group practice owner. She cofounded Inner Courage Counseling, where she led, managed and grew a practice to its peak of 25 clinicians and 6 administrative staff for 5.5 years. Currently, Christine owns a small private practice in Naperville, IL, CB Counseling Services, where she manages a team of 2 part time clinicians and a masters level intern. Christine’s clinical focus includes treating clients who suffer from trauma, relationship issues, grief and loss. She is trained in EMDR, certified in CPT and divorce mediation. In addition to her clinical focus, Christine is an adjunct professor at Lewis University, provides supervision services to pre and provisionally licensed counselors and licensed marriage and family therapists. She also provides individual and group consultation assisting independently licensed practitioners start and maintain their own solo and group practices.
Carmel Brown, LCPC - Licensed therapist with more than 25 years of professional experience. My work history includes the State of Missouri’s Board of Probation and Parole, the not-for-profit sector as a program director, the state of Illinois at Alton Forensic center, and currently self-employed in private practice as a wellness professional and licensed therapist. I provide mental health services for individuals, families, and corporations and consulting for mental health professionals in private practice. I am a workplace wellness expert and have worked with national and international corporations and their employees during their times of tragedy, crisis, or distress. I offer corporate mental health and wellness services through a variety of EAP services such as, critical incident debriefing and stress management services, training, webinars, and workshops. I’m a Region Representative and a Chapter President for the Illinois Counseling Association and was awarded the Bea Wehrly Human Rights Award in 2022 by the ICA.
Zoom
(phone: (815)-787-0515)
| 11/21/2025 - 11/22/2025 |    |