As therapists, most of us were never taught how to run a business—let alone how to manage money, payroll, hiring, or leadership in a way that’s both ethical and sustainable.

Licensed therapist and group practice owner Gordon Brewer and I talk openly about money mindset, generosity, boundaries, hiring mistakes, and what it really takes to create a financially sustainable group practice without burning yourself out or sacrificing quality of care.

If you identify as a people-pleaser, an over-giver, or a “nice” leader who are quietly paying the price for unclear boundaries, this episode is for you.

Gordon opens up about what didn’t work when building his group practice, what had to change, and how learning to lead with clarity—rather than guilt—ultimately benefited both his team and his business.

“Being kind means setting expectations and boundaries, so people know what to expect. Being nice often means avoiding those conversations—and that’s where things fall apart.” — Gordon Brewer

Gordon shares how over-giving with compensation, avoiding hard conversations, and underestimating the importance of clear financial systems led to stress and instability in his practice. Through hiring missteps, money mindset work, and implementing Profit First, he learned that sustainable leadership requires clarity, boundaries, and a willingness to course-correct.

(00:04:16) Gordon’s Journey to Owning a Group Practice and Hosting a Podcast

(00:09:37) Sustainability Over Generosity: Lessons in Business

(00:13:08) Navigating Money Stigma in Group Practice Ownership

(00:17:51) Money Management and Hiring Lessons

(00:20:05) How Boundaries and Values Shape Your Success with Finances

(00:23:39) Parenting: Commands Disguised as Questions

(00:27:03) Employee Benefits vs. Contracting

(00:31:07) Planning for Financial Stability and Rebuilding a Sustainable Practice

(00:36:43) How to Avoid Over-Giving in Your Private Practice

Gordon’s reflections highlight a truth I see again and again in my work with therapists: sustainability doesn’t come from good intentions alone. It comes from aligning your values with clear business decisions, financial transparency, and leadership that supports everyone involved—including you.

Key takeaways you can apply right now:

Run the numbers before calling something “generous.”

High splits, low fees, or extra perks aren’t generous if they put your practice at risk. Sustainability is what allows generosity to continue.

Being “nice” can quietly lead to burnout.

Avoiding boundaries and hard conversations may feel compassionate in the moment, but it often creates resentment and instability over time.

Kind leadership is clear leadership.

Setting expectations upfront—and holding people to them—is one of the most respectful things you can do for your team.

Money stories shape business decisions more than we realize.

Beliefs about greed, selfishness, or worthiness often come from family or faith backgrounds and deserve to be examined—not blindly obeyed.

It’s never too late to course correct.

Gordon’s willingness to rebrand, rebuild systems, and restructure his business model created a healthier practice that better served everyone involved.

If you’re noticing patterns of over-giving, financial stress, or people-pleasing in your practice, I hope this episode helps you feel less alone—and more empowered to lead with clarity and confidence. Sustainable, ethical business decisions aren’t a betrayal of your values. They’re how you protect them.

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